Springtime Invaders

Some might argue that springtime is the most wonderful time of the year! Flowers are blooming, the temperatures are increasing, and, of course, the “occasional invaders” Return. Residents of West Florida know these unwelcome guests all too well. These creepy, crawly creatures emerge from their winter hideouts to seek shelter inside our homes during the warming spring and summer months. Pests like earwigs, millipedes, centipedes, and silverfish are common all across West Florida, and while not necessarily harmful, they are certainly a nuisance to deal with.

Earwigs

The origin of the name “earwig” is certainly unsettling (the myth states that earwigs make their way inside human ears and lay eggs inside their brains). Perhaps even more unsettling is its appearance, as they possess a long torso with a pair of pincers at the end. Despite its threatening look, earwigs don’t pose a threat to humans. They usually spend their time in places like piles of leaves, mulch, or outdoor wood. During Florida dry spells, however, you’re likely to find them making their way inside your home in search of places that harbor moisture, such as bathrooms, basements and kitchens. An infestation of these little guys can cause a very unpleasant odor in the affected area, so make sure to call in an expert to take care of it for you.

Millipedes & Centipedes

Floridians are no strangers to millipedes and centipedes. These alien-looking pests tend to live outside in damp areas, such as under mulch, compost, flowerpots, and other moist areas. Similar to earwigs, they seek out sources of water during drought seasons, or they may mistakenly find their way into your home when heavy rains force them to search for shelter.

There are a few primary differences between millipedes and centipedes. The first you might notice is their body structure. Millipedes have two sets of legs per body segment and are smaller than centipedes. They tend to be dark brown or black in color, with some species that have orange or red markings. They also don’t bite, and, despite their numerous appendages, they move very slow in comparison to their speedy cousins. Lastly, millipedes tend to travel or migrate in large numbers – which means if you’ve seen one, it’s likely there are more hiding out somewhere.

Centipedes also tend to hang out around moist, outdoor habitats, similar to their smaller relatives. Rotting logs, leaves, tree bark, and underneath stones are all ideal hiding places for these multi-legged creatures. Typically, if they find their way inside your home, chances are they’re just looking for shelter. One thing that can make centipedes quite alarming is their speed – thanks to their dozens of long legs, they move incredibly fast and can be difficult to catch. While millipedes tend to feed on decaying organic matter, centipedes are carnivores, and will inject their prey using their venomous modified legs in their first body segment. They will also bite humans if provoked, although it usually isn’t life-threatening.

Silverfish

One of the top Florida pests, silverfish, seek out damp, cluttered areas. This means you’ll often find them in places like bathrooms and basements. They maintain quite a creepy reputation, and can damage clothing, books, carpet and other common household things. Although they don’t bite and are not vectors of disease, they are still a nuisance that can cause some nasty damage to your home. In the humid Florida weather, these creepy pests can find their way into just about anything, so a dehumidifier is a great tool to keep on hand to deter these insects. If there’s not as much moisture or humidity in your home, chances are they’ll be less likely to congregate indoors.

All of these springtime pests have one thing in common: seeking out the ideal environment when their outdoor home is no longer suitable. Although they don’t usually tend to make their nests inside, sometimes they can cause an infestation that requires a professional. For a successful, thorough treatment that rids your home of these and other nuisances, call the experts at Bug Out Service. We serve customers all throughout Northwest Florida.You deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing your home is protected from occasional invaders, so contact us today to find out how we can help!

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Always on time and very professional. Never rushed. They take time to explain what they use and go over any concerns you have. I'd recommend to anyone who wants an all-around pest service for roaches, fire ants, termites, you name it.

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Bug Out Service of West Florida are great guys to work with. They all have good attitudes when they show up. They are neat and professional. They're in and out in a timely manner. It's a pleasure to do business with them.

Ben M.

Have used this service for 10 years. Have been a homeowner for 40 years and have never had a better pest control service. They are honest and stand by their work.

Mike C.

Pensacola, FL

We have been with Bug Out Service for over twelve years and two homes. Dwight and the Bug Out team were instrumental in the purchase and upkeep of our current home. We don't recommend many businesses to our friends and colleagues but Bug Out is one of the few that we have recommended. In fact, they are the business we have recommended the most.

John W.

Pensacola, FL

I have been a fan of Bug Out Service since I moved here in 2007. They have been prompt, professional and helpful. The one and only time I had a problem, due to unusual weather conditions, they were able to resolve the situation immediately. Everyone is always pleasant and easy to work with. Why go to anyone else?

David K.

Pensacola, FL

Our company has been using Bug Out Service for many, many years. They have always given us excellent service. The employees are very polite and are genuinely concerned about us being happy with them.

Deniece D.

Pensacola, FL

My forty plus years in the pest control industry has given me the opportunity to meet many great people including Lee Tate and his family. For 25 years, I have observed firsthand the dedication demonstrated by Bug Out Service of West Florida to their employees and customers. I am convinced Bug Out Service is your best choice for all your pest control needs.

Paul Felker: Industry Leader

(Environmental Pest Services: Board of Directors)

I’m proud to know Lee Tate and have him as a colleague in the pest control industry. Lee is an extremely hard working, conscientious, and organized business owner that cares about his staff and his clients. Lee is also a Godly man who loves his wife Crystal and daughter Aubrey. The world needs more Lee Tate’s! If I lived in Lee’s area his company, Bug Out Service, would be my pest control company of choice!

Stuart Aust: Industry Leader

(The Aust Group: A Mergers and Acquisitions Company)

Residential Pest Control

At Bug Out Service, we start protecting your home by conducting a thorough inspection with a focus on areas that attract pests or allow them access to your house. We’ll offer you advice about how you can control pests through preventative steps, and our technicians will perform an initial treatment to rid your home of any existing pests. We will suggest an ongoing, integrated pest management program for your home.

Commercial Pest Control

From office buildings and schools, to restaurants and homeowners associations, we take care of all of your pest control needs. We offer commercial property inspection, environmentally-friendly and effective pest control treatment, and ongoing pest management to ensure control.

Termite Protection

If you've never experienced a termite infestation, it can be hard to understand how much devastation these small pests can cause. Formosan termites in the greater Pensacola area can attack any kind of non-treated wood, or even structures that were treated at one time, but haven't been treated in some time. Bug Out will customize an effective termite protection plan to suit the needs of your home or business. This starts with a complete inspection and evaluation.

Mosquito Control

We offer a monthly service to help you take back your yard. It's this easy: you pick the number of months you want service, and we will help you enjoy your yard again.

Integrated Pest Management

If you prefer a more eco-friendly solution to pest management, we can help! After a thorough inspection of your property, we will identify the pests present and will help you decide whether or not the pest population in and around your home is tolerable. Often what many consider to be "pests" are actually non-harmful insects that control other unwanted bugs and can be beneficial to the ecosystem around your house.