Pest Library

Suncoast Pest Control

Learn More About Common Pests

Welcome to Suncoast Pest Control’s pest library, your go-to resource for understanding and managing pest issues in St. Petersburg, FL and all the surrounding counties. Our detailed collection of information covers a wide range of common pests, their behaviors, and proven control methods. If you’re dealing with ants, termites, rodents, or other unwanted visitors, our library provides the knowledge you need to protect your home or business. Reach out to us for personalized pest control solutions tailored to your specific needs.

Ants

Ants are social insects that often enter in search of food, water, and shelter, and in doing so they can create nests in walls, foundations, or garden soil that may weaken structures or leave unsightly mounds in yards. In Southern Florida, their activity increases from spring through fall as warmer temperatures and higher humidity create ideal conditions for foraging and colony growth, though the subtropical climate allows some activity all year.

Managing infestations typically involves sealing entry points, removing accessible food and moisture sources, and using bait traps to target colonies, while professional pest control may be necessary when nests are large, persistent, or difficult to reach

Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants establish their nests inside moist or damaged wood, often taking up residence in areas such as attics, wall voids, and other structural spaces where wood has softened. Unlike termites, they do not consume the wood; instead, they excavate smooth, hollow galleries within it to create nesting chambers, which can gradually weaken the affected material.

Interior Ants

Interior ants include species such as ghost ants, pavement ants, big‑headed ants, and odorous house ants, all of which commonly establish nests within walls, beneath floorboards, and in other protected areas of a home’s interior. Many of these species maintain multiple queens and even satellite colonies, allowing them to spread quickly and making infestations particularly challenging to control.

Exterior Ants

Exterior ants such as fire ants and white‑footed ants typically build their nests in soil, tree trunks, beneath garden pavers, and other outdoor structures. Fire ants pose a particular risk because they can aggressively bite and sting both humans and small animals. These outdoor‑nesting species often make their way indoors by traveling along overgrown shrubs, tree branches, or vegetation that comes into contact with the property’s exterior.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are resilient insects that thrive in dark, damp environments, where they can contaminate food, trigger allergies, and spread diseases. An infestation is often indicated by droppings that resemble black pepper or coffee grounds, a persistent musty odor, and the presence of egg cases. The severity of the problem can be judged by how frequently cockroaches are seen, how large the population appears to be, and how widely they have spread throughout a property. Because infestations can escalate quickly, effective control requires prompt and comprehensive action.

Integrated pest management typically involves sealing entry points, eliminating accessible food and water sources, and applying professional insecticides in a targeted, strategic manner.

Palmetto Bugs

Palmetto bugs, also known as the American Roach, are a common invader of properties in Southern Florida. They are usually found in dark or moist areas like bathrooms, kitchens and garages.

German Cockroaches

German roaches typically enter a property from outside sources. They are very difficult to control, so quick action is needed. They can reproduced rapidly.

Oriental Cockroaches

Compared to other cockroaches, oriental roaches are a bit smaller and darker, especially compared to palmetto buts. However, they enjoy the same environments with dark, moist conditions.

Rodents

Rodents such as mice and rats can introduce serious health concerns by contaminating food, spreading pathogens, and leaving behind droppings that compromise indoor hygiene. Their constant gnawing on wood, wiring, and insulation can also lead to costly structural damage and even fire hazards. Infestations are often identified through chew marks, small pellet‑like droppings, scratching noises within walls, or nests tucked away in quiet, hidden areas. In Southern Florida, the warm climate and steady availability of food and shelter allow rat populations to thrive year‑round, making ongoing vigilance essential for homeowners and businesses.

Effective rodent management relies on blocking entry points, eliminating accessible food and water sources, and using traps or bait systems to reduce active populations. Maintaining a clean environment and scheduling regular inspections help prevent rodents from re‑establishing themselves and reduce the likelihood of recurring infestations.

Fruit Rats

Fruit rats are sometimes known as roof rats. They are exceptional climbers, nesting in attics, walls, and tree tops. They only need a half-inch gap to get inside any property.

Norway Rats

Norway rats are commonly found under sheds, decks, debris, or crawl spaces. They can enter into your property through small gaps or holes. If they can get their head through, they can get their whole body through as well.

Mice

Under most circumstances, mice nest within 30 feet of their preferred food source. That’s why they’re usually found inside living areas. With their small size, they can get almost anywhere inside your property.

Termites

Termites are destructive insects that consume cellulose-rich materials like wood, gradually weakening the structural integrity of homes and buildings. Infestations often reveal themselves through telltale signs such as mud tubes along foundations, wood that sounds hollow when tapped, and piles of discarded wings near entry points. In Southern Florida’s consistently warm and humid climate, termites remain active year‑round, making infestations a constant risk rather than a seasonal concern.

Effective management typically requires a professional inspection, targeted application of termiticides, and preventive steps such as reducing moisture around the property and scheduling routine monitoring.

Subterranean Termites

Like the name suggests, subterranean termites live in the ground. They continuously enter and exit a property to feed on the wood. They can get in through very small cracks in the foundation, or they may build shelter tubes out of soil to travel inside. They are very quick feeders, which means the damage to your property can happen in short order.

Formosan Termites

Formosan termites live in the ground sometimes, but, with the right moisture levels, they can also live in “cartons” above ground. Formosan termites are the most damaging of all termite types in Florida. Their colonies can grow to contain hundreds of thousands of pests.

Drywood Termites

Drywood termites live directly inside the wood of a property. This isn’t just the structural elements. I t can include furniture, flooring, cabinets, and picture frames. Sometimes, they can be treated locally. However, tent fumigation is the most effective elimination technique.

Wasps, Hornets, and Bees

Wasps, hornets, and bees are common stinging insects. While they can be important for the eco-system, they do pose a threat to humans with their stings. These stings can be painful, and some people are allergic to their venom. Nest removal is essential for the safety of your property, and professional pest control is recommended due to the potential danger of these insects.

To prevent infestations, you should seal any entry points, especially during nesting season. It is also recommended to address other things that attract these insects. This can include removing uncovered foods and open sweet drinks from the property.

Wasps

Wasps are stinging insects that generally create nests around windows, doors, and under eaves or awnings. This can increase their likelihood of interacting with humans.

Hornets

Most of the time, hornets nest in the ground or in open areas. This can include trees or under eaves. Hornets can be very aggressive, which can make them a real threat on your property.

Bees

Honeybees and yellow jackets prefer protected areas to nest. This can include the ground, your attic, sheds, or even in the walls. Colonies can grow quite large and be a real threat.

Other Pests

Southern Florida’s warm, humid climate allows many pests to stay active year‑round, increasing risks to homes and health. Constant moisture and heat create ideal breeding conditions, so pest pressures rarely decline seasonally.

Integrated pest management helps keep infestations down by removing hiding spots, sealing entry points, maintaining cleanliness, and using insecticides only when needed. These steps reduce pest activity while limiting environmental impact.

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are small, reddish‑brown insects that feed on humans and pets, typically hiding in bedding or any space close to where people sleep. Drawn to the carbon dioxide we exhale while resting, they emerge at night to bite, often leaving itchy welts on the skin. Because they are adept at hiding in seams, cracks, and crevices, they can be difficult to spot and even harder to eliminate. A careful, methodical inspection of sleeping areas and surrounding furniture is an essential first step in addressing a potential infestation

Spiders

The majority of household spiders are completely harmless. However, there are some types, like the Brown Recluse and Black Widow, that can be dangerous to humans. Regular pest control treatment can keep your property spider-free.

Silverfish

Silverfish are pervasive and can be found anywhere in your property. They tend to nest in dark, moist places and can get inside in many ways. They need carbohydrates to live. An effective pest control team can eliminate these pests from your property.

Fruit and Drain Flies

Fruit flies feed on decaying organic matter. You can minimize your risk of fruit flies by keeping fruit products fresh and protected, removing garbage daily, and treating sink drains.

Similarly, drain flies feed on decaying organic matter. This includes sewage, plants, fruits, and meats. They are often drawn to the food debris in our sink, hence the name. Adult drain flies live for approximately three weeks and will lay several dozen eggs inside drains. Eggs will typically hatch within 48 hours.

In general, flies are harmless, but they can be very annoying and difficult to control.

Fleas

Fleas are small jumping insects that feed on the blood of mammals and birds. Fleas may live more than 100 days without a blood meal. Unfortunately, they can transmit diseases to humans and animals, and they are the number one cause of skin disease on pets. A female flea can lay up to 50 eggs at a time. These eggs can hatch within as little as six days. Two treatments are usually required to eliminate fleas.

Ticks

Ticks are parasites, feeding on the blood of humans and animals. Some species carry and transmit dangerous diseases such as Lyme disease. They are found most often in tall grass and wooded areas. Once they attach themselves to the host animal, they feed and then drop off to molt or lay eggs. To control tick populations, lawn and shrub treatments are recommended. You should also check your pets regularly for ticks.