Here in Polk County, we’re absolutely no strangers to pests. Be it the flies all over your cows or the ants who moved in and ruined your picnic. Let’s touch on a few common bugs that will have you needing Polk county pest control and some ways to prevent them.
Polk County Pest Control: Pest County?
Pests in the region of central Florida are bad. I’m sure this isn’t a surprise to anyone who actually lives in the area. And with spring right around the corner, the ants, bees, mosquitoes, and all other manner of pest insects are going to start poking their heads out for the year ahead. Termite swarms are another big problem in the area at this time of year as well. So let’s touch on a few of the common pests you’ll see and have issues with in Polk county this time of year.
Termites in polk county
Florida is one of the most termite invested states in the union. It may sound ugly to put it like that, but it’s the simple truth. And here in central Florida, you can throw a rock and there’s a good chance that there’s a termite nest underneath wherever it lands. And there’s a few different types as well.
For one, you have the Asian subterranean termites. These pests have been in Florida since the nineties, they’re voracious eaters of wood and spread like wildfire. They tend to build colonies underground or in rotten trees. Asian termites are subterranean termites, meaning they’re the most destructive type. These kinds of termites cause billions of dollars in structural damage every year. You can find them operating underground, where they construct massive colonies. These colonies extend outwards like a network of veins. Some of them can reach up to a football field in length from the central colony in the name of finding food.
And when they find your home or any sort of wood they can eat, they’ll create tubes made from mud and their own waste that link to the rest of their colony. I’ve told you about the Asian termites, but another subterranean group is called the Formosan termites. In about a month’s time, they’re going to start swarming. Their swarming season spans late April to early May. Like their Asian counterparts, they’re adept at devouring wood and can infiltrate homes and trees alike.
Subterranean termites are an issue because of how hard they are to detect. Because of their tunneling habits they will come up beneath a home and start destroying it with no outward tell.
Polk County Pest Control: Are the cockroaches bad in Polk County?
Now, for these guys they get their own bolded headline. I’ll go ahead and spoil this for you right now. Yes, the cockroaches are bad here. And not only that, but we have more species than you can shake a stick at and their treatment methods can vary.
For one you have the American cockroach. Often misnamed as the palmetto bug, this is the largest species of cockroach in North America. You can recognize them by their mahogany coloration and the single yellow stripe that runs across the back of their shell behind their head. Not only that, but this species can fly! So it’s not uncommon to have a three inch cockroach come helicoptering into your kitchen at night if you leave the window open.
Then you have the German cockroach. Another invasive species. (Yes, the American cockroach is invasive despite the name.) These medium-sized, pale yellow cockroaches are one of the most invasive pest species on the planet. In fact, it’s theorized that they no longer exist in the wild, only as a human parasite. And their breeding/birthing habits are what make them so hard to control. They’re also notorious for infesting kitchens, bathrooms, and basements around water heaters. This species is particularly fond of unsanitary conditions. So uncleaned spills, food crumbs, rotting or excess cardboard can all be major beacons to this Polk County pest.
A female German cockroach needs only mate once in her life. After that, she retains and stores the semen from the male and gets pregnant whenever she’s ready for another cycle. Doing so, one female German cockroach can lead a life where she births up to three hundred thousand offspring. Because of this, just one of these pests can be a full blown infestation if left to their own devices.
ants
The ants in this county are bad too. We have a few species that you primarily need to worry about.
The first is the fire ant. This invasive species gets its name from its aggressive behavior and tendency to attack and sting victims repeatedly. Their venom is made of an alkaline substance that’s believed to be a sort of beacon once injected into a target that attracts other ants to attack the same. They’re easily recognized through their bright red coloration and black behinds. They tend to nest in either large, flat, circular mounds in open grassy fields or tall, standing mounds that reach about two feet in height at the base of a wooden structure. This pest’ nest can reach ninety feet in length from end to end, meaning that multiple properties can be suffering from a single infestation.
Then you have ghost ants. These ants are so tiny and clear-colored that they’re hard to see. They’re a problem infestation due to their tendency to set up multiple nests in one home. These ants can have tens of thousands of their offspring within your walls, and if you’re not attentive, you’d never even notice.
Polk County Pest Control: What to do if infested?
If you’re dealing with an infestation, don’t hesitate. Contact us today and get the professional help you need. For a layman, dealing with a full blown infestation is expensive and possibly hazardous. So instead of doing it yourself improperly, give us a call at 1-800-634-1313 our visit our website insectfree.com, and fill out the pop up window for a free consultation today!
