Written by Jonathan Stoddard, Entomologist at Imperial Pest Prevention
Welcome to my in-depth guide on the most dangerous pests in Orlando, Florida, and how to identify them before they become a serious threat. My name is Jonathan Stoddard, and as the resident entomologist for Imperial Pest Prevention, I have spent years studying the life cycles and behavioral patterns of pests in our region. My goal in writing this comprehensive resource is to provide you with the expertise and actionable advice you need to keep your home and family safe.
If you’re looking for the most thorough, detailed, and up-to-date pest information in Orlando, you’ve come to the right place. This guide is packed with practical tips, local insights, and preventative measures that will give you a significant advantage over any unwelcome visitors. Let's dive right in.
Table of Contents
Why Orlando’s Climate Attracts Dangerous Pests
Orlando’s subtropical climate—characterized by high humidity, warm temperatures, and frequent rainfall—creates the perfect environment for pests to thrive. Many insects and arachnids have faster breeding cycles in warmer climates, while moisture levels support the growth of fungi and molds that in turn attract more insects. Rodents, reptiles, and other wildlife also flourish where food and water are abundant.
With this knowledge, it’s easy to see why Orlando’s pest populations can skyrocket if left unchecked. Imperial Pest Prevention is dedicated to helping you identify these invaders early, limit their impact, and eliminate them before they cause significant harm to your health or property.
Fire Ants
Fire ants are small, typically red-colored ants known for their extremely painful stings. These stings often cause a burning sensation (hence the name “fire ant”) and can lead to welts, allergic reactions, or even anaphylactic shock in extreme cases. They are highly aggressive and will swarm quickly if their mound is disturbed.
How to Spot Fire Ants
Appearance: Fire ants are usually reddish-brown or dark reddish in color, ranging in size from 1/8 to 1/4 inch.
Mounds: Fire ant mounds are irregular, dome-shaped, and can be as large as 18 inches high. They are often found in open, sunny areas, including lawns, fields, and alongside sidewalks.
Behavior: If you disturb a mound, fire ants will rush out in large numbers, crawling up anything nearby (your foot, leg, or gardening tool).
Fire Ant Prevention and Control
Landscape Maintenance: Regularly mow lawns and trim vegetation to discourage nesting.
Eliminate Food Sources: Store garbage in sealed containers; clean up spilled food or sugary drinks immediately.
Professional Treatments: Baits and mound treatments can be effective, but because fire ants can quickly relocate, it’s wise to enlist professional pest control services for long-term management.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are notorious for transmitting diseases, including West Nile virus, Zika virus, dengue, and chikungunya. Given Orlando’s warm, humid climate, these biting insects breed year-round, especially near standing water.
How to Spot Mosquitoes
Appearance: Slender insects with long legs, typically gray or brown, about 1/4 inch in length.
Breeding Sites: Any standing water (birdbaths, clogged gutters, plant saucers, tire swings, puddles) can serve as a breeding ground.
Activity: Most species are most active at dawn and dusk, though some species like the Asian tiger mosquito are active during the day.
Mosquito Prevention and Control
Remove Standing Water: Empty or refresh water sources every few days. This includes bird baths, kiddie pools, and any water-collecting containers.
Use Screens and Doors: Keep windows and doors well-screened. Repair any holes or tears immediately.
Wear Protection: Use EPA-registered repellents and consider wearing long sleeves and pants if mosquitoes are severe in your area.
Professional Fogging Treatments: Professional fogging or misting services can drastically reduce mosquito populations around your property.
Termites
Termites cause billions of dollars in property damage annually in the United States. These silent destroyers feed on cellulose, which is found in wood, paper, and even certain insulation materials. Florida’s climate is especially welcoming to Formosan and subterranean termites, both of which can rapidly compromise the structural integrity of a building.
How to Spot Termites
Mud Tubes: Subterranean termites create pencil-width mud tubes along walls, foundations, or crawl spaces to access food sources.
Swarmers: Winged termites (called alates or “swarmers”) often appear in spring or early summer. After they land, they may shed their wings, leaving behind small piles of discarded wings.
Damaged Wood: Hollow-sounding wood when tapped, or wood that looks blistered, may indicate termite activity.
Termite Prevention and Control
Reduce Wood-to-Soil Contact: Keep wooden structures, such as decking and siding, away from direct contact with soil.
Manage Moisture: Fix leaks and maintain proper ventilation in crawl spaces. Termites are attracted to damp wood.
Routine Inspections: Professional termite inspections by Imperial Pest Prevention can detect early signs of infestation.
Termite Treatment Systems: We offer baiting systems, liquid soil treatments, and fumigation, depending on the severity and type of termite infestation.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are vectors for bacteria, viruses, and allergens that can trigger asthma and allergy symptoms, particularly in children. They thrive in warm, humid, and dark environments, making Orlando homes a prime target if not properly sealed and maintained.
How to Spot Cockroaches
Droppings: Resemble coffee grounds or small pellets. The shape and size may vary by species.
Egg Cases (Oothecae): Found in dark corners, cabinets, or crevices. Egg cases are typically brown, elongated capsules.
Musty Odor: A heavy, musty, or oily odor can be a telltale sign of a larger infestation.
Sightings at Night: Cockroaches are nocturnal. Spotting them during the day often indicates a significant infestation.
Cockroach Prevention and Control
Seal Entry Points: Caulk gaps around doors, windows, and pipes.
Sanitation: Keep your kitchen spotless: wipe down counters, sweep floors, and store food in sealed containers.
Professional Baiting and Sprays: Professional-grade baits, residual sprays, and growth regulators are crucial for full eradication.
Ticks
Why Ticks Are Dangerous
Ticks may be small, but they are potentially life-threatening due to the diseases they can transmit, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Ehrlichiosis. They latch onto hosts (humans, pets, or wildlife) for a blood meal.
How to Spot Ticks
Location on Body: Ticks often attach themselves in warm, hidden spots such as under the arms, behind ears, in hair, and around the groin area.
Appearance: Ticks are typically flat and oval before feeding. After feeding, they become engorged and can grow significantly in size.
Habitat: Ticks thrive in grassy, wooded, and leafy areas, often waiting on tall blades of grass for a host to pass by.
Tick Prevention and Control
Landscape Management: Keep your yard mowed, remove leaf litter, and create a barrier of wood chips or gravel between wooded areas and your lawn.
Protect Pets: Use vet-recommended tick preventatives and check your pets regularly.
Personal Protection: Wear long sleeves, long pants, and light-colored clothing to spot ticks more easily.
Professional Yard Treatments: Targeted sprays can help significantly reduce tick populations in your yard.
Spiders (Black Widow & Brown Recluse)
While most spiders are harmless and even beneficial (they prey on other pests), certain species like the Black Widow and Brown Recluse pose a public health risk. Their bites can cause severe reactions, including muscle cramps, intense pain, and necrotic lesions.
How to Spot Spiders
Black Widow: Shiny, black body with a red hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen. Typically found in dark, secluded areas such as garages, sheds, and woodpiles.
Brown Recluse: Light to dark brown with a violin-shaped marking on its back. Often hides in cardboard boxes, attics, and undisturbed shoes or clothing.
Webs: Black Widows build irregular webs close to the ground, while Brown Recluses often do not rely on webs to catch prey, preferring to hunt or build small retreat webs.
Spider Prevention and Control
Reduce Clutter: Store items in sealed plastic containers rather than cardboard boxes.
Inspect and Shake Out: Clothing, shoes, blankets—anything that’s been stored unused for a while.
Seal Entry Points: Repair cracks in foundations, windows, and doors to minimize spider entry.
Professional Extermination: If you suspect venomous spiders, contact Imperial Pest Prevention for safe and effective removal.
Scorpions
Why Scorpions Are Dangerous
Although scorpions are less common in Orlando compared to other regions, Florida does have species like the Hentz striped scorpion. Scorpion stings can cause pain, numbness, and swelling. Severe reactions (though rare) can include difficulty breathing and muscle twitching.
How to Spot Scorpions
Appearance: Smaller Florida scorpions are typically tan or light brown with darker stripes running along the body.
Habitats: They seek cool, moist areas and may hide under logs, stones, or in damp basements and crawl spaces.
Nocturnal: They are mostly active at night, using their pinchers and stinger to catch prey.
Scorpion Prevention and Control
Eliminate Hiding Spots: Remove woodpiles, debris, and clutter from around your home.
Fix Moisture Issues: Repair leaking pipes or any source of water that can attract scorpions and their prey.
Professional Treatments: A thorough inspection and targeted treatments from Imperial Pest Prevention can manage or eliminate scorpions.
Rodents (Rats & Mice)
Rats and mice can carry diseases like hantavirus, salmonella, and Leptospira. They contaminate surfaces with droppings, chew through wiring (posing fire hazards), and multiply quickly if left unchecked.
How to Spot Rodents
Droppings: Rat droppings are larger and spindle-shaped, while mouse droppings are smaller with pointed ends.
Gnaw Marks: Look for chewed wood, cables, and plastic. Rodents must constantly gnaw to keep their teeth from overgrowing.
Noises: Scratching or squeaking sounds, especially at night, may indicate active rodents in walls or attics.
Rodent Prevention and Control
Seal Entry Points: Use steel wool, metal flashing, or caulk to close gaps around utility lines and doors.
Secure Food: Store food in airtight containers, keep pet food sealed, and dispose of garbage regularly.
Trapping & Baiting: Snap traps, live traps, and professional-grade baits are effective when used correctly under expert guidance.
Additional Pest Threats to Watch For
While the above list covers the most dangerous and common pests in Orlando, keep an eye out for these additional critters:
Silverfish: Not typically dangerous but can damage books, paper, and textiles.
Carpenter Ants: They excavate wood rather than eat it, causing structural damage over time.
Wasps & Hornets: Painful stings and potential allergic reactions; they build nests around eaves, attics, or trees.
Fleas: Can infest pets and homes, transmitting tapeworms and other parasites.
Conclusion and Professional Recommendations
Pest management in Orlando, Florida, demands consistent vigilance, given our climate and environment. Early detection is crucial to preventing costly damages and health risks. From fire ants to termites, and ticks to rodents, knowing how to spot the warning signs can save you money—and peace of mind.
As an entomologist for Imperial Pest Prevention, I strongly advocate for routine inspections, preventative treatments, and immediate action at the earliest sign of pest activity. Our integrated pest management (IPM) approach prioritizes effective, eco-friendly, and long-term solutions.
If you suspect any of the pests mentioned above—or simply want a professional opinion—please contact Imperial Pest Prevention. We have the expertise, state-of-the-art tools, and proven strategies to keep your Orlando property pest-free year-round.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What time of year are pests most active in Orlando?Pests are active year-round in Orlando due to the warm climate. However, many pests like termites and mosquitoes see a surge in spring and summer.
Is DIY pest control effective?DIY methods can handle minor infestations but often fail to address root causes. For pests like termites, fire ants, or rodents, professional treatments are more reliable and ensure thorough eradication.
How often should I schedule professional pest inspections?At Imperial Pest Prevention, we recommend an annual inspection for most homeowners. If you have had previous infestations or live in a high-risk area, semi-annual or quarterly visits may be advisable.
Are the treatments safe for children and pets?Our integrated pest management approach prioritizes low-toxicity treatments and targeted applications. We always advise clients on proper post-treatment precautions to ensure safety for all family members, including pets.
Can pests develop resistance to treatments?Yes, improper or repeated use of the same chemicals can lead to pest resistance. Professional pest control services adjust their methods and formulations to minimize resistance and maximize efficacy.
Ready to Protect Your Home from Orlando’s Most Dangerous Pests?
Don’t wait until you’re face-to-face with fire ants, scorpions, or a termite swarm. Call Imperial Pest Prevention today or schedule an inspection online. Our team of experts will identify any existing or potential threats and implement a proactive plan to keep your home safe and pest-free.
Your peace of mind and health are our top priorities. As your dedicated entomologist, I’m here to assure you that with the right knowledge and professional intervention, you can effectively shield your property from Orlando’s most dangerous pests.
Imperial Pest Prevention – Serving Orlando, Florida, and Surrounding AreasWritten by: Jonathan Stoddard, Entomologist, Imperial Pest Prevention