How Can I Get Pests Out of My Yard in Jacksonville?

Jacksonville has its share of unwanted pests throughout the region, and they can multiply quickly if you don’t manage them in a timely manner. So, how do you get rid of these uninvited guests from your yard? 

Here, we’ll show you:

• What parts of Jacksonville are the worst for pests
• How to identify each type
• Top secret hacks used by professionals to eliminate yard pests quickly
• Actions you can take right away before spending one dime on pest control

Mosquitoes

The St. Johns River is one of the slowest-moving in the U.S. And if you live in the Arlington Hills area, you know just how bad the mosquitoes can get. 

Conversely, throughout Jacksonville, the mosquitoes are torturous. No matter how much the county sprays, it seems like this biting pest will never go away. 

Florida mosquito species are the most likely to transmit Zika, West Nile, and equine viruses. However, cases are still relatively rare throughout the U.S. 

Here are some ways to reduce mosquitoes around your home:

1. Get rid of yard trash or anything that can fill with water
2. Drain pools that aren’t being used
3. Cut tall weeds to reduce mosquito breeding areas
4. Clean gutters and drains to avoid stagnant water traps
5. Use natural microbial insecticides for ponds and birdbaths
6. Spray vegetation with an insecticide labeled for adult mosquitoes
7. Light citronella candles to keep biting pests away from outdoor gatherings
8. Utilize UV light traps and bug zappers to draw flying pests away from indoor areas

Fire Ants

The red imported fire ant is a non-native species to Florida. It originates from South America and the Caribbean, and it was first discovered in the U.S. around the turn of the twentieth century. 

Since then, both their population and reach have exploded. As a result, you can find this vicious, biting pest throughout Florida and the Southern regions of the U.S. 

Although fire ants are not disease carriers, they leave a painful welt on your skin when they bite you. So, it’s vital to keep small children away from their large mounds. 

Here’s how professional exterminators get rid of fire ants:

• Use a granular bait labeled for fire ants
• Bait away from the mound to avoid disrupting the colony
• Use spray insecticides only for emergency knockdown of ant mounds
• For drenching, use a concentrate containing Bifenthrin

No-See-Ums

Biting midges (also called no-see-ums) are tiny insects about one to three millimeters in length. They feed primarily on other insects. However, since they’re attracted to carbon dioxide, they’ll also bite humans. 

The Northeastern part of Jacksonville seems to be the worst area of town for no-see-ums. However, they are prevalent throughout the entire Eastern coastal region. And they thrive especially around the salt marshes throughout intercoastal waterways. 

Unfortunately, there are few acceptable ways to fight this annoying pest. Local authorities are hesitant to authorize insecticide spraying since environmental impact studies are incomplete. 

So, homeowners and residents are left to fend for themselves. In light of that, here are a few tricks you can try to keep no-see-ums away:

• Try changing the screens around your home from a 16-mesh to a 36-mesh. The higher the number, the smaller the opening for flies and midges to squeeze through.
• Turn on fans in the home to help circulate airflow
• Use mosquito netting to help slow down biting pests
• Citronella candles sometimes work well for mosquitoes. However, eucalyptus and lavender may work better for no-see-ums. 
• Window glue traps may help to reduce the population of flying insects within your home.

American Cockroaches (Palmetto Bugs)

It’s amazing how cockroaches are considered yard pests in Florida. But it’s understandable given their size and sheer numbers. And even though most Floridians are used to these large bugs wandering around their yards, guests from other areas of the country may not be so tolerant. 

Here are the steps the pros use to get rid of palmetto bugs:

• Use granular baits in your yard, landscaping, and boiler rooms
• Spray a residual insecticide around the perimeter of your home, pool equipment, and sheds
• Be sure to fix leaky faucets and other plumbing concerns
• Limiting standing water areas will not only discourage cockroaches but flying pests as well

Wasps

There are several wasp species in the Jacksonville region. The good news is that most are not aggressive. However, they can be a little unnerving to have around. 

Use these steps to get rid of wasps outdoors:

1. Wait until dusk when wasps are subdued
2. Always use protective clothing
3. Stand back about eight to ten feet
4. Spray the entire contents of a specialized wasp killer directly at the nest

Wasps nesting inside a structure can be extremely dangerous to eradicate. In these cases, it’s best to leave it to a professional pest control provider.