Pests Archive | Page 7 of 16 | Bug Out - Pest Control and Extermination Services

House Fly

House Flies in Jacksonville FL

Found on every continent except Antarctica, the house fly is one of the most familiar of all insects. House flies are generally found in the greatest numbers during the hotter summer months and generally live in close proximity to humans and animals. These pests breed in animal wastes and decaying organic material, including animal corpses and food waste from which they can pick up bacteria and viruses that may cause human disease. House flies defecate almost every time they land, contaminating food, with the potential to spread disease.

House Fly Habitat

In rural areas, manure piles are often the main source of house flies, and in urban areas, piles of fermenting lawn clippings commonly generate large numbers of flies. Animal manure is a favorite breeding medium for flies with the most important sites being horse manure, human excrement, cow manure, fermenting vegetable refuse, dumpsters and refuse containers, and household garbage. Some species of flies can live and breed in recycling containers, and fly problems are common in recycling centers.

House Fly Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Although house flies do not bite, they are capable of transferring more than 100 different pathogens, including salmonellosis, typhoid, and tuberculosis. Pathogenic organisms are picked up by flies from garbage, sewage, and other sources of filth, and then transferred on their mouthparts, through their vomitus, feces, and contaminated external body parts to human and animal food. They can carry a wide range of germs from filthy breeding sites to the dinner table or spread some diseases within herds or flocks.

If you are experiencing a house fly infestation on your property, contact your local fly exterminators for help.

Yellowjacket

Yellowjackets in Jacksonville FL

Found throughout the United States, yellowjackets are the most infamous wasps. These beneficial wasps live in colonies with thousands of individuals and would be a lesser threat to humans were it not for their opportunistic behavior of nesting in structural voids, attics, and cavities associated with landscaping features. Adult yellowjackets feed mainly on fruit juices and other sweet liquid materials, whereas their larvae are fed bits of soft-bodied insects like caterpillars and flies. These wasps are known to become more aggressive in the late fall and early fall months.

Yellowjacket Habitat

Yellowjackets can be divided into ground nesters, which frequently use old rodent burrows and aerial nesters. Above-ground nests are found among the leafy branches of trees and shrubs and also on structures. Occasionally, the nest may be constructed on the side of a building, in wall voids, under eaves, crawlspaces, and attics. The entrance of the nest is normally a hole located at the bottom. These aerial nesters don’t become scavengers in the fall, but they are extremely defensive when their nests are disturbed. Locating the nest, through observing flight patterns, is essential to eliminate them.

Yellowjacket Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Yellowjackets are slow to sting unless their nest is threatened. However, yellowjacket stings pose a more serious threat to humans than bees, because a yellowjacket’s stinger is not barbed like a honey bee, allowing it to sting repeatedly. Some individuals are more sensitive than others, due to allergic reactions, and should seek medical attention when stung. Sometimes yellowjackets living in wall voids chew their way through the drywall and enter the structure’s living space. Naturally, the presence of large numbers of wasps flying around the room can be alarming to homeowners. If you spot a yellowjacket nest, always contact a licensed wasp removal expert for help.

Honey Bee

Honey Bees in Jacksonville FL

These bees are active pollinators that, true to name, produce honey. Their colonies can survive for years. Queen honey bees are slightly larger than male honey bees, also known as drones. They are found all over the nation and pollinate more than 100 types of crops. The two main types are Africanized honey bees and European honey bees. The latter is much more aggressive than the former. Honey bees will swarm when the colony becomes too large for its hive.

Honey Bee Habitat

Honey bees often build their nests in tree crevices, but will occasionally build nests in attics or chimneys. Honey bees are most visible in summer and late spring when new queens leave their old colonies along with thousands of workers to build new nests in tree hollows or crevices. At this time, large groups of bees can be seen swarming together to find a new nesting place. It takes a swarm approximately 24 hours to locate a new nesting site. While most swarms are harmless, certain species of bees, like the Africanized honey bee, are extremely aggressive and may attack unprovoked.

Honey Bee Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Honey bees do sting, but can only sting once. Only female workers are capable of stinging and are not likely to sting when foraging for nectar and pollen in the backyard. Bee stings generally happen when these docile bees are provoked or accidentally crushed. The stinger of the honey bee, having barbs, will remain in the skin unless physically removed. The method of removing the stinger, either grasping with fingers, tweezers or scraping from the skin, is not as important as removing the stinger as quickly as possible. Honey bee stings are quite painful and even life-threatening to a small percentage of people who are allergic to venom. If a honey bee nest is suspected on your property, it is always best to contact a professional bee removal company.

German Cockroach

Identifying German Cockroaches in Florida

The German cockroach is distributed worldwide and is the most prevalent species in and around homes, apartments, supermarkets, food processing plants, and restaurants. Ships, especially cruise ships and naval vessels, can also be heavily infested. These roaches prefer warm, humid environments and infestations are frequently found in residential and commercial kitchen environments, and bathrooms. When infestations are large, they can spread to other parts of a building. This species reproduces the fastest of the common pest cockroaches—a single female and her offspring can produce over 30,000 offspring in a year.

To see what other kinds of roaches live in Florida, visit our Pest Info page for more Florida cockroach species.

Where in Florida Do German Cockroaches Live?

German cockroaches are found primarily in kitchens, bathrooms, or other areas where daily access to water is available. If sanitation is poor, the German cockroach can successfully expand its normal habitat to include all portions of a structure where adequate food, water, and shelter exist. German cockroaches prefer to hide in wooden and paper materials, as well as electrical equipment. These roaches can also be found hiding in cabinets, drawers, up under sinks, and inside heat-producing appliances like dishwashers, microwaves, and coffee makers.

Need to exterminate cockroaches in Florida? Bug Out Florida offers expert pest control services to help you eliminate roaches with effective and safe treatments.

How Common Are German Cockroaches in Florida?

German cockroaches are extremely common in Florida, thriving in the state’s warm, humid environment. They are among the most prevalent types of cockroaches in Florida homes, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms. German cockroaches account for the majority of indoor roach infestations in homes across the U.S., with Florida being a hotspot due to its climate. Their rapid reproduction rate makes infestations challenging to control without professional extermination services, especially in high-density areas or multi-unit housing.

Are German Cockroaches Dangerous?

German cockroaches are not known to bite humans. However, foraging cockroaches are vectors of disease, depositing germs or bacteria in areas they inhabit. German cockroaches can also cause allergic reactions due to the insects leaving fecal matter and cast skins around the home, causing skin rashes, watery eyes, sneezing, nasal congestion, and asthma. In addition to spreading disease, German cockroach infestations may cause human psychological stress. With the social stigma attached to having cockroaches in your home, homeowners tend to alter their behavior by entertaining less often and avoiding kitchen and bathroom areas at night for fear of encountering the pest.

German cockroaches can multiply rapidly, which means that a cockroach infestation should be addressed immediately by a professional cockroach exterminator.

FAQs

How to get rid of Florida German cockroaches?

To eliminate German cockroaches in Florida, begin with a thorough cleaning, removing food crumbs and water sources. It’s also important to seal cracks and crevices where they hide. You can use baits and insect growth regulators (IGRs), which target the breeding cycle. Professional extermination services can ensure more effective German cockroach treatment if the infestation is severe, as these cockroaches reproduce quickly and may develop resistance to common over-the-counter insecticides.

Are German roaches normal in Florida?

Yes, German cockroaches are one of the most common types of cockroaches in Florida. Due to the state’s warm climate and high humidity, they thrive in Florida cockroach habitats like kitchens, bathrooms, and areas with abundant food and moisture. Their presence is a health concern due to the allergens they produce and their potential to spread bacteria.

Why do I suddenly have German roaches?

A sudden appearance of German cockroaches in Florida may be due to several factors, such as bringing them home in bags, boxes, or groceries, or sometimes an infestation is caused by new construction work that has disturbed their habitat. Once indoors, they seek food, water, and shelter, quickly multiplying in kitchens and bathrooms. Poor sanitation, moisture, or cracks in walls can contribute to an infestation.

House Spider

Identifying House Spiders in Florida

House spiders have long, spindly legs and build irregular, messy webs in secluded areas. Females have a robust, rounded abdomen, while males are more slender. They are nocturnal and prefer undisturbed locations such as garages, basements, and attics, where they can build their webs and hunt for prey. Despite their somewhat intimidating appearance, they are generally harmless to humans.

The domestic or common house spider is the most commonly seen spider in North America. Most often encountered indoors, the house spider is a nuisance pest because of its webs more than the spider itself. A house spider’s web is often called a cobweb and is made up of many crisscrossing strands of sticky silk. Cobwebs are generally found in corners of rooms and ceilings. A house spider is an excellent trapper, preying on any insect that is unfortunate enough to walk or fly into its sticky web. If their webs do not yield prey, the webs are abandoned and a new site is chosen.

Where in Florida Do House Spiders Live?

House spiders in Florida can be found throughout the state. Common house spiders like living in quiet, undisturbed areas where moisture and food are available. They can usually be found in gardens and backyards, in addition to basements, attics, barns, sheds, and any other type of man-made structure. If left undisturbed, house spiders can live as long as seven years in the same web in places like attics, basements, and garages. When outside, female spiders die in the cold and males rarely live longer than a year.

How Common Are House Spiders in Florida?

The house spider is one of the most common spiders in Florida, thriving in various environments due to the warm and humid climate. While their presence is often noticeable in areas where they build webs, they generally play a beneficial role by controlling insect populations.

Are House Spiders Dangerous?

Domestic house spiders in Florida are generally not dangerous to humans. They move quickly, but are not aggressive, and will often retreat when confronted. If cornered with no possible escape, house spiders may bite, although documented cases of domestic spider bites are extremely rare. If bitten, the symptoms may include slight pain, swelling, and itching. House spiders do not cause any property damage and are actually beneficial as they eat other pests that may cause damage, such as termites, carpenter ants, moths, and stink bugs.

If you are dealing with a common house spider problem, always contact your local spider exterminators.

FAQs

What Attracts House Spiders Indoors in Florida?

House spiders seek shelter in cluttered areas, dark corners, and undisturbed spaces where they can build webs. Food sources like insects and other small pests, which are drawn to light, as well as crumbs or spills, can also lure spiders inside. Additionally, the warm and humid conditions prevalent in Florida make indoor environments particularly appealing. To reduce spider attraction, maintain a clean home, seal entry points, and address any insect problems promptly.

Are House Spiders venomous in Florida?

In Florida, most domestic house spiders, including the common house spider, are not venomous and generally pose no significant threat to humans. While their bites can cause minor irritation, their venom is typically harmless.

How can you get rid of House Spiders in Florida?

To effectively get rid of domestic house spiders, including the common house spider, start by reducing clutter and keeping your home clean to eliminate hiding spots. Seal cracks and crevices around windows, doors, and foundations to prevent entry. Regularly vacuuming of corners, baseboards, and under furniture can also help remove spiders and their webs. You could also consider using spider repellents and insecticides designed specifically for spiders. If the infestation persists or you need professional assistance, contact your local Florida branch of Bug Out to ensure a thorough and effective solution.

Wolf Spider

Identifying Wolf Spiders in Florida

Wolf spiders, part of the Lycosidae family, are robust, agile hunters known for their excellent eyesight and quick movements. Typically brown or gray with distinctive stripes or markings, they can grow up to 1 ½ inches in size. Unlike web-building spiders, wolf spiders are ground-dwelling predators that chase and pounce on their prey, primarily insects.

Wolf spiders are active hunters and patrol the ground for insects, small spiders, and similar prey and cause the greatest concern when encountered in homes. These spiders have excellent vision, allowing them to see humans approaching them, at which point, they flee. Many wolf spiders are nocturnal and use a reflective structure to maximize vision at night. Shining a flashlight at ground level will often allow one to see the green eye shines of this spider reflected from 10-30 feet away, depending on the spider’s size. Female spiders may sometimes be seen with their young riding on their backs until they are independent enough to go off on their own. Wolf spiders are rarely pests, but they sometimes wander into houses, where their large size often frightens homeowners.

Where in Florida Do Wolf Spiders Live?

Wolf spiders do not use webs to capture prey and actively hunt in the open during the day and night, often living by the thousands in leaf litter and grassy areas. Some wolf spiders build small burrows and defend a territory, others are free-roaming. Because they are so numerous, and such voracious predators, wolf spiders are a very important part of any ecosystem in which they occur.

How Common Are Wolf Spiders in Florida?

Wolf spiders are a very common Florida spider species, thriving in the state’s warm and humid climate. They are frequently found in gardens, lawns, and wooded areas, as well as inside homes, and their adaptability allows them to inhabit various environments, from coastal regions to urban settings. Known for their hunting skills, wolf spiders play a crucial role in controlling insect populations.

Are Wolf Spiders Dangerous?

Wolf spiders can bite, but their bites are extremely rare. While they may be fast and aggressive when hunting their insect prey, they don’t usually bite people unless they are provoked or mishandled. A wolf spider bite may be painful, but it is not generally dangerous to healthy adults. However, sensitive individuals such as children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems may have some form of negative reaction.

If you are dealing with wolf spiders in your Jacksonville FL property, contact your local spider exterminators.

Need Help With Wolf Spider Control in Florida?

For help with wolf spider control in Florida, contact your friendly local branch of Bug Out. We’re happy to resolve spider problems and can advise on how best to spider-proof your home to help avoid further infestations.

FAQs

Do Wolf Spiders Hunt at Night in Florida?

Yes, wolf spiders are nocturnal hunters in Florida. These agile predators are known for their exceptional speed and keen eyesight, making nighttime the perfect hunting period. During the day, wolf spiders typically hide in burrows or under debris to avoid the heat and predators. At night, they actively seek out prey, including insects and other small invertebrates.

What are Wolf Spiders’ Predators in Florida?

Wolf spiders in Florida face several natural predators. Birds catch them during the day, and small mammals, like shrews and mice, also hunt wolf spiders. Additionally, lizards and amphibians such as frogs and toads find wolf spiders to be a tasty meal. Even other spiders, including larger wolf spiders, can be threats. These predators help maintain the balance in Florida’s ecosystems. If wolf spiders are becoming a problem in your home, Bug Out Florida’s professional pest control team can effectively manage their presence while respecting their role in nature.

How Can You Remove a Wolf Spider From Your Home in Florida?

Wolf spiders are generally harmless, so if you find one in your Florida home, it is usually best to leave it alone or gently guide it outside. You can capture it using a piece of cardboard and a jar: gently catch the spider in the glass and then slide the cardboard underneath, then release it away from your home. If the problem persists, get in touch with your local Bug Out Florida branch.

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