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Florida Winter Pests   arrow

Well, here we are. Another year nearly in the books. And though it’s a crazy time for our world, for pests it’s just another winter. In fact, for many of them- we’re getting close to relief from them. I mean, not much, since it IS the Sunshine State and we don’t get much colder than sixty most days. But even though there are a few pests that we do get a mild break from, there’s plenty that we don’t. That’s why today we’re going to be covering Florida Winter Pests. Just because the weather’s nice and cold now, that doesn’t mean that we get off scot-free.

You want to stay informed because these Florida winter pests are nasty. You’ll find everything from bloodsuckers to infestors here. Creepy crawlies that either raid your pantry at night or suck your blood while you sleep.

Florida Winter Pests: Bed Bugs

We’re not saving the best for last here folks. Today we’re starting with the true heavyweight of Florida winter pests. That’s right, the bed bug. This pest has been around and well known for ages as, just that, a pest. They feed on your blood, are considered a public health pest by several government agencies, and are generally irritating creatures. And while they’re not known to spread disease, enough of them spreading in an area can cause other public health issues so it’s important to pay attention to them.

Experts believe the drastic increase in their spread is directly related to the rise of travel. This, tied together with the lack of knowledge about infestation prevention, and the increased resistance of the bugs to pesticides leads to some issues. But, there is good news. Controlling bed bugs on your own and keeping them out of your house isn’t that difficult. Like any pest, it’s best to be well informed. Getting good, solid information is always key. And the most important info you can have is the ability to identify them.

In general, bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed with a long, brown, and flat body. They’re oval-shaped and increase in size after feeding. They have a beak with three segments, an antenna with four parts, and wings that aren’t used for flying. Bed bugs also stink- they have a musky odor that’s produced by the glands on the lower side of their body. They lay eggs as well. Their eggs are pinhead-sized, pearl-white in color, and have an eyespot on them. And during its lifetime, you’ll see bedbugs go through a few stages of life. From nymph to adult.

Florida Winter Pests: The Flea

While fleas may not be the Florida winter pests that bother you, it will bother your pets. If your dog or cat has been treated for fleas and you see them still scratching, there’s a good chance you didn’t get them all. Fleas are known carriers of murine typhus and bubonic plague. Which means, I guess, that they are also a risk to you! Not just fido.

Fleas are attracted to conducive weather in temperature. This means that they prefer warm climates. This means our little slice of sunshine is perfect for them. They’re most vibrant in temperatures of around sixty-five degrees and will search for warmth in any place. So when Florida’s winter comes around and we drop to around there most days, fleas thrive.

And female fleas can lay as many as fifty eggs a day on your pet. Some of these eggs quickly fall off onto your floors, into your carpets, and under your furniture. Then the eggs hatch and the newly born fleas scutter into dark corners to feed on the undigested feces of larger fleas. They can go dormant until they sense movement, body heat, or carbon dioxide, after which they will use their incredible jumping power to leap on a new host and start the cycle over.

Roach Invasion

If you’ve lived in Florida for any amount of time, you’re likely to have seen at least one roach. It’s just the nature of living in a tropical environment. But as winter nears, what’s normally a mild annoyance can spiral into a real problem. Maybe the worst of the Florida winter pests among the roaches is the german cockroach.

Adults of this species of roach are easily recognized. They have a light brown or tan coloration with two black, horizontal stripes located immediately behind the head. The younger roaches are darker and almost black in color. Young nymphs also have these black stripes. The adults are medium-sized, growing to about sixteen millimeters. And while the adults have wings, they rarely, if ever, fly- preferring to simply run.

German cockroaches are well known indoor cockroaches. They have a worldwide distribution as well, and Florida is no stranger to this infestor. Smaller than other types of cockroaches, the pests can hide in small spaces and hitch rides in bags, boxes, and many other infested items that are brought inside the home. In multi-unit apartment buildings, they can easily move between units, using the shared plumbing and pipes as a highway.

Florida Winter Pests: Roaches

One of the most common sources of problems with German cockroaches is used items like furniture and luggage. Pre-owned electronics are also hiding places for the pests, which gravitate towards these warm devices. Additionally, areas, where food debris is left around, will fulfill the needs that the cockroaches have for food, water, and protection, such as near:

Garbage containers.

Kitchen cabinets.

Under sinks.

These cockroaches lay 40 eggs at a time, which mature in about two months. Because they reproduce rapidly, infestations quickly become severe. German cockroaches are hardy and fast and have few natural predators inside human habitats. For these reasons, their populations tend to grow rapidly and can be hard to get rid of, often requiring professional treatment.

There are a few ways you can tell that you have an infestation. To start with, you’ll likely see their droppings. If you look, you can find them along the tops of doors or in cracks in the walls.