Orlando is one of the busiest and most popular cities in Florida. They have everything you’d want for a good vacation. Sunny weather, amusement parks, and a beautiful downtown area. However, its not all sunshine and rainbows. Pest thrive in the Orlando area just like they do in the rest of Florida. So today, let’s touch on the topic of Orlando pest control and give you some tips to keeping pests out of your home.
Orlando Pest Control: Are the pests bad in Orlando?
So, are the pests bad in Orlando? As a homeowner, will you likely have to deal with a pest issue at some point? The short answer? Yes, you probably will. The long answer? Let’s get into that.
Florida is a rough state when it comes to pests. Unfortunately, due to the nature of our ecosystems in the state it will always be this way. Florida’s pristine beaches with low shrubs are a nursing ground for many native pest insects. And as you incline into low-lying forests and swamplands, that only becomes more true. Florida is a state that is lousy with woodlands and water sources, both great feeding and nursery grounds for insects themselves.
Next you have the reality of increased human activity in any area. We are living, walking ecosystems and so is everyone we know. So when we move from one place to another, we’re likely going to bring our pests with us. A new restaurant opens up down the street? Get ready to need some Orlando pest control when the roaches start swarming and spreading from their trash! A new hotel down the way? Look out for bed bugs…
And that’s just the tourism side of things. Don’t even think about the invasive pests that you can get from our shipping industries. We have roaches from all continents in our states, and mosquitoes that originated as far as Asia or Africa. The long and short of it is that Florida has a bug problem. A bug problem that started from most of the four corners of this planet.
What are the most common pests in Orlando
So, let’s touch on a few of the pests you may have to contend with as a homeowner in Orlando. We’ll start with a truly iconic Florida pest insect. That is the humble cockroach. Florida is home to dozens of species, but we’ll stick with two of the most common.
Number one is the largest cockroach in the contiguous U.S. Often mislabeled as a palmetto bug, the American cockroach can reach up to three inches in length. They have mahogany colored shells, with a bright yellow ring that half circles around the back of their head. They also have wings that are fully functional- and they can fly as adults. It’s not an uncommon story in Florida for a window open at night to invite in a buzzing, flying helicopter of a roach that will clumsily wing its way around your lights! And once they get going, these guys sound like mini helicopters. It won’t take too many of these guys for you to realize you need some Orlando pest control!
Then you have the German cockroach. This is a much smaller species, usually less than an inch long in length as adults. However, they are a much bigger problem when it comes to infestations. That’s primarily due to their reproductive cycles. One female of this species can lay up to 300,000 eggs in her lifetime. And they only need to mate once to do this, and the female will hold onto the male’s seed to get pregnant whenever they’re ready. You can identify this species by the parallel lines that run down the back of their heads.
Mosquitoes
Of course, it’s Florida. There will always be mosquitoes here. They were here before us, and will likely be here when we’re long gone. This pest is specifically evolved for the swampy and sub tropical environments of Florida. So much so, that any species that gets to our shores almost always establish themselves.
Their lifestyle is based around laying eggs in standing water, and after a hurricane or large storm their populations swell to massive numbers.
We’ve had the Asian tiger mosquitoes from South East asia, and the Aedes Aegypti mosquito from Egypt. Both of these pests were vectors for new blood-borne diseases. The Zika virus, dengue fever, and Yellow river fever are some examples. And then there’s the ever classic malaria threat, with multiple cases being reported in 2024. Mosquitoes are serious pests, and if you’re dealing with a large infestation, make sure to check out our mosquito smack service!
Orlando Pest Control: Tips to keep pests out of my Florida home
When it comes to pest control, an ounce of prevention will always be worth a pound of cure. However, if you’re currently dealing with a pest issue please feel free to visit our website at insectfree.com and call us at the listed number or fill out the pop up below for a free consultation today. Getting an Orlando pest control pro is going to be your best weapon in the fight against bugs.
Exclusion and cleanliness are going to be your best friends. In the realm of exclusion, making sure your barriers to insects in and around your home are all intact and well made. Things like weather stripping, holes where utility pipes enter the house, and door sweeps should all be checked with regularity to make sure they don’t start to fall apart and let bugs in. Window screens are key to keeping flying pests outdoors, so keep those repaired as well!
And of course, cleanliness. It takes so much less of a mess for bugs to survive in than people expect. Cardboard is a huge issue in many homes, for example. Clean up spills quick too- only a small amount of water is needed for a roach colony or an ant nest. Invest in reusable plastic or glass tubs to store your food and spices, and transfer anything that’s in cardboard over to these quickly.
