The NPMA Pest Forecast for Florida: What you need to know
The NPMA determines its pest index biannually based on climate and weather patterns as seasons change. Weather has a huge impact on pest activity. Because Florida’s weather, including Tampa and the surrounding areas, fluctuates a lot through the winter and spring, our pest problems can also fluctuate.
If you’ve noticed more cockroach activity in or around your home this past winter, it’s likely due to the season getting off to a dry start. Roaches were forced indoors to look for water and food.
The cold snaps have increased rodent activity throughout the winter. As temperatures dropped, mice and rats sought warm shelter in a space that also provided plentiful food and water. Winter is the time of year when most Tampa homeowners find themselves dealing with rodent infestations.
These low temperatures may have increased rodent activity, but you may have noticed a decrease in mosquito activity. Unfortunately, the NPMA is not hopeful that this trend will continue. As spring continues, the weather will continue to warm up, and rainfall will increase. These two factors always lead to an increase in mosquito populations.
Why pests in the Tampa Bay area can be problematic
The NPMA’s Public Health Pest Index is designed to address particularly dangerous pests. The ones they’ve predicted to be a problem in Florida all spread harmful diseases.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are among the dirtiest pests. They crawl through garbage and sewers, across fecal matter and decomposing carcasses, and have been found to spread over 30 different kinds of bacteria alone. This doesn’t include viruses and other pathogens that they can also spread.
Rodents
When rodents get indoors, they contaminate the areas where they spend time by leaving droppings wherever they go. Since mice and rats usually get into kitchens while looking for food, it’s easy for food prep surfaces to become contaminated, allowing disease-causing pathogens to end up in food.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are more than an annoyance; they’re a serious risk. Female mosquitoes bite humans to get the blood they need for reproduction. Unfortunately, they also bite a wide variety of animals. If they pick up a disease from an infected animal and then bite a human, that person can contract the disease. West Nile virus is the most common mosquito-borne disease, but Eastern equine encephalitis and St. Louis encephalitis can also be spread in the Tampa Bay area.
How to protect your Tampa Bay home
Avoiding the pests that are likely to try to invade your home or business this season takes some forethought. Being proactive allows you to prevent an infestation before it starts, which can also reduce health risks.
Anti-Pesto provides high-quality pest control in Tampa, Largo, Clearwater, and Greater Tampa Bay. Since 1988, we’ve been delivering the services our customers need to keep their homes pest-free.
Our Border Patrol Green™ Plan is an ongoing home pest control plan that targets roaches and other house-infesting pests and includes rodent trapping. We also offer rodent control services that include a customized plan, rodent exclusion, and an attic restoration and attic insulation installation option!
Finally, when the mosquito population becomes unbearable on your property, let Anti-Pesto help with our effective mosquito control services. We offer year-round mosquito control to keep these biting pests away.
With pest activity on the rise this spring throughout Tampa Bay, don’t get caught unprotected. Anti-Pesto Bug Killers provides the services you need to protect your loved ones and property from insects and rodents year-round. Contact us today.
