South Florida Spring Pest Control 101

Why are there so many pests in Florida? Both pests and people from abroad flock to Florida to enjoy the year-round moderate temperatures. But without the harsh winter freezes that control pest populations in other states, keeping insects out of your Florida home is a year-round challenge. Today, we’ll take a closer look at why that is and how you can be prepared for them. 

Florida’s Climate Zones Are Perfect for Pests

Florida has two distinct climate zones, and as the southernmost state, some unique weather that can only be seen here. 

Northern Florida falls into the humid subtropical category, with cooler winters and seasonal pest activity. Southern Florida, however, has a fully tropical climate, with year-round high humidity and heavy rainfall from May to October. Even in winter, temperatures rarely drop below 62° F, allowing pests to remain active and reproduce throughout the seasons.

Because many pests don’t experience a seasonal die-off, their populations continue to grow, creating a constant infestation risk in homes, businesses, and any outdoor space. 

Common Florida Bugs That Come Out in the Spring

As temperatures rise in the spring, many pests emerge in full force, taking advantage of the warm and rainy conditions. Some of the most common pests you should watch out for include:

• Termites. These moisture-loving pests become more active in the spring, especially during swarming season. If you spot discarded wings near windows or doors, you may have a termite infestation.
• Mosquitoes. Spring showers create standing water, which serves as the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.
• Cockroaches. Humid conditions encourage cockroach activity, and they can spread bacteria and trigger allergies if they get inside. 
• Ants. As food sources become more plentiful, ants become highly active in the spring, seeking out sweet and greasy foods in homes like yours. 
• Bees. As flowers bloom, bees begin building new hives. While some bee species are beneficial pollinators, others, like Africanized bees, are a serious threat.

Types of Bees in Florida

The most common bee species in North America is the European honeybee, which was introduced to the continent in the 1600s by colonial settlers. These are the ones you’ll find in apiaries or artificial beehives, producing the honey that ends up on the shelf of your local store. 

However, honeybees aren’t the only species found in Florida. Carpenter bees, for example, bore holes into wood to create nesting tunnels, sometimes causing structural damage to homes and wooden furniture. Unlike the friendly, buzzing bee, its “cousin” the wasp tends to take a more defensive stance and is ready to strike if its nest is disturbed. To avoid an unwelcome encounter, it’s best to have these nests removed by a professional during routine pest control services.

Sweat bees, on the other hand, are small, metallic-colored bees that are attracted to human perspiration. While they rarely sting, they can be quite annoying when they swarm around outdoors. They, like most bees, should be of little concern to you unless they build a hive in your home.

The Africanized Honeybee

Like a creature from a science fiction story, these aggressive bees originated from an experiment in the 1950s when a scientist attempted to crossbreed African and European honeybees for better honey production. Unfortunately, the hybrid bees escaped and spread throughout the Americas, becoming a serious danger due to their highly defensive nature and tendency to swarm in large numbers. 

For these highly dangerous insects, professional bee removal should be the only option you consider. 

How To Get Rid of Nuisance Birds

Birds may not be the first pest that comes to mind, but they can be just as disruptive as insects. In South Florida, species such as pigeons, doves, grackles, sparrows, Muscovy ducks, and crows commonly infest residential and commercial properties, causing damage to roofing, vehicles, and even electrical wiring, and can spread disease with their droppings.

We have a variety of bird control tools at our disposal to keep them away from your property, and through careful inspection, we select the one that is best suited for your situation. Some of our most common methods include:

• Nets. When installed around rooftops and entryways, nets prevent birds from roosting in unwanted areas and exclude them from entering.
• Spikes and Wire rails. Birds like pigeons often perch on ledges and rooftops, but installing spikes, wire, sticky-adhesive, or electrified rails discourages them from landing.
• Decoys. Strategically placed predator decoys, such as owl statues, can help deter certain bird species from nesting near your property.

The Surprising World of South Florida Ants

Ants are among the most fascinating but frustrating pests you can encounter. Unlike most insects, ants operate as a superorganism, meaning individual ants work together as a highly coordinated colony. A single queen can live for decades, producing millions of worker ants throughout her lifetime. 

They are also smart, with some ant species being so intelligent that they can even recognize their reflections in mirrors! Let’s take a closer look at them.

Ant Behavior by the Species

While all ants demonstrate a remarkable ability to coordinate their behavior, a few stand out above the rest:

• Carpenter ants. These ants burrow into wood to create their nests, often targeting damp or rotting wood in homes. Over time, their tunneling can cause structural damage, much like termites.
• Pavement ants. Known for their territorial disputes, these ants engage in dramatic “wars” on sidewalks and driveways, battling rival colonies for dominance, similar to Big Headed Ants or Fire Ants..
• Crazy ants. These ants get their name from their erratic, fast-moving behavior. Unlike the white-footed ant or ghost ant that follow orderly trails, crazy ants seem to scatter in unpredictable directions, making them difficult to control.

Killing an Ant Attracts More Ants

Ants rely heavily on pheromone trails to navigate and communicate. If a worker ant discovers food, it lays down a chemical scent to guide its colony members to the source.

Interestingly, ants also release a unique pheromone when they die. This signals danger to other ants, often prompting them to swarm and investigate the area. This is why squashing one ant often leads to more appearing shortly after.

Pest Prevention Through Proper Lawn Care

One of the best ways to prevent pests is through proper lawn care. A well-maintained yard reduces hiding spots and breeding grounds for insects, making your home less attractive to pests. Always remember to:

1. Regularly mow and trim bushes.
2. Eliminate standing water to prevent mosquito breeding.
3. Remove debris and clutter where pests can hide.

Regular visits from lawn fertilization companies like Hulett, general upkeep, and pest control treatments not only strengthen grass and plants but also promote a healthier outdoor environment that can withstand invasions.

Just Call Hulett for Expert Exterminators in West Palm Beach

With South Florida’s year-round pest activity, you want a pest control partner with the equipment, experience, and talented personnel to get the job done right. 

For over 50 years, Hulett pest control in West Palm Beach, Florida, has protected homes like yours against roaches, rodents, birds, bed bugs, bees, beetles, termites, ticks, mosquitoes, and more. Just call Hulett today for your free pest control inspection, and be ready for any pest that tries to invade any time of year.