Roaches? Want them gone now?

Why pests thrive in Tampa

NOAA's official 1991–2020 climate normals for Tampa International Airport show about 49.48 inches of precipitation a year and an average annual temperature of 74.5°F. Winters are mild: the average winter (December–February) low is about 54.7°F, and the average summer high is about 90.9°F. The Florida Climate Center notes most of that rain falls June through September, from 1.40 inches in November up to 9.03 inches in August.

Warm, wet weather is exactly what many household pests need. UF/IFAS calls water the most important factor in cockroach survival. Subterranean termites need moisture from soil or wet wood. Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Rats and mice move toward food and shelter when storms flood their outdoor spots.

Because the cold months are short and mild, many pests in Tampa slow down in winter instead of dying off the way they do farther north. That makes pest control here a year-round job, not just a summer one.

Sources: NOAA NCEI: U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 · UF/IFAS: Cockroaches and Their Management

Sources: Florida Climate Center: Tampa 1991–2020 normals

Roach types you'll see in Tampa

Not every roach means the same thing. Telling them apart helps you know whether you are dealing with a stray from outside or a problem breeding in your kitchen.

Florida woods cockroach (palmetto bug)

The largest roach UF/IFAS lists for Florida homes: 30–40 mm long, reddish-brown to nearly black, with only short wing pads, so it cannot fly. It lives in mulch, woodpiles and under palmetto fronds, and sprays a foul, irritating fluid when handled. UF/IFAS says it rarely colonizes indoors; one inside is usually a stray.

Asian cockroach

It looks almost exactly like a German cockroach but flies well and lives outdoors in shaded lawns and leaf litter. UF/IFAS says it was first identified in the U.S. in Lakeland in 1986, and early research found it across more than 900 km² from Tampa to Lakeland. It flies to lit porches and windows at sundown, so homeowners often meet it after mulching beds in spring.

German cockroach

A small roach. UF/IFAS says adults of the smaller species are seldom more than ⅝ inch long. German cockroaches live indoors, close to food and water, usually in kitchens and bathrooms. Small, light-brown roaches in a kitchen, especially during the day, are the ones most likely to be breeding inside your home, apartment or restaurant.

What this means for you

UF/IFAS notes that outdoor roaches do not survive well indoors, and often just removing the ones that get in is enough. Small roaches multiplying in your kitchen are a different problem. They usually need baits, crack-and-crevice treatment and follow-up visits. See our roach guide for photos, and our roach treatment guide for how pros choose and use products like bifenthrin.

Sources: UF/IFAS: Florida woods cockroach · UF/IFAS: Cockroaches and Their Management · UF/IFAS: Asian cockroach · Brenner et al., Annals of the ESA (1988): Asian cockroach in central Florida

📞 Call nowWant them gone now? Talk to a local pro today.

Free local help: the UF/IFAS Extension, Hillsborough County

Extension offices are a free, research-based source for identifying insects and learning how to manage them. The UF/IFAS Extension, Hillsborough County is at 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584.

If you are not sure what bug you have, a clear photo or a sample in a sealed bag can help Extension staff or a licensed pro identify it. Identification comes first, because German roaches, palmetto bugs, Formosan termites and native termites are each handled differently.

Sources: UF/IFAS Extension: Hillsborough County

DIY or call a pro?

Where DIY can work

• A single large roach that got in from outside: remove it and seal the gap where it came in.
• Fixing leaks, emptying the drip pan under the fridge, and storing food in sealed containers. UF/IFAS lists these as key steps.
• Emptying containers that hold water every week to cut down on mosquitoes.
• Clearing clutter and sealing openings so rodents have fewer places to hide and get in.

When to call a licensed pro

• Small roaches in the kitchen or bathroom, or roaches you see in daylight.
• Any sign of bed bugs. The EPA says bed bugs are hard to eliminate, and many infestations need a professional.
• Termite swarmers or shed wings indoors, mud tubes on walls, slabs or piers, or soft and damaged wood.
• Rodent droppings, gnaw marks or noises in walls or the attic.
• Rentals, short-term rentals and restaurants, where one problem can affect tenants, guests or inspections.

The EPA recommends integrated pest management (IPM): inspect, identify the pest, prevent it, and use pesticides carefully as one part of a larger plan. Always follow the label. The label is the law for pesticide use.

Sources: UF/IFAS: Cockroaches and Their Management · EPA: Do-it-yourself bed bug control · EPA: Introduction to IPM

Tampa prevention checklist

• Fix dripping faucets and leaking pipes under sinks.
• Empty and clean the refrigerator drip pan, and check AC condensate lines.
• Don't leave water standing in sinks overnight.
• Store food, pet food and birdseed in sealed containers.
• Take out kitchen trash every night. Keep outdoor bins closed and away from doors.
• Seal gaps around pipes, cables, doors and windows.
• Keep mulch and wet leaves a few inches back from the foundation.
• Stack firewood off the ground and away from the house.
• Trim tree branches and vines back from the roof so roaches and rats cannot climb in.
• Once a week, empty, scrub, turn over or throw out anything that holds water, like buckets, tires, plant saucers and toys.
• During Formosan swarm season, turn off unneeded outdoor lights in the evening and close the blinds.
• Check secondhand furniture and luggage for bed bugs before bringing them inside.

Sources: UF/IFAS: Cockroaches and Their Management · CDC: Mosquitoes · North American Termite Survey: swarm seasons · EPA: Bed bugs · CDC: Rodents

Airbnb & short-term rental hosts

Guests bring luggage, and the EPA notes that bed bugs travel in luggage, clothing and furniture. A short check during each turnover can catch problems early.

Turnover checklist

• Check mattress seams, box springs and headboards for live bugs, shed skins, or small rusty or dark spots.
• Wash and dry linens on high heat.
• Look under the sink and behind the fridge for roach droppings or egg cases.
• Leave no food out between guests.
• Empty trash and recycling before you leave.
• Check outdoor containers for standing water after it rains.

If a guest reports bugs

Ask for a photo, keep the unit empty if you can, and call a licensed pro to identify the pest before the next booking. Do not use foggers. The EPA cautions against relying on them for bed bugs.

Sources: EPA: Bed bugs · EPA: Do-it-yourself bed bug control

Termites: Tampa's biggest risk to buildings

Florida has both native subterranean termites and the invasive Formosan subterranean termite. The North American Termite Survey lists Florida's Formosan swarm season as late March to July, the longest of any state in its table. Formosan swarmers fly at night and are drawn to lights; native subterranean swarmers fly in daylight.

Signs to look for

• Swarms at night around lights (Formosan), or daytime swarms in late winter and spring (native termites).
• Dead swarmers or shed wings on windowsills, in spider webs or inside porch light covers.
• Mud tubes on foundations, slabs, piers or walls.
• Wood that sounds hollow or crumbles.

See our termite guide for more.

Sources: North American Termite Survey: swarm seasons

Tampa pest control FAQs

Are palmetto bugs the same as cockroaches?

Yes. UF/IFAS says the larger cockroaches, including the American and smokybrown, are often called palmetto bugs. They usually live outdoors and come inside when they wander in or are carried in.

Is one big roach a sign of an infestation?

Not always. UF/IFAS notes that outdoor cockroaches do not survive well indoors and that people often overreact to them. Small roaches in the kitchen or bathroom, seen in daylight or in numbers, are more likely to be German cockroaches breeding inside. That is the time to call a pro.

Why do roaches fly to my porch light at night?

That is often the Asian cockroach. UF/IFAS says it lives outdoors in mulch and leaf litter and flies to light-colored, brightly lit surfaces at sundown. Yellow bug lights or sodium-vapor lights attract fewer of them.

When do termites swarm in Tampa?

In Florida, the North American Termite Survey lists Formosan swarm season as late March to July. They swarm at night and are drawn to lights. Native subterranean termites usually swarm in daylight earlier in the spring.

Can I get rid of bed bugs myself?

The EPA says do-it-yourself control is possible in some cases, but bed bugs are hard to eliminate and the EPA recommends a pest management professional for many infestations. Do not use outdoor-only pesticides indoors.

How much does pest control cost in Tampa?

Prices depend on the pest, the size of the property and the plan, so we do not publish numbers we cannot back up. UF/IFAS advises getting estimates from several reputable firms. Call and ask for a written quote.

Is pest control licensed in Florida?

Yes. Commercial pest control in Florida is regulated by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Ask any company for its license number before work starts.

Who pays for pest control in a rental?

It depends on Florida law, the lease, and what caused the problem. See our landlord section and its source (Florida Statutes §83.51), and read your lease. This guide is not legal advice.

Where can I get free help identifying a bug in Tampa?

The UF/IFAS Extension, Hillsborough County offers research-based help, and a licensed pro can identify pests during an inspection.

Sources: UF/IFAS: Cockroaches and Their Management · North American Termite Survey: swarm seasons · EPA: Do-it-yourself bed bug control · FDACS: Pest control licensing and certification · UF/IFAS Extension: Hillsborough County