Do Bugs Go Away In The Winter In Florida

Absolutely not! Bugs do not go away in the winter in Florida. Florida can be a winter paradise for many northerners and many bugs. Although in other states, bugs often hibernate during winter, with typically warm winters in Florida, bugs often remain active (although maybe not as active as they normally are).

Some of the most active bugs in the winter in Florida include bed bugs, silverfish, and more.

• Roaches, some of the toughest pests in the world, prefer dark and damp places. They are often found in cardboard boxes in attics or garages because these provide hiding places and can be an excellent food source. Inside the home, they are commonly found under refrigerators, inside cabinets that are not opened often, and inside of small kitchen appliances. Because they walk around sewer and other dirty areas, they can track diseases into your home.
• Silverfish are more active in the winter months in many Florida homes than they are the rest of the year. They can be just as harmful as termites and carpenter ants so they should not be ignored. They feast on clothes and important papers (even books) in dark and moist places such as kitchens and bathrooms. Keep important papers and clothes in airtight containers, whenever possible.
• Termites such as Asian and Formosan subterranean termites dig deeper into the soil to regulate their body temperatures in the winter in Florida. They will continue to dig tunnels that they use to transport the wood in your home to their nests. Homeowner’s insurance does not cover termite damage so it’s important to understand that you need to take action at the first sign of termite activity. Aggressive subterranean termites are on the rise in Southern Florida and the Formosan and Asian termites will not be stopped by winter. Putting a baiting system for subterranean termites in place around your property is your best bet.
• Rodents commonly go unnoticed due to their nocturnal natures. They can squeeze through nickel-sized cracks around your home’s exterior and will quickly make themselves at home in walls, attics, etc. Because mice and rats will chew on everything they can, including your home’s wiring, they should not be ignored. They also tend to attract other bugs, including roaches and fleas.
• Bed bugs are nocturnal and often go unnoticed for a while – until victims notice red spots on their neck, arms, and shoulders. Bed bugs commonly enter homes in luggage, computers, clothing, and other items when people return home from traveling. They are extremely unpleasant and difficult to eliminate with professional help.
• Ants are not afraid of winter in Florida. The many species of ants that thrive in South Florida are active all year. Thankfully, most ants are nuisance pests and don’t pose health threats but they are very difficult to get rid of in most homes.

Bugs do not go away in the winter in Florida so it is important to keep food prep areas clean, seal cracks and crevices around the home, repair screens, declutter your yard and home, and keep landscaping trimmed away from the home. If you need help getting rid of pests in the winter in your Florida home, call the local experts at Petri Pest Control Services for a free pest inspection today!