One of the things Fort Lauderdale residents love about the area is how nice the weather is. The tropical weather keeps the city warm all year and there is enough rainfall and humidity to ensure that nothing ever dries out. While this aspect of Fort Lauderdale is certainly great for the people who live there, it is also good for pests.
Fort Lauderdale’s climate supports several common household pests, and the best way to eliminate them is to use a targeted approach. Here are the most common household pests in Fort Lauderdale.
Key Takeaways
- The most common pests in Fort Lauderdale are ants, roaches, termites, mosquitoes, and rodents.
- Pests in Fort Lauderdale often come inside homes in search of food and shelter, especially during periods of heavy rain.
- For most pest-related problems, DIY solutions can offer temporary relief but complete elimination is typically only possible with professional services.
→ Schedule Same-Day Pest Control in Fort Lauderdale
Why Fort Lauderdale Homes Attract So Many Pests
With warm weather and plenty of moisture come several conditions that support pests of all kinds. Fort Lauderdale provides critters of all kinds with ideal breeding conditions, plenty of places to shelter from the elements, and a constant food source thanks to the people who live there.
- Ideal Breeding Conditions: Most of the pests in Fort Lauderdale breed freely all year long. The consistent warmth and plentiful water sources help pests of all kinds thrive, and with none of the seasonal slow-down or die-off events that come with annual freeze cycles, pest populations continue to expand all year long.
- Urban Density and Vegetation: Fort Lauderdale has a lot of areas that serve as safe zones for pests. Landscaped neighborhoods, storm drains, retention ponds, areas with dense vegetation, palm trees, and extensive canal systems each provide a different kind of shelter that at least one of the pests on our lists benefits from.
- Indoor Attractants: The natural conditions in Fort Lauderdale are certainly beneficial for pests in southern Florida, but human activity also create many opportunities for pests to thrive. From leaky pipes to cluttered storage areas to food storage and pet feeding stations, pests of all kinds can find ample food, water, and shelter inside Fort Lauderdale homes.
Most Common Household Pests in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is home to several pests, but the most common ones are ants, roaches, termites, mosquitoes, and rodents. By learning how to identify each of these common pests and what methods work best to eradicate them, you can live a pest-free life much more easily.
Here are the most common household pests in Fort Lauderdale.
Pest Type | Common Areas | Main Risk | Best Control Method |
Ants | Kitchens, bathrooms | Food contamination | Baiting & perimeter treatment |
Cockroaches | Drains, kitchens | Health hazards, odor | Gel baiting & residual sprays |
Termites | Walls, attics | Structural damage | Inspection & bait system |
Mosquitoes | Yards, gutters | Disease transmission | Larvicide & barrier spray |
Rodents | Attics, garages | Property damage | Trapping & exclusion |
Ants (Ghost Ants, Odorous House Ants, and Fire Ants)
Ants are among the most common pests in Fort Lauderdale, and infestations are usually either sugar ants (ghost ants or odorous ants) or fire ants.
Sugar ants usually show up in places that have a constant food supply. Kitchens, bathrooms, and pantries are common areas to find them. Fire ants are usually outdoors, but they can move in during periods of intense rain.
Sugar ants and fire ants both cause serious problems, but they do it in different ways. Sugar ants can easily destroy food stores and their small size makes it possible for them to build long-term colonies in hard-to-reach places in your home. Fire ants, on the other hand, can destroy landscaping and deliver painful stings and bites.
The best way to get rid of ants is to target the queen, but it is not always as easy as it sounds. Many of the common treatments available to the public are good for killing visible adults but rarely solve the problem at its core. Professional ant treatments involve targeted baiting and perimeter treatments.
Cockroaches (German and American/Palmetto Bugs)
Cockroaches are also very common in Fort Lauderdale. The two most common species are German cockroaches and American cockroaches (palmetto bugs).
Cockroach infestations can be very difficult to deal with because these pests like to nest in areas that are not easy to reach or treat. They come out at night seeking food and retreat during daylight hours where people cannot find them. Left unchecked, roach populations can grow very quickly. The more advanced an infestation gets, the greater the chances are for bacteria spread and allergen risk.
Since cockroaches are typically not out during the day, it is good to know how to spot the signs. One thing to be aware of is any change to the air quality. Large infestations can give off a strong, musty odor (especially in closed-off areas), and detecting it can mean that you are dealing with a roach problem that has become serious. Another thing to look out for are droppings (they look like pepper) or egg casings (they look like small capsules) in or around areas with a lot of roach traffic.
Professionals use EPA-approved gel baits to target nesting areas and residual treatments to ensure long-term results.
Termites (Subterranean and Drywood)
There are two main types of termites in Fort Lauderdale and all of the area’s termite species belong to either group. There are subterranean termites that live underground, targeting wooden structures from below, and drywood termites that tunnel into internal structures in your home, like picture frames, furniture, or any other source of cellulose they can find.
Both kinds of termites are a big problem for Florida homeowners because of how destructive they are. Some estimate that the annualized termite damage in Broward County sits somewhere between the 50 and 90 million dollar mark, making termite infestations among the most costly.
Beyond cost, termites create significant structural damage that often goes unnoticed until it is too late. A few signs to look out for when you suspect a termite infestation are discarded wings, mud tubes along foundations, or hollow-sounding wood. You may also hear faint rustling sounds in the walls.
Professional termite control is always recommended due to the destructive nature of these pests. Services include a comprehensive inspection, targeted treatments, and follow-up visits.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are everywhere in Fort Lauderdale, and they stay active all year round. Most mosquito species are active during dusk and dawn when the air is a little bit cooler, but there are some daytime biters as well. The most common places to see large infestations are neighborhoods near retention ponds or canals, areas that have a lot of shade during the day, and places that are close to dense vegetation.
Mosquitoes are a significant concern in Fort Lauderdale for several reasons. The itchy red welts that these pests leave on your skin are certainly annoying, but mosquitoes are known vectors of disease, adding a layer of concern to a problem that is already difficult to deal with. A few noteworthy mosquito-related illnesses are West Nile virus, dengue fever, and Zika virus.
Deciding on an effective mosquito control strategy often comes down to identifying where the mosquitoes are coming from. Seeing swarming behavior near standing water sources on your property may indicate a localized infestation, while hearing an occasional mosquito just before nightfall might simply mean that they are traveling through your yard.
Professional mosquito management usually includes barrier sprays and larvicide applications to handle all possible sources.
Rodents (Roof Rats and House Mice)
Rodents are another common issue for homeowners in Fort Lauderdale. Like all the other pests on this list, rodents thrive in the tropical climate. The two most common rodents that we see in Fort Lauderdale homes are roof rats and house mice. Both have different habits and require specific treatment protocols, but they also have a lot in common.
Rodents cause several problems for homeowners. For one thing, rodents are always gnawing on something. They chew on wires, insulation, building materials, and food storage containers, creating a lot of costly damage. They also contaminate food and feed prep areas as they search for food, and they spread dangerous pathogens to both people and pets. Left unchecked, these pests multiply quickly, making rodent problems exponentially worse the longer they remain in the home.
Successful rodent removal involves an integrated pest management approach that targets every aspect of the rodent infestation. To ensure complete elimination of the problem, a good pest management company employs a combination of targeted trapping, exclusion techniques, sanitation, and follow-up inspections.
Take Action Now If You’ve Seen These Pests
Because of the favorable climate and environmental features in Fort Lauderdale, pests of all kinds are a constant issue. The best way to live pest-free is to get expert support as soon as you see the problem. Here at Nextgen Pest Solutions, we focus on eliminating the pests on your property and putting prevention plans in place to keep your home comfortable year round.
→ Schedule Your Same-Day Pest Inspection with Nextgen Pest Solutions.
FAQs
Do pests get worse after heavy rain in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes, many pests like ants, roaches, and rodents look for shelter indoors when it rains.
What time of year is pest control most important in Fort Lauderdale?
Pests are a problem all year in Fort Lauderdale, but peak pest season is in the spring and summer.
Are DIY pest control products effective in Fort Lauderdale’s climate?
Many DIY treatments are effective for a short time. They often fail to address the root cause of the infestation, so pests usually come back rather quickly.
