Here we are again in another winter. The weather hasn’t cooled down much, and the bugs are still going strong. It got me to thinking, actually. What are some of the more common Florida infestations that people are likely to deal with? That’s what we’ll discuss today, three of the biggest pests you’re likely to run into.
Common Florida Infestations: Cockroaches
Yep, that’s right. Today I’m starting with the all famous “palmetto” bug. But not just the American cockroach specifically. We’ll be talking more generally about this creepy crawly today.
Cockroaches: Overview
One fact that most people aren’t aware of is that cockroaches can be split into two groups. There are domestic roaches, which live in your home, and peridomestic, which don’t. For example, the German Cockroach lives it’s entire life indoors. Surprisingly enough, the American cockroach, a.k.a. the palmetto bug is peridomestic and spends equal time inside and outside.
This insect can live up for two weeks without water and can survive nearly as long without a head. They’re also shockingly athletic, able to reach speeds up to three miles an hour. Combine this with their survivability, and you have one of the hardest pest insects in the world. They were even used in early space travel to determine radiation survivability. So once they’re in, they’re in, and you’re probably going to need to contact a pest control specialist to get them out.
And not only are they just not great to look at, but they shed their skin and leave plenty of waste products behind. These waste products can trigger allergic reactions, asthma, and other illness- especially in the elderly or young.
In our human environment, cockroaches can survive in many different kinds of items. They eat anything from leftover food, leather, cigarette butts, coffee grounds, soap, fabric, hair, and even fingernails.
Roaches need three things to live, with those being food, water, and shelter. As you can see, food and shelter aren’t much of an option when it comes to starving them out. So making sure you have any leaky pipes or clogged drains fixed up goes a long way.
But, this doesn’t mean that roaches are and all around negative for the world. In their own environment, they provide a beneficial role in nature. Essentially, they’re the garbage people of the woods- eating things like decaying organic matter to help break it down and put it’s energy back into the cycle.
Common Florida Infestations: Mosquito
There are a few infestations you’ll find worse than this one. Mosquito infestations are at best annoying and itchy, and at worst deadly. Mosquito traps, bug zappers, and candles can help you kill scores of the pests, sure. But if your patio is still filled with the buzzing bloodsuckers, then you’ll likely need the help of a pro.
Left unchecked, mosquito populations can quickly become deadly. Controlling this pest is imperative to prevent the spread of diseases like the Zika virus, Chikungunya virus, West Nile virus, Malaria, and Dengue.
Mosquitoes and water
Few things can lead to an infestation of mosquitoes like standing water. Without it, they can’t go through several stages of their life cycle or lay eggs. Young mosquitoes hatch from eggs that are laid in the various puddles of standing water left around the yard.
Infestation can be found with a sudden increase in the mosquito population. Even if it’s not swarms of them around your head, an uptick in the number of itchy bites is a good sign. Warmer weather is when you can expect these infestations to really take off.
Seasons, when heavy rains are accompanied by flooding also seem to attract mosquitoes. Flood water is the perfect breeding ground for them. If there is a section of a home’s yard where flooding occurs, the stagnant water left behind is the cause of mosquito infestations.
Steps to eliminate the causes of mosquito infestations
- Remove wet leaves and dead wood from shady areas of the yard
- Gardens overgrown with weeds and debris attract these pests
- Keep the grass low by mowing at regular intervals throughout the warm weather seasons to avoid hiding spots
- Avoid overwatering plants which can cause excess water to pool within the flowerbeds
- Check automatic sprinkler systems to maintain proper irrigation practices to prevent the occurrence of stagnant water
Wherever there is stagnant water, that’s where mosquitoes thrive. The incidence of a mosquito infestation grows during the wetter seasons of the year requiring control. Damp, hot climates attract mosquitoes providing them the perfect breeding grounds to breed which are the causes of mosquito infestations. To avoid the nuisances associated with an infestation contact a professional mosquito control team to rid the yard of these infuriating pests.
There are also a few ways you can REALLY take the fight to them into your own hands. Remember, a bad infestation will probably need a pro, but you can also likely deal with one of the worst common Florida infestations yourself before it blooms into a full on panic mode style of issue.
Remove standing water where mosquitoes could lay eggs
- Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out any items that hold water like tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, or trash containers. Mosquitoes lay eggs near water.
- Tightly cover water storage containers (buckets, cisterns, rain barrels) so that mosquitoes cannot get inside to lay eggs.
- For containers without lids, use wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.
- Use larvicides to treat large containers of water that will not be used for drinking and cannot be covered or dumped out.
- If you have a septic tank, repair cracks or gaps. Cover open vent or plumbing pipes. Use wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.
Kill mosquitoes outside your home
- Use an outdoor insect spray made to kill mosquitoes in areas where they rest.
- Mosquitoes rest in dark, humid areas like under patio furniture, or under the carport or garage. When using insecticides, always follow label instructions.
