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There is a new pest attacking ficus trees and hedges in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties, Florida. This pest was identified as the fig (ficus) whitefly, Singhiella simplex, and is a new US continental record. Whiteflies are small, winged insects that belong to the Order Hemiptera which also includes aphids, scales, mealybugs, and bugs. These insects typically feed on the underside of leaves with their “needle-like” mouthparts. Whiteflies can seriously injure host plants by sucking ju... Read More..
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Cockroaches generally have a flattened, oval appearance, long spiny legs and long antennae. Color, which depends on species and age, ranges from a reddish brown to dark brown and from tan to black. The female cockroach deposits eggs in a reddish brown, bean-shaped capsule, which in some species is carried at the tip of her abdomen until the eggs are nearly ready to hatch. Read More..
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Ants, bees and wasps belong to the Hymenoptera. This order contains many beneficial insects that pollinate our crops and native plants, and eat or parasitize pest insects. Read More..
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Routine pest control is a necessity in South Florida where pests such as mosquitoes can be found in abundance. Read More..
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Africanized honey bees (AHB) have made their way into the state of Florida. AHBs breed and compete with the European strains of honey bees that normally inhabit our state. Because Florida's AHB population is increasing, it is important to become familiar with AHBs and their behavior. Read More..
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Ants are pests around the home because they feed on and contaminate human foods, infest structures, and build unsightly mounds in lawns. In some cases, ants are able to inflict painful bites or stings. Ants do not attack or eat fabrics, leather or wood in houses; however, some species can establish nests in decaying wood in structures. Read More..
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Myth : You unknowingly swallow an average of four live spiders in your sleep each year.
Fact :
This very widespread urban legend has no basis in fact. It exists in various forms; another common version is that you swallow an average of 20 in your lifetime. (At 4 per year, that would make a very short lifetime of 5 years...) A correspondent in Pennsylvania had heard a version that involved swallowing a pound of spiders (while sleeping) in one's l... Read More..
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In nature, moth fly larvae normally occur in aquatic habitats that experience intermittent submersion. They reproduce in polluted, shallow water or highly moist organic solids where they feed on decaying organic material in mud, moss or water. In homes, the adult flies are most likely found on the walls of the bathrooms, kitchens, basements and other locations where sewer drains and plumbing fixtures are located. The flies are poor fliers and usually are found close to the drain o... Read More..
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Currently the redbay ambrosia beetle-laurel wilt disease infestation has continued to spread west and
south in Florida. Avocado trees have been reported as infested in Duval and Brevard Counties. Although one test for laurel wilt on avocado was positive in Homestead, efforts to detect and confirm the presence of laurel wilt disease in additional samples have been negative. As of this writing the red bay ambrosia beetle has not been detected in Miami Dade County. More sampling and testin... Read More..
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Myth 1. Grand daddy longlegs "spiders" are extremely poisonous. False. First, grand daddy longlegs are not spiders. They are related to them, but they are not true spiders. Grand daddy longlegs are more correctly called harvestmen. True spiders are hunters and have venom. Harvestmen are scavengers and do not have venom. So, unless you are a very tiny insect or some type of organic goo, you have nothing to fear from the harvestman lurking by your garage door. Read More..
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Several species in the genus Ehrlichia can cause disease in humans. Human illness caused by the pathogen Ehrlichia chaffeensis is referred to as Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (HME). It is transmitted by Amblyomma americanum , also known as the lone star tick, which is one of the most commonly encountered ticks in the southeastern United States. Ticks become infected by feeding on white-tailed deer or other animals and can transmit the disease to humans or dogs at a subseq... Read More..
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A thriving population of Gambian giant pouched rats became established on Grassy Key, a 550-ha island in Florida, following escape(s) from an exotic pet breeder. After existence of the population was verified, computer models indicated that Gambian giant pouched rats could successfully invade a large portion of North America if they reached the mainland. This largest of rat species is highly prolific, and its dispersal to the mainland could result in substantial negative impacts to ... Read More..
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Several races or subspecies of honey bees reside in Africa. One of these, Apis mellifera scutellata , from the central and southern part of the continent, is the predominant parental type introduced into South America. This is the African or Africanized honey bee so often sensationalized in the media. The European honey bee is the race common to North America, and is an amalgam of many European subspecies imported over the past several centuries. To a much smaller extent, subspecies fro... Read More..
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Pantry pests damage food by contaminating it with their bodies and their by-products. The larval stage of the Indianmeal moth produces frass (excrement) and webbing, and some beetle larvae produce secretions that give food a disagreeable odor and taste. Setae (hairs) from the warehouse beetle can irritate the mouth, throat, and stomach of people who eat infested products. In addition, pantry pests might introduce microbes into the food that could produce mycotoxins (highly carcinogenic com... Read More..
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When termites swarm they are often misidentified as "flying ants". This is a common mistake because termite alates look very much like ants. However, there are three simple characteristics to look for that can be used to tell the difference between a winged ant and a winged termite: Read More..
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“Cockroaches have been around for more than 300 million years – about 10 times longer than people – and these insects are very resilient,” Koehler said. “In fact, some people say cockroaches would be the only survivors in a nuclear war. They have a much higher resistance to radiation than people and other vertebrates – surviving a lethal dose 6 to 15 times higher than that for people.” Read More..
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Now is a popular time of year to clean out storage spaces such as attics, garages, and sheds. Spiders and other insects favor these, dark, cool areas to spin their webs. The one’s to be on alert for are the Black Widow and Brown Widow Spiders . Although neither species is aggressive, its venom is neurotoxic and extremely painful. If you have been bitten, you will see swelling along with two faint red bite marks. If you suspect the bite came from a Black Widow or Brown Widow s... Read More..
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With flowers in full bloom during the summertime, honey bees are in full force (as well as their close relative the Africanized honey bee). Outdoor activities during the summer increase the chance of coming in contact with bees and wasps and the possibility of getting stung. It is necessary to be aware and alert at all times of possible nests from these insects. Read More..
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Summertime is definitely fire ant time in Florida. Fire ants , as well as Carpenter ants , Pyramid ants, Pharaoh ants, Crazy ants , and Thief ants, among others, are very active during the summer. They are attracted to food and can be found often at outdoor picnics as well as indoors. Sweets are sure to attract them especially if left overnight. Read More..
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The Florida woods cockroach is large, dark brown to almost black, averaging 1.5 to 1.75 inches in length. The wings are short and barely extend beyond the mesonotum. This roach is often called the "stinking cockroach" because of the foul-smelling fluid it produces to protect itself from predators. It is also known as the Palmetto Bug. It is dark reddish-brown to black, 1-2 inches in length, and commonly found in leaf mulch, woodpiles, and under rotting logs. Read More..
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The roof rat (Rattus rattus, a.k.a. citrus rat, fruit rat, black rat, or gray rat) is an introduced species of rat native to southern Asia. It was brought to America on the first ships to reach the New World and has spread around the world. This rat is the same species that carried the bubonic plague around the world and is also the reservoir host for murine typhus. Roof rats are the worst rodent pest in the state of Florida and most abundant. The Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) th... Read More..
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Non-native ficus hedges and trees are under attack by fig whiteflies . First observed in Homestead in 2007, fig whiteflies have since spread through Miami/Dade County and north to Broward County, leaving a wide path of defoliation along streets and property lines. A loss of leaves is the most obvious symptom of a whitefly infestation.
Researchers at the University of Florida report that whiteflies are seriously injuring host plants by sucking juices from them, which causes wilting,... Read More..
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Over the last few years reports have escalated of a golden-brown to reddish-brown "crazy ant" infesting properties in and around West Palm Beach, Florida. Paratrechina pubens is part of a group of ants referred to as "crazy ants" due to their quick and erratic movements. Thick foraging trails with thousands of ants occur along sidewalks, around buildings, and on trees and shrubs. Read More..
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To help minimize incidents that may be caused by product misuse, EPA is reminding consumers to always carefully read and follow all instructions on the label for these products. Safety tips for pet owners: Consult your veterinarian about the best way to protect your pets from fleas and ticks and whether pesticides are even needed. Use extra care before use on weak, aged, medicated, sick, pregnant, or nursing pets, or on pets that have previously shown signs of sensitivity to pesticide pro... Read More..
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That often heard seemingly innocent children's bedtime rhyme now seems to have a more stressful meaning for a growing number of people in North America. In the past decade, bed bugs have quietly made a comeback, as evidenced by infestations reported in Canada and in more than half of the United States. Hot spots in the East include New York, Massachusetts, and Florida. Pest exterminators and the CDC both report that bed bug complaints have increased dramatically in recent years. The most ... Read More..
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Lovebugs escaped after University of Florida researchers brought them into Florida . Lovebugs are not native to most of the southern United States (Hardy 1945). According to Buschman (1976), since 1940 P. nearctica has extended its range from Louisiana and Mississippi across the Gulf States, reaching Florida in 1949. In the late 1960s, it became established entirely across north Florida. During the 1970s explosive populations occurred progressively southward nearly to the end of penin... Read More..
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The salt marshes and mangrove forests along the east coast of Florida have, historically, been prolific breeders of salt marsh mosquitoes. Along the Indian River Lagoon, organized mosquito control was begun in the mid 1920s (Platts et al. 1943). In an effort to control these pests, hundreds of miles of parallel hand-dug ditches were constructed. This technique was soon abandoned, however, because the ditches required continuous maintenance and were not very effective in controlli... Read More..
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Sometimes known as the gopher mouse, the Florida mouse is a brownish to tawny colored rodent with chestnut or orange flanks and a white underside, measuring 186–221 mm in total length ( Figure 1 ). Its tail is 80–100 mm long, approximately 80% of its body length, and bicolored with grey-brown coloration above and white below. Juveniles have a grayish upper body, but like adults, are white underneath. Read More..
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The German cockroach is the cockroach of concern, the species that gives all other cockroaches a bad name. It occurs in structures throughout Florida, and is the species that typically plagues multifamily dwellings. In Florida, the German cockroach may be confused with the Asian cockroach , Blattella asahinai Mizukubo. While these cockroaches are very similar, there are some differences that a practiced eye can discern. Read More..
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Many snails are found in trees, but only a few are exclusively arboreal for most or all of their life cycle. Tree snails are normally found on the ground only during egg-deposition or when dislodged from their perches. They are frequently large, up to 70 mm long but tend to be smaller in colder areas. They are restricted to tropical and semi-tropical regions by their need for high humidity and warm temperatures. Tree snails are included in several families, but the Bulimulidae and the Pupil... Read More..
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Due to Florida's prominence in the exotic pet trade, iguanas imported as pets have escaped or been released, and are now established in South Florida. This has created unique problems for Florida's homeowners and businesses. South and Central Florida's subtropical climate allows these large herbivorous (plant-eating) lizards to survive, reproduce, and become part of the Florida environment. Three large members of the iguana family (Iguanidae) have become established in south Florida. These are ... Read More..
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In addition to stinging humans, imported fire ants can sting pets, livestock, and wildlife. Crop losses are also reported due to fire ants feeding on seedlings and even citrus trees. Harvesting machinery used on farms can be damaged by hitting hard fire ant mounds often found in clay soils. Electrical equipment and utility housings may serve as fire ant nest sites, sometimes resulting in short circuits. Read More..
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As if Floridians aren’t bugged enough by roaches, a growing interest among reptile enthusiasts to farm the insects as lizard food could result in several new cockroach varieties invading the state,University of Florida entomologists warn. Read More..
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To date, field investigators have found five lady beetle species, 2 parasitic wasps and green lacewings attacking the whitefly in Florida. Damage by other landscape-attacking insects pales in comparison to this new invader. The ficus whitefly arrived in the Miami Rover area in late 2007. It was confirmed in Naples for the first time in January 2009 at several addresses in the Shirley Street area. Read More..
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The sting of a Florida harvester ant can be extremely painful. The Florida harvester ant is not of economic importance to growers and homeowners, is not aggressive and almost has to be forced to sting someone. However, the sting is among the more painful of those received from ants and the pain lasts longer than usual for ant stings due to the poison injected (Haack and Granovsky 1990). Some swelling may also occur as the reaction to their stings spread along the lymph channels (Ebeling 1978).... Read More..
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Worldwide, rats and mice spread over 35 diseases. Rodent-borne diseases are spread directly to humans through bite wounds, consuming food or water that is contaminated with rodent feces, coming in contact with surface water contaminated with rodent urine, or through breathing in germs that may be present in rodent urine or droppings that have been stirred into the air (a process known as “aerosolization”). Read More..
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Because house mice are so small, they can gain entry into homes and other buildings much more easily than rats. As a result, house mouse infestations are probably 10 to 20 times more common than rat infestations. Effective control involves sanitation, exclusion, and population reduction. Sanitation and exclusion are preventive measures. When a mouse infestation already exists, some form of population reduction such as trapping or baiting is almost always necessary. Read More..
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Some people suffer more than others from flea bites. The bites can cause intense itching often resulting in secondary infection. The usual flea bite has a small red spot where the flea has inserted its mouthparts. Around the spot there is a red halo with very little swelling. Many people do not react to flea bites at all while others are sensitive and suffer severe allergic reactions. Fleas may also vector such human diseases as plague, typhus, and tularemia. Read More..
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The kinds of cockroaches most commonly found in and around Florida homes are the Florida Woods Roach, American (Figure 1), smokybrown (Figure 2), brown (Figure 3), Australian (Figure 4), German (Figure 5) and Asian. The smallest cockroaches, the German, Asian, and brownbanded (Figure 6), are close to the same size and the adults are seldom more than 5/8" long. The larger cockroaches, the American, Australian, brown, and the smokybrown, are 1 1/4" - 2" long and are often called palmetto bugs. Th... Read More..
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Images to easily identify spiders commonly found in Florida. Spiders belong to the class Arachnida, which contains organisms with four pairs of legs, no antennae and two body regions. A shield-like carapace covers the head and the area from which the legs arise. Their mouthparts, or chelicerae, function vertically. Read More..
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Its common name arises from its characteristic erratic and rapid movement, and habit of not following trails as often as other ants. However, while the term 'crazy ant' is officially identified with this species, there are other closely related ant species that are also called "crazy ants." At least one authority has suggested that Paratrechina longicornis receive the common name "longhorned crazy ant" to prevent it being confused with other species referred to as "crazy ant." Other authoriti... Read More..
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This species is a household pest. In Florida, it is considered one of the most important of such ant pests. The ghost ant can not only invade houses from outside, but they can nest in the house as well. Although the ant feeds upon many household foods, it seems to show a preference for sweets, having been observed feeding on sugar, cakes, and syrups (Smith 1965). Outside, the workers scavenge for dead insects and tend sap-sucking insects, collecting honeydew (Ferster et al. 2002). Read More..
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Are lawn caterpillars doing your mowing for you? Young caterpillars, or larvae, injure turfgrass by chewing notches along the edge of the leaves. This creates a ragged appearance (Figure 1) that may be hard to notice at first. Mature caterpillars eat a lot before they pupate and consume patches of turfgrass down to the crown. Because the turf looks scalped so quickly, people think that the damage occurs “overnight.” Several caterpillar species can be turfgrass pests, including the tropical sod ... Read More..
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Rats and mice are important rodent pests entering Florida homes and warehouses for food and harborage. These rodents eat any kind of food that people eat. They also contaminate 10 times as much food as they eat, with urine, droppings and hair. They can carry at least 10 different kinds of diseases including bubonic plague, murine typhus, spirochetal jaundice, Leptospirosis, rabies, ratbite fever, and bacterial food poisoning. Many times rats bite sleeping children while trying to get bits of fo... Read More..
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Coastal area residents and visitors to Florida are often aware that something is biting, but when they look for the offender, none can be found. Sometimes they may see what appears as a speck on the skin. Florida, unfortunately, is home not only for abundant mosquitoes, but also for minute biting insects known locally as "sandflies" (elsewhere as "no-see-ums"or "punkies"), although the more correct name is"biting midges. " They are especially troublesome in coastal areas, where most of Florida'... Read More..
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The red and confused flour beetles may be present in large numbers in infested grain, but are unable to attack sound or undamaged grain (Walter). The adults are attracted to light, but will go towards cover when disturbed. Typically, these beetles can be found not only inside infested grain products, but in cracks and crevices where grain may have spilled. They are attracted to grain with high moisture content and can cause a grey tint to the grain they are infesting. The beetles give off a dis... Read More..
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In Florida, only two main types of venomous spiders occur: widow spiders and recluse spiders. Two species of the widow spiders that are seen in South Florida are: The southern black widow is the most common of the native widow spiders. It is the epitome of the classic widow spider, occurring in all the normal widow spider habitats. It is a glossy jet black all over, including body and legs. The brown widow is highly variable in color. It may be almost white to almost black. Typically, it is a ... Read More..
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Plant bugs and stink bugs feed on peaches, other stone fruit and a wide array of wild and cultivated plants, including numerous horticultural and agronomic crops. These hemipterous (sucking) bugs are significant pests throughout the United States. Sucking bugs feed by sucking sap from plants. They inject a salivary secretion into the plant when feeding to break down plant tissues. Sucking bugs feed on a great diversity of host plants, moving from one host to the next to feed on the best availa... Read More..
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Yes, Virginia, Florida has scorpions. However, according to University of Florida Extension Entomologists, none of them are able to produce a fatal sting. Most folks would view these occasional invaders as a nuisance, and want to know how to control them. In Florida, encounters with life-threatening non-native scorpions are possible only in the movies or as a result of stowaways or released exotic pets. Of 90 US scorpion species, only four occur east of the Mississippi River. And, only one o... Read More..
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The German cockroach one of several species that can be found inside homes but it is the species that gives all other cockroaches a bad name. It occurs throughout the world primarily in association with humans and often plagues multifamily dwellings in the United States. Because it does not directly harm people it is considered an aesthetic pest, and the action threshold for this insect depends upon the tolerance of the people living in the infested dwelling. That is why infestations in multifa... Read More..
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Southern chinch bug activity occurs from March through November in north-central Florida and is year-round in southern Florida. Southern chinch bug populations tend to be clumped, rather than randomly dispersed throughout lawns. Usually more than one chinch bug can be found in the bottom leaf sheath on a plant and among surrounding plants. Infestations may occur in open, sunny areas near sidewalks and driveways, but also in the middle of lawns. Infested plants have slower growth, turn yellow, a... Read More..
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The southern mole cricket damages turf and pasture grasses, mainly by tunnelling (because it is largely carnivorous). Dissection of their guts to reveal the contents has shown that southern mole crickets feed largely on a diet of insects and other soil-inhabiting animals, and only to a slight extent on plants. Perhaps plant feeding occurs when animal material is in short supply. Relatively very little damage is caused to plants by southern mole crickets as a consequence of this diet. Southern m... Read More..
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Raccoons can carry a variety of etiologic agents. In Florida, raccoons are known to harbor 132 parasites, disease agents, and environmental contaminants, more than any other species of wild mammal. Viral diseases include rabies, canine distemper, pseudorabies, and poxvirus disease. Read More..
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Although 45 species of snakes are found in Florida, only the 6 listed here are venomous and a danger to humans. The remaining 39 species (and 41 subspecies) are harmless and should be protected for the beneficial role they play in natural ecosytems, eating insects, rodents, rabbits, and other small prey. The venomous species include five pit vipers (Eastern Diamond-backed Rattlesnake, Timber Rattlesnake, Pygmy Rattlesnake, Copperhead, and Cottonmouth) and the Coral Snake. Read More..
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The Ficus Whitefly has become a serious threat to South Florida and is costing homeowners an enormous amount of money with damage to hedges. This tiny pest needs to be identified and eliminated early to avoidsuch costly repairs to landscape. Here are just a few examples of the injury that the Ficus Whitefly can cause to hedges and trees. Read More..
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Wasps and bees can cause problems around structures. Most are social insects that live in colonies. They aggressively defend their nests by stinging. The sting usually involves the injection of a venom that is a nerve poison. The sting may cause death in cases of allergy or when many wasps sting. Read More..
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Silverfish (shown here) and firebrats may cause damage in the home by eating foods or other materials that are high in protein, sugar, or starch. They eat cereals, moist wheat flour, paper on which there is glue or paste, sizing in paper and bookbindings, starch in clothing, and rayon fabrics. Silverfish and firebrats are common in homes. The silverfish lives and develops in damp, cool places. Large numbers may be found in new buildings in which the newly plastered walls are still damp. The fir... Read More..
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Asian cockroaches are almost identical to German cockroaches. The Asian cockroach was identified as a newly introduced species to the United States in 1986 when a professional pest control operator collected these insects in Lakeland, Florida. He referred to them as German cockroaches, Blattella germanica (L.), but noted that their behavior was unlike any other German cockroaches that he had previously encountered. Upon further investigation the cockroaches were found to be B. asahinai, Asian c... Read More..
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What is the most abundant hedge shrub in south Florida? Most would unarguably say weeping ficus (Ficus benjamina)! What if this dominant, green-wall, King-of-Hedgery was dethroned and attacked by an insect which caused severe defoliation? Hedges become see-through and street noises are at your
front door? What if they died? That isn’t a happy scenario for privacy hedges, but it is happening already in central and west Miami. Read More..
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Damage caused by iguanas includes eating valuable landscape plants, shrubs, and trees, eating orchids and many other flowers, eating dooryard fruit like berries, figs, mangos, tomatoes, bananas, lychees, etc. Iguanas do not eat citrus. Burrows that they dig undermine sidewalks, seawalls, and foundations. Burrows of iguanas next to seawalls allow erosion and eventual collapse of those seawalls. Droppings of iguanas litter areas where they bask. This is unsightly, causes odor complaints, and is a... Read More..
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Scientists consider Achatina fulica to be one of the most damaging land snails in the world. It is known to eat at least 500 different types of plants, including peanut, beans, peas, cucumbers, and melons. If fruits and vegetables are not available, the snails will eat a wide variety of ornamental plants, tree bark, and even paint and stucco on houses. Read More..
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Many insects are beneficial to the turf manager in that they aid in the decomposition of organic matter, improve soil structure and soil aeration and some are predators of harmful organisms. Nonetheless, many insects present problems for the turf manager. Damage Symptoms of Common Turfgrass Pest Problems and Possible Causes Read More..
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Depending on the number of potential harborages in a hotel room, a thorough professional bed bug control job may require up to several hours of work per room. In addition to sanitizing cloth items such as bedding, mattresses, cushions, upholstery, and curtains, places to treat with a residual insecticide should include: Read More..
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In the food service, a single insect or rodent can cause irreparable damage of your reputation and revenue stream, in addition to introducing harmful germs and bacteria. To avoid losing customers and to remain in compliance with health code regulations, let A to Z Environmental Services inspect and treat your establishment with a customized pest control plan. Read More..
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The Florida carpenter ant complex is comprised of several species, two of which are common around structures: Camponotus floridanus (Buckley) and Camponotus tortuganus (Emery). These bicolored arboreal ants are among the largest ants found in Florida, making them apparent as they forage or fly indoors and out. Read More..
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Because Brown Recluses like to live in heated homes, bites occur year round. And in just hours, a bite from the highly venomous Brown Recluse spider can create blisters and cause tissue damage to both people and pets within hours after the initial bite. Necrosis (death of cells) sets in quickly and the result is a very painful and "flesh-rotting" wound. Bites from Brown Recluse spiders can cause amputations, severe pain and in rare cases, death. Swift action is needed to minimize tissue damage ... Read More..
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Palmetto Bug is also known as the American cockroach, water bug, flying water bug and, in some areas of the South, the palmetto bug. It is the largest of the common species, growing to 1.5 inches or more in length. The color is reddish-brown, with a pale brown or yellow border on the upper surface of the pronotum. Both the male and female are fully winged. The wings of the male extend slightly beyond the tip of the abdomen, while those of the female are about the same length as the abdomen. The... Read More..
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Fire ants are so called because their venom, injected by a stinger like a wasp's, creates a burning sensation. They are also active and aggressive, swarming over anyone or anything that disturbs their nest, be it wild animals, domestic animals, pets or people. An encounter with a fire ant nest can leave a lasting memory of burning pain, followed by tiny, itching pustules. Read More..
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Although numerous animals, both wild and domestic, can have flea infestations, it is from the exposure of domestic dogs and cats that most homeowners inherit flea infestation problems. Fleas are wingless insects varying from 1 to 8½ millimeters long, averaging 2 to 4 millimeters, and feed through a siphon or tube. They are narrow and compressed laterally with backwardly directed spines, which adapt them for moving between the hairs and feathers of mammals and birds. Read More..
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When feeding, the tick makes a small incision in the skin of the host and inserts barbed piercing mouthparts to remove the blood. Most species cause little or no pain to their hosts at the time offeeding, but some, such as the lone star tick, cause a painful wound. Ticks can transmit diseases by infecting hosts with microorgranisms carried on their mouthparts or in salivary fluids. Read More..
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When associated with humans, bed bugs generally infest dwellings such as houses, hotels, dormitories, and cruise ships, but have also been known to infest places such as subways, movie theaters, nursing homes, hospitals, and planes. During the day, bed bugs hide in cracks and crevices and can be found in wall outlets, behind baseboards, wallpaper and pictures, between bed joints and slats, along the seams of mattresses and in bed linens. The cryptic nature of bed bugs makes them difficult to de... Read More..
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Cockroaches are pests throughout the United States. They are annoying and, when abundant, they are also destructive. Cockroaches, also known as waterbugs, croton bugs, or palmetto bugs, destroy food and damage fabrics, book bindings, and other materials. When cockroaches run over food they leave filth and may spread disease. They secrete an oily liquid that has an offensive and sickening odor that may ruin food. This odor may also be imparted to dishes that are apparently clean. Excrement in ... Read More..
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The white-footed ant has become a major household pest in Florida. Homeowners, pest control companies, and the news media are constantly asking university researchers and county extension offices for information on how to control these ants. This fact sheet provides information on the white-footed ant and its habits. We also describe ways to reduce white-footed ant problems in your home or building. Read More..
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This article is oriented toward people who use pesticides in or around their homes. If you job involves pesticides or may result in pesticide exposure (for example, you harvest crops in a field where pesticides were used), please see the Worker Safety and Training page.
Safely using pesticides depends on using the appropriate pesticide and using it correctly. The label on the pesticide container provides instructions for use of the pesticide. It also includes warnings that are intended ... Read More..
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In late September 2007, many ficus trees & shrubs suddenly began to defoliate. This damage is a result of a newly introduced species of Whitefly usually found in India, China and Burma, where it’s considered a major pest. Likely arriving by ship in the Miami River Area since it has not been reported in the Caribbean, this pest has the potential to decimate many trees and shrubs as well as causing enormous financial harm to nursery industry. Further native figs or other plants could also be ... Read More..
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