Florida is a stunning and lovely place to live. With that said, it’s also home to a diverse array of different critters. This includes a ton of different pests. In order to enjoy your property and spend time outdoors, you don’t want to deal with a bunch of pests trying to make their way into your home or attack you. That’s why you’ll want to do your best to prevent them and—if they end up creating a nest in your home or on your property—get rid of them quickly.
Types of Pests in Florida (and How to Prevent Them)
Before discussing how to get rid of pests, let’s take a look at the different pests in Florida, and what you can do to avoid them to begin with. The best pest control method is prevention!
Rodents
Mice, Norway rats, roof rats…they are different types of rodents, but they are all just as annoying and gross as the last. It’s a natural response to get freaked out when you see a rodent running by. They are known to spread illness and disease where they go, which makes them dangerous to have around. On top of that, they chew through wires, damage your home, and get into your food.
In order to avoid rodents in your house, take these tips into consideration:
- Regularly clean and vacuum your floors.
- Keep your doors and windows closed.
- Take out the trash often.
- Don’t leave open containers and food on the table.
Cockroaches/Palmetto Bugs
Florida is known for its palmetto bugs. What many people don’t know is that these bugs are actually just a form of cockroach. Florida is home to other cockroaches as well, like American, German, and Oriental. Whatever type of cockroach you run into, they all have a few things in common—they are disgusting, they get into everything, and they spread bacteria all over your home.
Below are a few things you can do to avoid a cockroach/palmetto bug infestation:
- Check packages you receive for cockroaches before bringing them inside.
- Inspect the exterior of your home for roaches.
- Keep your basement dry.
- Use weather-stripping around your windows and doors.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are a part of life in Florida. You can’t avoid them entirely. With that said, you can take steps to keep them off of your property. Not only do they buzz around and leave itchy bumps when they bite you, but they are also known to spread disease and viruses. They can be dangerous to have around in large numbers.
To avoid a mosquito infestation, consider the following:
- Fill in any holes in your yard—particularly those that are gathering standing water.
- Keep your grass short.
- Dump standing water that’s around your house.
- Remove overgrown vegetation, stumps, and debris from your yard.
- Turn any buckets or containers outside upside down.
Ants
You may see a few ants running off with some crumbs and think nothing of it. While this isn’t much of an issue outdoors, it is indoors. These few ants are more than likely part of a colony, and colonies have a tendency to grow. Some ants (like sugar ants) are relatively harmless, but others (like fire ants) bite. Either way, you don’t want ants in your home.
In order to avoid ants, take these tips into consideration:
- Use weather-stripping around your windows and doors.
- Check the exterior of your home for gaps.
- Get rid of branches, brush, and debris from your yard.
- Rinse out soda cans and other containers before throwing them away.
Wasps/Hornets
Wasps and hornets are well-known for their painful sting and their aggression. Unlike bees that will generally avoid stinging you, wasps and hornets have no issue coming after you. Not only do their stings hurt, but they can also cause an allergic reaction. This makes them very dangerous for friends, family, and guests that may have allergies. They may not even know they are allergic until they get stung and end up in the hospital!
In order to avoid the risks involved with trying to remove a wasp or hornet’s nest, contact a pest control company so they can send out a specialist. A professional pest control specialist will be able to safely get rid of the nest, eliminate the wasps or hornets, and make sure they don’t build another nest in its place.
Termites/Carpenter Ants
If you notice termites or carpenter ants, you need to take immediate action. These pests can quickly spread around your house and eat away at it. This can lead to extremely expensive repairs—sometimes in the thousands. It’s also dangerous to have these insects eating away at your property.
Termite and carpenter ant removal is a comprehensive process. Since they hide in your walls, it can be tricky to get to them and ensure they are all dead. Because of this, it’s extremely important to hire a professional pest control company like Nationwide Pest Control to pinpoint the infestation and remove it permanently.
How to Get Rid of Florida Pests Fast
There are a few things you can do to get rid of pests if prevention fails. If you would like to try and take care of the issue yourself, there are traps and poisons you can try. With that said, once it’s gotten to the point of an infestation, you’ll want to call in the professionals. A pest control company can inspect your property, find the nests, remove the pests, and set up a perimeter so they don’t return.
The best way to get rid of Florida pests fast is to contact Nationwide Pest Control.
Areas We Service For Florida Pest Control Include:
Reach Out Today
Nationwide Pest Control is here for you! We’ll send out an expert pest control specialist to get rid of your pest problem and make sure it doesn’t return. We also offer ongoing preventative services.
For more information, reach out today. We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have and start the process of removing those pests.
