Florida pest control experts stay busy during autumn because this is when pests emerge and look for new food and water sources. Even though the weather is not as frigid as many other parts of the U.S., some Florida pests may prefer to stay in your home than in their nests.
Today, we’re going to take a look at which pests will be emerging in Florida soon, the importance of professional pest control, and a few simple do-it-yourself tactics that you can utilize between exterminator visits. It’s important that you stay vigilant about all types of pests no matter what season it is, but there are definitely a few that will begin to emerge more frequently during the fall season.
Rats and Rodents
A year-round problem, rodents tend to make their way indoors more as the weather cools. More than being annoying and multiplying quickly, rodents may harbor transmittable diseases in their saliva, dander, fur, droppings, and urine. Such diseases include salmonella, Hantavirus, and the plague.
If you have or suspect rodents in your home, stay safe, and call a Florida pest control professional right away.
Termites
Termites cause millions of dollars in damage to homes each year. While termite infestations can occur at any time of year, drywood and dampwood termites tend to swarm during the fall.
Lawn Grubs
Lawn grubs are a common autumn Florida pest. The bugs are actually beetle larvae that live in soil and eat grassroots.
Spiders
Spiders are attracted to food sources—insects. If you have a spider infestation in your home, you may have an insect infestation of which you are not aware.
In addition to controlling the insect population in your home, make your dwelling seem inhospitable by breaking webs when you see them and using a natural spider repellent, like water infused with mint.
Cabbage Loopers
The cabbage looper infests a large range of plants. Some cultivated hosts include cabbage and related plants, cotton, potato, spinach, lettuce, celery, parsley, tomato, and soybean. Collards and cotton are preferred over broccoli, cauliflower, or cabbage for oviposition. – Cabbage looper feeding injury closely resembles that of the imported cabbageworm.
As the larvae mature, they move to more protected areas deeper within cabbage heads. These larger larvae feed between leaf veins as they progress from the outer to the inner leaves. – Cabbage loopers overwinter as pupae in Florida and adjacent states. The inconspicuous night-flying moths emerge in spring, and females soon begin depositing 275 to 350 eggs, singly, on the upper surface of leaves.
Avoiding Pest Infestations Over Winter
Pests can enter your home via cracks that are as small as 1/8-inch.
Inspect the interior and exterior walls of your home and seal any cracks that you find. Similarly, repair or replace broken screens on your windows, doors, or yard enclosure.
To keep fall pests out of your property this fall, it’s important to be proactive about eliminating their chances to do so! To avoid an infestation in the fall or winter, the time to protect your home is now! Many pests are driven into homes by the changing weather and will look for hiding spots to overwinter once inside.
Maintain the landscaping
Pests hate nice-looking yards. Keep them away by regularly mowing your lawn, getting rid of fallen leaves, weeding your garden, and cutting back bushes, so they don’t touch your home.
Eliminate standing water
Fix leaks inside and outside your home. Cover the pool when it’s not in use and empty fountains that don’t have a working pump. If you have a birdbath, refresh the water daily. Eliminate food sources. Avoid leaving food out in the open, including pet food. Do the dishes as soon as possible after each meal, and clean up any crumbs or spills.
Cover Up Cruciferous Crops with Row Cover
To avoid the veggie eating pests you can use netting and other row covers to protect your brassicas and cabbages. These will keep the bugs out so you can enjoy more of your harvest throughout the growing season.
Seal Up Any Opened Pet Food
Open pet food bags or any sort of feed will be like a honing beacon to pests. Make sure all feeds are kept in sealed bags or buckets in an inconvenient place for pests to get into.
Don’t Become a Victim of Fall Pests! Call Drive Bye Exterminators Today!
Despite your best efforts, pests sometimes become unwelcome guests. If you suspect an infestation in your home, contact an expert Florida pest control service provider like Drive Bye Exterminators and schedule an inspection right away.
