10 Common Pest Control Issues Facing Single Family Homes
We can all agree that finding a pest in our personal environment freaks us out. We hop on counters and scream for someone to save us. At first we try to get rid of them. We head to the store to get spray or traps. We do this a couple times and wait to see what happens. Most times we fail and realize we need to call the professionals. Many single-family homes can get invaded with pests and here are 10 common ones.
1. Mice
Where are they found?
A house can either attract a field or deer mouse. They are the single most discovered pest in a home. They sniff through cupboards, basements or in our bedrooms looking for food. They are the most expensive rodent to get rid of.
How do I get rid of them?
You can put down traps with bits of cheese in the center and wait. Often this does the trick, until more come back. When you begin seeing several mice around your house, it’s best to call a pest control service.
Prevention?
One of the things you can do to prevent mice is start cleaning up after yourself. Wrap up all food and never leave any out. When it’s dinner time make sure the entire counter is clean along with the floor. Scraps of food that fall off the counter is tempting to any mouse at night.
2. Bees
Where are they found?
Bee hives nestle themselves in places we often don’t see. We also don’t find a hive until we have a home inspection for something else. Hives are cleverly hidden under outside windows or stuck to a tree above your roof.
What should I do?
Never take care of a bee hive yourself. Take a picture of the hive, if you can, and call pest control. Don’t get too close to the hive as bees are fairly smart and soon they could surround you.
Prevention?
Seal all entry points so bees don’t have the chance to create a hive. These are visible holes you can see and where bees might harvest.
3. Termites
Where are they found?
Termites come to our attention when we start seeing a gathering of ant-like creatures with wings coming from wooded areas of our home. With a closer look, they’ve gnawed their way into the side of our house.
What should I do?
Act fast with termites as they move fast when eating up wooded spaces. It’s possible to run to the store to get dust or spray for termites. However, often times when these insects appear means something bigger might be going on. It’s best to call a professional so you they can determine if your home is infested.
Prevention?
When using sprinklers that are showering the house, you’re creating moisture for termites to gather. Use pine needles instead of reaching for the mulch. Trim down all shrubbery that leaning against the house.
4. Ants
Where are they found?
Ants normally form a ball in our carpets or have attached to some kind of sugary food. They are one of the most common pests we find in our homes. We find ants on our bread or hundreds of them all trying to get at a crumb left on the floor.
What should I do?
It’ possible to put ant dust down or just simply spray. There are some effective over the counter products that could work. Yet, with ant that never seem to stop should have a pest control business look them over. Most times we can spray and this seems to deter them. If they come back, call pest control to spray the entire home.
Prevention?
You can stop ants in their tracks by lining any barriers that are open. Seal all food and never leave it out. Wipe up all crumbs from tables, carpet or linoleum floors. Use caulk to get any small openings.
5. Spiders
Where are they found?
Spiders spread their webs anywhere they want it seems. This could be the corner of your bedroom, underneath our sinks, corner of rooms or tucked away in the garage crevices. Most daddy long-legs slowly make there way across your floor or your arm. These are hard to see as their bodies are so tiny and their legs are very thin. Spiders creep up when we least expect it.
What should I do?
Spiders often can go away with one good can of spray. However, if you begin to notice a nest of spider webs everywhere around the house then you might need more serious treatment. Always make sure you understand the type of spider you are dealing with. Never try to grab a small black spider with your hands when it’s a black widow. These are deadly and you could get poisoned fairly quickly.
Prevention?
When you see cobwebs, take a broom and remove them. Letting them sit only allows for the spider to keep their home longer than needed. Keep all corners, tight crevices or small wall holes cleaned. Many spiders are eaten by lady bugs. Try putting peppermint oil around the house and in the corners.
6. Bedbugs
Where are they found?
Bedbugs are little tiny insects that can bite you at night while snoring in bed. They are known to hatch up to 100 eggs at one time. They will do this in any cracks and many crevices around your home. They also can live in the stitching of our mattresses.
What should I do?
Wash your sheets and all bedding when trying to kill these pests. You could sprinkle dust or powder in all cracks and seal off holes with caulk.
Prevention?
Wash your linens and wipe down the mattresses in your home. Vacuum more for your carpets and keep your sleeping areas clean.
7. Roaches
Where are they found?
Anyone who has lived in the south or in hot climates has seen roaches. They look like beetles with a flat brown back. You’ll notice them when you walk into the room and they sprint for dear life. They scurry fast on floors moving from any bits of food found on your floor or by the trash. You might walk in the kitchen at night and have one fly right in your face.
What should I do?
Roaches love food so all areas that have your favorite recipe ingredients need cleaning. After every meal, do a spectacular job in cleaning counters and the floor. This needs to be done after every meal. Roaches appear mainly at night, especially when it’s really hot.
Prevention?
Roach spray is often effective, but only for a certain amount of time. You can always put down any toxic dust that will slow them down. Be careful with this kind of touch as it can be hazardous to humans. If they seem to be coming out of the walls and you can’t stop them, call a pest control business.
8. Flies
Where are they found?
Flies get into our homes when the windows are left open. They sneak in when going back and forth to the porch. You might be barbecuing and they smell the meat sizzling miles away. They are present mainly during the Summer buzzing throughout our homes. The land on our faces as we nap on the couch. We often seem them end up on the kitchen counter on a piece of bread or a nugget of food left behind.
What should I do?
Keep your windows closed, especially during the summer months. Files always look for an open area to swarm in and annoy you until you kill them.
Prevention?
Most times you can stop a fly in its tracks by purchasing a swatter. Another alternative is to use a fly stick where they get stuck and can’t move.
9. Dust Mites
Where are they found?
Dust mites are found in our carpet, fabrics and roaming within the furniture. We can’t see them with our eyes as they are microscopic small. Most suffering with asthma will feel the effects of a dust mite.
What should I do?
Clean are surfaces to keep dust mites away. They gravitate to dust so wipe down your furniture and anywhere dust accumulates.
Prevention?
You can decide to use plastic shades instead of curtains. Vacuum regularly and consider washing bedding linens. You can also put a plastic cover over your mattresses.
10. Fleas
Where are they found?
Mainly fleas will come up when you have pets. They attach to their fur or skin and soon they are all over the house. They are active and capable of laying 50 eggs in a day. They are blood sucking insects also found in your pet’s bed.
What should I do?
When fleas are rampant, you should immediately wash your pet. Clean their bedding areas and refrain from them getting on to your bed. If there’s an outbreak, then you might have to call a pest control professional.
Prevention?
Comb your pet regularly and give them needed baths. Make sure to dust hard surfaces and keep them clean.
