Common Bathroom Bugs & How to Get Rid of Them

Spiders are a common bathroom bug in Florida - Florida Pest Control

Bugs in the bathroom are never a welcome sight. You want your bathroom to be your own sanctuary—and, preferably, a bug-free zone! Unfortunately, pests of all kinds love to dwell in bathrooms. This is because a bathroom provides shelter, water, and even food for insects to feast on. In order to avoid the discovery of bugs infiltrating your Florida home’s bathroom, it’s important to learn not only what bugs are drawn to that room, but also what you can do to get rid of them for good. The experts at Florida Pest Control are here to share everything you need to know. Read on to learn more!

Common Bathroom Bugs in Florida Homes

Out of all rooms in a home, bathrooms are one of the most susceptible to pest problems. After all, leaky pipes, showers, and sinks provide precisely the environment many pests require to survive and reproduce. The culprits behind most bathroom pest problems are as follows:

  • Cockroaches. Roaches love filth and feed on sewer and drain sludge. They easily get into your bathroom through plumbing fixtures.
  • Centipedes. These long, spindly insects feed on other small insects that are common in bathrooms and love a humid environment.
  • Drain Flies. Just as their name suggests, drain flies are found around drains. They often appear when there is a plumbing problem in the main sewer line.
  • Spiders. As predators, spiders like to prey on the smaller insects often found in your bathroom areas.
  • Silverfish. These nocturnal insects are typically found around sewers or drains, and prefer to feed on mildew and mold.
  • Ants. A small ant problem can quickly turn into a large one if ants have found a source of food or water in your bathroom.

How to Get Rid of Bugs in Your Bathroom

The key to bathroom bug control is prevention! By eliminating the things that attract bathroom pests in the first place, you can avoid dealing with a full-blown cockroach or ant infestation. First, it’s crucial to quickly address any leaky pipes or plumbing issues that are contributing to the humid, moist environment. Consider using a dehumidifier from time to time to aid in this process. Lastly, clean your bathroom on a regular basis! By reducing clutter and cleaning every square inch of your bathroom from top to bottom, you can keep an eye out for early signs of a pest problem.

Need Bathroom Bug Control?

No homeowner wants to encounter pests in their home, let alone their bathroom. If you are noticing endless pests in your bathroom, you may have an infestation on your hands. It’s always best to enlist the help of a professional pest control company that can not only get rid of bathroom bugs but keep them away for good. Contact us today to get started!

Recluse Spiders in Florida

Recluse Spiders in Florida - Florida Pest Control

There is a popular misconception that Florida is riddled with the dangerous brown recluse spider. Thankfully, this simply isn’t the case. While several different species of recluse have indeed been found in Florida, they are rare and homeowners do not have to worry about them! At Florida Pest Control, we know how concerning these spiders can be. Our spider control experts are here to share everything you need to know about recluse spiders in the state of Florida. Read on to learn more!

Does Florida Have Recluse Spiders?

There are three species of recluse spiders that have been found in Florida: the brown recluse, the Mediterranean recluse, and the Chilean recluse. No breeding populations of these species have been found in any Florida county in a natural habitat. Over the years, our team has received a number of recluse spiders to identify. While they were indeed all recluse spiders, they were not brown recluses, but Mediterranean recluses! We once came across a Chilean recluse that was carried in from South America by the owners of a home being fumigated in the Winter Haven area. Recluses are found in cracks and crevices in and under rocks or the loose bark of dead trees. Thankfully, they are rarely found here in Florida.

Do Recluse Spiders Bite?

Many believe spider bites are quite common, which simply is not true. Spiders have no interest in us as a food source. They feed on insects and other invertebrates, not on human blood. Most spiders are venomous, but few have the ability to bite us. In fact, most spiders would rather leave us alone entirely—there’s a reason why the recluse spider gets its name, after all. The bottom line is bites from spiders—including recluse spiders—are extremely rare. However, it is still important to learn how to recognize the signs of a more dangerous bug bite. Some of the symptoms to look out for include the following.

  • Pain at the site of the bite.
  • Redness and swelling.
  • In serious cases, a deep, purple sore or ulcer that forms.
  • Fever and chills
  • Nauseua
  • Joint pain
  • While rare, seizures.

Needless to say, always contact a medical professional immediately if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms from a spider bite.

How to Stay Safe From Dangerous Spiders in Florida

While spiders may be abundant in our region, you don’t have much to worry about when it comes to the recluse. Spiders in general are typically harmless, especially the ones we tend to encounter in our homes. If you are ever unsure of what type of spider you may be dealing with, the spider exterminators at Florida Pest Control are happy to help. Contact us today to learn more!