Warm weather all year means pests don't take a winter break in Southwest Florida. Ants, cockroaches, termites, rodents and mosquitoes are all common here, and a home that sits closed for months can have a problem grow for a long time before anyone notices. A good pest control company prevents most of that. This guide covers what to look for and what to ask.
Common pests in Southwest Florida homes
- Ants, including fire ants in lawns and small household ants that trail along counters and window frames.
- Cockroaches, especially the large outdoor species many locals call palmetto bugs, which wander inside from mulch, palms and garages.
- Termites. Florida has both subterranean termites, which come from the soil, and drywood termites, which live inside the wood itself. They are treated in very different ways.
- Rodents, such as roof rats that travel along palm fronds, trees and utility lines into attics.
- Mosquitoes, especially in the summer rainy season. Counties here have public mosquito control districts that treat neighborhoods; private companies can treat your own yard.
- Lawn and shrub pests, such as chinch bugs in St. Augustine grass and whiteflies on hedges. These are often handled by a lawn or ornamental program rather than general household pest control.
Check the license first
In Florida, pest control companies are licensed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) under Chapter 482 of the Florida Statutes. A licensed business must have a certified operator in charge, and technicians working for it are expected to carry an FDACS-issued identification card. Before you hire, look the company up on the FDACS pest control pages and ask the technician to show their ID card. Also ask for proof of insurance.
Licenses cover specific categories, such as general household pest control, termites and other wood-destroying organisms, lawn and ornamental, and fumigation. Make sure the company is licensed for the work you're hiring it to do.
What to ask before you sign
- What's included? Inside and outside, or exterior only? Are ants, roaches, spiders and rodents all covered, or only some?
- How often will you come, and what happens if pests show up between visits? Many companies offer free re-treatments between scheduled visits; get that in writing.
- What products do you use, and are there precautions for children, pets, fish tanks or a pool?
- Can you service the outside without anyone home? For seasonal owners, exterior service while you're away is common. Ask how they handle gate codes, locked lanais and interior visits.
- Will you send a report or photos after each visit?
- How do I cancel? Read the auto-renewal and cancellation terms before signing a long contract.
Termites deserve their own contract
Termite work is usually separate from regular pest service. For subterranean termites, companies use liquid soil treatments or bait systems. Drywood termites are often treated by tenting and fumigating the whole structure, or by localized treatment for small, accessible infestations. A reputable company will inspect first and explain which kind of termite it found and why it recommends a given method.
Florida law requires a written contract for termite and other wood-destroying organism treatments. Read it carefully: Does it cover re-treatment only, or repair of damage too? Which termites does it cover? How much does annual renewal cost, and what inspections are included? Keep the contract and your renewal records; if you sell the home, buyers often ask for them, and a wood-destroying organism (WDO) inspection is common in Florida real estate deals.
If your home needs tenting, ask how to prepare: food and medicine bagging, plants, pets, and whether the gas service needs to be shut off. In a condo or townhome, the association often arranges tenting for the whole building.
Tips for seasonal owners
- Keep exterior service going while you're away. That's when pests move in without anyone noticing.
- Ask your home watch provider to look for droppings, ant trails, mud tubes, and small piles of wings or pellets near windows and wood trim, which can be signs of termites.
- Close up carefully: remove food, take out trash, run disposal and drains, and seal gaps under doors.
- Trim plants and palm fronds back from the house and roof. That cuts off a common path for rodents and ants; a lawn and landscaping company can handle it.
- Check your HOA or condo rules. Some associations provide pest service or termite coverage, which can affect what you need to buy yourself.
Browse local pest control companies in our directory, and check each one's license before you hire. Our guide on hiring a licensed contractor in Florida has more general tips.
We list local companies by area: Fort Myers · Cape Coral · Naples · Bonita Springs · Estero · Punta Gorda · Sanibel & Marco Island.
General information only. It is not legal, insurance or engineering advice. Check with your insurer, HOA and licensed professionals.
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