10 Ways You're Accidentally Attracting Bugs to Your Florida Home
From the Pros at Westfall’s Lawn and Pest Control
Florida is a tropical dream—sunshine, palm trees, and unfortunately… bugs. Lots of them. And while most Floridians know they’re sharing the state with a billion-legged population, many don’t realize they’re personally inviting those pests into their homes.
Here are 10 surprisingly simple ways you might be attracting bugs—and how to stop rolling out the welcome mat.
1. Your Porch Light is Basically a Bug Beacon
Bright white lights at night scream “OPEN BAR” to flying insects. If your porch is swarming after sundown, it's not a coincidence.
Fix it: Swap to yellow, sodium vapor, or motion-sensor lights to tone down the bug rave.
2. Standing Water is a Mosquito Spa
Bird baths, clogged gutters, plant saucers—if it holds water for more than a couple days, it’s a mosquito maternity ward.
Solution: Dump and drain anything that collects water. No reservations needed.
3. You’re Overwatering the Lawn (Like, A Lot)
Florida lawns love water, but overwatering creates soggy soil—perfect for chinch bugs, ants, and fungus gnats. Bugs love a swamp.
Keep it in check: Water early, deeply, and less frequently. Your grass (and ankles) will thank you.
4. You’re Feeding Bugs Buffet-Style
Crumbs under the couch, sticky countertops, pet food left out—welcome to the roach all-you-can-eat diner.
Tip: Clean regularly, especially under appliances. Yes, even under that toaster oven you never move.
5. Your Trash Can Smells Like a Bug’s Birthday Cake
Bugs have an incredible sense of smell. A half-full trash can? That’s the ultimate five-star dining experience.
Keep a lid on it: Take trash out regularly, use sealed containers, and clean bins often.
6. You’ve Got Cracks in All the Wrong Places
Tiny holes in screens, cracks in your foundation, or that door that never quite shuts—those are pest superhighways.
Seal it up: Repair screens, caulk gaps, and install weather stripping. Think of it as closing the bug loopholes.
7. Mulch Mountains by the House
Piling mulch too close to your foundation creates moisture and hiding spots for termites and ants.
Pro move: Keep mulch at least 6–12 inches away from the house. Bugs will complain, but your home will thank you.
8. Fruit Bowls That Stay... Forever
That banana went from ripe to fruit fly HQ in 48 hours. Bugs love aging produce like it’s vintage wine.
Easy fix: Eat it, refrigerate it, or compost it quickly. No free meals for the insect crowd.
9. Clutter = Pest Paradise
Stacks of cardboard, piles of laundry, storage bins in the garage—clutter gives bugs the perfect places to hide, breed, and build their evil empires.
Declutter often. And maybe check that mystery box in the garage labeled “misc. 2012.”
10. You Keep Hoping That “Just One Bug” is No Big Deal
Spoiler alert: It’s never just one. One ant means hundreds nearby. One roach means a family reunion behind your fridge.
Don’t wait: Early treatment can prevent full-blown infestations (and full-blown panic).
The Westfall’s Wrap-Up:
If bugs keep showing up uninvited, it’s time to rethink your hospitality. Many of the things we do daily—without thinking—make our homes irresistibly appealing to pests. But with a few simple tweaks (and maybe a professional inspection), you can keep your home off the bug map.
Need backup? Westfall’s Lawn and Pest Control has been helping Florida families bug-proof their homes for over 20 years. We know what pests love—and exactly how to show them the door.