Pest Control Info
Tampa, FL

Aedes mosquitoes are black in color with white accents predominantly on the legs. Commonly known as “ankle biters”, the females will bite human ankles in order to get the blood needed for reproduction. Aedes mosquitoes also consume plant nectar and do not fly long distances. Living in or around homes can provide the mosquitoes with food, shelter, and the ability to lay eggs. Even the slightest amount of water can be used to lay mosquito eggs. The lifespan of an Aedes mosquito can be around two weeks, with the female laying eggs around three times.

Formosan termites are a type of insect that are known for causing damage to buildings and other structures. They are originally from Southeast Asia, but have been introduced to other parts of the world, including Florida. Formosan termites are small and flat, and they like to eat wood and other materials that contain cellulose at a rapid pace. They live in large groups called colonies, and some colonies can have millions of termites. Formosan termites are most commonly found in warm and humid places, especially near the coast.

Florida woods cockroaches are dark reddish brown in color, can reach up to 2 inches in size, and have short wings. They reside primarily outdoors and feed on decaying plant matter. While they do not desire to come indoors, they are sometimes accidentally brought in with firewood. Removing fallen leaves, dying plants, scrap wood, and regularly cleaning up debris from your yard can deter the Florida woods.

Hypoponera opacior vary greatly in appearance from either pale or dark brown and slightly translucent. The overall shape of their body also varies drastically. They typically reside in rotted out stumps or beneath grass sod.

Rice rats in Tampa, FL are smaller in stature only reaching about 5.5 inches in length. Their fur can be primarily brown or gray. The sides of their body are light gray and their bellies are a pure gray color. Rice rats can also be distinguished by their tails, which are brown on top and white on the bottom. They live outdoors and thrive in wet environments with dense vegetation. They’re omnivores and eat insects, fish, and grasses.

Arabesque Orb Weaver range drastically in their coloring from simple brown and black to ornate patterns with orange, yellow, and brown hues. They have large round abdomens and can reach up to 7 millimeters in size. These spiders craft circular webs which they sit in at night while waiting for prey. During the day, they hide in leaf piles or leaf tubes constructed by themselves.

European Paper Wasps, also known as Polistes dominula, share a striking similarity with Yellowjackets in their slim, black and yellow bodies that can reach up to 1 inch in length. These wasps build paper-like nests in cavities like attics, vents, eaves, and satellite dishes. They primarily feed on hornworms, caterpillars, nectar, and other sugary substances.

Ixodes scapularis, commonly known as Deer Ticks, are a species of tick that exhibit a reddish-brown coloration with a hard, black exoskeleton, and can grow up to 3 millimeters in length. These ticks are notorious for their ability to transmit Lyme disease, a debilitating bacterial infection. Deer Ticks are known to lurk in tall grass and brushy areas of Tampa, FL, waiting for a suitable host to walk by, at which point they attach themselves and begin feeding until fully engorged.