15 Household Bugs in SW Florida That May Freak You Out Call Larue - We Know Just What To Do! A Free eBook Provided By: Larue Pest Management Learn more by visiting www.LaruePest.com or by calling (800) 314-8813 Copyright © 2012 Larue Pest Management. All Rights Reserved. 15 Household Bugs in SW Florida That May Freak You Out Table of Contents 1: Silverfish 2: Palmetto Bugs 3: Earwigs 4: Mosquitos & Noseums 5: Fleas 6: Ticks 7: Sugar Ants 8: Carpenter Ants 9: Indian Meal Moths 10: Drain Fly 11: Fruit Flies 12: Millipedes 13: Scorpions 14: Crickets 15: Plaster Bagworms Learn more by visiting www.LaruePest.com or by calling (800) 314-8813 Copyright © 2011 Larue Pest Management. All Rights Reserved. 15 Household Bugs in SW Florida That May Freak You Out 1: Silverfish A Grey Silverfish - Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Contributor: Alvesgaspar If you have a freaky looking bug in your house that bears a slight resemblance to the aliens in the movie Men In Black, then you might have silverfish. This bug has also been described as looking fish-like (obviously!) or like a very small, skinny, gray cockroach with a tapered end. Their coloration changes as they age; they start out white, but look silvery as they age because of the scales on their bodies. They are less than an inch long. You also might realize that nasty bug is a silverfish based on where you find it in your house. Silverfish can digest cellulose, meaning that a cardboard box full of old books in the attic is a prime spot to find them. They also like flour, dry pasta and boxes of cereal. Florida homes – as well as those in other parts of the southern U.S. – are especially vulnerable to these pests, because they like the warm weather and high humidity. To prevent silverfish from getting a foothold in your house, use the following tips: • Always store food in airtight containers • Remove unnecessary cardboard boxes • Throw away or recycle old newspapers and magazines • Check your bookcase twice a year for signs of an infestation • Use a dehumidifier • Clean and dust regularly Fortunately, silverfish can’t transmit disease to humans. Unfortunately, they can damage items in your home, so it’s important to get them under Top & Bottom Sides of a Grey Silverfish control. Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons User: Bryan Hong Learn more by visiting www.LaruePest.com or by calling (800) 314-8813 Copyright © 2011 Larue Pest Management. All Rights Reserved. 15 Household Bugs in SW Florida That May Freak You Out 2: Palmetto Bugs In Florida, you will hear a lot of people talk about Palmetto bugs. After you’ve lived in the area long enough, you realize that the term has just come to mean “really huge cockroach.” There is actually a “true” Palmetto bug (it’s known as the Florida Woods Cockroach), however, you aren’t as likely to see that one in your home. If it moves slowly and stinks when you squash it, then it might have been a Palmetto bug. Otherwise, we’re sorry to tell you, it’s Florida Woods Cockroach aka “Palmetto Bug” Photo probably a cockroach! Courtesy of University of Florida IFAS Extension Cockroaches are nocturnal. You may see them scatter when you turn on a light in your house. You’ve probably noticed they like places where they can easily hide, like in cracks, cabinets and around sinks. You’ll find them more often in bathrooms and kitchens because they like moisture, but garages are also a frequent hotspot for cockroaches. The best way to get rid of cockroaches is to prevent them from liking your home in the first place! How can you do that? In the simplest terms, keep your house clean and tidy. Always get rid of garbage, especially leftover foods. Clean dishes right away and don’t leave unsealed food on the counter or in your kitchen cabinets. Sweep your kitchen and dining areas for any crumbs. Vacuum frequently. Unfortunately, even the cleanest houses can have cockroaches. Cockroach But, there is still more you can do to help deter them. • Check your plumbing for any leaky pipes, and tighten them wherever necessary. • Check your doors and windows – are they completely tight or are there tiny gaps? Roaches can fit their bodies through spaces that are incredibly narrow. Update your weatherstripping if it’s a problem. Finally, get rid of your clutter! Roaches love hiding spaces, so don’t give them any. Throw away old newspapers, get rid of any piles of boxes, and clear out cabinets. This will also help a pest control professional give your home a proper application of pesticides, should it be necessary. Learn more by visiting www.LaruePest.com or by calling (800) 314-8813 Copyright © 2011 Larue Pest Management. All Rights Reserved. 15 Household Bugs in SW Florida That May Freak You Out 3: Earwigs Earwig (Photo Courtesy of Flickr User Perrylane) The earwig is one of the creepiest looking bugs on our list, but don’t let its name scare you too much. The name “earwig” is thought to be over 1,000 years old and originated from the belief that the bug crawled into human ears according to the Oxford English Dictionary. And it’s not just English-language speakers who were afraid of this bug! “Nations that have agreed politically on no other issues seem to share the unshakable conviction that earwigs are irresistibly drawn to ears. The French call them perce-oreille (ear-piercer); the Germans Ohrwurm (ear-worm), and the Russians ukhovertka (ear- turner); the same applies to Danish, Dutch, and Swedish” The Earwig’s Tail by May Berenbaum Despite their name, however, earwigs are very, very unlikely to crawl in your ear. In fact, they are unlikely to be in your house at all. They would much prefer to be living outside and feeding on other insects, flowers, fruit and decaying leaves. If you do see an earwig in your home, it has probably crawled through a small crack or crevice and is simply lost – hoping to find its way back outside. The best way to prevent this from happening is to keep the areas on the outside of your house clean and free of piles of leaves, clippings and yard debris. If you’re not sure that the bug you see is an earwig, check for a set of pinchers on one end of the body. That’s your biggest clue (and also the scariest looking part of the earwig). They are about an inch long and have a long, narrow body that is dark brown in color. Learn more by visiting www.LaruePest.com or by calling (800) 314-8813 Copyright © 2011 Larue Pest Management. All Rights Reserved. 15 Household Bugs in SW Florida That May Freak You Out 4: Mosquitos & Noseums If you have lived in Florida for several years, then you are all too familiar with mosquitos and noseums (no-see-ums). Both of these insects bite humans and leave itchy red spots behind. The biggest difference between the two is that a mosquito is large enough to swat at, but a noseum gets its name from the fact that you cannot see them. At their full adult size, noseums are less than an eighth of an inch long. Mosquito A noseum may also be known as a biting midge or a sandy fly (even though a sand fly is technically a different insect). These bugs are usually found outside – not in your house. However, many Florida homeowners are upset to find these insects on their patios. A screened-in patio area will prevent mosquitos from getting in, but you need to use a small mesh to keep the noseums at bay. They can pass through a 16-mesh insect wire and screening. Biting Midge (No-See-Um) If you do venture outside, especially around dawn or dusk, you can wear an insect repellant with DEET to reduce your risk of bites. Both mosquitos and noseums can transmit disease, so caution is key. In Florida, mosquito control is not left up to the individual homeowner, but is coordinated by the county. In Lee County, Florida, one of the counties we serve, the Mosquito Control District controls a budget of $21 million dollars and is responsible for tracking, surveying and spraying for mosquitos. However, homeowners can still do their part to reduce the mosquito habitat by eliminating areas of standing water in their lawns. Clogged gutters are a common mosquito breeding ground. Remove any old buckets or other containers that can hold water from your yard. While both mosquitos and noseums can be annoying pests, it’s not likely that your house will be full of them if you have the right screens and keep your doors closed. If mosquitos are particularly annoying and you need professional help, we offer misting systems and routine treatments. With these systems in place, you will enjoy a noticeable decrease in these pesky bugs! Learn more by visiting www.LaruePest.com or by calling (800) 314-8813 Copyright © 2011 Larue Pest Management. All Rights Reserved. 15 Household Bugs in SW Florida That May Freak You Out 5: Fleas Although a flea is a tiny insect, and not that threatening on its own, when in great numbers, these little guys can really freak you out. You may just be walking across your carpet one day, feel a tiny bite, look down, and notice little bugs jumping onto your feet. These freaky pests are especially likely if you have pets.