South Florida Pest Library

South Florida is home to both subterranean and drywood termites. These wood-destroying organisms cause billions of dollars in damage annually across the U.S., and Miami-Dade is one of the highest-risk areas in the country.

German cockroaches are the most common indoor roach species in South Florida. They reproduce rapidly and are notoriously difficult to eliminate without professional treatment. A single female can produce up to 400 offspring in her lifetime.

Also known as palmetto bugs, American cockroaches are the largest common roach species in South Florida. They typically live outdoors but enter homes through gaps, drains, and open doors, especially during heavy rain.

South Florida is home to dozens of ant species, including fire ants, ghost ants, carpenter ants, and white-footed ants. Ghost ants are the most common indoor nuisance, while fire ants pose a stinging hazard outdoors.

South Florida's warm, humid climate makes it one of the most mosquito-dense regions in the United States. Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are the primary disease-carrying species, capable of transmitting Zika, dengue, and West Nile virus.

Roof rats are the most common rodent pest in South Florida. They are excellent climbers and frequently nest in attics, palm trees, and dense vegetation. Norway rats and house mice are also present but less common in residential settings.

Bed bugs are hitchhiking pests that spread through travel, used furniture, and shared spaces. They feed on human blood at night and can survive months without a meal. South Florida's tourism industry makes bed bug introductions common.

Cat fleas are the most common flea species affecting both cats and dogs in South Florida. They thrive in warm, humid environments and can quickly infest an entire home. A single flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day.

Brown dog ticks and lone star ticks are the most common species in South Florida. They attach to pets and humans, feeding on blood and potentially transmitting diseases. Tick populations thrive in yards with dense vegetation.

Most spiders in South Florida are harmless and actually beneficial, eating mosquitoes and other pests. However, brown recluse and black widow spiders are present in the region and can deliver medically significant bites.

Paper wasps, yellow jackets, and mud daubers are common in South Florida. They build nests on eaves, in trees, and around outdoor structures. While beneficial as predators of other insects, they can be aggressive when nests are disturbed.

Honey bees and Africanized honey bees are common in South Florida. While essential pollinators, they can become a safety concern when they establish hives in or near homes. Africanized bees are more defensive and can pose a serious threat.

Pigeons, starlings, and grackles are the most common pest birds in South Florida. They roost on buildings, contaminate surfaces with droppings, and can introduce mites and other parasites into structures.