The Most Common Pests in Florida

Welcome to the Rodent Solutions blog! We’re here to help you understand the most common pests and bugs in Florida and how to keep them out of your home or business. Whether you live in Bradenton, Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Parrish, or the surrounding areas, we’ve got you covered with expert pest control tips and services.

Florida’s Pest-Friendly Climate

Florida’s warm and humid climate makes it a paradise for pests. The sunshine and frequent rain create the perfect environment for these critters to thrive. Knowing what attracts pests and when they are most active can help keep them at bay. Below, we’ll review some of the common bugs you might find in your Florida home.

Common Pests in Florida

Mosquitoes

Description: Mosquitoes are annoying flying insects that buzz around and bite, leaving itchy bumps. They can also spread diseases like Zika, West Nile Virus, and dengue. They are brown or black in color.

What Attracts Them: Mosquitoes love standing water, like puddles, birdbaths, and clogged gutters. They also prefer warm temperatures and human activity. Female mosquitoes are particularly attracted to the carbon dioxide we exhale and the sweat on our skin.

When They Are Most Active: Mosquitoes are most active from late spring to early fall, especially at dawn and dusk. These times of day are known as the “mosquito hours” because they are cooler and more humid, creating ideal conditions for mosquito activity.

Control Tips:

Eliminate Standing Water: Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Regularly empty and clean birdbaths, pet water dishes, and any other containers that can collect water.

Install Screens: Ensure that windows and doors have intact screens to keep mosquitoes from entering your home.

Mosquito Stations: Our mosquito control stations can help prevent larvae from maturing into more flying terrors. Watch a short video about our mosquito stations and service here.

Cockroaches

Description: Cockroaches are creepy insects that come out at night and leave germs throughout your home or business. They are a common household pest, normally reddish brown, regardless of the type. The most common types in Florida are American, Asian, and German cockroaches.

What Attracts Them: Cockroaches are attracted to food scraps, moisture, and warmth. Dirty dishes, leaky pipes, and unsealed food containers are like an open invitation to these pests. They thrive in warm, humid environments like kitchens and bathrooms.

When They Are Most Active: Cockroaches are active year-round but are more visible at night. They prefer dark, moist places and will scatter when exposed to light.

Control Tips:

Keep Clean: Clean up food spills immediately, store food in sealed containers, and take out the trash regularly. Sanitation is your best friend for keeping cockroach issues to a minimum.

Fix Leaks: Repair any plumbing leaks to reduce moisture, and consider using a dehumidifier in damp areas.

Professional Treatments: If you notice signs of a cockroach infestation, such as droppings, egg casings, and of course, live cockroaches, it’s time to call in the professionals. At Rodent Solutions, we offer targeted treatments to eliminate cockroach populations.

Termites

Description: Termites are silent destroyers. They come in different types, like subterranean, drywood, and dampwood termites. Each type has unique habits and preferences, but all can cause significant damage to wooden structures.

What Attracts Them: Termites love wood and moisture. They are attracted to any source of cellulose, including wooden structures, furniture, and even paper products. Moisture around a building’s foundation can also attract termites.

When They Are Most Active: Termites are active year-round, with swarming seasons in spring and summer. Swarming is when mature termites leave their colony to start a new one, often resulting in visible flying termite swarms around your property. Termite control is essential to saving thousands of dollars in repairs.

Damage Potential: Termites can cause severe structural damage, often undetected, until significant damage occurs. They are estimated to cause billions of dollars in damage annually in the United States alone.

Control Tips:

Regular Inspections: Schedule annual inspections with a pest control professional to catch termite activity early.

Moisture Control: Ensure proper drainage around your property and fix any leaks immediately. Use gutters and downspouts to direct water away from your foundation.

Termite Bait Stations: The eastern subterranean termite can be effectively controlled by using our termite bait stations.  Our stations only require once-a-year maintenance, lowering the customer’s cost.

Ants

Description: Ants are tiny but mighty. In Florida, ant species include fire ants, bigheaded ants, and carpenter ants. Many types of ants, often called “sugar ants,” by our customers are also frequently found. Each has different behaviors and poses unique challenges. 

What Attracts Them: Ants are attracted to food, especially sugary substances and moisture. A single ant can leave a scent trail for others to follow, leading to a full-scale infestation if not addressed.

When They Are Most Active: Ants are active year-round in Florida, with peaks during warm months. They often become more noticeable after rain when they seek shelter and food indoors.

Nuisance Factor: While most ants are more of a nuisance than a threat, some species, like fire ants, can deliver painful stings, and carpenter ants can damage wooden structures by hollowing them out to build their nests.

Control Tips:

Seal Entry Points: Ants can enter through tiny cracks and gaps. Sealing these entry points can help reduce access.

Keep Clean: Clean up food spills, store food in airtight containers, and regularly clean countertops and floors.

Chemical Treatments: Bait treatments are incredibly effective against most types of ants. Baiting for ants is frequently the best course of action because the workers will take the bait back to the queen or queens. Baiting in this manner will cause colony collapse.

Rodents

Description: Common rodents include house mice, Norway rats, and roof rats. They can sneak into your home or business looking for food and shelter. Rodents are known for their ability to squeeze through tiny openings.

What Attracts Them: Food, warmth, and shelter attract rodents. They are drawn to areas where they can easily access food, nesting materials, and a safe place to reproduce.

When They Are Most Active: Rodents are active year-round but are more noticeable in cooler months when they seek shelter indoors. They are nocturnal, so you may hear them scurrying at night.

Health Risks: Rodents carry diseases such as hantavirus and salmonella. They can also damage wires by gnawing on them, leading to electrical fires and equipment failure.

Control Tips:

Seal Entry Points: Inspect your property for gaps and holes and seal them to prevent rodent entry.

Remove Food Sources: Keep food in sealed containers, clean up spills immediately, and dispose of garbage regularly.

Exclusion Services: Rodent Solutions is the premier rodent service in Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, Sarasota, and Bradenton. We offer the highest-quality exclusion services to seal your home from rodent entry.

Spiders

Description: Commonly reported spiders in Florida include the black widow, brown recluse, and house spiders. Most are harmless, but some, like the black widow and brown recluse, can deliver venomous bites.

What Attracts Them: Spiders are attracted to insects, which are their prey, and cluttered areas where they can hide and build webs. They often enter homes seeking food and shelter.

When They Are Most Active: Spiders are active year-round, with indoor activity increasing in colder months as they seek warmer environments.

Health Risks: While most spider bites are harmless, bites from venomous spiders like the black widow or brown recluse can be medically significant and require treatment.

Control Tips:

Reduce Clutter: Keep areas clean and free of clutter where spiders might hide.

Use Sticky Traps: Place sticky traps in areas where you’ve seen spider activity to catch and monitor them.

Professional Pest Control: If you suspect a venomous spider infestation, it’s best to call professionals for safe and effective removal.

Prevention and Maintenance Tips

Regular Inspections

Regular inspections and treatments by pest control professionals can help catch pest problems early. At Rodent Solutions, we offer thorough inspections to identify and eliminate pests before they become a major issue. Early detection is key to preventing small problems from becoming large infestations.

Home and Business Maintenance

Keeping your home or business clean and well-maintained is key to preventing pests. Here are some practical general tips:

Clean Regularly: Regular cleaning reduces food and moisture sources that attract pests.

Fix Leaks: Address plumbing leaks and damp areas promptly to reduce moisture.

Seal Cracks and Gaps: Inspect and seal any cracks or gaps in walls, windows, and doors to prevent pests from entering.Have a pest exclusion performed on your home or commercial property. 

Proper Waste Management: Dispose of garbage regularly and use sealed trash bins to keep pests away.

When to Call Rodent Solutions

Identifying Infestations

If you notice signs of pests, like droppings, chewed wires, or nests, it’s time to call Rodent Solutions. We offer residential and commercial pest control in Bradenton, Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Parrish, Myakka City and surrounding areas.

Our Services

At Rodent Solutions, we provide a range of pest control services to keep your home or commercial business pest-free. From inspections to treatments, we handle it all with professionalism and care. Our services include:

Thorough Inspections: Identifying the type and extent of the pest problem. We provide you with a thorough, itemized list of the scope of work and services to be provided. We also provide pictures of the areas to be addressed if requested. 

Customized Treatment Plans: Tailored solutions to address specific pest issues.

Preventative Measures: Implementing strategies to prevent future infestations.

Ongoing Monitoring: Regular follow-ups are available to ensure pests don’t return.

Contact Us

Ready to get rid of pests for good? Contact Rodent Solutions today for a visit from one of our expert expert exterminators. We’re here to help you maintain a safe and healthy environment. You can reach us through our website or by calling our office. Don’t wait until pests become a major problem—let us help you keep them under control.