Bugs in Florida: Palmetto Bugs, No-See-Ums, Termites and What Newcomers Should Know

Bugs in Florida are one of the first things newcomers ask about, usually right after hurricanes and insurance. The warm, wet climate that draws people here also suits insects all year. Most of them are a nuisance and nothing more. A few, mainly termites, can damage a home. This guide explains which pests you will meet in Palm Beach County and Port St. Lucie, which ones matter when you buy, and how pest service and termite bonds work.

Key takeaways

• "Palmetto bug" is a local name for large cockroaches, often the American cockroach. They are a nuisance, not a threat to the structure.
• No-see-ums are biting midges about 1 mm long. They slip through regular window screens and bite in daylight in coastal areas.
• UF/IFAS says Florida has 20 established termite species. Drywood, Asian subterranean and Formosan subterranean termites cause most problems.
• A Florida WDO report (FDACS Form 13645) covers only what was visible and accessible. It is not a guarantee and not a structural report.
• Ask the seller about past treatments and any termite bond, and whether the bond can transfer to you.

Common bugs in Florida homes: nuisance or real threat?

It helps to sort pests into two groups. Nuisance pests bite, buzz or scare you, but they do not harm the house. Structural pests eat or damage wood. When you buy a home, the second group is the one to check closely.

• Nuisance pests: palmetto bugs and other cockroaches, ants, mosquitoes, no-see-ums, lizards and spiders.
• Structural pests: termites, wood-boring beetles and wood-decaying fungi.
• In between: rodents such as roof rats, which can chew wiring and nest in attics.

Most South Florida owners handle the first group with regular pest service and good habits. The second group calls for inspections and, often, a termite contract.

Palmetto bugs and other big Florida bugs

Newcomers ask about the palmetto bug more than any other pest. The name is used loosely. According to UF/IFAS, it can refer to the Florida woods cockroach, and it is also used for large cockroaches such as the American cockroach.

A UF entomology fact sheet puts adult American cockroaches at about 1 3/8 to 2 1/8 inches long. It describes them as poor to average fliers, which is still enough to surprise you on a patio at night. They favor sewers, food prep areas and damp spaces.

Seeing one now and then does not mean a home is dirty. Many come in from outside, especially after heavy rain. Still, regular sightings indoors point to an entry gap or a moisture problem. Seal gaps around doors, pipes and AC lines, and keep mulch and leaf piles away from the walls.

No-see-ums and mosquitoes near the coast

If you buy near the water, you will meet no-see-ums. These are biting midges, and UF/IFAS notes that many species are less than one twenty-fourth of an inch long. About 50 species occur in Florida.

According to UF/IFAS Extension, coastal species breed in salt marshes, swamps and mangroves. Most are active at dawn, dusk and night, but in coastal areas many will bite in broad daylight. Regular window screens do not stop them, so look for "no-see-um" screen on a pool cage or lanai if you plan to sit outside.

Mosquitoes are the other outdoor pest. In Palm Beach County, the county's Mosquito Control Division uses larvicides, biological control and spraying, and it takes reports online or by phone at (561) 967-6480. Port St. Lucie and other St. Lucie County owners should check with their county's mosquito control program. At home, dump standing water from pots, toys and gutters every week.

Termites: the bugs in Florida that matter most to buyers

Termites are the pest that affects a home's value. A UF/IFAS article on termite season says Florida has 20 established termite species. Three invasive types cause most of the trouble.

Drywood termites

Drywood termites live inside a single piece of wood and do not need soil contact. They often leave small piles of droppings, called frass, near infested wood. Tent fumigation is a common treatment when a home has several infestations.

Subterranean termites

Asian and Formosan subterranean termites live in the soil and need moisture. They build mud tubes up foundations and walls to reach wood. UF/IFAS notes that tenting does not work well on them, because the colony in the soil survives. Instead, they are treated with soil treatments or bait systems.

Swarm season

In South Florida, swarms can start in late February. UF/IFAS says termite activity is most visible from March to June, when winged termites fly toward lights at dusk. A few winged termites inside do not always mean the home is infested, since they can fly in from outside. Finding wings in several rooms is a reason to call a licensed pro.

The WDO inspection when you buy

Most Florida buyers order a wood-destroying organism (WDO) inspection along with the home inspection. Florida uses FDACS Form 13645 for these reports. It covers termites, powder post beetles, old house borers and wood-decaying fungi.

Read the form's limits closely. It states that the report is based on what was visible and readily accessible at the time. It is not a guarantee that no WDOs are present. The form also says it is not a structural damage report, and that hidden damage may exist. Areas behind walls, under flooring, or blocked by furniture or stored items are not covered.

So if the report notes past damage or evidence, ask a contractor to look at the wood itself. Our guide to home inspection costs in Florida explains how the general inspection and the WDO report fit together.

How termite bonds and pest service work

A termite bond is a service contract with a licensed pest control company. Terms vary a lot, so read the contract itself.

• Retreat-only contracts pay for the company to come back and treat again if covered termites return. They do not pay for damage.
• Repair contracts may also pay to repair new damage, often up to a set limit.
• Species matter. Some contracts cover only subterranean termites, and others include drywood. Check which ones your bond names.
• Transfer. Many bonds can transfer to a new owner, sometimes for a fee. Ask before closing.

General pest service is separate. Many owners pay for quarterly visits that treat the outside of the home for roaches, ants and spiders. Prices for both bonds and pest service depend on the home's size, construction and the company. Get two or three quotes from licensed companies rather than relying on online averages.

Questions to ask about bugs in Florida before you buy

Pests are a normal part of owning a home here. The goal is to know what you are buying. Ask the seller and your agent these questions:

1. Has the home ever been treated for termites? When, by whom and for which type?
2. Is there an active termite bond, and can it transfer to me?
3. Was any termite damage repaired, and do you have the paperwork?
4. Does the home have regular pest service now?
5. Have there been rodents in the attic or garage?

Sellers who know about a problem should be ready to talk about it. If you are on the selling side, our guide on selling a house with termite damage covers inspections, tenting and disclosure.

Living with Florida bugs in different areas

Pest pressure varies with the setting. Homes near the beach and the Intracoastal deal with more no-see-ums. Near preserves, canals and golf course ponds, mosquitoes are often the bigger issue. Newer communities built on cleared land may have fire ant mounds in lawns and common areas.

In older neighborhoods, wood framing and mature trees can mean more termite and roof rat risk. Many newer homes have concrete block walls, but many still have wood roof trusses, cabinets and trim. So a WDO inspection makes sense on any home, old or new.

Keeping bugs out of a Florida home while you are away

Seasonal owners face one more issue. A home that sits closed all summer can draw roaches, ants and rodents, since no one is there to notice early signs. Before you leave for the season, clean the kitchen well, empty the trash and seal food in hard containers. Then keep pest service going while you are away, and ask a neighbor or a house watch service to check in now and then.

A few habits help in any home. Fix leaky outdoor faucets and AC drain lines, because pests look for water. Trim shrubs and tree limbs so they do not touch the roof or walls. Also keep firewood, boxes and lumber off the ground and away from the house. These steps cost little and cut down on most indoor visits.

When you tour homes in Jupiter, Port St. Lucie or Wellington, look for clues. Check the eaves for mud tubes, the garage for droppings and the window sills for wings. Your agent and inspector can help you read what you see.

Frequently asked questions

Are bugs in Florida worse than in other states?

The warm climate means many insects stay active all year, so you will notice them more than in colder states. Most are nuisances that regular pest service and screens keep in check.

Do palmetto bugs mean a house is dirty?

No. Large cockroaches often come in from outside, especially after rain. Frequent indoor sightings, though, point to gaps or moisture that should be fixed.

Is a WDO inspection required to buy a home?

It is not required in every sale, but most buyers order one. Ask your lender whether your loan calls for it. The report covers only visible, accessible areas.

Can a termite bond transfer to the buyer?

Many can, sometimes for a fee. Ask the seller for the contract and confirm the terms with the pest control company before closing.

Sources

• University of Florida, American cockroach
• UF/IFAS, cockroach topics
• UF/IFAS Extension, biting midges (no-see-ums)
• UF/IFAS, termite season questions and misconceptions
• FDACS Form 13645, Wood-Destroying Organisms Inspection Report
• Palm Beach County Mosquito Control

Moving to South Florida? Request a free relocation consultation, and we will help you compare areas such as Jupiter, Port St. Lucie and Wellington, then line up the right inspections. Selling a home here first? Start with a free home valuation.