Fall in Florida tends to bring rain and slightly cooler temperatures, and although bugs are not as abundant as they are during the spring and summer, they are still quite active. Mice, rats, cockroaches, ants, beetles, termites, wasps and spiders are all common during this time of the year. Make sure your home is protected and be aware of any signs of infestation.

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Rodents are still active in the fall

During the fall, temperatures slowly start to decrease, and rodents such as the House mouse, Roof rat, and Norway rat are always looking for a dry, hidden spot to feed and breed. Hurricane season brings torrential rains that leave mice and rats scurrying for shelter, and your warm, dry home is perfectly suitable to them.

It’s not uncommon to go up to the attic for Halloween or Thanksgiving decorations to find that a family of mice or rats have made your box of decorations their nesting site. Have you ever heard scurrying in your walls, especially at night? How about opening up your pantry to find droppings, or finding the fruit on your tree hollowed out? These are sure signs that you have a rodent problem.

To keep these disease-ridden pests out of your home, start by checking windows, doors, and screens for holes or cracks. Seal any openings larger than 1/4 inch to exclude both rats and mice. Openings where utility pipes enter buildings should be sealed tightly with metal or concrete. Seal all vents and openings with concrete or heavy-duty metal screening. Equip floor drains and sewer pipes with tight-fitting grates with openings less than 1/4 inch in diameter. Doors, windows and screens should fit tightly; it may be necessary to cover edges with sheet metal to prevent gnawing.

Trim bushes and tree branches away from the home so they do not touch the building’s exterior, since rats are agile climbers and can gain access to structures by climbing utility wires and tree branches. They often enter homes from your roof and into the attic by using tree branches as a bridge, especially roof rats. Also dispose of fruit that has fallen from trees and been left to rot on the ground as this also attracts rodents, not to mention other insects such as fruit flies.

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Lawn pests are plentiful during the fall season

Various lawn pests are common during the fall months. Several kinds of caterpillars, the immature or larval stage of moths, are abundant this time of year. Armyworm larvae chew the leaves of small grains and grasses, and grubworms eat the grass leaves, causing major damage to various kinds of turf grass.

Grubworms are often encountered when tilling garden soil or by sifting through soil underneath damaged turfgrass. Severely damaged grass may feel spongy underfoot and can be “rolled up” like a carpet because there are no roots left to anchor the turf. Because of this there is no way for the grass to extract water, which cause it to yellow and die. Mites and scale are also common during this time of year. Scale insects live in the soil and suck the juices from the grass roots of turf grass and can also be harmful to ornamental plants. Symptoms attributed to scale insects include yellowing of the grass, followed by browning.

Ordinarily not a pest in well-managed lawns, mites are known to attack grasses. They suck the sap and cause leaves to appear blotched and stippled; severe infestations can also kill plants. Professional pesticide application is recommended if signs of these pests become visible on your lawn to protect the landscape of your home or business.

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Termites swarm season continues into the early fall

Termites are active year-round in Florida. Subterranean termite, Formosan termite, and Drywood termite swarms are still occurring through early fall, as the climate is usually still warm and humid late into the year, especially in South Florida. Keep an eye out for swarmer wings and other signs of termite infestation, as it is never too early to take action against possible damage to your home or business.

Fall is also the time of year that firewood that has been stored earlier in the year may be brought inside. Be wary of scorpions that tend to nest among stacks of logs and bricks, as they are capable of inflicting a painful sting. Also keep an eye out for Paper wasps that build their nest in windowsills and frames, along eaves, porch ceilings and rafters, and in attics.

Spiders such as Black Widow and Brown Widow spiders also favor attics and dark areas in sheds and garages to spin their webs. One should keep an eye out for these pests when retrieving tools and other items that are stored in these areas.

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