Most Common Outdoor Bugs In FL and how to get rid of them 

If you live in Florida you know how common bugs and animals are to the area. Living near the everglades has its perks of warm weather year-round but the insect and creatures that come with the territory. So if you were wondering what are the most common outdoor bugs in the area are, we have you covered. This information is helpful not only just for your knowledge but also good to get rid of these pests. So here are the top 5 insects in the area…

Palmetto Bugs

Well, these are basically large cockroaches native to the area. They can grow up to about 2 inches and they fly.  Palmetto bugs are most often found outside and eat leaves and waste, therefore one of the more common outdoor bugs. Occasionally they will sneak into your home, your best bet on ridding of these pests is to spray the cracks and crevices of your house with broad-spectrum insecticide. Also plugging all open drains because they tend to come in through the water pipes.

No See-ums

No see-ums are actually biting midges, they were given the nickname due to how small they are. 47 different species of no see-ums live in Florida, therefore they are definitely an announce you will find in your yard. They also bite and leave small red welts on the skin so it is a good idea to try and rid of them. There are numerous options for temporary fixes like insecticides for your outdoor bug problem, but if you’re looking for a more long-term fix try a mosquito misting system. This will ensure that your yard is pest free and no one will leave your backyard events and gatherings with big bites.

White Fly

Whiteflies are winged insects or mealybugs that attack plants, most commonly known for individuals with hedges and vegetation. Whiteflies are usually found on the underside of leaves in clusters. The best way to start getting rid of whiteflies is to spray the plants with a hose and disperse them. Then you can spray the plants with insecticide, make sure to get it on the underside of leaves as well.

Fire Ants

Fire Ants were originally found in South America but now can be found in dirt mounds in yards all around Florida. Fire Ants give a painful sting that leaves red marks on the skin. Most people use a two-step process: baiting the ants and then drenching the mound. First, your bait and kill the queen and some of her workers then spray insecticide in target spots of the mound. 

Mosquitos

Due to Florida being a swampland there’s a lot of open water which provides a great home for mosquitoes to lay their eggs. Florida has numerous different types of mosquitoes, some native and others invasive species. A good tip on making sure mosquitos aren’t near your home is making sure all puddles are taken care of and ponds are cleared out. Although there is another option to deal with pesky mosquitos which is a long-term fix, Swat Mosquito Systems.

So how do I get rid of these backyard pests? 

Well, we would say try a Swat mosquito system. Professionals come to install the system, answer any questions you may have, and help you maintain it. So call SWAT today to get your estimate on a system for the yard so it can be pest-free.

 

Identifying which Bug Bit You

Sometimes bug bites are worrisome cause they all look similar. Well, there are some distinct differences to keep in mind when looking at the bite. This guide will go through what to look for, how to take care of it, and a method to get rid of those pests. Although if you are currently dealing with this issue the first piece of advice is DO NOT SCRATCH!

Spider Bites

Spiders, unlike mosquitoes, only bite when they feel threatened. There are 3,000 different species of spiders in America, but there are only about four that are dangerous. Those spiders are the brown recluse, black widow, hobo spider, and tarantula.

They usually will not bite you multiple times in the same area, which helps narrow down where your bite came from. Some symptoms to look out for with a spider bite is swelling around the area, itching, pain radiating from the bite, muscle pain or cramping, fever, chills, sweating, etc. Also, there will be two small punctures in the bump rather than one. 

So if you are experiencing these symptoms it likely is a spider bite. Definitely consult a doctor and ensure that everything is ok. 

Mosquito Bites

Mosquitoes bite people, not as a defense mechanism but as a way of life. They extract blood from people which gives mosquitos nutrients to then deliver to their offspring. The side effect of the bite is actually due to the saliva of the mosquito and results in an irritating itchy bump. 

Mosquitos will continually bite people throughout their lifetime, whereas spiders prefer not to bite at all. Common symptoms of a mosquito bite are a red puffy itchy bum. This will only have one puncture in the bump and it isn’t uncommon to find a few bites on the body in an outdoor setting. 

What do I do about the bite?

In both cases, it is smart to apply an ice pack to the bite and take Benadryl. This will help with the itching and again do anything but a scratch. If other symptoms start to occur, like fever, nausea, or fluid from that bitten area, call a doctor immediately.

Please remember this guide is just to give you an idea of how to identify the difference between the bites. It is always a good idea to consult a doctor as soon as symptoms occur because the sooner it is evaluated the better.

How do I get rid of these pests? 

While many say bug sprays, citronella candles, and other at-home quick fixes can help fix the issue, those are only quick fixes. A SWAT Mosquito System protects your home from unwanted buggy pests and is a smart investment as it is a more long-term fix to the issue. Plus Swat has its professionals install the systems, answer any questions you have, and help you maintain them. So call SWAT Mosquito Systems®️ to help ensure your home is protected from those pesky bugs.

 

Can Peppermint oils get rid of mosquitos? 

People are constantly looking for home remedies to fix issues, so why would the pests flying around your house be any different?  It’s said that peppermint oil may be able to rid mosquitos and other creatures but is that the truth? Here’s what we found on the topic. 

Peppermint oil as an insecticide for mosquitos

Peppermint is a natural insecticide, the potency is very important to consider when using this product. There were numerous studies that showed that peppermint oil had the capability to kill mosquito larvae within 24 hours. While it is great for killing the larvae, the next question becomes what is it capable of doing to the adult mosquitos. The answer is unknown and although essential oils may be a good temporary fix in the long run their effectiveness overall is unknown. 

What do Experts Say about this method?

In an article I read on the effectiveness of essential oils on repelling insects, there was an interview conducted with a biology and pharmacology professor at Vanderbilt named Laurence Zwiebel. He explained that the effectiveness depends on how they are prepared and how pure the oils are, most of the time you don’t really know what you’re buying. He also stated that they give a somewhat false sense of security. 

Overall Effectiveness and Recommendations

The biggest issue with using essential oils is they evaporate quickly. They are not as effective as DEET or picaridin. Repellents are meant to block an insect’s receptors related to the scent but with essential oils, only a few receptors are blocked. Therefore it is possible it may work on some insects but not all. Another negative is the smell you will have used all these essential oils because the effectiveness of them is increased with a mixture of different kinds.

 

So what is Recommended to Use?

In this case, peppermint oil seems somewhat ineffective and with the possibility of contracting malaria or other mosquito-driven diseases, it’s better to have effective protection. You can try an organic spray but if you want to be the most effective with your protection efforts try a SWAT Mosquito system. This system sprays a mist that keeps pests away from your home. They will install and answer any questions you may have.