The Most Common Fall Pests in Florida

October 10th, 2021

The Most Common Fall Pests

While areas farther north may get a break from insects and pests during fall and winter freezes, Florida's year-round warm, humid weather makes it a desirable home for all things creepy and crawly. However, the types of pests that are prominent during autumn are different from the heat-loving pests of summer. These are the most common pests you will find here in Tampa Bay during the fall:

 

• Fall Pests #1: Rodents

 

Rats, squirrels, and other rodents may love to frolic in the summer sun, but when the weather cools off, they quickly start trying to find a warm area indoors to nest down for the winter. Keeping your home free from cracks and other openings to the outside is crucial to avoid a rodent infestation. Take special care to insulate and seal your attics and crawl spaces well. If you start noticing signs of a rodent infestation, call a qualified pest control company immediately.

 

• Fall Pests #2: Earwigs

 

Earwigs have the terrifying reputation of crawling into people's ears while they sleep and laying eggs in their brains. Fortunately, this is a myth, but the unsettling appearance of these insects is still enough to want them out of your home ASAP. Earwigs are actually harmless to humans and only venture inside to find a warm place to spend the fall and winter. However, if enough earwigs congregate in your home (they prefer areas with easy access to water like kitchens, basements, and bathrooms), they can cause a foul odor, so it's best to prevent them from coming in when possible.

 

• Fall Pests #3: Termites

 

Termites are not exclusive to fall months only here in Florida. Termites cause millions of dollars in structural damage to homes and businesses every year, so a termite prevention program like the Trelona system provided by Green Solutions here in Tampa Bay is essential to keep these destructive pests out.

 

• Fall Pests #4: Spiders

 

Spiders in your home are almost always an indication of an underlying pest problem since spiders follow their food, which is pests and insects. Identify and eliminate the spider’s food source to encourage them to move out of your home. When you do find spider webs, tear them down to discourage continued building in that area.

 

• Fall Pests #5: Lawn Grubs

 

Lawn grubs are actually beetle larvae that live in the soil and eat the roots of the grass. It should be no surprise that a lawn grub infestation can turn your prized lawn into a brown, dead wasteland. If you notice brown spots popping up in the yard, suspect lawn grubs.

 

• Fall Pests #6: Cabbage Loopers

 

If you grow a veggie garden during the fall, you’ll want to be on the lookout for cabbage loopers. The name is misleading because they will feed on much more than just cabbage, such as cotton, potatoes, spinach, lettuce, celery, and parsley.

If you are having issues with fall pests in Tampa Bay, call the pest control experts at Green Solutions Lawn Care & Pest Control to handle it as soon as possible. The earlier you begin treating your home for pests, the less damage they can cause. Call (813) 684-7336 or contact us online to schedule your free estimate today!