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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.

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.

Millipede

Identifying Millipedes in Florida

Millipedes, sometimes called “thousand leggers”, are household pests and common insects found in Florida. With their long, segmented bodies and numerous legs, these detritivores play an essential role in the ecosystem by breaking down organic matter and enriching the soil.

These creatures normally live outdoors where they feed on damp and decaying wood and vegetable matter, as well as tender roots and green leaves on the ground.

Many millipede species protect themselves by means of glands that secrete an unpleasant odor.

Where in Florida Do Millipedes Live?

Millipedes inhabit a variety of environments, and they are common in Florida due to the state’s humidity. These include moist forests, gardens, and landscaped areas. In natural settings, millipedes prefer areas with abundant leaf litter, decaying wood, and rich organic matter, which provide both food and shelter.

In residential areas, they can often be seen in gardens where mulch and compost are present, as these materials create a favorable habitat.

In nature, millipedes are scavengers and feed mainly on decaying organic matter. They occasionally feed on young plants but the damage inflicted is seldom significant. Millipedes have high moisture requirements and tend to remain hidden under objects during the day. Millipedes often leave their natural habitats at night and crawl about over sidewalks, patios, and foundations. At certain times of the year, especially during autumn, they may migrate into buildings in great numbers.

How Common Are Millipedes In Florida?

Millipedes are quite common in Florida – over 50 species – especially in areas with warm and humid conditions. Spring and fall are both ‘millipede seasons’. They are frequently found in gardens, forests, and wetlands throughout the state.

Their populations tend to increase during warmer months and after rainfall, making encounters with them more likely for residents. Millipedes are a common sight in Florida’s diverse ecosystems.

Are Millipedes Dangerous?

Millipedes are generally not dangerous to humans or pets. While millipedes sometimes enter structures in large numbers, they do not bite, sting, or transmit diseases, nor do they infest food, clothing, or wood.

Millipedes are simply a nuisance by their presence, often invading crawl spaces, damp basements, and first floors of structures at ground level. Frequent sightings of these pests indoors usually mean that there are large numbers breeding on the outside in the lawn, or beneath mulch, leaf litter, or debris close to the foundation.

Because of their moisture requirement, millipedes do not survive indoors for more than a few days unless there are very moist or damp conditions.

If you are dealing with excess millipedes in your Florida property, contact your local insect exterminators.

FAQs

Are Florida Millipedes Poisonous?

Millipedes in Florida – or in any other state! – are not poisonous. They do not possess venom and are harmless to humans and pets. However, when threatened, some species may secrete a defensive fluid that can cause mild skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. This secretion is intended as a defense mechanism to deter predators and can have an unpleasant odor. While they may appear intimidating due to their many legs and size, millipedes play a beneficial role in the ecosystem by decomposing organic matter, and they pose no significant threat to human health.

Why Are Millipedes In My House in Florida?

Millipedes may enter your home in search of moisture and shelter. They are attracted to damp environments, especially during periods of high humidity or after rainfall, making Florida the perfect region for this particular pest. If your Floridian home has areas of excess moisture, such as bathrooms, basements, or crawl spaces, it can create a welcoming environment for these creatures. Millipedes may also venture indoors when they are displaced from their outdoor habitats due to landscaping, garden work, or heavy rains. While they can be a nuisance, their presence typically indicates a need to address moisture levels in your home.

Why Am I Getting Millipedes in My House?

You may be getting millipedes in your house due to various factors, primarily related to moisture and environment. Florida’s humid climate provides ideal conditions for millipedes, prompting them to seek refuge indoors, especially during heavy rain or high humidity. Address your moisture issues promptly, and if your home has leaks, poor drainage, or decaying organic matter, make sure to fix these issues.

How to Get Rid of Florida Millipedes?

Focus on reducing moisture levels and eliminating their hiding spots. Start by fixing any leaks and improving drainage around your home. Regularly clean up organic debris, such as leaves and mulch, in your garden to minimize their habitat. Seal cracks and gaps in windows, doors, and foundations to prevent millipedes from entering. You can also set up traps using rolled-up newspapers or use diatomaceous earth as a natural deterrent.

Regularly checking and cleaning potential entry points will help keep millipede populations in check. If your millipede infestation is large, contact your local pest control experts today.

House Cricket

Identifying House Crickets in Florida

House crickets are some of the more common insects across Florida.

House crickets are typically light brown or tan in color with distinctive dark bands across their heads. They grow to about 3/4 to 1 inch in length and have long antennae and powerful hind legs for jumping. You may also notice their prominent wings, though they don’t fly often.

These insects are known for their distinctive, high-pitched chirping sound, which they make by rubbing their wings together, especially at night. They are commonly found indoors in warm, moist areas like basements and kitchens, particularly in Florida’s humid climate.

The house cricket was introduced into Canada and the United States in the 18th century and attracted the attention of early writers by its serenades and whimsical habit of chewing on clothes.

House crickets are nocturnal and omnivorous, feeding readily on various foods, and are particularly attracted to liquids, especially fermented beverages such as beer or sweetened vinegar.

Where in Florida Do House Crickets Live?

House crickets are commonly found throughout Florida, both indoors and outdoors. They are drawn to warm moist environments, seeking food and shelter within homes and structures as temperatures cool down in the fall.

Indoors, they often inhabit basements, garages, and kitchens, where they can find shelter and warmth. Outdoors, they can be found in gardens, mulch beds, and near vegetation. Florida’s humid climate provides ideal conditions for house crickets to thrive, especially in urban and suburban areas.

During warm weather, the house cricket lives outdoors in piles of debris, rocks, firewood, and lumber. They may also be seen in compost bins and garbage dumps during the winter, as well as in houses, sheds, and other shelters. With the coming of cold weather, the house cricket enters homes and is active in warm areas of the house.

Because these crickets are attracted to warmth, they are often present in the vicinity of the fireplace, kitchen, furnace, water heater, and basement. They conceal themselves in cracks, behind baseboards, and may burrow into the mortar of walls. The house cricket is especially destructive to silk and woolens.

House crickets are nocturnal and usually first make themselves evident at dusk when they begin to seek food in homes. Homeowners may also be alerted to their presence by the familiar chirping sounds made by males. When attracting females, males rub their front wings together causing a chirping sound. Their distinctive chirping is a familiar sound in Florida homes, especially during the warmer months.

How Common Are House Crickets in Florida?

House crickets are quite common in Florida due to the state’s warm and humid climate, which provides ideal conditions for them to thrive.

They are frequently found in both residential and commercial areas, particularly indoors in spaces like basements, garages, and kitchens.

Outdoors, they can be found in gardens, near vegetation, or under mulch.

Are House Crickets Dangerous?

House crickets are not dangerous to humans and pose no direct health risks. They do not bite, sting or spread disease, however, they can become a nuisance if they gain entry into a home, damaging clothing, carpets, and areas covered in fabric.

If you have a house cricket infestation contact your local insect exterminators in Florida. Our team at Bug Out is here to help manage your pest problem with expertise and efficiency.

FAQs

What Kind of Crickets Live in Florida?

Several species of crickets live in Florida, including house crickets, field crickets, and camel crickets. House crickets are the most commonly found indoors, with their distinctive chirping and moderate size of about 3/4 to 1 inch. While not common, some people might also spot white crickets, which are often newly molted crickets that haven’t regained their color yet.

Are House Crickets Harmless?

Yes, house crickets are generally harmless to humans. Though they can become a nuisance when crickets in the house chirp, they don’t bite or cause harm. The most common issue with house crickets is their tendency to chew on fabrics and paper. House cricket size varies from 3/4 to 1 inch, and while they do have wings, house crickets rarely fly indoors.

Why Am I Suddenly Finding Crickets in My House?

Crickets in the house are often looking for warmth, moisture, or shelter, especially during seasonal changes. In Florida, crickets might move indoors during cooler weather or after heavy rain. House crickets can easily enter through cracks and gaps. Crickets in house meaning is often linked to seeking refuge from outdoor conditions. Sealing entry points can help prevent future cricket infestations.

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.

Silverfish

Identifying Silverfish In Florida

White silverfish, also known as ‘silver-surfer bugs’ are small, wingless insects with elongated, teardrop-shaped bodies covered in silvery-gray scales. They’re a common insect species in Florida, typically about 1/2 to 1 inch long and move in a wriggling, fish-like motion.

These particular bugs in Florida are commonly found in dark, humid areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. They are nocturnal and often go unnoticed.

Silverfish — often mistaken for a similar bug known as firebrats – have enzymes in their gut that digest cellulose, and will inhabit bookcases, closets, and places where books, clothing, starch, or dry foods are available. Both silverfish and firebrats are capable of swift movement and their ability to move sideways or even jump when disturbed.

Silverfish consume both carbohydrates and proteins, and can also be cannibalistic, eating cast skins of dead and injured individuals. These nocturnal insects cannot survive without humidity and will hide during the day in high moisture areas like laundry rooms, under kitchen and bathroom sinks, and in crawl spaces.

Silverfish are pests of paper, particularly paper with a glazed finish. They are especially fond of the sizing in paper products, which may consist of starch, dextrin, casein, gum, and glue.

Where in Florida Do Silverfish Live?

In Florida, silverfish are most often found indoors in areas that provide consistent humidity and slightly cooler temperatures, such as basements, bathrooms, attics, and under sinks. They seek out dark, damp places to avoid high heat, and crave spaces with high moisture levels – typically 72-81 degrees Fahrenheit.

Since the bodies of these insects are flattened, they can find harborage in very small cracks and crevices, even within narrow book bindings, the loose pages of books, and corrugated cardboard.

Outside, silverfish may hide in leaf litter, under rocks, or in other damp, shaded areas.

How Common Are Silverfish in Florida?

Silverfish are quite common in Florida, particularly in homes with high humidity levels. Florida’s humid, tropical climate provides ideal conditions for silverfish to flourish year-round, though they may appear more during the damp, cooler months.

Are Silverfish Dangerous?

Silverfish are not dangerous to humans or pets. They do not bite or sting, but they can cause significant damage to personal items and food sources. Silverfish have weak jaws, causing them to scrape instead of bite. Their scraping activity results in holes in fabric and clothing, and discoloration of books, paper products, and wallpaper. Silverfish can contaminate dry foods such as cereals, flour, pasta, and pet food.

Silverfish do not have wings and instead of moving from place to place by flying, they move in a very quick fish-like manner. If the object they are hiding beneath is moved, they will dart toward another secluded place. This can be a little frightening!

While not harmful, a silverfish infestation can cause costly repairs if left unmanaged.

Are you dealing with a silverfish infestation? Contact your local Florida insect removal experts today! At Bug Out, our skilled technicians are dedicated to protecting your home from all types of pests.

FAQs

Are Silverfish Normal in Florida?

Yes, silverfish are quite normal in Florida, where the tropical climate provides a suitable habitat for these pests. Often referred to as ‘silver surfer bugs’ due to their metallic appearance, silverfish can be found in homes, away from direct heat, especially in damp areas like bathrooms and kitchens. While they are not harmful, their presence can be concerning, and it’s essential to manage infestations effectively.

How Do I Get Rid of Silverfish in Florida?

Start by reducing moisture levels in your home, as silverfish thrive in humid environments. Seal cracks and gaps to limit their access, and use dehumidifiers in damp areas. Consider utilizing bait traps or insecticides specifically designed for silverfish. For persistent infestations, contact your local Florida pest control service.

Should You Kill Silverfish?

While silverfish are not harmful, controlling their population is recommended to prevent damage to your belongings, as they feed on paper, fabrics, and starchy materials. However, it’s best to leave the killing of silverfish to a professional pest control team. Our experts can effectively manage infestations and provide long-term solutions to keep your home safe from these pests.

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