Common Florida Pests We Experience in the Winter

Why Winter Pest Problems Are Different in Florida

1. Rodents: Rats and Mice

When the temperature drops, rodents like the Roof Rat and the common House Mouse are among the first to seek shelter. They are experts at finding small entry points into your home, squeezing through cracks and holes you might not even notice.

• Why they come inside: Rodents are warm-blooded mammals looking for a warm place to nest. Attics, wall voids, and cluttered garages provide the perfect, undisturbed environment for them to breed. They also follow the scent of food, making your kitchen and pantry a primary destination.
• Signs of an infestation: You might hear scratching or scurrying sounds in the walls or ceiling, especially at night. Look for droppings, which resemble small, dark pellets, in cupboards, along baseboards, and under sinks. Gnaw marks on food packaging, wires, or wooden structures are another clear giveaway.

2. Cockroaches

Florida is home to several cockroach species, but the larger American and Australian cockroaches, often called "palmetto bugs," are particularly prone to moving indoors during winter. Smaller German cockroaches, which often infest kitchens and bathrooms, can also experience a population boom as they thrive in heated indoor spaces.

• Why they come inside: Cockroaches are driven by the search for moisture and food. While they can survive cooler temperatures, they prefer the warmth of your home. Leaky pipes, crumbs on the floor, and pet food left out overnight are all powerful attractants.
• Signs of an infestation: Spotting a single cockroach, especially during the day, can be a sign of a much larger population hiding in the dark. Other signs include small, dark droppings that look like coffee grounds, a musty or oily odor, and shed skins or egg casings (oothecae) in dark, secluded areas.

3. Ants

Ants are a year-round problem in Florida, but winter can drive certain species indoors in massive numbers. While some ant types become less active, others, like Ghost Ants or Argentine Ants, will eagerly march into your home to escape the cold and forage for food and water.

• Why they come inside: A drop in temperature combined with drier conditions outside sends ants looking for better resources. A few crumbs from a holiday cookie or a sticky spot on the counter is all it takes to create a "scent trail" that leads an entire colony into your kitchen or bathroom.
• Signs of an infestation: The most obvious sign is seeing the ants themselves. You might notice long trails of them marching along walls, countertops, or windowsills. Finding small piles of sand-like debris (frass) near baseboards or in corners can also indicate a hidden nest.

4. Termites

You might think of termites as a spring or summer issue, but in Florida, they can pose a threat year-round. Subterranean termites remain active in the soil, which stays warm enough for them to continue foraging. Drywood termites, which live inside the wood they infest, are well-protected from any temperature drops and will continue their destructive work unabated.

• Why they come inside: Termites aren't seeking warmth in the same way as other pests. Subterranean termites may be driven to explore new areas if the soil becomes too dry, and your home's foundation can provide the moisture and food (wood) they need. Drywood termites could have already been established from a summer swarm and will continue to eat away at your home's structure through the winter.
• Signs of an infestation: Look for mud tubes on your foundation, which subterranean termites use to travel. Discarded wings on windowsills are a sign of a recent swarm. For drywood termites, you might find tiny, hexagonal pellets (frass) pushed out of small holes in wood.