Common pests in New Port Richey, FL
Here are the most common pests in the New Port Richey area.
Rodents
Rodents such as mice and rats are common pests for homeowners in New Port Richey. Many houses and connected units have problems with rodents. If there are small openings around the exterior of your home, rodents can enter. To make matters worse, rats can even chew through drywall and widen holes with their strong teeth. Both types of rodents are especially problematic because they can chew through wiring, potentially starting electrical fires and power outages. When they move around at night, mice leave large amounts of droppings that can contaminate surfaces and food if they infest.
Ants
Across Florida and the Tampa Bay Area, a variety of ants can be found infesting residential structures. Some common ants in our region include Caribbean crazy ants, fire ants, big headed ants, ghost ants, and Florida carpenter ants. Depending upon the species, ants can be attracted to crumbs, decaying produce, open containers of food, dog food and water bowls, excess moisture, and even electricity in the case of the Caribbean crazy ant.
Paper Wasps
Paper wasps frequently build nests on the exterior of homes. They build their nests by scraping wood shavings off sheds, decks, wooden patio furniture, and playsets, and mixing the shavings with their saliva. This enables them to create nests that resemble upside down umbrellas with a honeycomb pattern. Many paper wasp nests are light gray, but they can vary in color based on the available wood in the area. Although paper wasps aren't inherently aggressive, they can sting if provoked.
Termites
Subterranean termites and drywood termites are the most damaging termite species in New Port Richey. It's a common misconception that only old homes can have termites issues. But unfortunately, new homes are also prone to termite damage and infestations. Because subterranean termites live within soil, there could be a colony on your property that you aren't even aware of. Drywood termites can also dish out significant damage when it comes to wooden features of your home.
