Spring is here, and insects that may have been inactive during the winter months are reappearing en masse. New vegetation growth, coupled with warm, humid temperatures, sets the stage for increased insect activity and infestation in Florida. New flower blooms bring out honey bees, who feed on their pollen, and spring showers keep lawns green and provide lawn pests such as mole crickets and chinch bugs with new grass growth on which to feed. New plant growth also attracts pests such as whitefly and aphids.

Aphids produce the sweet, sticky substance known as honeydew, which can cause serious plant stress and damage as it turns black with the growth of sooty mold fungus. The presence of aphids also brings Argentine ants, Ghost ants and White-footed ants, which are very fond of the sweet honeydew and actually protect aphids from their natural predators in order to ensure a steady supply! Most ants, such as Rover ants, Crazy ants, Caribbean crazy ants, Acrobat ants, and Big-headed ants, are attracted to honeydew and other sweets and are prevalent in Florida around this time of year.

Other insects, such as cockroaches, spiders, bees and wasps, termites, and flies all thrive in the warm, muggy Florida spring. Another pest commonly seen in the spring is fleas. These small wingless insects are usually seen associated with domestic pets; indoor/outdoor pets can become a host to fleas and carry them into the home. Flea collars and frequent flea inspections can keep these pests from becoming problematic for you and your pets.

It’s a beautiful time of year, and although it brings out the bugs, professional pest control and proper maintenance will help you keep these pests from invading your home and landscape. FloridaBugs.com pest control providers only use the latest and most efficient pest control methods and top-of-the-line products- CLICK HERE to learn more about FloridaBugs.com's pest control service providers -and keep your home and landscape pest-free and worry-free!

Spring Season is also Fire Ant Season!

Fire ant infestation can be very problematic during the spring. Large mounds containing hundreds of thousands of aggressive fire ants that can inflict a very painful sting. Be careful when mowing your lawn not to go over any visible mounds, as it can disrupt the mound and send angry, biting ants flying in all directions! Fire ant mounds can be built in most any type of soil, but the ants prefer open, sunny areas such as lawns, parks, pastures, meadows and cultivated fields.

Fire ant can also be formed in rotting logs, around stumps and trees and in or under buildings. Keep tree branches and bushes pruned so they do not come in contact with the home, as fire ants and other ant species can use them to gain access to your home’s exterior and get inside. Do you live in Florida and think fire ants may be invading your lawn or your home? Floridabugs.com connects you to Florida pest control professionals , with specifically designed pest control treatments to regulate and eliminate these pests!

Spring is Termite Swarm Season!

During the spring and early summer, Drywood, Subterranean and Formosan termites thrive in warm moist temperatures of Florida. This is also the time of year that winged reproductives, or “swarmers” fly from an existing colony, find a mate and fly to a new area with the purpose of establishing a new colony. Drywood termites tend to swarm after a good rain, while Formosan and subterranean termites prefer warm, humid evenings to take flight and reproduce.

After settling on a new infestation site, they shed their wings. Drywood termites expel their droppings through “kick holes” in the wood their infesting in the form of tiny pellets. The presence of these pellets, as well as discarded wings, are a sure sign that you are experiencing termite infestation. Termite colonies can grow to huge proportions before they are located, so if there is a possible indication that your home may be infested, it is strongly recommended that immediate action is taken.

Do you live in Florida and think termites may be invading your lawn or your home? Floridabugs.com offers specifically designed pest control treatments to regulate and eliminate these pests!

Spring Rains Bring out the Lawn Pests!

Springtime in Florida is usually very rainy, which keeps your lawn healthy. It also brings out the pests that feed on new grass. Chinch bugs are active year-round in Florida, and as they suck the plant juices within leaf sheaths with their slender beaks, they release a toxin that causes yellowish to brownish patches in turf grass. They prefer feeding in open areas with direct contact from the sun. They damage they cause resembles (and is often mistaken as) drought stress, and can appear as spreading patches of brown, dead grass. Special attention should be paid to these “hot spots” when applying controls.

Mole crickets are also abundant this time of year. They live in and feed on the roots, stems and blades of turfgrasses, and forage on the soil surface when night temperatures are warm and the soil is moist. Their damage appears as brown, spongy areas within areas of normal green grass, and the damage they cause to grass roots causes the turf to thin out. Mole crickets are also known for their extensive tunneling, which also causes significant damage to your lawns health and compromise its aesthetic quality, quickly turning your lush, beautiful lawn into lumpy patches of dead grass.

Mixing dishwater soap with water and spraying on the plants is a safe and natural way to take care of many kinds of lawn pests. Mixing 3 tbsp with 1 gallon of water and spraying on the grass may also help eliminate any fungus problem. Be careful not to over-water your lawn since excess moisture may attract insects and cause unwanted weeds.

Do you live in Florida and think these pests may be invading your lawn? Floridabugs.com offers specifically designed pest control treatments to regulate and eliminate these pests!

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