Down here in Florida, we have a little bit of a bug problem. Everything thrives here, from people to reptiles to the bugs! That’s why today we’re going to touch on some 2023 Florida pests to look out for and what you can do to keep them out of your home.
Why are 2023 Florida Pests so bad?
Florida is a beautiful state to live in. Water on all sides, warm weather throughout most of the year, and if you throw a rock it’s likely to land on either a beach or an amusement park. However, that doesn’t mean it’s all sunshine and lollypops for Florida homeowners. In fact, at least ninety percent of homeowners in the state will deal with some infestation of pest insects. But why?
The biggest Culp urate for the insect populations in Florida is the environment. Do you think we’re the only species on the planet that’s tropical? Think again. Nearly all insects love the warm temperatures of our state. And due to the high-water table, springs, rivers, lakes, and wetlands, they have more than enough space and water to breed and multiply in. And something unique I’ve noticed is that with the weather changing and warmer temperatures being year-round, there’s no season that suppresses bugs anymore. As a young man living just south of Tampa, frost on the ground wasn’t uncommon most mornings in the winter. Now, there’s maybe a week of sub 50 temperatures in the winter.
And sure, that may sound fine to you. But that sounds more than fine to the 2023 Florida pests, which can breed, spread, and maintain populations for twelve months of the year. Most insects don’t go dormant until sustained at 30 degrees or lower temperatures, and even lower than that to kill them off. So even if you’re just a snowbird down for a winter, don’t forget your bug spray!
Common Florida Pest Insects
So now, let’s touch on some of the bugs you can expect to find down here in the Southlands. If you’re a long time resident, there’s a good chance you’ve run into most of these at least once in your time as a homeowner.
To begin, let’s start with probably the most common home invading bug in the state. And that’s the cockroach. And not just any cockroach, but the German cockroach is the most numerous species in human homes. One female German roach can actually lay over three hundred thousand eggs in her lifetime and only has to mate once to do it. So even a single pregnant female going into your home can lead to a massive infestation. They’re medium sized, pale yellow colored roaches. You can recognize them by the two stripes that run down their back starting at their head.
Up next on the list is an insect that if you’ve been to Florida, you’ve had to deal with. That’s right, the humble mosquito. Easily the most numerous and annoying of Florida’s pests is this flying, blood sucking parasite. And the fun part about them? Well, we don’t just have one species in Florida. We have at least eighty species, with a large portion of them being from other parts of the world and invasive. These pests carry blood borne illnesses and can
look out for termites!
And finally, termites. We won’t get too far into them since they’re so destructive and varied in Florida. But they’re a huge problem, especially the further south you go. In fact, Florida often ranks number one as the most termite damaged state in the union, with the damage they cause passing millions of dollars annually. If you see them, act fast or you’ll regret it. They look like small, chubby white ants. Some species live directly in the wood and wall voids in your home, however, and won’t exactly be easy to find.
How to keep 2023 Florida pests out of your home
Now, let’s touch on some basic tips regarding keeping pests out of your home. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to pest control, so take these into account when you’re doing your daily chores.
To start, cleanliness is next to godliness. Not only that, but a clean house doesn’t attract bugs! Make sure to stay on top of cleaning, especially in your kitchen. The kitchen is the hotbed of the house for pest infestations. Make sure you seal all food in air tight containers and clean anything that falls or spills on the counters or floors. Dirty dishes are a massive red flag and a welcome mat for bugs, especially roaches, so don’t leave them in the sink overnight.
Trash cans are the number two hotbed. Make sure you get one that seals tightly, as some species like roaches can get into spaces nearly as small as the width of a quarter. And take out your trash when it’s full, don’t just pile on more and shove it down into the can.
And try to create barriers that keep bugs from just walking into your house. Add weather stripping and door strips to areas that may be missing them. And patch any holes or cracks in your walls and foundations, as those can turn into pest highways straight to your house. Holes in window and door screens as well; make sure to patch them as soon as you notice because flying pests will gladly make use of the way inside!
What can I do about an infestation?
Unfortunately, most pest infestations that reach the point of being a real problem aren’t able to be fixed by a layman. Taking steps to clean the home and seal off entry points will help, but 2023 Florida pests are resourceful and tough.
Instead of trying to solve the problem yourself, consider reaching out and contacting us at insectfree.com. We’ve been serving the area for three decades and use natural methods of pest control that are both effective and safe to use around your home and family. Either visit our website or call us at 1-800-634-1313 for a free consultation.