Down in the southlands, summer is starting off with a blast. A blast of heat! This is one of the hottest years I can remember, and that means a few things. The biggest thing we’ll focus on today, though, is the bugs. 2024 Florida summer pests are on the rise, so let’s get into what you need to look out for.
2024 Florida Summer Pests: Overview
2023 was the hottest year on record for our state. The waters around us are so warm now that even coral is bleaching. And the fact is, it’s getting hotter by the year. But why does that make Florida’s pest problems worse? Well, let me explain.
Florida has always had a bug problem. It’s just the nature of our environment. Subtropical beaches that lead into forests that lead into swamps. And all three ecosystems make great staging grounds for insects, especially in the realm of breeding. Standing water can be found just about anywhere in Florida, and where you have standing water you have bugs. But not only that, the human traffic is a big driver of bug populations as well.
When people move down to a state in droves like they have in Florida, they bring bugs with them. With a thousand new residents to the state a day, you’re going to have a few hitchhikers. And business and housing development destroy the natural eco systems of these pests, leading to a compounding affect. Dumpsters and human settlements will always attract displaced pest populations looking for a place to stay.
And now that the temperature rarely drops to the 40 or below to put bugs into hibernation mode, they’re active year round. And Florida doesn’t even come close to low temps that can actually do significant damage to those insect populations. So that essentially means year round breeding and growth seasons for these bugs. And every year its getting worse and worse. So now let’s start getting into some of the 2024 Florida summer pests and what you need to look out for to protect your home.
Florida Summer Pests: What bugs to look out for this season
In Florida, there’s a few pests that are the usual suspects that most owners will have to deal with. So let’s get into it and start this row off with one of the worst infestations possible in your Florida home:
cockroachesC
Cockroaches, unfortunately, are as much a part of Florida as anything else. Beaches? Check. Disney world? Check. Cockroaches? Oh, more than you can shake a stick at. In fact, it’s said that one in every third house in Florida is dealing with a cockroach infestation at any moment, especially in the Tampa bay area. This may be easily the 2024 Florida summer pests representative you see the most for your stay in the Sunshine State.
There’s two major species to look out for as a homeowner in Florida. The first is the American cockroach, the largest species in the lower 48 states. They can reach up to three inches in length, can fly, and are easily identified by the yellow half-circle that traces the backs of their heads. They’re most often found in damp, dark, moist areas.
The other species to look out for is arguably much worse despite the size difference. German cockroaches are a very common species in Florida homes. And you can identify them by their medium size, rarely topping out over an inch in length, pale yellow coloration, and two black lines than run down the backs of their shells. This is a very rapidly breeding pest, and one that requires a pest control specialist immediately.
ants
If you’ve gone on a picnic in Florida before, then you know what a problem ants are. But, they’re not just a problem on the playground and out in the field. Ants in Florida are known home invaders, and one of the possible culprits is ghost ants.
Ghost ants are tiny ants that originate from south America. They’re tiny, and have cream colored bodies that make them almost invisible to the naked eye. On top of that, they form multiple colonies in wall voids in homes, and send queens out to create more. An infestation with these ants can lead to hundreds of thousands of ants in your walls in no time at all.
Then there’s the fire ant. Fire ants are a vicious pest, and will sting anything that disturbs their nest. They can create nests in wall voids and cracked foundations, and have stings that are venomous and can cause allergic reactions. Small toddlers and babies are particularly at risk for serious damage from fire ants.
mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are the buzzing, eternal hunters of Florida nights. But in all seriousness, you won’t be missing this pest. They’re everywhere you can find a water source in Florida, and that’s well…pretty much everywhere!
And we have species from all over the globe, thanks to how suitable our climate is for these pests. We have the Asian tiger mosquito, the Aedes Aegypti from Egypt, and many more species you have to deal with. And quite a few of them are vectors for human disease, such as Zika and Malaria.
2024 Florida Summer Pests: What to do if you’re dealing with an infestation
Honestly, as a regular joe there’s not too much you can do about many Florida pests. Cleanliness is obviously a must. Do your best to lock down on cleaning and reducing clutter, and this can keep pest numbers low. But many of Florida’s pests reproduce quickly, leading to complications when it comes to chemical controls like baits and traps. And improper use of these methods can breed bugs that are treatment resistant and very difficult to remove efficiently.
Instead, trust an expert and let Earth’s Best pest control show you why we’ve been Florida’s best natural pest control company for three decades and counting! Visit our website at insectfree.com and either call the listed number or fill out the pop up on the home page for a free consultation today.
