Best Pest Control in Florida
Florida’s climate is generally warm and humid, which might make it a nicer place to live in the winter months, but it also allows pests to thrive. While you can easily identify many of these insects yourself, you may not know how to handle them if they get into your home.
Professional pest control services can help you to rid your home of these unwanted guests. They have the knowledge and tools to treat your home for current infestations and help prevent any future issues.
Finding the right company can be difficult, especially when you’re in a hurry and need someone now. Even so, it’s best if you can compare a few different companies to find the one that’s best suited for your needs. Before you start looking, there are a few things you should know.
Table of Contents
Most Common Pests in Florida
Ants
Bed Bugs
Chinch Bugs
Cockroaches
Mosquitoes
Spiders
Termites
Whiteflies
Average Cost of Pest Control in Florida
Types of Pest Control Treatment
How to Find the Best Pest Control in Florida
FAQs about Pest Control in Florida
1. What should I expect from a pest control company?
2. What is included in a pest control plan?
3. How often should I have pest control treat my house?
4. How long does pest control last?
5. Can I do my own pest control?
Most Common Pests in Florida
While hundreds of types of pests call Florida home, some are more problematic than others for homeowners. Let’s look at some of the most common pests that Floridians will find in and around their homes.
Ants
There are many types of ants in Florida, and they thrive in warm weather. Most species are annoying, especially when you find a line of them crawling on your kitchen counters. They will bite to defend themselves, and some people are allergic and will develop itchy irritated bumps. However, Florida is also home to fire ants. These red ants are aggressive and have a much more painful bite. They’re often found in Florida yards and will repeatedly sting anyone they think is intruding on their colony.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are another insect that prefers to live in warm environments, so they are often a bigger problem in the summer months. As a popular travel state, Florida is more susceptible to infestation of them. These bugs are nocturnal and will bite you in your sleep. They can quickly infest your bedroom and your home, and they’re tough to eradicate. Professional exterminators are necessary to eliminate these bugs, and treatments can cost over $2,000 if you’ve got a severe infestation. The quicker you can clear them out, the better.
Chinch Bugs
Chinch bugs have small black bodies and silver wings. They’re widespread in Florida and cause damage to plants and lawns. They can even cause damage along sidewalks and driveways. Keep an eye out for yellow or brown patches throughout your yard, as these are a sign that you may have an infestation.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches have become a public health concern in Florida. They live in heavily wooded areas, woodpiles, or garbage facilities but often wander into homes searching for food and water. These insects can contaminate your food and carry diseases, such as E.Coli and salmonella. It’s important to call pest control and treat your home so you don’t end up with a cockroach infestation.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are common in Florida, especially in the summer. They thrive in warm, moist environments and usually live near standing water. All of which is abundant in this state. These insects leave red, itchy bumps that are irritating for everyone. Some people are allergic to their bites and can end up with bigger welts. The biggest concern, though, is that these pests carry and can pass on transmissible diseases such as West Nile Virus, Malaria, and more.
Spiders
Florida is also home to many different species of spiders. While these creepy crawlies are scary, most are pretty harmless. However, Florida does have two species of very dangerous spiders. Both Black Widow spiders and Brown Recluse spiders live in the state. While these two types of spiders usually only bite in self-defense, their bite is poisonous and could lead to severe issues, including death. Brown Recluse spiders prefer dark environments, like a barn or basement, but they thrive in Florida’s hot weather, making them hard to control.
Termites
Drywood termites are another common pest found in Florida. These bugs will establish colonies in the wood of your home, like window frames, furniture, fences, doors, and more. Termites can cause structural damage to your home and, in severe cases, will cost you thousands of dollars in damages and treatments. Keep an eye out for fecal pellets or rotted wood around your home, and contact an exterminator immediately if you find any.
Whiteflies
Many Florida residents have a problem with whiteflies. These pests have a white, waxy substance covering their bodies and wings. They are similar in size and shape to small moths, but they can cause a lot of damage to your plants. They feed off the sap in leaves, leaving them without the essential nutrients to survive. If you notice the plants in your yard have leaves turning yellow or are starting to die off, you may have an infestation of whiteflies.
Average Cost of Pest Control in Florida
The cost of pest control varies based on several factors, such as the types of pests, location, square footage of your home, and more. In Florida, you’ll pay an average somewhere between $108 and $260 for a pest control visit.
Initial treatment is around $150 for a typical four-bedroom home, and maintenance visits are usually between $50 and $80.
Keep in mind that termites, bed bugs, beehive removals, and other pests will require extra treatments and cost you more.
Types of Pest Control Treatment
There are different types of pest control treatments that work for different kinds of insects and rodents. Some of these include:
Hygiene – Poor hygiene attracts pests, so keeping a clean home will help to keep the pests away. This is especially true for pests like cockroaches and rodents.
Chemicals – Chemical sprays are the most common form of pest control. They create a liquid barrier around your house and any potential entrances that poison anything that crosses it.
Bait Traps – Exterminators often use bait traps to capture or kill certain types of pests. These traps have food or bait to attract pests and often contain chemicals that will poison them.
Others – There are other forms of treatment out there, too. Fumigation, heat, and biological pest control are also options.
For regular pest control and maintenance, you’ll likely need a liquid chemical barrier. However, your pest control company will inform you of what they think is best based on your home and the types of pests you have.
How to Find the Best Pest Control in Florida
Whether you have an infestation or want preventative treatments, figure out precisely what types of pests you have in and around your home. This will give you a better idea of what company you’ll need to hire.
Some companies can deal with all kinds of pests, but others specialize in termites, bed bugs, or rodents. Many pest control services will not cover rodents, so that’s something you’ll have to watch out for if you have an infestation.
We recommend that you compare at least three companies with the same or similar plans, so you can figure out which will work best for your household. Florida law requires pest control services to have a license, so you’ll want to check for that. You’ll also want to ask each company what they guarantee.
In Florida, the top three pest control companies are Terminix, Orkin, and Aptive. You should also consider checking out some local companies, such as Florida Pest Control Center, Turner Pest Control, and Anteater’s Pest Control.
Here at Pest Brigade, we’ll do the work for you. We’ll show you different types of pest control strategies that you can try yourself or get you connected with local exterminators. Most of our partners also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
FAQs about Pest Control in Florida
1. What should I expect from a pest control company?
Most pest control companies offer a free consultation to inspect your home and determine what type of treatment you’ll need. They’ll form a plan of action to take care of any current pests you may have and prevent future infestations.
Once hired, they’ll perform the initial treatment and likely offer maintenance or follow-up treatments throughout the year. You can decide on the best course of action based on their recommendations.
2. What is included in a pest control plan?
A standard pest control plan will cover the most common types of pests found in the area. You’ll pay an initial fee and then have monthly, quarterly, or yearly visits. You and your pest control service will decide together how often you’ll need treatments.
3. How often should I have pest control treat my house?
This varies based on the types of pests you have in and around your house. Monthly or quarterly plans will cost you less, as they’ll need fewer chemicals for maintenance visits than they would for occasional treatments.
The choice is yours, but keep in mind that most pesticides don’t work against eggs, so you could end up with another infestation if you’re not getting regular treatments.
4. How long does pest control last?
This varies based on several factors, including weather, climate, types of pests, type of chemical used, and more. Whichever pest control company you choose should give you an estimate of how long the treatment will last and when it will be time for another treatment.
5. Can I do my own pest control?
This varies based on the types of pests that you have. However, if you don’t know what you’re doing, hiring a professional is safer. Pesticides can be dangerous and cause health issues if you don’t know how to use them correctly. Also, you may not know the proper placement or type of treatment necessary to rid your home of pests thoroughly.
At Pest Brigade, we understand how important it is to find a good quality pest control company fast. To be sure you get the most effective and affordable plan, call Pest Brigade at (833) 431-0401 and get a quote today!
