Get to know the various bugs — like the American cockroaches above — and how to fight them.
With its subtropical environment, Florida is a virtual paradise for insects. Here are some of the nuisance bugs that Florida’s human population must deal with:
Florida woods cockroach
This bug, which can live for up to a year, has six legs and two antennae jutting forward from its shell. They can grow to up to 1.6 inches tall.
American cockroach
A common Florida pest is the American cockroach, which is reddish-brown or mahogany in color. It is sometimes referred to as a palmetto bug, as are other roach species. American cockroaches can grow to be more than 3 inches long.
Australian cockroach
The Australian cockroach is tropical and brown in color with pale or yellow head. Often mistaken for the American cockroach, it’s slightly smaller, measuring on average about 1 inch long.
Eastern subterranean termite
This pest is one of several invasive termite species in the state. A 100- millionyear-old insect, they can do significant damage to homes and offices with little detection.
Argentine ant
Only a tenth of an inch in length, the Argentine ant moves in large colonies and can emit a musty odor when disturbed. These guys like to contaminate food and prefer sweets. They are active year round.
White-footed ant
The ant does not bite or sting but colonies can be as large as 3 million. They are frequently seen in kitchens, bathrooms and building exteriors.
Caribbean crazy ant
As you can probably guess, these little pests are characterized by quick and erratic movements. Each colony has multiple queens and can protect themselves from fire ants by covering themselves in an acid that counteracts fire ants’ venom.
How to fight back
Anyone who has lived in Florida for any time at all will tell you that hiring a pestcontrol service is about as essential as having air conditioning.
Here are some other ways to protect your home, according to Ed Thralls, the University of Florida’s Orlando-based residential horticulturist.
■ Pull mulch and plant material away from your house.
■ Leave a 12-inch barrier of sand along every exterior wall to improve drainage and prevent insects from finding a home next to the house’s foundation.
■ Check around windows and doors and replace damaged or missing caulk.
■ Repair/replace damaged screens.
■ Place an insect pesticide barrier around your home.
■ Improve drainage so an insect’s outdoor home doesn’t get flooded out.
■ If all else fails, buy a shop vac to remove the bugs that get inside — if you can catch them.