Clothes Moth

Clothes Moths in Florida

Clothes moths are textile-damaging pests and rank among the rare creatures capable of breaking down keratin, a fibrous protein present in animal skin, hair, feathers, and horns. In North America, there are two main species of clothes moths: the webbing clothes moth and the casemaking clothes moth. The larval stage of these moths can cause significant harm, as both species feed solely on animal-based materials such as wool, fur, silk, feathers, felt, and leather. Severe infestations can go unnoticed in homes, leading to significant and irreversible damage to garments and decorative heirlooms.

Clothes Moth Habitat

Unlike many other moth species, clothes moths are rarely seen because they tend to avoid light. They thrive in dark, undisturbed spaces such as closets, basements, and attics. Inside homes, clothes moth larvae are often found on wool garments, carpets, upholstered furniture, and old wool rug scraps stored in attics. Accumulated lint from wool rugs and pet hair hidden behind baseboards or in floor cracks can also attract infestations. A common spot for egg-laying is under furniture, such as beneath the back legs of a sofa—areas that aren’t typically reached by vacuuming. While adult moths do not feed on fabric, their presence indicates that eggs are likely to be laid, leading to fabric-damaging larvae.

Clothes Moth Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Clothes moths commonly damage or destroy items such as sweaters, scarves, coats, blankets, rugs, down-filled pillows and comforters, upholstery, stuffed toys, decorative pieces, and taxidermy displays. Their larvae prefer feeding in dark, undisturbed spaces like closets, storage chests, and boxes where woolens and furs are kept for extended periods. Clothing and blankets that are frequently used are rarely affected, as are rugs that experience regular foot traffic or routine vacuuming. Typically, areas such as the edges and undersides of rugs or spots beneath furniture are more vulnerable to attack. If you suspect an infestation, it’s advised to reach out for a free pest consultation.

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Cicada Killer Wasp

Cicada Killer Wasps in Florida

The cicada killer wasp may look intimidating due to its large size, but this solitary wasp is mostly non-aggressive toward humans. Found throughout Florida, cicada killer wasps play a crucial role in controlling cicada populations. While their burrowing habits can be a nuisance in lawns and sandy areas, they rarely sting unless provoked.

What Do Cicada Killer Wasps Look Like?

Cicada killer wasps (Sphecius speciosus) are one of the largest wasps in North America, measuring up to 1 ½ inches in length. This is one of the best giveaways in cicada killer wasp identification. They also have a black abdomen with distinct yellow bands, resembling a larger version of a yellowjacket. Their wings are amber-colored, and their heads and thoraxes are covered in fine reddish-brown hairs. The female cicada killers are larger than the males and carry a long stinger used to paralyze cicadas.

Cicada killer flying at its burrow entrance.
A cicada killer was flying outside its burrow entrance

Signs of a Cicada Killer Wasp Infestation

When spotting signs of cicada killer wasps, look for multiple U-shaped mounds of soil in lawns, gardens, flower beds, or along sidewalks. These piles are created when females dig their burrows and are a clear sign of these insects. You may also notice male wasps flying low over the ground, guarding nesting areas, or see females carrying paralyzed cicadas back to their burrows.

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Habitat, Diet, Life Cycle & Behaviors

Understanding their habitat, diet, and life cycle can help you better appreciate these solitary wasps and their impact on the environment.

Where Do Cicada Killer Wasps Live?

Cicada killer wasps prefer sunny areas with sandy or loose, well-drained soil. Their nesting sites are commonly found in lawns, gardens, golf courses, and along patio edges, flower beds, or walkways. These wasps favor areas where cicadas are abundant.

Diet

Adult cicada killer wasps feed on nectar and sap from flowers, making them occasional pollinators. However, their grub-like larvae depend entirely on cicadas for nutrition. Female cicada killer wasps paralyze cicadas and drag them into underground burrows, where they serve as food for the developing larvae.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of cicada killer wasps begins in the summer when females create burrows and lay eggs on paralyzed cicadas. Each egg hatches into a larva, which feeds on the cicada provided by the female. Once the larva has consumed the cicada, it pupates in the burrow and overwinters underground. Adults emerge in late June or July to start the cycle again.

Behaviors

Unlike more social wasps, cicada killer wasps are solitary insects and are generally non-aggressive toward humans. Female wasps primarily focus on excavating burrows in the ground and hunting cicadas to provide food for their larvae. They are typically too preoccupied with their tasks to pose a threat. Male wasps, on the other hand, patrol the nesting areas and may appear aggressive as they chase away potential intruders.

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Are Cicada Killer Wasps Dangerous?

Unlike other wasp species, cicada killers are not very aggressive and rarely sting humans or pets unless they are disturbed. Males are aggressive and territorial but do not possess a stinger. A sting from a cicada killer wasp can be painful and their venom may cause an allergic reaction in some people. Like a bumblebee or a yellowjacket, the cicada killer wasp can sting more than once.

Cicada killers can be a nuisance if they are found on your property. Female wasps dig fairly large burrows, making quite a large mess near plants and vegetation. The burrowing behavior of this wasp can damage the roots of plants and make some structures, like walkways and pathways, unstable. If you are dealing with a cicada killer wasp problem, contact your local wasp removal experts for help.

How To Get Rid of Cicada Killer Wasps

If cicada killer wasps, or any other common species of stinging insects, have become a problem on your property, professional pest control services are the most effective solution. Experts can safely locate and remove burrows while minimizing damage to your lawn or garden. In the meantime, you can discourage their activity by keeping soil moist and compact, as they prefer loose, dry soil for burrowing. Avoid trying to handle these wasps on your own, as disturbing their nests may provoke defensive behavior.

Cicada Killer Wasp Prevention Tips

To prevent cicada killer wasps from nesting on your property, take steps to make your outdoor areas less inviting:

  • Maintain your lawn by filling bare patches with grass or mulch to reduce exposed soil.
  • Water your yard regularly to keep the soil moist and less suitable for burrowing.
  • Seal any cracks or openings in sidewalks, patios, or foundations where wasps could dig tunnels.
  • Monitor your property for early signs of activity and address them promptly.

Need Help with Bees, Wasps, or Hornets?

Dealing with bees, wasps, or hornets can be overwhelming and potentially dangerous. Florida Pest Control offers expert services to safely and efficiently manage infestations of stinging insects. Whether it’s a cicada killer wasp issue or another type of pest, our trained technicians use proven methods to protect your home and outdoor spaces. Contact us today for a thorough inspection and customized pest control solutions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do cicada killers sting humans?

Cicada killer wasps rarely sting humans unless they feel threatened.

Are cicada killers aggressive?

Cicada killers are not very aggressive. Males are territorial but cannot sting, while females sting only if provoked.

What happens if a cicada killer stings you?

A sting from a cicada killer can be painful and may cause swelling or an allergic reaction in some individuals. Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen.

When do cicada killers go away?

Cicada killers are active during the summer and typically disappear by late August or early September.

How to destroy a cicada killer nest?

It’s best to contact a pest control professional to safely remove cicada killer nests. Avoid disturbing the nest on your own, as this may provoke the wasps.

What does a cicada killer nest look like?

Cicada killer nests are burrows in the ground with a U-shaped soil mound surrounding the entrance. These are often found in dry, sandy areas.

 

Carpenter Bee

Carpenter Bees in Florida

Carpenter bees (Xylocopinae spp.) get their name from their habit of boring into wood, creating chambers to raise their young. These solitary insects drill perfectly round holes in untreated wood to create nests, weakening decks, fences, and eaves over time. Read on for more carpenter bee information and learn how to identify, prevent, and control carpenter bees to protect your property. 

What Do Carpenter Bees Look Like?

Along with bumblebee queens, carpenter bees are the largest native bees in the United States. They are often mistaken for bumblebees due to their similar size and coloration, but they have key differences in appearance. This means carpenter bee identification isn’t difficult. They are large, measuring between ½ inch to 1 inch in length, with black and yellow coloring. Unlike bumblebees, carpenter bees have a shiny, hairless abdomen compared to the fuzzy, hairy abdomen of bumblebees.

Signs of a Carpenter Bee Infestation

Carpenter bee infestations have some distinctive telltale signs. Look for round, clean holes about ½ inch in diameter in wooden structures, such as siding, decks, or eaves. These holes are entry points to the tunnels where females lay their eggs. Sawdust, also known as “frass,” may be seen directly below the holes. You may also notice yellowish staining near the entry points. This is caused by the bees’ excrement. 

Male carpenter bees hovering aggressively around wooden surfaces are another sign of an active infestation.

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Habitat, Diet, Life Cycle and Behaviors

Unlike social bees, carpenter bees prefer to nest alone, boring into wood to create their homes. Read on for more information about their habitat, diet, life cycle, and behaviors.

Where Do Carpenter Bees Live?

Carpenter bees can be found across the southern United States and are a common bee species in Florida. They are not social insects, creating individual nests in trees, eaves, or sides of structures.

Males and females overwinter in old nest tunnels and emerge in the spring to mate. The mated female selects a suitable piece of wood for nest construction while the male spends most of their time hovering near nest sites. The female excavates a gallery using her mandibles (jaws). She then furnishes her nest with “bee bread” (a mixture of pollen and regurgitated nectar). Then she deposits an egg and closes the cell with chewed wood pulp.

Diet

Carpenter bees primarily feed on nectar and pollen from flowering plants. They are effective pollinators and are often seen visiting flowers in gardens, fields, and wooded areas. Unlike termites, carpenter bees do not consume wood. The female excavates wood only to create nesting galleries for her eggs. The bee’s diet remains strictly floral.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of carpenter bees begins when females lay their eggs in the galleries they excavate in wood. Each egg is placed within an individual cell, separated by partitions of chewed wood pulp. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the “bee bread” provided by the female. After pupating, the young bees emerge as adults, typically in late summer or early fall. These adults spend the winter in existing tunnels and re-emerge in the spring to repeat the cycle.

Behaviors

Carpenter bees are solitary by nature, unlike other bees that form large colonies. Females are focused on nest building and egg-laying, while males patrol and protect the nesting site. Although male carpenter bees cannot sting, their aggressive hovering behavior can be intimidating. Carpenter bees are most active during the spring and early summer months when mating and nesting occur. This is when they are often found near wooden structures, hovering close to potential nesting areas.

Are Carpenter Bees Dangerous?

Female carpenter bees are rarely aggressive but will sting if provoked. If a person is stung by a carpenter bee and is allergic to bee venom, they should seek immediate medical attention. Male carpenter bees do not possess a stinger, but can be extremely defensive when protecting and defending their nest.

Although carpenter bees can be helpful pollinators, they can cause significant damage to structures. Windowsills, wooden siding, decks, railings, outdoor furniture, and fences can be attacked. While the damage to wood from the excavation of individual carpenter bees may be slight, the activities of numerous bees over many years can result in considerable destruction. If you suspect a carpenter bee infestation, it is recommended to contact a bee control professional.

How To Get Rid of Carpenter Bees?

Carpenter bees can be difficult to remove without professional assistance. One of the best ways to address an infestation is to fill and seal their entry holes with wood filler or caulk. This can help prevent further activity. This should be done in late summer or early fall after the bees have left the nest. 

Applying insecticidal sprays or dust inside the holes before sealing can also help remove any remaining bees. However, removing carpenter bees requires caution to avoid accidental stings. For severe infestations or to prevent future damage, contacting a pest control professional is recommended.

Carpenter Bees Prevention Tips

There are a number of ways to prevent a carpenter bee infestation:

  • Carpenter bees are less likely to bore into painted or sealed wood. Regularly maintain outdoor wooden surfaces to deter nesting.
  • Remove weathered or decaying wood and replace it with treated or composite materials.
  • Install screens over vents, soffits, and other openings where carpenter bees may enter.
  • Place bee houses or untreated wood away from your home to redirect carpenter bees.
  • Check wooden structures for signs of carpenter bee activity, especially during spring. Early detection can help prevent significant damage.

Need Help With Bees, Wasps or Hornets?

If carpenter bees are causing damage to your property or if you’re concerned about their presence, Florida Pest Control can help. Our experienced professionals provide safe and effective bee removal services to protect your home and wooden structures. We offer free estimates and use eco-friendly methods tailored to your specific situation. Contact us today to schedule an inspection and keep your property pest-free!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are carpenter bees pollinators?

Yes, carpenter bees are excellent pollinators. They feed on nectar and pollen from flowering plants, playing an important role in the pollination of crops, gardens, and wild plants. They’re great pollinators because of their large size and ability to perform “buzz pollination”.

Are carpenter bees aggressive?

Male carpenter bees can be very aggressive when defending their nesting area, but they do not have stingers and cannot cause harm. Female carpenter bees are not aggressive and typically only sting if they are directly handled or feel threatened.

What do carpenter bees do?

Carpenter bees excavate tunnels in wood to create nests for their young. While they do not eat the wood, this behavior can lead to structural damage over time. Aside from nesting, carpenter bees are also pollinators, feeding on nectar and pollen from flowers.

Do carpenter bees have stingers?

Only female carpenter bees have stingers. They are capable of stinging but are not aggressive and usually only sting if they are provoked. Male carpenter bees do not have stingers, though they may hover aggressively to defend their nesting area.

How to tell male and female carpenter bees?

Male and female carpenter bees can be distinguished by their appearance and behavior. Males have a white or yellow patch on their face and lack a stinger. Females, on the other hand, do not have this facial marking and are equipped with a stinger. Males are more aggressive and are often seen hovering near nests. Females are focused on nest-building and egg-laying.

Bumblebee

Bumblebees in Florida

Bumblebees (genus Bombus) are essential pollinators that play a vital role in Florida’s ecosystem. Larger and fuzzier than honey bees, bumblebees are known for their gentle nature, only stinging when provoked. While generally beneficial, bumblebees can sometimes build nests in inconvenient locations, leading to potential concerns for homeowners. Understanding their behavior and habitat can help determine the best approach to coexisting with these important insects.

Bumblebee Identification: What Do Bumblebees Look Like?

Bumblebees are large and robust insects covered with densely branched setae (hairs). They have short stubby wings and are beneficial as pollinators for many kinds of crops and ornamentals. According to the National Wildlife Federation, their wings beat at least 130 times per second. The beating helps vibrate flowers until they release pollen, which is called buzz pollination. Buzz pollination helps plants produce more fruit.

Struggling with bumblebee identification? Check out our bees, wasps, and hornets identification guide.

Signs of a Bumblebee Infestation

If you spot increased bumblebee activity around your home or garden often, you might have an infestation. This is especially true if you see increased activity near ground-level cavities or structural voids. You might also notice bees around patio stones, piles of compost, or under decking. If their nest is nearby, you may see workers entering and exiting a single location repeatedly throughout the day. Hearing a buzzing sound near walls, attics, or decks could also indicate their presence.

While bumblebees are generally not harmful and are valuable pollinators, a nest in a high-traffic area can be a concern. If removal is necessary, it’s best to consult a professional pest control service.

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Habitat, Diet, Life Cycle and Behaviors

Understanding bumblebees’ nesting habits, diet, lifecycle, and behaviors can help you appreciate their importance and know what to expect if they take up residence near your home.

Where Do Bumblebees Live?

Bumblebee colonies are small, containing a dozen to a few hundred workers. Most bumblebees nest in the ground, using deserted rodent burrows and shallow cavities. This might be beneath patio stones, landscaping timber, piles of compost, and within dense patches of grass. Above ground, they might live in abandoned bird nests and fiberglass-insulated structural voids. This could be in outside walls, patio roofing, and decks.

Diet

Bumblebees feed on nectar and pollen from flowers. Nectar provides them with energy, while pollen is an essential source of protein to feed their larvae. Bumblebees are particularly important for pollinating plants like tomatoes, berries, and peppers. This is because they are able to carry out buzz pollination, a process that helps release pollen from flowers more efficiently.

Life Cycle

A bumblebee colony starts with a single queen in the spring. After emerging from hibernation, the queen builds a small nest and lays her first batch of eggs. These eggs hatch into worker bees, which take over foraging and caring for the colony. The colony grows through the summer, with the queen continuing to lay eggs. By late summer, the colony produces new queens and male bees for mating. After mating, the new queens hibernate, and the rest of the colony, including the old queen, dies off in the fall.

Behaviors

Bumblebees are active pollinators, flying between flowers and plants to gather nectar and pollen. Unlike some other bee species, they are not overly aggressive but will defend their nest if they feel threatened. Bumblebees are also adapted to colder temperatures, allowing them to forage in weather conditions that might deter other insects.

Are Bumblebees Dangerous?

Bumblebees are peaceful insects and only sting when provoked. Most stings happen when their nest is disturbed. Only female bumblebees sting and unlike honey bees, they can sting more than once. Bumblebees can sting multiple times, but they do not form swarms like honey bees. The pain from a bumblebee sting is less painful than a honey bee sting, however, a sting can be dangerous if it occurs on the head or neck, or if an individual is allergic to their venom. 

If you notice bumblebee activity, you should avoid disturbing the nest. Because bumblebees will sting when threatened, homeowners are advised to seek out a professional bee removal service rather than try to address the infestation themselves.

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How To Get Rid Of Bumblebees

Bumblebees often nest in ground cavities, abandoned rodent burrows, or structural voids such as soffits and wall gaps, so a professional inspection is crucial for determining whether removal is necessary. While bumblebees are usually docile, they may defend their nest aggressively if disturbed, which is why licensed experts can best evaluate the risks and employ the safest, most humane approach—relocating colonies whenever possible or removing them if absolutely required. Trained pest control professionals like Florida Pest Control can help safeguard both your household and these vital pollinators.

Bumblebee Prevention Tips

To prevent bumblebee infestations, seal all cracks and openings in your home, especially around windows, doors, and siding. Remove piles of debris, compost, and unused wood where bumblebees might build nests. Keep landscaping well-trimmed and avoid leaving areas of tall grass or dense vegetation unattended. 

Need Help With Bees, Wasps or Hornets?

If you’re dealing with bumblebees or any other stinging insects near your home or property, Florida Pest Control is here to help. Our team of experienced exterminators specializes in safe and effective bee removal services, ensuring the safety of your family and home. Contact us today for a free estimate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do bumblebees have stingers?

Yes, female bumblebees have stingers and will use them to defend themselves or their nest. Unlike honey bees, they can sting multiple times without dying.

Do bumblebees make honey?

Yes, bumblebees make honey, but only in small amounts. They produce just enough to sustain their colony, unlike honey bees which store large quantities for winter survival.

Do bumblebees have hives?

Bumblebees don’t have traditional hives like honey bees. Instead, they build small nests, often in the ground, abandoned rodent burrows, or cavities in structures.

How many legs does a bumble bee have?

Bumblebees have six legs, like all insects. These legs help them collect pollen and navigate their surroundings.

Do bumblebees die when they sting?

No, bumblebees do not die after they sting. Their stingers are smooth, allowing them to sting multiple times without harm to themselves.

Stink Bug

Stink Bugs in Florida

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 Florida property, contact your local exterminators for help.

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