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Meadow Vole

The meadow vole, which is also called the “meadow mouse” or the “field mouse,” is the most widely distributed vole in North America. Voles resemble rats and mice but have shorter tails and heavier, cylindrical bodies. Voles are poor climbers and usually do not invade homes or other buildings. Meadow voles eat plants, especially grasses and seeds, and are prolific breeders. These rodents build extensive runway and tunnel systems, causing extensive damage to turf and landscape plants.

Identifying Meadow Voles in Florida

One of the lesser-known Florida rodent species, meadow voles are small (between 3.5” and 5” long), stocky creatures with a blunt snout, short tail, and small ears hidden by dense fur. They typically have brown or gray fur and can be mistaken for other small rodents. Unlike mice, meadow voles have a more rounded appearance and are often found in grassy areas or fields. Their presence is marked by surface runways and burrow openings in lawns or gardens. These voles are active year-round, primarily during the day.

Where in Florida Do Meadow Voles Live?

Although meadow voles spend considerable time above ground, scurrying about, they spend most of their time below ground in their burrow system. Meadow voles dig short, shallow burrows and make underground nests of grass, stems, and leaves. A protective layer of grass or another ground cover usually hides their runways. You can locate the runways by pulling back overhanging ground cover. Fresh clippings of green grass and greenish-colored droppings about 3/16 inches long in the runways and near the burrows are further evidence of voles.

How Common Are Meadow Voles in Florida?

Despite being one of the most common small mammals in North America, meadow voles are relatively uncommon in Florida compared to other regions of the United States. They prefer cooler climates and are typically found in the northern and western parts of the state, where grassy fields and meadows provide suitable habitats. In Florida, their populations are more sporadic and localized, often restricted to rural areas with dense vegetation. Due to their limited presence, meadow voles are not as significant a pest concern as other Florida rodent species, such as house mice or roof rats.

Are Meadow Voles Dangerous?

Meadow voles rarely come in contact with humans and therefore pose no major public health hazards; however, they are capable of carrying disease organisms, such as plague and tularemia. Meadow voles are a significant pest to homeowners as they forage for food in gardens and landscape, causing extensive damage to orchards, tree plantings, and field crops. Vole damage to tree trunks normally occurs from a few inches above the ground to a few inches below ground. Meadow voles can also ruin lawns, golf courses, and ground covers. If you suspect a meadow vole issue, contact your local rodent exterminators.

Meadow Vole Control Specialists in Florida

If you’re dealing with meadow voles or other rodents in your yard, it’s crucial to act quickly to protect your property. Meadow voles can cause significant damage to gardens and lawns, making professional intervention essential. For effective rodent control in Florida, contact Bug Out. Our experienced team specializes in handling all types of rodent infestations. Don’t let these pests take over—reach out to us today for a thorough inspection and customized treatment plan.

FAQs

Are meadow voles harmful?

Meadow voles do not pose any health risks for humans, but they are known for their burrowing habits and can cause extensive damage to lawns, flower beds, and crops by eating roots, bulbs, and other vegetation.

What is the difference between a field mouse and a meadow vole?

Field mice and meadow voles are different types of rodents in Florida. Meadow voles are stockier with shorter tails, while field mice are slender with longer tails. Voles have blunt snouts and smaller eyes, while field mice have pointed snouts and larger eyes. Their behavior also differs, as voles tend to stay near the ground, while field mice are agile climbers.

Is a meadow vole a rat?

No, a meadow vole is not a rat. While they are both rodents, meadow voles are much smaller, have different physical characteristics, and behave differently. Voles are more closely related to mice than to rats.

Where are meadow voles found?

Meadow voles are commonly found in grassy fields, meadows, and areas with dense vegetation. In Florida, they are typically found in areas with lush vegetation that provides ample cover.

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.

Oriental Cockroach

Identifying Oriental Cockroaches in Florida

The oriental cockroach is often referred to as the “black beetle” or “water bug” and is a major household pest in parts of the northwest, mid-west, and the southern United States, including Jacksonville, FL and the surrounding area. This species is attracted to wet and shady perimeter areas and prefers the dark and dampness of basements, cellars, and crawl spaces. Oriental cockroaches are known to climb water pipes and garbage chutes to access the upper floors of apartment buildings. They feed on all kinds of filth, debris, and other decaying organic matter and seem especially fond of garbage and the contents of discarded tin cans.

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

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

Where in Florida Do Oriental Cockroaches Live?

Oriental cockroaches are common outdoors and live in warm, damp shady areas near the ground. Outside the house, these cockroaches will gather near or under trash cans. When temperatures drop, they may seek shelter indoors but can tolerate cooler weather. Oriental cockroaches may enter homes in food packages from grocery stores or gain access under exterior doors, garage doors, air ducts, and ventilators. Inside, they tend to remain on lower floors and move more slowly than other species. The most common areas to find oriental cockroaches in homes are toilets, bathtubs, sinks, radiators, and pipes. These cockroaches are seasonal and adults generally appear from May through July.

How Common Are Oriental Cockroaches in Florida?

Oriental cockroaches are less common in Florida compared to other species like German or American cockroaches, but they do exist in damp, cool areas. Known for their affinity for moisture, they are often found in basements, sewers, and drains. Their populations are more frequent in northern parts of Florida, like Jacksonville, due to cooler temperatures. Oriental cockroach infestations tend to be seasonal, spiking during the rainy months when moisture levels are higher.

Are Oriental Cockroaches Dangerous?

Oriental cockroaches are not a structural pest in that they do not damage homes, but they do present a serious threat to your health and the health of your family. Cockroaches are known for spreading disease and have been discovered to carry 33 different kinds of bacteria, including E. Coli and Salmonella. Cockroaches contaminate food items and the surfaces in our homes with harmful bacteria as they forage for food. They also pose a major threat to people with allergies or asthma as their shed skins and feces can cause serious reactions in these individuals.

If you are dealing with an oriental cockroach infestation, it’s important to contact your local cockroach exterminator for help.

Are oriental cockroaches dangerous or poisonous?

Oriental cockroaches are not poisonous, but they can pose health risks. Like many cockroaches in Florida, they carry bacteria and pathogens that can contaminate food and surfaces, potentially spreading diseases like E. coli and salmonella. Additionally, their droppings and shed skins can trigger allergies and asthma in sensitive individuals. Regular cleaning and oriental roach pest control services can help mitigate these risks.

Why am I seeing oriental cockroaches in my house?

Oriental cockroaches often enter homes in search of moisture. Their presence is common in areas with high humidity, particularly during cockroach season in Florida, which spikes in the rainy summer months. You might see them near basements, drains, and other damp locations. Their preference for cool, moist environments makes them one of the various kinds of cockroaches in Florida attracted to homes with plumbing leaks or standing water.

What is the difference between an oriental cockroach and a regular cockroach?

Oriental cockroaches are larger, darker, and more sluggish than other Florida cockroaches like the German cockroach. When you observe an oriental cockroach up close, they have a shiny, almost black appearance and prefer cooler, damp areas, unlike some cockroaches in Florida that thrive in warmer, drier environments. Oriental cockroaches also tend to remain near ground level, while other species are more mobile, making them easier to spot up close near drains or basements.

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