As a Clearwater, Florida resident, you’re probably well aware of the common household bugs that may be lurking around any corner. If you’re new to the area, you might be in for a big surprise. With Florida’s warm weather and plentiful rains, bugs flourish in the area.
You might even find different types of bugs that you wouldn’t find in another state. But whether you’re familiar with them or not, it’s important that you know which insects are more likely to creep into your home and how to get rid of them. Continue reading below to learn more.
1. The Palmetto Bug
Eurycotis floridana is the scientific name for the palmetto bug. It’s a rather large cockroach that grows to be around 1.2 to 1.6 inches. For the most part, this Florida bug is found outdoors.
However, it’s commonly found inside Florida homes especially when there’s been lots of rain in the area. Although you can run into one of these pesky bugs in any part of the house, they’re most likely to be found in the kitchens or bathrooms. The rainwater outside forces the bug out of the ground and it’ll run inside your home looking for shelter.
Eventually, the palmetto bug will make its way towards the drains in your home looking for water and food.
2. The Mosquito
If you’ve never lived in a moist environment, then you might not be familiar with dealing with mosquitos. In Clearwater, however, mosquitos are known to invade yards and sometimes even homes. The mosquito won’t normally infest your Clearwater home, but if you like to leave your windows or doors open at any time during the year, you’re taking the risk of them entering.
Mosquitos are attracted to any form of standing water. A simple puddle by your front door or a bird feeder with water in it are the perfect attractants for these little blood-suckers. Although their bites don’t normally cause much of a reaction beyond an annoying itch, they are known to spread horrible diseases.
Because of this, you should take all necessary precautions to keep them away from your family and out of your home.
3. The German Roach
The German roach, although smaller than the palmetto bug, is a much worse pest to have around. When the palmetto enters your home, it’s due to rains forcing them out our their own homes or for other circumstantial reasons. When a German roach is in your home, you have much bigger problems.
Spotting a German roach means that there are much more hiding in the walls, plumbing, and cabinets. These roaches don’t travel alone and seeing one should raise concern of an infestation. They like dark spaces and kitchens where food is available.
However, don’t believe that the kitchen is the only place where you’ll find these guys. If your home is infested with German roaches, you can see one in any room at any time of day. Be sure to take action as soon as possible.
4. The Ant
The ant is one of the most common pests in Florida homes. There are several types of ants, and your home might be affected by multiple species. When you notice ants inside your home, it’s important to know that there are most likely thousands more of them close by.
This is because ants live in colonies. Within a single colony, there could be a thousand of them. And it’s not uncommon for there to be multiple colonies in one area. Due to their size and extreme numbers, getting rid of ants in the home is quite difficult.
The ant enters a home looking for a source of food and water. And sometimes, damp wood attracts them as well. Check your doors and windows for tiny cracks to identify where the ants might be entering.
5. The Termite
The termite is an insect that’s harder to spot than the others listed above. This is because the termite lives within the walls of your home and doesn’t frequently travel outside of them. However, there are a few ways to tell if your home has fallen victim to termites.
Listen for a faint clicking sound. Termites make this noise when chewing the wood. You might also find wings from the worker termites that have fallen or patches of dark powder, which is fecal matter.
6. The Earwig
The earwig is a small and slender pest that has tiny pinchers on its back end. This bug gets its name from the myth that they crawl into people’s ears in the middle of the night. Luckily, there isn’t much truth to the myth, so you don’t have to worry about that (hopefully).
These bugs enjoy areas with moisture and condensation. You can find them around bathtubs, air conditioners, and anywhere else where condensation might form. Use a dehumidifier to dry the air in all rooms of your house to prevent them from feeling comfortable enough to stay.
Do You Know What Common Household Bugs to Lookout For?
After reading this guide, we hope that you now know what common household bugs to be on the lookout for in Clearwater, Florida. And if you ever do find yourself in one of these situations, don’t hesitate to give us a call!
Here at Brantley Termite & Pest Control, our professionals are dedicated to treating your home safely and effectively to bring you peace of mind. What are you waiting for? Contact us today.