Have you been to FL and wondered why there were so many bugs? Trying to list all of the species would be nearly impossible since there are so many.
Some common species that most of us are aware of are the green bottle fly, the western honey bee, the monarch butterfly, the seven-spotted ladybug, and bumblebees. And, these are just a few. If you’d like to learn more about these insects and others common species, many that aren’t native to FL, you can read more at Bird Watching HQ website.
Florida is home to thousands of insect species, plus more “bugs” that are not even classified as insects. They are considered organisms. Those include mites, ticks, centipedes, and spiders.
BUT, why are there so many??
The main reason there are so many bugs in FL is due to the climate. Not only in FL, but other places around the world that are hot and humid, have a large diversity of different species of insects.
Another reason is because Florida is a large tourist area, so there are a lot of people coming and going from other States and countries. Those tourists can bring in bugs from where they live. Additionally, Florida’s economy supports companies that import animals, vegetables, fruits, and plants. According to the University of FL, scientists say that, on average, one arthropod pest becomes established in FL each month. If you’d like to help to keep non-native arthropods out of FL, go to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Hungry Pest website. You’ll find a list of what you need to watch for, and you can sign up for special Florida alerts!
It’s Not Fun When You Are Bitten
Being bitten can be very uncomfortable and can sometimes require you seek medical advice or treatment. If you are allergic to a bug, that can cause more health issues. It’s important, if you’re bitten by a bug, to watch for headaches, swelling, and/or a rash. The kinds of stinging and biting bugs that you should be aware of in FL are fire ants (pictured), mosquitos, spiders, wasps, and ticks. Biting midges, also known as no-see-ums or sandflies because they are so tiny, can make your life miserable during certain times in FL. On the bright side, they don’t pose a health threat to humans, they just like to annoy us and they do cause a painful bite.
Bugs That Can Spread Disease
Not all biting bugs can spread or transmit diseases, but it’s a good idea to be cautious and take safety measures where certain insects are involved. Biting bugs such as mosquitos and ticks can spread West Nile Virus and Lyme Disease, and they are serious illnesses.
Insects On The Beach
There are about 23 different types of bugs that hang around on the beach. Mostly they are just bothersome, but at times they can bite. Some are sand fleas, sand flies, wolf spiders, jumping spiders, and different types of beetles. For a list of all 23 species and what to expect of them, visit The Pet Enthusiast website.
Prevent Bug Bites
Most bites are more annoying than dangerous, but you should always try to protect yourself. Especially in the deep woods, places with tall grasses, or around water or swamps. Remember, that flies and mosquitos are active at dawn or dusk. Here are some ways that you can protect yourself from these irritating insects:
- Cover exposed skin with long sleeves, long pants and closed-toe shoes.
- Apply an insect repellent that contains 20% to 30% deet on your clothing or exposed skin.
- Choose light-colored fabrics to help you spot any insect that lands on you.
- Consider wearing a hat with a net to protect yourself in areas with black flies or mosquitos.
Knowing which insects are in your area can also help you protect yourself and identify bug bites that require more immediate treatment.
If you’re staying with us at Premium Beach Condos, we hope you never encounter any bug bites. Of course, there are many preventive treatments that are required by FL law inside our condos that are taken very seriously so you can enjoy your stay with us. There are bugs in addition to FL, so come and spend some time with us and “don’t worry, it will bee okay!
If you’re a recent newlyweb, come and spend your honeymoon with us! If you’re an account-ant and need some relaxation, come and join us! If you are acting like a jitterbug and need to get away, you beetle get booking! Just book with us and you can tell everyone that you snailed it!
