Summer is in full swing in Florida, bringing heat, humidity, and summer storms along for the ride. Life in Florida flourishes in the summer. Unfortunately, that also includes pests that can be more than just an annoyance. Some of these insects or rodents may carry disease, cause allergic reactions, or damage your home and lawn. Knowing what to look for in common summer pests can help you get ahead of any potential issues and protect your home and the people you love. Ringdahl Pest Control in Boynton Beach can help!
Termites
The most dreaded of summer pests for Florida home owners, drywood termites are common during the humid summer months. They thrive in the damp, dark spaces under floorboards, in crawl spaces, and in other areas of your home that provide the perfect breeding ground. Termites are dangerous because they can cause significant damage before you ever notice they’re there. Because they’re primarily drawn to the wood within your home’s infrastructure, termites can weaken support beams and cause roofing damage that can cost thousands to repair.
The best way to deal with a termite infestation is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Home pest control in Boynton Beach can help you establish protective, environmentally friendly barriers to termites and other pests that may threaten your home’s habitability. Physical barriers around your home’s base, doors, and windows can help keep these and other summer pests out. Chemical barriers can also be used, but require monthly or yearly reapplication.
Think you may already be experiencing a termite problem? Look for these signs:
- Piles of clear wings that have been shed around your house
- Soft or hollow spots in the walls or floors
- Unexplained damage (chewed appearance, holes, etc.) to door frames or furniture
- “Flying ants”
- Mud-like dome structures in or around your yard
If you notice any of these signs, getting an inspection by the professionals at Ringdahl Pest Control can help to prevent further damage and save your home. Contact us today to set up your appointment!
Mosquitoes
Perhaps the most notorious summer pest in Florida, mosquitoes are hard to spot until they’ve already found their target. These little invisible blood suckers are more than just a nuisance—they could be dangerous. Mosquitoes are capable of spreading some of the most dangerous diseases in the United States, including West Nile virus and encephalitis. There’s no way to know if a mosquito carries a disease until the bitten subject is already infected.
Thankfully, protecting yourself and your family from mosquitoes is fairly easy these days. Modern bug repellents come in lotion, spray, or even candle form. You should also:
- Drain any standing water around your home to prevent mosquito breeding
- Wear light, protective layers when outdoors in high mosquito traffic areas
- Use insect repellent when going outdoors for an extended period of time
- Avoid being outside around dawn or dusk
- Place screens on all windows and doors
Fire Ants
Fire ants are a not a singular type of ant, but the common name for the stinging ants in the genus Solenopsis. These red-brown ants can deliver a painful, itch inducing sting (they don’t bite) that also produce a welt or white pustule. People with an allergy to insect stings should be especially careful of fire ants as they can cause serious allergic reactions.
The most telling sign of fire ants are their distinct, large ant mounds. If you see them, do not disturb them. Keep children and pets away from fire ant mounds, as interacting with their home can cause ants to swarm and sting in defense. Instead, let Ringdahl Pest Control in Boynton Beach take care of the problem and prevent future mounds from cropping up. Get your family tested for insect sting allergies so you know whether you need to take extra precautions before an emergency strikes.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches thrive in the damp heat of Florida summers. Attracted to human dwellings by our food waste and easy to find shelter, cockroaches breed during this time, which can quickly lead to an infestation. While roaches won’t bite or sting, they can carry harmful bacteria that can contaminate cooking and eating surfaces. It can be difficult to determine the extent of a cockroach infestation during the day, since they are primarily active at night.
Residential pest control in Boynton Beach with Ringdahl Pest Control can eliminate an existent cockroach infestation and help to prevent future generations. Additional measures you can take include:
- Draining standing water and addressing any leaking pipes
- Patching any holes in walls and ceiling
- Properly disposing of food waste
- Washing dishes every night
- Store food in sealed containers
Spiders
Spiders exist in Florida year-round, but you may find yourself encountering them more often in the summer. Most spiders in Florida are harmless to humans; in fact, they can help control the population of other pests like flies, mosquitoes, ants, roaches, and moths. However, Florida is home to a few dangerous spiders, like black widow and brown recluse spiders. While neither of these spiders will attack unprovoked, it’s easy to accidentally alarm them. Most bites occur because a human has accidentally gotten too close or disturbed their hiding place.
The easiest ways to avoid spider bites is to be attentive. If you are in a heavily wooded area, watch your step and keep an eye on the path ahead. Around your home, spiders may build nests in high, secluded corners or find a home in dark corners like closets and storage spaces. If you are going to wear clothes or shoes you haven’t touched in while, gently shake them out first. Also, if you do find a spider in your home, try to safely relocate it outside and away from your property. Squashing a spider may unintentionally unleash young being carried by the mother.