If you live in Florida, you know we love extremes. Be it a Florida man making national news every few days or having hot and sunny weather all year round. There are no half measures in the Sunshine State. However, this isn’t at all limited to humans. Another group in this state likes to go extreme as well. And that group is the insect kingdom. Today, we’re gonna talk about Tampa Bugs and which ones are the worst.
Tampa Bugs: Why are there so many bugs in Tampa?
Unfortunately, we live in a state absolutely choc full of bugs. The U of F states that Florida is home to almost thirteen thousand insect species. And some of the conditions that attract them and help them thrive are both natural, and man made. For one, you have the ecosystem of the state. Sunny, warm beaches that lead into low-lying swamps that climb a few feet into forests that are just barely above a sea level. This creates a perfect combination of moisture, ground clutter, humidity, and weather that allows bugs to thrive and spread.
On top of that, you have the man made an impact on the state. For one, any blood sucking or hitchhiking insect is naturally going to thrive in a state with over twenty million people in it. Then you add the fact that a single human produces hundreds of pounds of waste per year, then you have a reason to see the filth feeding insects thrive. And when you combine these, you see why this state is just exploding with bugs from every angle. And the central part of Florida gets some of the mildest and most consistent weather. When I was a young man, frost would cover the grounds in the morning in winter. These days? Well, not so much. You may get a cold day or two over the winter, but long gone are regular forays into air temps much cooler than forty degrees.
And because of that, bug season is year round. So let’s talk about some of the species you may encounter down here in Florida, especially the Tampa bugs.
Tampa Bugs: Cockroaches
To start off, we have a bug that’s nearly as iconic for this state as palm trees and sea birds. That’s right, the classic “palmetto bug.” The palmetto bug to a native and someone who wasn’t born here are two different things. The palmetto bug is actually a nickname for the Florida woods roach that prefers to live in the leaves of dead palm trees, hence the name. The one referred to by that name by tourists is, actually, the American Cockroach. Other species that is pretty intimidating don’t get me wrong. They can reach up to three inches in length!
And when it comes to preventing roaches, cleanliness is key. Your trash can be a strong attractant for cockroaches. When the trash is not removed weekly, it starts to stink. That smell can be sensed by cockroaches. Be sure to remove your trash weekly and clean your receptacles if trash is ever allowed to sit for longer than a week. It is also important to protect your trash. Cockroaches can find food sources in your trash and breed inside your trash. Make sure you have tight-fitting covers on your trash cans if cockroaches are an issue for you.
Cockroaches love to squeeze into gaps and cracks. They’re right at home in a pile of rocks or a stack of wood. If you have objects piled in your yard, especially objects that are found in nature, cockroaches will want to hang out in your yard. Remove the piles, or move them far from your exterior walls.
On top of that, Cockroaches don’t just hide in natural hiding places. They’ll get underneath other objects in your yard. The more lawn clutter you have, the happier cockroaches will be. Objects provide shaded spots for cockroaches to get out of the sun and stay moist.
Tampa Bugs: Mosquitoes
Up next, you may have the least favorite animal of any Floridian. That’s right, the mosquito. We could sit here and go through every species there is, but pretty much any mosquito can thrive in Florida. They mostly live in warm, humid places near the equator, so no matter how they get here, they thrive when they arrive. Let’s touch on some quick mosquito tips.
To control mosquitoes in your home or lawn, your biggest enemy is going to be standing water. Make sure your outdoor faucets aren’t dripping or leaking – leaky faucets can quickly create puddles near your foundation that are inviting to mosquitoes looking to lay eggs. Also, remove any items in your yard that serve no real purpose except to collect water, such as buckets or overturned trash can lids.
Natural repellents are worth investing in as well. This can include lighting citronella candles or torches in the parts of your yard where you’ll be hanging out. Also, although not a true repellent – yellow outdoor lighting can help keep mosquitoes at bay since they are not attracted to yellow light the way they are to traditional incandescent lighting. Marigolds, catnip, and citrus plants are all known to impede or repel mosquitoes as well, so planting some of those around your property would probably help. Keep them in pots in the house and around various entryways mosquitoes may come in through.
What to do about a Tampa infestation?
Well, the sad thing about that is there’s not much a layman can do. The insects in Florida are all survival specialists. They’re experts at hiding and avoiding human contact. But when they are contacted, they’re quick enough at reproducing that improper use of chemical controls can actually breed resistant Tampa bugs!
Instead, contact us at insectfree.com as soon as you can to set up a consultation and get your home infestation issue dealt with. Natural methods are better anyway, as they treat the problem at the source with no risk present to you, your home, or your family.
