It doesn’t snow in Florida with any sort of regularity. Freezes are rare in most of the state. Even hard frosts are uncommon in a large percentage of our home. The sun still shines warmly on us through the winter months when much of the county’s inhabitants are far less comfortable. It’s not a bad way to spend the winter but it does produce some winter time pest control challenges.
In our tropical climate, we are blessed with a fairly consistent temperature range. Our position between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic and our elevation provide a consistently high (relatively speaking) level of moisture as well. This is a perfect recipe for certain insects like termites, roaches and spiders to live and breed without pause that a harsh winter provides.
Florida winters provide plenty of bugs to watch. Some we watch for pleasure and some we watch for our own protection. Here are a few of Florida’s winter bugs to watch.
Monarch Butterfly
The Monarch butterfly is most active in the winter in our fair state and usually not the bug that sparks a call to your favorite Brevard County Pest Control service agents. Their stunning deep orange and black wings and delicate bodies are a treat to watch. We have the privilege of playing temporary host to them during their migration as well as becoming home to the ones who chose to take up a more permanent residence. Gardeners take pains to plant their favorite flowers and set up water stations and we all smile with each sighting, no matter how many we see.
One of the best things about Monarchs is their feeding habits as caterpillars. Eggs are laid on the underside of milkweed leaves and the larvae feed on these leave after hatching. Milkweed is considered a noxious weed by most people so they’re doing us a favor by eating it! Monarch larvae do virtually no damage to more valuable plants and only sip nectar as adults. They’re very good guests!
Termite
A less welcome denizen of our fair state is the termite. This wood-damaging insect is responsible for more dollars lost to structural damage than any other bug. They are insidious, hard to see and present a serious threat to your home.
Termites don’t have an “off” season. If the temperature drops, they just travel deeper into their subterranean nests where temps are dependable. They continue to feed, breed, build tunnels and damage your home all year without ceasing. Termite control services cannot be suspended in any season.
Cockroach
Like the termite, the cockroach doesn’t take any breaks in Florida. Since we have warm weather and plenty of moisture, roaches aren’t killed off in seasonal cold snaps like they would be farther north. A rapid breeding cycle can turn a few roaches into an infestation pretty quickly. Get ahead of roach problems with green, sustainable methods and pest control measures.
Iguana
OK, so iguanas aren’t actually insects. However, if the temp drops below 40 they can become immobile and fall from trees. True story. Keep your eyes open and watch those low branches!