Well, winter is supposed to be started by now, right? It doesn’t really feel like it. Maybe I’m crazy, but this has been the hottest November that I can remember. And if I’m noticing, then the bugs are noticing it. Winter is supposed to be good for reducing pest populations. But, with all this mild weather, I’m still seeing tons of them! As I type this, I have a giant bug bite on the side of my head. So I figured, today we’d cover something regarding pest. We’re going to try and see which of our many insects is the largest Florida pest.
What is the biggest insect in Florida?
Well, this is a slightly different question. We’re not going to cover every bug in Florida today. I’m sure there are a few non-pest insects that may dwarf the bugs on our list, but we’re going to specifically cover the bugs that you’re going to find in your pantry.
Something like a massive butterfly or moth isn’t exactly the kind of bug that pops into your head when you think of a pest. Thankfully, no giant water beetles either.
Largest Florida Pest: Cockroaches
Of course, we’re going to start with number one. We don’t save the best for last here, because the best may very well be the worst. Cockroaches are large, startling, and extremely common in Florida,
And when you talk about cockroach infestations, the size actually varies. That’s because there are so many different species in Florida.
To start with, you have a medium-sized German cockroach. And when you get an infestation in your home, this is probably the one you’ll have. Of the various types of cockroaches in Florida, the German cockroach is arguably the most destructive. It’s a strictly indoor, domestic roach and that makes it all the worse. At about 1/2 inch long, it’s the smallest roach you’ll face in Florida. These bugs are light brown or tan with small semi-transparent wings and two dark vertical stripes along the cowl-like area behind its head. Saw a tiny but wingless roach? It could be a baby German cockroach. Look for the dark stripes along its back and molted exoskeletons lying nearby. Baby cockroaches are bad news—it means the colony is growing.
When are German Cockroaches Active?
Being an indoor species, German cockroaches will multiply out of control once they’ve made it into your home. They like the dark and the damp, so the state’s humidity makes spaces like garages and crawlspaces perfect nesting grounds. Like the other species we’ve mentioned, German roaches are most active at night when the lights are off and the party’s moved out to the backyard. Someone walks in for the cheese plate, flips the light switch, and there it is—a tiny German roach beat them to it! Yuck.
And unlike their activity in other, cooler places where they can’t survive in homes without heat, German roaches in Florida can pop up just about anywhere, and at any time of year.
How Big is the PALMETTO BUG?
And while it’s less of an infestor, you’re obviously going to wonder about the notorious palmetto bug. I mean, it’s gotta be on a list of the Largest Florida pest for sure.
People often confuse cockroaches with palmetto bugs—in reality, it’s very unlikely you will ever come across a palmetto bug.
Palmetto bugs, scientifically known as Eurycotis Floridana, got its nickname from commonly being found in palmetto fan palms and cabbage palms. They are also called Florida woods cockroaches. They are usually about 1.5 inches long, so they’re really just “really huge cockroaches.” The most identifying characteristic of the true palmetto bug is the foul smell it emits when disturbed. So, if it moves slowly and stinks when you squash it, then you might have actually seen a palmetto bug. Otherwise, more than likely it was just a normal cockroach.
Many people from out of state confuse the American cockroach with the Palmetto bug. Up to 2 inches long, American Cockroaches love our hot, humid Florida weather. They are commonly found in damp places like basements and sewers, but they are scavengers and will eat just about anything, so you’ll also find them hanging around food preparation areas as well.
Largest Florida Pest: Ants
Now, you may be surprised that the next bug on this list is ants. But, they can get pretty big! Two species of fire ants are found in Florida. Most notorious is Solenopsis invicta Buren, the red imported fire ant (RIFA), followed by the much less common S. geminata (Fabricius), the tropical or native fire ant. Other more common U.S. members of this genus include S. xyloni McCook, the southern fire ant; S. aurea Wheeler, found in western states; and S. richteri Forel, the black imported fire ant, confined to northeastern Mississippi and northwestern Alabama.
Fire ants favor warm, sunny conditions. They prefer dry fields and avoid shady areas such as woods. Typical mounds can grow up to 61 cm in diameter and 18 cm high. These colonies can contain several hundred thousand ants, including at least one queen.
Red imported fire ants may also move into yards as a result of infested nursery plants or grass sod being used in the home’s landscaping. Since red ant colonies often grow large enough to extend across several properties, control and prevention can be challenging.
Do Fire Ants Bite?
When attacking, fire ants first use their mandibles to grip their prey and then inject venom through a stinger. Fire ant stings are painful for most humans and fatal to some: if a victim experiences a severe reaction such as sweating, nausea, or excessive itching, emergency medical services should be contacted immediately.
Fire Ants are a range in color from red to brown and almost black, typically with their rear abdomen being darker than the body. They range in size from very small to nearly a quarter of an inch in size. You’ll find this great variation size is perhaps their most distinguishing characteristic from Big Headed Ants, aside from the Fire Ant’s ability to sting. A Fire Ant colony can contain up to 40,000 individuals. And while not the largest Florida pests, they’re certainly up there.