Pests Archive | Page 5 of 16 | Bug Out - Pest Control and Extermination Services

Rice Weevil

Rice Weevils in Jacksonville FL

The rice weevil is distributed worldwide and is a serious stored-grain pest, living, feeding, and breeding inside food products. More prominent in the southern United States, rice weevil adults and larvae feed on whole grains. Often called flour bugs, these snout-nosed beetles infest and feed on rice, flour, nuts, beans, seeds, cereals, and especially macaroni. Adults can fly and are attracted to light. The larval rice weevil must complete its development inside a seed kernel or a man-made equivalent, like macaroni products.

Rice Weevil Habitat

Rice weevils are sometimes found in homes infesting rice, beans, birdseed, sunflower seeds, dried corn, macaroni, and spaghetti. Weevils are internal feeders and are also found in grain storage facilities, food processing plants, and whole-food markets. Adults can live for 7 to 8 months and the egg, larva, and pupa stages occur in the grain kernels and are rarely seen. Females deposit 300-400 eggs inside a seed or grain kernel. Larvae hollow out kernels of grain and usually attack whole kernels. Holes on the side of the grain are made by adults and by emerging adults.

Rice Weevil Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Rice weevils do not harm people, pets, or home furnishings, but they do damage grains and seeds, and large populations can destroy food. Weevils feed on almost every processed, grain-based food consumed by people and their small size makes it possible for them to hide in tiny cracks. They can also enter even the smallest opening in a package, making them a relatively common household pest. Since rice weevils feed inside food packaging, they can remain hidden in the pantry for a long time. Homeowners will often spot adult weevils crawling on pantry shelves and floors.

If an infestation is present in your Jacksonville FL home, locate and discard all infested material. Contact your local pantry pest control experts for help with rice weevils!

Sawtoothed Grain Beetle

Sawtoothed Grain Beetles in Jacksonville FL

The sawtoothed grain beetle is a common stored product pest found throughout the United States in homes, grocery stores, food warehouses, and grain storage facilities. Similar in appearance to the merchant grain beetle, the merchant grain beetle has the ability to fly, while the sawtoothed grain beetle does not. Adults find their way into stored grains, flour, sugar, nuts, and other dry material of plant origin through cracks and crevices of imperfectly sealed containers. They are incapable of attacking sound grain kernels and often occur in food previously infested by other stored product pests. Their flattened body allows them to easily penetrate broken kernels of grain and packaged materials. Not only do they contaminate food, they often cause mold problems due to moisture build-up.

Sawtoothed Grain Beetle Habitat

Sawtoothed grain beetles are commonly found in food manufacturing, storage, and retail facilities, as well as pantries in homes. This stored product pest feeds on bread, cereal, dry pasta, dried meats, candy, nuts, and other dry goods. A single female can lay up to 250 eggs within cracks of kernels of grain. As with other pantry insects, it is the larvae that do most of the damage, however, the adult is most commonly encountered. A typical discovery of a sawtoothed grain beetle infestation occurs when adult beetles are discovered crawling around a pantry area.

Sawtoothed Grain Beetle Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Sawtoothed grain beetles are not known to carry or transmit any diseases to humans and do not bite or sting. They are nuisance pests and will contaminate and damage food that is stored in the home. Adults can readily enter sealed cardboard boxes and soft plastic packaging. Sawtoothed grain beetles typically enter homes in products purchased from grocery stores that are already infested with larvae or adults. The primary infestation usually originates at the manufacturing facility where the product was produced.

If you have sawtoothed grain beetles in your Jacksonville FL property, contact your local pantry pest control experts for help.

Harvestmen / Daddy Longleg

Identifying Harvestmen / Daddy Longlegs Spiders in Florida

Harvestmen, otherwise known as daddy longlegs, are often confused with spiders, but harvestmen are not true spiders. They belong to the order Opiliones and are easily recognized by their small, oval bodies and exceptionally long, slender legs, which can be several times the length of their bodies. The name harvestmen came from their visibility in late summer and fall at harvest time. Harvestmen do not have silk glands and cannot spin webs. Harvestmen are sometimes a nuisance around structures where they congregate by the dozens, but they are not harmful to humans, animals, buildings, or crops.

Where in Florida Do Daddy Longlegs Live?

Harvestmen need humid places to live and are most often found in forests and caves, climbing on rocks and vegetation. During warm months, harvestmen are extremely common on the shady sides of buildings, underneath eaves, in crawl spaces, and on trees, in both rural and urban environments. In the fall, harvestmen will gather in large groups or swarms on the sides of buildings, moving simultaneously, resembling a wiggling mass, which can be disturbing for predators or homeowners.

How Common Are Harvestmen Spiders in Florida?

Harvestmen, commonly misidentified as spiders, are quite prevalent throughout Florida. These arachnids thrive in the state’s warm, humid climate and are widespread in gardens, forests, and damp, shaded areas across the region. They are particularly abundant in the northern and central parts of the state, and populations peak during the wet seasons, typically spring and summer, when moisture levels are high.

Are Daddy Longlegs Dangerous?

Daddy longlegs, or harvestmen, are not dangerous to humans. Despite their menacing appearance and persistent myths, these arachnids do not have venom glands. They primarily feed on decomposing organic matter, playing a beneficial role in the ecosystem.

If, however, they are causing a nuisance contact your local Florida spider exterminators.

FAQs

Are Harvestmen/Daddy Longlegs Spiders?

Contrary to popular belief, harvestmen, commonly known as daddy longlegs in Florida , are not spiders. While both belong to the arachnid class, harvestmen differ significantly from spiders in key aspects. Unlike spiders, they have a single body segment (spiders have two) and have neither silk glands nor venom.

Confusingly the term ‘daddy longlegs’ is used for more than one creature: the harvestman of Florida is a ground-dwelling outdoor arachnid, whereas in other countries ‘daddy longlegs’ can refer to crane flies, which are insects.

Where do Harvestmen Prefer in Florida?

Harvestmen favor damp, shaded environments. You’ll often find them in forests, gardens, and under logs or rocks. They thrive in areas with abundant leaf litter and moisture, which provide both food and shelter. Harvestmen are also commonly seen in basements, crawl spaces, and other humid indoor areas.

Are Harvestmen/Daddy Longlegs a Threat in Florida?

Despite their creepy appearance, harvestmen are not a threat in Florida; they are harmless to humans and pets as they lack venom and cannot bite. Harvestmen primarily feed on decomposing plant and animal matter, playing a beneficial role in the ecosystem.

Huntsman Spider

Identifying Huntsman Spiders in Florida

Huntsman spiders, belonging to the family Sparassidae, are known for their large size, long legs, and remarkable speed. They can have a leg span of up to 5 inches or more, and are typically brown or grey with a flattened body, which helps them squeeze into narrow spaces. Unlike web-building spiders, huntsmen are active hunters, preying on insects and other small animals.

Huntsman spiders are relatively common around the world, but less common in the United States. Unfortunately, they are becoming more common in Jacksonville FL and throughout Florida due to our warm tropical climate they enjoy. Occasionally mistaken for a large brown recluse spider, the huntsman spider is not venomous. Huntsman spiders run fast, and unlike most spiders, ambush and hunt prey.

Where in Florida Do Huntsman Spiders Live?

Huntsman spiders are found throughout Florida, everywhere from urban and rural areas to the coastal regions. Whether they live indoors or out, huntsman spiders prefer spending the day in hiding, emerging at night to hunt. Trees, woodpiles, buildings, and even cars can easily turn into huntsman spider habitats. Their flattened bodies allow them to fit into cracks and crevices to enter homes, barns, and sheds. Cold-sensitive, these spiders cannot exist outdoors in areas with freezing winter temperatures. They will either migrate indoors or die off.

How Common Are Huntsman Spiders in Florida?

Huntsman spiders are relatively common in Florida. Their prevalence across both urban and rural areas contributes to their role in controlling pest populations by preying on insects. Contact Bug Out professional pest control services if you need help managing their presence.

Are Huntsman Spiders Dangerous?

Huntsman spider bites are painful and may cause side effects such as allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, but they are not highly venomous. These arachnids are large, so they can easily frighten, but they are not generally aggressive. Most huntsman spiders will try to run away from humans rather than bite. Huntsman spiders are considered beneficial as they feed on a variety of insects, such as cockroaches, moths, and on occasion, small reptiles.

Dealing with huntsman spider problems on your property? We can take care of them! Contact your local Florida spider exterminators and schedule an appointment today.

FAQs

Where Do Huntsman Spiders Hide in Florida?

Huntsman spiders, a relatively common Florida spider species, are vulnerable to colder temperatures and tend to hide in warm, dark, and sheltered areas. Common hiding spots include behind furniture, in garages and closets, and within cracks and crevices of homes. They are also frequently found in outdoor sheds, woodpiles, under loose bark, and under rocks.

How Large Do Huntsman Spiders Grow in Florida?

Huntsman spiders are notable for their impressive size, typically reaching a leg span of 3 to 5 inches or more. Their bodies alone can measure about 1 inch in length, making them one of the larger spider species found in Florida.

Are Huntsman Spiders Aggressive in Florida?

Huntsman spiders, commonly found in Florida, are known for their size and speed but not for aggression. While their appearance may be intimidating, these spiders are generally non-aggressive and prefer to flee rather than fight. A huntsman spider bite is rare and generally harmless, causing only mild symptoms.

Drain Fly

Drain Flies in Jacksonville FL

Drain flies, also called moth flies, belong to the family Psychodidae and get their name because they often breed in drains. They are found throughout the United States and can become an annoyance in homes, sometimes appearing suddenly from sinks and bathtub drains. They can breed in tremendous numbers in sewage treatment plants and then be carried away by the wind to nearby buildings, where they can crawl through fly screens.

Drain Fly Habitat

Drain flies develop in muck or gelatinous material that accumulates in sewage disposal beds, septic tanks, moist compost, or dirty garbage containers. They may also emerge from drains of sinks or bathtubs, from tree holes, rain barrels, moist organic solids, or bird nests that have accumulations of fecal material. Drain flies gather, mate, and lay eggs in moisture or standing water. The slimy film that forms in sewers and drains is a favorite breeding spot. Inside structures, they are strongly attracted to light and will be found on glass windows, doors, lamps, and indoor lighting.

Drain Fly Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Drain flies do not bite people or animals or do damage to structures or plants. However, because these flies originate from filthy sources, they have the potential of being mechanical vectors of diseases. Populations of these insects can become a nuisance in homes, and their presence is almost always linked to a clogged drain. In residential homes, the most common breeding sites are bathroom drains. Drain flies are weak fliers and when encountered, they are often found crawling on walls and other surfaces.

If you are dealing with a drain fly problem in your property, contact your local fly exterminators.

American Dog Tick

American Dog Ticks in Jacksonville FL

The American dog tick is distributed east of the Rocky Mountains and in a few western states such as California, Idaho, and Washington. As its name suggests, the American dog tick is most commonly found on dogs, but it will readily attack larger animals, such as mice, deer, cattle, horses, and even humans. Pets and humans may contract diseases like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Tularemia from a single tick bite. American dog ticks can survive for up to 2 years at any given stage if no host is found.

American Dog Tick Habitat

American dog ticks are found predominantly in areas with little or no tree cover, such as grassy fields and scrubland, as well as along walkways and trails. Residential areas containing overgrown shrubs, weeds, tall grass, and clutter attract the rodents that are hosts for immature ticks. Adult ticks climb onto a grass blade or other low vegetation, cling to it with their third pair of legs, and then wave their legs when a potential host approaches. As the host brushes against the vegetation, the tick will grab onto the passing animal or human.

American Dog Tick Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

The highest risk of being bitten occurs during spring and summer, and adult females are most likely to bite humans. Nymphs and adults can transmit diseases such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Tularemia. To avoid being bitten, apply an insect repellent containing an EPA-registered ingredient, such as DEET. Also, consider wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, preferably light-colored so ticks will be easy to detect, and tuck pants into socks.

If you are dealing with a tick problem, contact your local tick control experts for assistance.

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