The United States is home to approximately 91,000 species of insects, according to the Smithsonian Institution. While it is difficult to get an exact number of insects in the state of Florida alone, the number is believed to be in the tens of thousands, with thousands more land-dwelling arthropods such as spiders, centipedes, and ticks.

For most of the year, Florida is a warm, moist environment, which is why so many insects make their home there. It is also why pest control is so important. If you want to control the pests in and around your Pensacola home, you need to first understand what type of pests to expect.

Sod Webworms

Sod webworms can wreak havoc on the appearance of your yard. If you have a sod webworm infestation, you will notice yellow or dull patches of grass even in sunny, well-watered areas. You can help prevent these critters by mowing your lawn properly, attracting birds, and encouraging a wide diversity of beneficial insects.

Spider Mites

Spider mites are tiny creatures that can cause huge problems to your lawn and garden vegetation. These little pests eat sap from the bottom of leaves, which result in yellowing and decaying plants. Spider mites can also infest household plants, making them more of a nuisance. You can help prevent an infestation by pruning away infested portions of plants, introducing beneficial insects such as ladybugs and utilizing a short-lived pesticide. If you do opt for a pesticide, talk to your local specialist regarding safe use.

Cinch Bugs

Like sod webworms, cinch bugs can cause yellowing and dying patches of grass even in sunny, well-watered areas. However, unlike sod webworms, which suck the nutrients out of grass, cinch bugs inject a toxic substance into the grass, effectively preventing the plant from transporting water to the roots. You can help prevent cinch bugs by maintaining your lawn, clearing away debris piles, and keeping your lawn properly irrigated.

Termites

Termites love warm weather, making Florida a prime place for them to call home. Some signs of a termite infestation include termite droppings, spongy floors, wood debris, and mud tubes. If you notice an infestation, the only real way to get rid of it is to invest in pest control in Pensacola, Florida.

Mole Crickets

In their youth, mole crickets feed off of grass roots. As they mature, they suck the nutrients out of the soil, causing even more harm. As a result, your grass may begin to yellow and die in large patches. You can prevent additional infestations by flushing out baby crickets with soapy water.

Some infestations are too far gone to control on your own. If you have a serious pest infestation, contact your local pest control technician.

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