Warm weather brings out summer pests in droves. Don’t let these nuisances ruin your time outdoors. Here are 8 of the most common summer pests in Florida and how to prevent them.
- Ants. Ants are nuisance pests commonly found in kitchens. They come indoors in search of food, often in the form of sweets and grease.
- Fire Ants. Fire ants will build nests in yards and fields, usually in areas with lots of sunlight. Fire ants inflict painful bites when threatened.
- Chinch Bugs. These are lawn damaging pests that feed on grass stems and desiccate the blades. Chinch bug damage often resembles drought. These pests are also known to build up a resistance to insecticides.
- Mosquitoes. Mosquitoes transmit serious diseases to both humans and pets. They also breed in standing water.
- Termites. Subterranean and drywood termites are found in Florida. Subterranean termites nest under the soil near homes and will eat anything with cellulose. Drywood termites live inside the wood they are infesting. Both species can go undetected for extended periods of time.
- Roaches. These household pests reproduce quickly and are highly adaptable, making them extremely difficult to eliminate. Roaches carry bacteria and trigger allergies.
- Spiders. Spiders are beneficial to have around as they eat other pests that often infest your home. The main venomous spiders found in Florida are the widow and the brown recluse. They are often found in dark, secluded areas of your home.
- Bed Bugs. These tiny, oval shaped pests hide during the day and feed at night. Bed bugs are hard to detect and will bite humans while they are sleeping.
Don’t let these summer pests ruin your fun. Prevent summer pests in Florida by:
- Sealing any gaps and holes in the exterior of your home.
- Keeping kitchens clean and tidy.
- Maintaining your lawn and landscaping.
- Removing any standing water on your property.
- Repairing leaky faucets and pipes immediately.
- Decluttering your home.
- Scheduling routine pest control services.
If you have a problem with any of these summer pests, contact your local pest control company for an evaluation.
