If you’ve lived in central Florida for any amount of time, you know how bad the bugs are. Sure, this area is our little slice of paradise. Pick up a rock and throw it and it’ll either land in a nice lake for swimming or hit the beach. But that doesn’t mean we’re without our issues. And chiefest of them? The bugs! That’s why today we’ll be discussing Lakeland pest control, and what pests you should expect to see this spring and summer.
Lakeland Pest Control: Overview
Now, when I think of a pest you’ll find in Lakeland, what do you think of? There’s a chance it’s one of a handful of bugs, but it’s likely you’re either thinking of roaches, bed bugs, or mosquitoes. These are some of the usual suspects you’ll find just about anywhere in central Florida. So to start off with, probably the most visually shocking among these bugs…
Cockroaches
Now, plenty of times on here we’ve covered the fabled palmetto bug. But today we’re going to stick with the number one home invading species of cockroach. But keep in mind, that doesn’t just go for Lakeland. Not even Florida at large. No sir, the German cockroach is the most infectious species there is. And you guessed it, we have em down here in droves.
German cockroaches have a worldwide distribution and are smaller the most types of roaches. This pest can hide in small spaces and hitch rides in bags, boxes, or second hand furniture. In fact, many infested items being brought into the home are some of the biggest causes of infestations. In apartments or other multi unit buildings, they easily move between these units. They use the shared plumbing, pipes, and spaces between the walls to travel.
Pre-owned electronics are also prolific hiding places for these bugs, who gravitate towards the warmth they put out. Also, any area with food debris can fulfill the needs that cockroaches had for food, water, and protection. These spaces include garbage cans, kitchen cabinets, behind ovens, and under sinks.
When identifying a German cockroach, there are a few things to look out for. The adults are easy to recognize, they have light brown coloration and two black stripes located immediately behind their heads. The nymphs are darker, nearly black, but also have the stripes. And the adults have wings, but they rarely fly and prefer to run. If you see one of these, contact a Lakeland pest control specialist immediately, since these roaches are such prolific infesters.
Mosquitoes
Now, next on our list is probably the number one reason you may need some Lakeland pest control depending on if you live near water. That’s right, the Florida mosquitoes! At a glance, mosquitoes are a unique and easily identified pest insects. They have long, thin legs and a head featuring a prominent proboscis. Their bodies and wings are covered in tiny scales, and the adults range from around three to nine millimeters in length.
Mosquitoes are more of a threat than many other pests. Sure things like cockroaches can leave filth that gets you ill around your home, but mosquitoes will actively seek you out for a blood meal. And on top of that, mosquitoes are vectors for many dangerous bloodborne diseases. This includes the Zika virus, West Nile virus, and several kinds of encephalitis. These diseases may have serious side effects. And according to a recent statement by the CDC, the number of mosquito bite caused diseases have tripled between 2004 and 2016. This problem is just getting worse.
So if you live on a property with any ponds, marshes, swamp water, or other wetland-like areas you probably get to deal with these guys by the hundreds. Even inland, they are capable of thriving in a variety of locations.
Bed Bugs
Florida is one of the worst states in the union for bed bugs, and that probably comes as no surprise to any natives. Where there’s a travel industry, there’s a bed bug problem. In fact, bed bugs are a year round pest, unlike most others. And even if it’s only cold enough one or two days a year to actually kill the pests of the state, there’s still a drop low enough to give us a break. But that doesn’t bother these indoor pests one bit.
Bed bug bites are problematic as well. Skin infections aren’t uncommon, since the bites cause itchy, red welts that swell for multiple days after the bite. Scratching increases the risk of infection as well. Not only that, but allergic reactions are possible as well, with some people having reactions that necessitate trips to the hospital.
Bed bugs are tricky, sneaky infesters once they enter your home. They hide in linens such as bedding, furniture, luggage, or just about any place where there is a crack or crevice. They are nocturnal pests that bite people and feed on their blood during the night. As residents sleep, the insects leave their hiding spots to find a host. Home infestations typically occur in mattresses or couches.
Lakeland Pest Control: What To Do
Any three of these bugs can become a serious infestation. And the issue there is the simple fact that once an infestation gets rolling, a layman won’t have much success in treating it alone. Especially if they try to go the route of using over the counter poisons. Not only are these poisons potentially hazardous to your health and that of your family, but if misused can be a bigger problem than what they were meant to fix. Rapidly breeding pests like bed bugs and roaches can actually develop resistances and even immunities to these types of poisons within a few generations of an improper application.
Instead, it’s better to rely on a licensed pest control expert. Especially one that uses natural methods, because even professionally applied poison is still poison. To speak with one of our specialists today, feel free to call us at 1-800-634-1313, and get your family and home the protection it needs against these blood-sucking and filthy bugs.
