If you’ve lived in Florida long enough, you’ve probably experienced some sort of pest damage already. Whether it’s a rat chewing through your appliances or termites destroying an outdoor kitchen, Florida homeowners have figured out the hard way that pest control services are practically required to live stress-free in this state. But what’s not commonly known is why a lot of companies go with a quarterly service plan or something more frequent. It all comes down to your personal situation with your property.
Age of the House or Building
Any property of any age can be susceptible to pest invasions due to cracks, gaps, or general weakening in foundations. These provide easy entry points for various pests like rodents and insects.
Older properties are more likely to see issues caused by normal wear and tear. These include plumbing or roofing issues that lead to moisture gathering, which can attract termites and cockroaches. In any case, it’s crucial to get your property inspected by a professional so they can determine the most effective treatment plan.
Type of Property
The type of property and who is occupying it can also determine the frequency of services needed:
- Commercial Properties: tend to have more aggressive pest control solutions because they are subject to stricter regulations, including health codes.
- Multi-Family Housing: comes with a greater risk for cockroaches, rats, and bed bugs due to the number of people when compared to other residential properties.
- Single-Family Units & Duplexes: can depend upon the size of the family and the number of children. It’s important to note that, if you’re renting, the landlord is not responsible for pest control under Florida law unless otherwise stated in the contract.
- Apartments: typically have their pest control taken care of by landlords unless otherwise stated in the lease agreement.
Surrounding Environmental Conditions
There are plenty of weather and environmental conditions that make Florida the ideal location for pests.
Tropical Climate
You’re probably feeling it during the summer and fall season—Florida is known for its heat and humidity. And the only relief is a mild winter with temperatures rarely dipping below freezing. These conditions allow pests to reproduce more rapidly, turning our state into the ideal breeding ground.
Abundance of Water
With all our lakes, rivers, swamps, and the ocean, Florida is ranked #3 in area of water per square mile. Combine that with Florida also being the 5th wettest state in terms of rainfall, and you have an ecosystem that pests like mosquitoes love. There are also many areas of Florida that don’t drain all the rainwater away immediately or where the humidity prevents water from evaporating quickly, so standing water is common in lowland areas.
Professional Pest Control Services
At the end of the day, a pest control professional can give you a recommendation on how often your property will require services. This typically starts with a survey, and then the technician can provide an estimate. If you’d like to schedule a professional to come out, you can start with a free pest control quote and someone from Royal Pest Services will provide consultation on what makes sense for you.
