You’ve moved in, the last box has been unpacked (or at least shoved into a closet for now), and things are finally starting to feel like home. Maybe you’re a first-time homeowner getting used to new responsibilities, or maybe you’re renting and settling into a fresh space across town. Either way, it’s exciting, a little chaotic, and full of possibility.
But amid the fun of decorating and figuring out your new neighborhood, there’s one detail that tends to sneak up on people: pests. Not the metaphorical kind, but the kind that crawl, fly, and sting. Florida’s warm, humid climate makes it easy for insects to find their way inside, especially when a home has been sitting empty or doesn’t yet have a pest control routine in place. If you’re new to the Tampa area or just starting out in a new space, here are some of the pests you’re most likely to meet in that first year and what to do if they show up uninvited.
Silverfish are one of those pests that seem to appear out of nowhere. They’re small, silver or gray, and move quickly like a tiny fish darting across the bathroom floor. Most people spot them near sinks, tubs, or laundry areas where moisture tends to build up.
While they don’t bite, silverfish can do damage in more subtle ways. They feed on paper, books, clothing, and even glue. If you’ve got important documents stored in boxes or clothes packed away in the closet, silverfish can be a quiet problem until you notice the damage. Keeping your space dry and clutter-free is one way to prevent them, but once they’ve settled in, they can be tough to remove without help.
Flies are one of those pests that feel more like a nuisance than a threat, but they can still become a real problem fast. In most homes, you’re likely to spot two types: fruit flies and house flies. Fruit flies are tiny, reddish-brown, and tend to hover near food, while house flies are larger and seem to circle your kitchen like they own the place.
Flies usually show up when food is left out, trash piles up, or the garbage disposal hasn’t been run in a while. But they don’t just buzz and annoy. They can spread bacteria and contaminate surfaces. If you’re seeing them daily, it’s a sign that they’ve found something they like in your home.
There’s nothing quite like spotting a roach when you flip on the lights. It’s an unpleasant surprise that feels even worse when you realize they’re likely not alone. In Tampa, American cockroaches and German cockroaches are the two most common types found indoors.
American cockroaches are big, dark, and fast, often sneaking in through drains or crawl spaces. German cockroaches are smaller and lighter but more stubborn.
They prefer kitchens and bathrooms and often hide under sinks, behind appliances, or inside wall cracks. Once you start seeing them, it usually means they’ve already found food, water, and a place to reproduce. These pests are hard to eliminate without a professional because they tend to scatter and hide when disturbed.
Few things are worse than waking up itchy and realizing the culprit might be bed bugs. These tiny, brownish-red insects are flat and oval-shaped and prefer to hide in bedding, furniture, and even baseboards. They usually feed at night and are excellent at staying out of sight during the day.
You don’t need to be a messy person to get bed bugs. They hitch rides on suitcases, clothing, or secondhand furniture and can show up in any home or apartment. If you notice bites in a line or small blood spots on your sheets, it’s time to act fast. Bed bugs spread quickly and are incredibly difficult to get rid of with DIY sprays.
You spot a trail of ants, wipe them away, and think you’ve solved the problem. But within hours, they’re back, and now there are even more of them. Ants are some of the most persistent pests Tampa residents deal with. Once they find a food source, they leave behind a scent trail so the rest of the colony can follow.
The problem gets worse when homeowners try to treat them with store-bought sprays. These often don’t address the root issue, which is the colony itself. In fact, some treatments can actually cause colonies to split and spread. If ants keep coming back, there’s likely a nest nearby that needs to be professionally treated.
Earwigs are one of those bugs that look worse than they are. They’re dark brown, narrow, and have pincers on the back end that make them look dangerous. While they may appear in bathrooms or basements, they don’t bite or carry diseases.
Still, no one wants to see one crawling across the floor. Earwigs often come inside from mulch, damp areas around the house, or during periods of heavy rain. If you’re seeing them more than once, it could mean your home has extra moisture in areas that need attention.
Most people associate wasps and bees with outdoor activity, but they can become an indoor issue when they decide to build nests near your home. In Tampa, this is a common problem during the warmer months when these insects are most active. Bees and wasps can build nests in attics, under eaves, or around porches and patios.
If you notice frequent buzzing in one area or see insects flying in and out of the same spot, there could be a nest forming. Attempting to remove it yourself is not a good idea, especially if someone in the home has a sting allergy. It’s much safer to have a professional handle it.
Spiders are often a sign that there are other bugs nearby. Most spiders are harmless and even help control pests like flies and mosquitoes. But if you start seeing them regularly in corners, closets, or behind furniture, it’s a clue that there might be more going on.
In Tampa homes, common spiders include jumping spiders, cellar spiders, and occasionally brown recluses. While most don’t pose a threat, that doesn’t mean you want them hanging around. If you're dealing with recurring spiders, it may be time to look at your home's pest situation as a whole.
The first year in a new home is full of excitement, but it also brings hidden challenges. Pests love a fresh space that’s still settling in. Boxes stacked in corners, crumbs from moving day pizza, or a leaky faucet you haven’t gotten around to fixing can all make your home a target. Many people wait until they’ve seen one too many bugs before they take action. But the truth is, pest prevention works best when it’s proactive, not reactive. Getting ahead of these problems early on helps protect your investment and keeps your home feeling clean, safe, and truly yours.
Moving into a new home should feel like a fresh start, not the beginning of a never-ending pest problem. In Tampa, the warm weather and high humidity can create the perfect environment for pests to slip in through cracks, plumbing lines, and forgotten entry points. Green Solutions Lawn Care & Pest Control offers a proven way to protect your home and keep it pest-free from the start.
Our pest removal service in Tampa is more than a quick spray and go. We focus on prevention, long-term results, and comfort for your entire household. Whether you just moved in or you’re planning ahead, our team knows how to keep Tampa homes protected.
With regular maintenance and a team that understands local pest activity, you can feel confident that your new home stays clean, protected, and yours alone. Green Solutions makes it easy to settle in without the stress of pest surprises.
You spent time finding the right place. Now let us help you protect it. If you're starting to notice pests or simply want to avoid future issues, contact Green Solutions Lawn Care & Pest Control today. Schedule your inspection today, we’ll help you move in with peace of mind, not problems.
Contact us today and receive a free estimate for any of our lawn care & lawn treatment services. We are Tampa, Florida's number one provider for all lawn care and green pest removal services.
Green Solutions Lawn Care & Pest Control
4002 Garden LnTampa, Florida 33610
Phone: 813-684-7336
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Green Solutions is proud to offer our customers over fifty years of industry experience and is confident that we hold the solution to your lawn and pest problems.
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The best lawn care professionals in Tampa Bay, Florida. I use them every other month, and will continue to!
Mark Hamilton, Customer
March 22, 2013
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