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You’d think with daily rains that arrive like clockwork, we wouldn’t have quite so much moisture left in the air. Such is the blessing and curse of the Gulf Coast of Florida. We always have humidity to spare. Some people love it, some hate it – most of us just live with it. The bugs we’re talking about today? Well, they revel in it.
Marching Orders
We’ll start today with a bug that really isn’t one. Centipedes are actually myriapods, distant cousins to insects. The name centipede – which literally translates as 100 feet – is also misleading. While there are more than 3000 known species of centipedes (and maybe 5000 more we haven’t found yet), not one of them has 100 feet. They range from ones with 30 feet to ones with more than 350 feet! We feel bad for the poor guy who had to count all of them, right?
There’s only one that is native to the Sunshine State – the Florida Blue Centipede (Scolopendra viridis). The University of Florida found 39 distinct toxins in their venom glands. Luckily, none of them are fatal to humans since centipedes use the toxins to hunt their usual prey: spiders, earthworms, crickets and cockroaches. It will hurt if a centipede bites you, though, so we don’t advise picking them up.
You’re likely to spot two other imported centipedes as well. House centipedes are dark with yellowish legs about an inch long and are the most common ones seen in houses across Florida. The bark centipede really prefers to be outdoors. They’re reddish-brown in color and you may spot them around mulch or fallen tree limbs. They are sometimes carried indoors with firewood. Centipedes require a high-humidity environment to survive. Too dry and they dehydrate and die.
The Real Bookworms of Sarasota County
What is it about these humidity loving bugs that also makes them nocturnal? Is there a connection? Silverfish are silvery, soft, flat, oval-shaped, wingless insects with antennae. They grow in damp, dark, and cool places, needing humidity to survive, even more than food. They avoid direct sunlight and feed on, well, just about anything - but they love paper.
If you have a lot of books, magazines, newspapers or paperwork, you probably have silverfish. They have weak mouths, so they don’t chew as much as scrape their mouths over paper, paste, glue, and book bindings. They also eat dry food such as cereals, flour, pasta and pet food. Once a female comes of age (anywhere from 3-24 months), they lay up to 20 eggs a day, every day. They can survive for up to a year without food. Once you have an infestation, you’ll need a professional to handle it.
Silverfish are not harmful to humans, but they can contaminate your food.
Never Stop Stopping
Our final humidity loving insect for today is one we talk about a lot because it’s a serious problem across the country, but especially in Florida. No, we’re not talking about mosquitoes. Termites are the most destructive pest that can invade your home. They do billions of dollars in damage every year, and often they’re not noticed until it is far too late.
Humidity is essential to subterranean termite survival and also provides an access point to your home. You see, termites don’t come through your front door. They are far more likely to enter your house through cracks in your foundation, tiny gaps in your utility, cable, phone or HVAC connections, through your eaves and roof vents, and where moist ground is touching your home.
Subterranean termites form a network beneath the surface of the soil consisting of interconnected feeding sites. A single colony of subterranean termites may contain 100,000 - 1,000,000 termites and forage up to 300 feet in search of food. Colonies of termites spread through swarming from November and December through February and March. During swarming season, winged alates leave the nest to burrow holes into decomposing or rotting wood. Once they’ve gotten started, they’ll work their way back into the nearest wooden structure.
Your termite problem won’t go away on its own. You need a professional. Our Term Assure 365+ combines our popular Green Perimeter Plus pest control with a full home inspection and installation of always active termite bait stations. It’s the most comprehensive termite protection you can buy. And it includes a $1 million subterranean termite repair warranty, something your homeowner’s insurance can’t provide. For complete details, or to schedule your first inspection appointment, please give us a call!