Pest Control Info
Winter Haven, FL

Aedes mosquitoes are a specific kind of mosquito known for their involvement in transmitting a range of grave illnesses, including Zika virus, dengue fever, and yellow fever. These mosquitoes can be found across the world, with a significant presence in urban areas of Florida and other states. A distinguishing feature of Aedes mosquitoes is their black and white striped legs and thorax, and their inclination to bite during daylight hours. Only female Aedes mosquitoes spread diseases as they feed on human blood to get the nutrients needed to produce eggs. Taking precautions, such as removing stagnant water where they lay their eggs, is essential to thwart their breeding.

Drywood termites vary in color based on their social class. Worker termites are cream colored and soldiers are brown. Mature Drywood termites can reach up to 1/4 of an inch in size. As their name suggests, they reside in dry wood areas. They can often be found in and around dead trees. Their colonies are easier to locate due to the visible sawdust and feces they push out of their nests. Their diet consists of wood and other forms of cellulose. Refrain from using mulch, regularly discard scrap wood, and keep gutters free of leaves/debris in order to help keep drywood termites away.

Florida woods cockroaches, commonly known as palmetto bugs, have dark reddish-brown bodies with short wings and can grow up to 2 inches in length. These insects are primarily outdoor dwellers and feed on decaying plant matter. Although they do not intentionally seek indoor habitats, they may inadvertently be introduced indoors with firewood. Effective preventative measures include proper landscape management, such as removing fallen leaves, decaying plants, and scrap wood, and regular cleaning of debris from yards, which can discourage Florida woods cockroaches from inhabiting the area.

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.

Deer mice, commonly recognized by their typical round and brown appearance, possess cream-colored underbellies and elongated tails, reaching sizes ranging from 5 to 8 inches in length. During colder seasons, they seek refuge indoors, nesting among cluttered storage areas or small, cave-like spaces in Winter Haven households. Omnivorous in nature, they feed on both plants and insects.

Arabesque orb weavers are a group of small to medium-sized spiders found throughout the world, including in Florida. They are named after the intricate, ornamental patterns on their abdomen and their habit of building orb-shaped webs. Arabesque orb weavers are generally brown or grey in color and have a body length of about half an inch. They are nocturnal spiders, hiding during the day and coming out at night to hunt insects and other small prey. They are commonly found in gardens, yards, and other outdoor areas, where they build their webs in areas with good visibility and airflow.

Red Wasps have a rusty red colored body, black wings, and grow to be about 1 inch in size. These social wasps live in large paper nests that can house and sustain 5000 other wasps inside. Nests are commonly found on roof overhangs and in hollow trees. They are attracted to sweet foods, bright colors, and flowers. While they do consume nectar, red wasps are known for eating caterpillars. Deter their presence with strong smelling plants, sealing sweet treats, or utilizing an insecticide.

Deer Ticks are reddish-brown in color with a hard black exterior and only reach 3 millimeters in length. They are one of the most well known species of ticks since they are responsible for spreading Lyme disease. They wait in tall grass and brush filled areas until a host walks by and then will attach themselves until they are full. If you have been bitten by a deer tick, it’s important to follow instructions closely to remove them properly in order to avoid bursting their body and releasing the bacteria inside of them.