multiple Archives | Page 2 of 2 | Bug Out - Pest Control and Extermination Services

Flea

Fleas in Jacksonville FL

Fleas are small, wingless blood-sucking parasites that live on the exterior of their host. Adult fleas feed only on the blood of warm-blooded hosts, which they must obtain in order to survive and reproduce. Fleas are the most common ectoparasites found on cats and dogs, so they frequently turn up as household pests. Fleas are annoying to people and pets, especially during spring and early summer when their numbers tend to increase dramatically.

Flea Habitat

Fleas thrive in many climates but prefer moist, humid, and shady areas. The area underneath a porch or deck can turn into an overwintering site. Areas with tall grass, leaf litter, weeds, wood piles, gravelly areas, and sandy patches are all attractive to fleas. Even the tiniest crack in the concrete can harbor fleas and they especially shrubs, leaves, and trees, but do not fare well in sunny areas or open grass. Fleas usually enter structures attached to pets, and they can quickly find refuge in homes. Flea larvae do not like the light so carpets, bedding, pet beds, and upholstered furniture make cozy homes for fleas, flea eggs, and flea larvae.

Flea Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Fleas feed mainly on non-human animals but may bite and infect humans. Bites from fleas look like small red dots and may occur in two or three groups or clusters around feet, ankles, and legs. Though they may trigger allergic reactions, flea bites will not often have a serious impact on a person’s health. However, some people and pets suffer from flea bite allergic dermatitis, characterized by intense itching, hair loss, reddening of the skin, and secondary infection. One flea bite can initiate an allergic reaction, and itching can persist for up to five days after the bite.

If you are dealing with a flea infestation, contact your local flea exterminators for help.

Mosquito

Mosquitoes in Jacksonville FL

Mosquitoes pose a greater threat to human health and existence than any other animal. They are an annoyance because of the itchy bites they leave, however, they also transmit many dangerous diseases, like malaria, West Nile, and Zika Virus. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mosquito bites result in the deaths of more than 1 million people every year, with the majority of these deaths due to malaria. There are about 200 different species of mosquitoes found throughout the United States, with habitats ranging from deserts at or below sea level to mountain meadows with elevations of 10,000 feet or higher.

Mosquito Habitat

Mosquitoes lay eggs in stagnant or slow-moving water, so they are commonly found around marshes and lakes. However, needing only a half-inch of standing water to breed, mosquitoes are often found around homes, in kiddie pools, metal buckets, flower pots, and any object that collects rainwater or excess water from irrigation systems. This underscores the importance of homeowners regularly checking their property for containers that could be collecting water, providing a safe harbor for mosquito populations to breed and grow.

Mosquito Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Most mosquito species require a blood meal before they can reproduce a batch of eggs. Many people and animals are bitten by mosquitoes with no side effects except the typical itchy welt. And, while a large number of mosquito bites can reduce the quality of life, the diseases these insects can transmit can be serious. Most people infected with mosquito-transmitted viruses show no symptoms or only mild, flu-like symptoms that may not result in a visit to the doctor. However, severe symptoms following infection occur in a small percentage of people. Mosquitoes are also responsible for transmitting heartworm in dogs.

Mosquitoes can be dangerous, which is why it’s so important to contact a professional mosquito exterminator for exclusion and control services to protect your Jacksonville FL property.

Earwig

Identifying Earwigs In Florida

Earwigs are small, elongated insects that can be unsettling to spot, but they are generally harmless to humans. Earwigs are found in warm, humid climates, making them a common insect found in Florida.

Earwigs up close typically have a slender, elongated body that ranges from about ¼ to 1 inch long. Their shape is somewhat flattened, which helps them fit into narrow crevices. Most earwigs are brown to dark brown, with a shiny, smooth surface – though you may also find some white earwigs too. Some may have a reddish tint, but they are generally not brightly colored.

Earwigs owe their name to the superstition that they purposely crawl into the ears of sleeping people and bore into the brain. Even though earwigs prefer moist, dark places, they choose these places for daytime hiding, not at night when people are sleeping. Earwigs are mostly nocturnal, searching for and feeding on a wide variety of insects and plants after dark.

They are more common in the southern and southwestern United States and tend to hibernate during the winter months. Earwigs may seek refuge in homes when conditions outside are too dry, hot, or cold.

Where In Florida Do Earwigs Live?

Earwigs are prevalent throughout Florida, thriving in the state’s warm and humid climate.

The diet of earwigs consists of a wide variety of plant and animal matter, making gardens and landscaped areas the ideal habitat for these insects. Earwigs feed on leaves, flowers, fruits, and fungi, as well as on aphids and larger insects such as flies, captured with their pincer-like cerci.

Day-time hiding places include under logs, rocks, boards, or dense growth of vines or weeds. Around homes, they can be found in moisture-rich environments such as cracks near swimming pool areas, flower bed mulch, underneath outdoor potted plants, and leaf litter. Inside homes, they will congregate in flaps of cardboard boxes and inside kitchens and bathrooms.

How Common Are Earwigs In Florida?

Earwigs are quite common in Florida, particularly due to the state’s warm and humid climate, which provides ideal conditions for their growth and reproduction.

These insects thrive in various environments, including gardens, landscaped areas, and even within homes. Their prevalence increases during the warmer months, especially in late spring and summer, when temperatures and humidity levels rise.

Florida’s climate and abundant vegetation also contribute to a robust earwig population, making them a common sight for residents throughout the state.

Are Earwigs Dangerous?

Earwigs are generally not considered dangerous to humans or pets. Earwigs don’t bite people or spread disease, but they can pinch. Although their pincers are not likely to break the skin, a pinch from an earwig can hurt.

For the most part, earwigs are considered a nuisance pest during spring and summer. In gardens, they can chew irregular holes in leaves and flower blossoms.

Earwigs can enter homes through gaps and cracks of siding and foundations. They can also gain access when homeowners transfer items like potted plants, firewood, or cardboard boxes from outside to inside the home.

If you are dealing with excess earwigs on your property, contact a local pest control professional Bug Out. We help manage insect control in your home!

FAQs

How Do You Get Rid Of Earwigs In Florida?

Focus on reducing moisture and removing organic debris that attracts them. Fix leaks, use dehumidifiers, and seal entry points around your home to prevent them from coming inside.

Clearing away mulch, leaf litter, and decaying plant matter from your garden can also help minimize their habitat. Setting traps, such as rolled-up newspapers, can catch earwigs effectively. Utilizing natural deterrents like diatomaceous earth or essential oils can further help keep them at bay.

For a thorough and highly effective way to manage an earwig infestation, contact your local pest control experts.

Is It Bad To See Earwigs In Your House?

Unless you’re dealing with a full-fledged infestation, seeing a few earwigs in your house isn’t a bad thing. These insects don’t pose health risks and are mostly a harmless nuisance. Keeping your home clean and addressing any moisture issues can help prevent these pests from becoming a recurring problem.

Should You Kill Earwigs?

While harmless, earwigs can become a nuisance if they invade your home or garden, particularly if they damage plants. If you’re comfortable with their presence, you may choose to relocate them outdoors instead of killing them. If their numbers become overwhelming, using traps or natural deterrents is a humane way to manage them. If the infestation is out of hand, contact your local pest professional.

What Makes Earwigs Go Away?

Focus on creating an environment that is less inviting to these insects. Reducing moisture levels is crucial, so fix leaks and use dehumidifiers in damp areas of your home. Keeping your garden tidy by removing organic debris, like mulch and fallen leaves, can eliminate their hiding spots. Sealing entry points around doors and windows can prevent new infestations. Additionally, using traps and natural repellents can encourage earwigs to go away.

Sowbug

Identifying Sowbugs in Florida

If you’ve noticed tiny, armored creatures scurrying around your home or garden, you may be dealing with sowbugs. These critters are often mistaken for insects but are actually crustaceans – and they are one of many common pests found in Florida.

Explore our Florida Bug Identification page for detailed information on the various types of insects found throughout the state.

Sowbugs are typically grayish-brown in color.

Much like the pillbug, sowbugs aren’t classified as insects, but isopods. Due to their similar nature, sowbugs and pillbugs can sometimes be used interchangeably.

While they aren’t harmful, the presence of sowbugs can signal damp, decaying environments that may lead to other issues.

The sowbug has a pair of tail-like appendages that project out from the rear of its body, preventing them from rolling up to protect themselves. They are easily recognized by their back, which is made up of a number of hard individual plates.

Since sowbugs require moisture, they do not survive indoors for more than a few days unless there are very moist or damp conditions.

Where in Florida Do Sowbugs Live?

In Florida, sowbugs thrive in moist environments and can be found outdoors under mulch, fallen leaves, and rocks. Sowbugs are also nocturnal crustaceans – active at night when humidity is higher so they have a lower chance of drying out.

Sowbugs are scavengers and feed mainly on organic matter. They may leave their natural habitats at night and crawl about over sidewalks, patios, and foundations.

These pests can become a nuisance as they often invade crawl spaces, damp basements, and first floors of structures at ground level.

How Common Are Sowbugs In Florida?

Sowbugs are quite common in Florida, as it is one of the hotter, stickier states in the US, with a relative humidity of 74.5%. It’s no wonder, then, that sowbugs are commonly found. With their moisture-loving tendencies, sowbugs thrive in gardens, under rocks, mulch, and in areas with decaying organic material.

While they are mostly found outdoors, sowbugs can also enter homes, especially in damp basements or crawl spaces. Their prevalence varies depending on the season, but they are most noticeable during the rainy months, when moisture levels are higher and their activity increases.

Are Sowbugs Dangerous?

No, they are not. Sowbugs do not bite or sting and cannot damage household furnishings. Sowbugs are mainly a nuisance pest, especially when they venture indoors. They are harmless to people but can damage the roots of plants when they eat.

These crustaceans typically enter buildings through door thresholds, especially homes with sliding glass doors on the ground level.

Seeing a sowbug in the home usually means that there is a large population outdoors. Their presence can indicate excessive moisture in or around your home, which may attract other pests or lead to mold issues.

If you suspect a sowbug issue, contact your local pest control company. Our team of pest control experts in Florida can help manage your infestation problem!

FAQs

How Do You Get Rid of a Sow Bug Infestation?

Start by reducing moisture levels in and around your home. Fix leaks, improve drainage, and use a dehumidifier if necessary. Clear away mulch, leaf litter, and other organic debris near the foundation. Additionally, seal cracks and gaps in walls, windows, and doors to prevent their entry. If the problem persists, consider using diatomaceous earth or insecticidal soap to target them directly.

For persistent infestations, contact your local pest control experts.

What Do Sow Bugs Hate?

Sowbugs dislike dry environments and strong scents. To deter them, you can use barriers of dry materials like sand or gravel, which create inhospitable conditions. Additionally, scents from essential oils such as peppermint, tea tree, or eucalyptus can repel them. Sprinkling diatomaceous earth around infested areas may also help, as it dries out their exoskeletons and discourages them from entering.

What Spray Should I Use For Sow Bugs?

For sowbug control, insecticidal soap or a solution of water mixed with a few drops of dish soap can be effective. Spray directly on the bugs and their habitats. Alternatively, a mixture of water and essential oils, such as peppermint or neem oil, can deter sowbugs when sprayed around entry points and infested areas. Always follow label instructions for any chemical treatments and consider natural alternatives for a more eco-friendly approach.

Stink Bug

Stink Bugs in Jacksonville FL

Stink bugs are large, oval, or shield-shaped insects found throughout the United States. They get their common name from the odor of the chemical that they produce in glands on their abdomen, possibly as a defense against predators. Stink bugs are primarily cropping pests, damaging fruit and fruit trees. They can become a nuisance pest for homeowners when they enter homes in the fall looking for warmth. Stink bugs are attracted to the south side of structures on warm fall days in search of protected, overwintering sites and can enter homes in large numbers.

Stink Bug Habitat

In the wild, stink bug adults spend the winter months in cracks or under the peeling bark of older or dead trees. In early autumn, stink bugs look for wintering sites. Outdoors, they can often be found on the outsides of buildings, in leaf litter and vegetation. When brown marmorated stink bugs enter homes, they congregate near doors, windows, and other entry points. They seek out narrow spaces to hide, preferring high and cool locations. Stink bugs can be found in cracks under or behind baseboards, around window and door trim, and around exhaust fans or lights in ceilings. In the spring, adults move from overwintering sites to host plants.

Stink Bug Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Stink bugs do not bite or sting and are not harmful to people, houses, or pets. While the insects are not dangerous, they are noisy and notorious for their pungent smell. Homeowners are sometimes alarmed when stink bugs enter homes in large numbers. Although stink bugs will not reproduce or cause damage inside structures, they will emit a pungent odor when crushed or disturbed and can stain surfaces.

If you have a stink bug problem in your Jacksonville FL property, contact your local exterminators for help.

Ground Beetle

Identifying Ground Beetles In Florida

Ground beetles comprise one of the largest groups in Florida, with more than 2600 species. Most ground beetles are shiny, black or brown, and iridescent and are sometimes confused with cockroaches. Both are dark in color and move quickly; however, ground beetles are harmless, while cockroaches may create larger issues. Ground beetles are widespread outdoor insects that occasionally become pests by wandering into houses and buildings.

Ground beetles are easily recognized by their elongated, hard-shelled bodies and quick movements. Ranging in size from 1/8 inch to 1 inch, they vary in color. While less common, you might even encounter a white beetle in Florida that resembles a ground beetle.

Because ground beetles are often mistaken for other beetle species in Florida, proper identification is key. We can help you identify common beetles in Florida, but if you’re uncertain, consulting our beetle control experts is the best course of action.

Where In Florida Do Ground Beetles Live?

Ground beetles are commonly found outdoors under objects such as wood, logs, rock, and other debris on the ground. In many parts of the country during the summer, ground beetles appear in tremendous numbers. These nocturnal insects are most active at night and, true to their name, are usually found scurrying along the ground. They feed mostly at night and are attracted to the porch and other exterior lights. Ground beetles can become annoying by crawling into homes and buildings through small cracks or openings or open doorways and windows. Once inside, they can be found in hidden, damp areas in the basement or under boxes or other objects on the floor.

How Common Are Ground Beetles In Florida?

Florida’s warm and humid climate makes it an ideal environment for ground beetles to thrive. These beetles are common across the state, including urban and suburban areas. It’s not unusual to spot them in gardens, parks, and other outdoor areas, especially at night when they are most active.

In Florida, ground beetles benefit the ecosystem by feeding on smaller pests like caterpillars, ants, and aphids. While they are familiar, infestations of ground beetles indoors are less frequent and usually temporary, as they prefer outdoor environments.

Are Ground Beetles Dangerous?

Ground beetles are harmless to people and pets and do not damage household structures or furniture. When exposed, ground beetles move quickly to find shelter but rarely fly. Outdoors they are considered beneficial because they feed on insect larvae. However, during summer, ground beetle infestations inside a home or commercial building can be overwhelming for any property owner. Although certain species have been known to release odorous secretions when threatened, none will bite or attack humans.

If you are dealing with a ground beetle infestation, always contact your local beetle exterminators in Florida.

FAQS

Why Am I Getting Ground Beetles In My House?

Ground beetles are drawn indoors primarily for food or to escape extreme weather. Homes with easy access points, such as cracks in the foundation, open windows, or doors left ajar, are more susceptible to these beetles entering. They are attracted to damp areas like basements and crawl spaces, where they can find food or shelter.

Are Ground Beetles Harmful?

Ground beetles are not harmful to humans. Although they rarely bite, the bite is mild and not dangerous. They don’t spread diseases or damage property, but their presence can be unsettling, especially when found in large numbers indoors. Ground beetles primarily help by controlling other insect populations in outdoor environments.

How Do You Treat Ground Beetles?

Treating ground beetles involves a combination of indoor and outdoor control methods. Bug Out Florida uses targeted beetle control treatments to eliminate beetles and prevent future invasions. Our team may recommend sealing cracks and crevices in your home to keep beetles from entering and reducing moisture-prone areas where they thrive. If beetles are already inside, we use safe treatments to remove them from your living spaces.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone*

Street Address*