What Are the Most Common Florida House Pests?

Florida living has plenty of perks, but a bug-free home isn’t always one of them. The heat and humidity we put up with are exactly what pests crave, so there is no off-season. Here’s the lineup of critters you’re most likely to find in your home:

• Ants: Whether it’s ghost ants trailing across your counter, fire ants stinging in the yard, or carpenter ants chewing through wood, they’re easily some of the most common insects in Florida.
  
• Cockroaches: German, American, smoky brown—take your pick. They’re all active in Florida, and nobody’s thrilled when they catch one scurrying across the floor.
  
• Termites: The silent budget-wreckers. Subterranean and drywood termites munch away at your home’s structure long before you notice.
  
• Mosquitoes: Standing water plus warm nights equals an all-you-can-bite buffet, and possible exposure to nasty illnesses like Zika and West Nile.
  
• Palmetto Bugs: Basically, giant roaches that love to wander indoors and startle everyone.
  
• Spiders: Most are harmless helpers, but keep an eye out for black widows and brown recluses.
  
• Silverfish & Earwigs: Damp-loving Florida bugs that hang out in bathrooms and dark, humid corners.
  
• Rats & Mice: They’ll happily move in for food and shelter, but present serious health risks for humans and pets.

Sealing entry points, reducing moisture, and eliminating food sources all help to prevent infestations, but professional treatment offers a more reliable defense against a host of common local pests. If you are concerned about bugs in your home, contact Florida Pest for a free pest inspection and customized protection plan.