Pest Identification Library
Southwest Florida Pest Library
Southwest Florida is home to more pest species than almost anywhere else in the country. Hot, humid, and subtropical year-round: identify what you are seeing and learn exactly how we treat it.
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Elevated activity in Fort Myers & Cape Coral
Showing 13 pests found in Southwest Florida
Ghost Ants
Ghost ants are the most common ant species inside Fort Myers and Cape Coral homes. They get their name from their pale, nearly translucent legs and abdomen. A colony can have multiple queens and thousands of workers, making them far harder to eliminate than they look.
Fire Ants
Red Imported Fire Ant
Red imported fire ants are an aggressive invasive species that arrived in the U.S. in the 1930s and have dominated Southwest Florida lawns ever since. Their mounds appear overnight after rain, and a single disturbed colony can sting dozens of times in seconds.
Crazy Ants
Tawny Crazy Ant / Rasberry Crazy Ant
Crazy ants (tawny crazy ants) are one of the most disruptive invasive ant species in Florida. They move erratically, which is how they got their name, and they colonize in such enormous numbers that they carpet surfaces and smother other insect species entirely.
Argentinian Ants
Argentine Ant
Argentine ants are a globally dominant invasive species that form massive supercolonies with multiple queens. In Southwest Florida, they are most commonly found along irrigation lines, in moist soil, and inside homes near plumbing.
Black Ants
Carpenter Ant / Big-Headed Ant
When Fort Myers homeowners see large black ants indoors, they are usually dealing with carpenter ants. Smaller black ants are typically big-headed ants or pavement ants. Both require different treatment strategies.
Asian Roaches
Asian Cockroach
Asian cockroaches look nearly identical to German roaches but behave very differently. They live outdoors in mulch, leaf litter, and turf grass. Unlike most roaches, they are strong fliers and are attracted to light, which brings them inside at night.
American Roaches
Palmetto Bug
American cockroaches, called palmetto bugs by most Southwest Florida residents, are the largest cockroach species commonly found inside homes. They live in drains, sewers, and tree canopies and enter homes through gaps around plumbing, dryer vents, and door thresholds.
Mosquitoes
Southwest Florida has one of the most active mosquito environments in the United States. With 8+ months of warm, humid weather and standing water everywhere, mosquito pressure starts in early spring and does not let up until November.
Roof Rats
Black Rat / Ship Rat
Roof rats are the dominant rodent species in Lee County. They are excellent climbers and prefer the upper areas of structures: attics, soffits, and roof lines. They can squeeze through an opening as small as half an inch.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs have become an increasing problem in Southwest Florida, especially in vacation rental properties, hotels, and multi-family housing. They are exceptional hitchhikers, spreading via luggage, used furniture, and clothing.
Fleas
Florida's warm climate means flea season never really ends. Cat fleas (the most common species here) breed year-round outdoors and can turn a minor problem into a full household infestation within two weeks of a pet bringing them inside.
Cigarette Beetles
Cigarette beetles are small brown beetles that infest a surprising range of stored products: dried herbs, spices, flour, pet food, dried flowers, and even books. They are one of the most common pantry pest complaints in Southwest Florida kitchens.
Rice Weevils
Rice weevils are the most destructive stored-grain pest in home pantries. The female bores into individual grains of rice, wheat, or corn to lay eggs. By the time you see adults crawling around, the larvae have been developing inside your grains for weeks.
Cost of Waiting
What Happens If You Wait?
Every pest infestation follows a predictable path. See how fast things escalate, and how much more it costs to treat a problem you let grow.
A trail in the kitchen
You notice a thin line of tiny pale ants along your countertop. Easy to wipe away. You spray the trail and they disappear.
They are in the cabinets
Ants are now inside food packaging, bathroom cabinets, and around the base of appliances. Spraying only makes them move.
Every room has them
Trails run from the kitchen to bathrooms to bedrooms. They are inside the walls, under appliances, and in potted plants.
The house belongs to them
Tens of thousands of workers throughout the structure. Food cannot be left out. Guests notice. Guests mention it.
A trail in the kitchen
You notice a thin line of tiny pale ants along your countertop. Easy to wipe away. You spray the trail and they disappear.
One satellite colony active. Queens are deeper, unaffected.
They are in the cabinets
Ants are now inside food packaging, bathroom cabinets, and around the base of appliances. Spraying only makes them move.
3-5 satellite colonies established throughout the home.
Every room has them
Trails run from the kitchen to bathrooms to bedrooms. They are inside the walls, under appliances, and in potted plants.
Multiple queens have spawned new colonies. The whole structure is compromised.
The house belongs to them
Tens of thousands of workers throughout the structure. Food cannot be left out. Guests notice. Guests mention it.
Full structural infestation. Treatment is longer and costs significantly more.
Don't reach stage 4
The earlier you call, the simpler the fix.
Most infestations caught early take one visit. Waited too long? We can still handle it — but let's not go there.
Found the pest? We can treat it today.
Same-day and next-day appointments available across Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, and all of Lee and Collier counties.
(239) 317-5326