You’re making a pot of coffee, and suddenly an ant scurries across the countertop. You’re sinking into bed at night when you hear a strange rustling sound in your pantry.
While we know there are millions of different kinds of insects, rodents, and pests in this world, we don’t expect them to show up uninvited in our homes! You spend time keeping your residence clean and tidy, so it can be disheartening to discover that you’re also playing host to a family of stomach-churning bugs.
In this case, knowledge is key. When you can identify the most common household pests, it’s easier to identify and eradicate them. Today, we’re taking a look at seven well-known species you might encounter and how we can help.
Ants
Ah, the common household ant. Depending on where you live, you might see some species more than others. For instance, most homeowners in the Southern U.S. are battling black ants, imported fire ants, or carpenter ants.
In addition to being an icky nuisance to deal with, ants can also wreak havoc in your home. You might find them digging around your cabinets and drawers, getting into your food, and parading around your living spaces. When the weather turns warm, they’ll crawl all over your deck and patio, making it easier for them to find their way inside.
Thankfully, there are a few steps you can take to keep your ant armies at bay. These include:
- Wiping your surfaces and countertops
- Storing all food in tightly sealed containers
- Cleaning up all crumbs and messes immediately
- Sealing cracks and gaps to eliminate entry points in your home
Cockroaches
Few pests make your stomach lurch quite like cockroaches! These dark brown or black insects are attracted to food and moist areas around your home and can go several months between meals.
In addition to their disgusting appearance, they can even be dangerous to your health. Discarded cockroach skins and droppings can trigger allergic reactions and asthma in individuals with respiratory issues. As they love to hide in narrow entryways and dark places, they can be hard to spot, but checking at night can improve your chances.
A few ways to prevent cockroaches include:
- Taking out your garbage as soon as the bin is full
- Removing clutter to eliminate hiding spots
- Sealing up holes, gaps, and cracks around your home
Spiders
They’re creepy, crawly, and chill-inducing. We’re talking about spiders, of course! These eight-legged creatures come in all shapes and sizes, but they’re all equally terrifying.
Attracted to insects, spiders usually enter homes through small holes in the walls or foundation. Some species bite people, and their venom can be harmful. That’s why you need to address an infestation immediately.
Ways to keep them out include:
- Sealing up entry points around your home’s exterior
- Cleaning your interior regularly
- Pruning back your greenery
Termites
Studies show that one in four homeowners are worried about a termite infestation, and 13% of property owners have experienced one in the past year. There are many different species of termites, including subterranean, drywood, and dampwood.
In Florida, eastern subterranean termites are the most widespread. These invasive pests have the infamous ability to build mud tunnels that allow them to move out of the soil and into (and through) wooden structures.
A few ways to prevent termites from finding and entering your home include:
- Reducing moisture around your structure
- Repairing pipe leaks immediately
- Keeping shrubs and flowerbeds at least a foot away from your foundation
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are microscopic, parasitic bugs that need human blood to live. They usually hide in small, secret spots during the day and come out at night, once you’ve been asleep for a while. Though it can be difficult to spot a live one, they usually leave telltale signs including fecal marks, blood stains, and a musty odor.
The most common places to find bed bugs include your mattress, bedding, and bedroom furniture. They can also appear in cracks along your walls or floors, and even in your electrical outlets! They’re known hitchhikers, usually traveling from one home to the next on bookbags, suitcases, or clothing.
Some of the ways to prevent bed bugs include:
- Minimizing clutter around your home
- Vacuuming your bedroom and washing bedding frequently
- Checking all luggage and washing items as soon as you return from a trip
- Being vigilant when using any kind of shared laundry facility
Rodents
While many pests are insects, we can’t forget about the larger and furrier relatives: rodents. Three of the most common kinds that North American homeowners deal with include roof rats, Norway rats, and the typical house mouse.
In addition to being annoying, rodents can also contaminate food, transmit diseases, and cause major structural damage. They love to gnaw their tiny teeth on anything they find, including your important wires and insulation.
Finding one often means there are more hiding out. Rodents reproduce rapidly! That’s why it’s important to identify their presence as soon as you can.
Some measures you can take include:
- Keeping all food tightly sealed in appropriate containers
- Putting pet food away after use
- Cleaning up spills immediately
- Keeping garbage inside sealed bins
Fleas
Do you find yourself itching more than usual? If so, you could have a flea infestation in your home. These tiny insects feed on animal blood, and they can easily enter your home through pets or wildlife.
Not only is the constant scratching uncomfortable for you and your furry friends, but the bites can also be painful and sore. A few ways to keep fleas at bay include:
- Making sure your pet is up-to-date on all flea and tick medication
- Removing pet hair from your home
- Washing your pet’s bedding regularly
- Vacuuming rugs and carpets regularly
Professional Solutions for Common Household Pests
These are only a few of the most common household pests. Others include wasps, bees, earwigs, silverfish, and more! If you have a house, you can bet that some or all of these invaders have tried to find their way into it.
Instead of trying DIY solutions, why not let our team of professional pest control experts take the reins? At All U Need Pest Control, we’re here to solve all your pest problems, from the smallest sightings to the worst infestations. Contact us today to schedule a consultation!