Most homeowners have dealt with unwanted pests at some point. While some may call in a professional exterminator, others prefer to take preventative measures.
Keep in mind that most pests are attracted to food and water, so cleaning regularly and storing foods in sealed containers can help to deter them. Additionally, fixing leaky faucets and running a dehumidifier in damp areas can also help to prevent pests. You should call St Charles Pest Control pros to check on your home.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are omnivorous and feed on a wide variety of plant and animal-based sources, making them a household pest that can cause food poisoning. They’re also a significant health hazard since they carry bacteria and allergens in their body that can trigger allergies or asthma.
They reproduce quickly and can go from a few cockroaches to an infestation in no time. Generally seen at night, they’re typically found in kitchens and bathrooms but can be found in other areas of the house as well. They’re known to carry feces and dead cockroaches on their bodies, which can release the substances into the air.
They love dark, humid environments and can fit into very small cracks. Practicing good housekeeping habits can help prevent a cockroach infestation. Emptying the trash regularly and storing foods in plastic or metal containers with tight-fitting lids can encourage roaches to stay away. Decluttering can also discourage roaches, especially when stacks of cardboard boxes are present. Switch to using plastic tubs for storing or transporting goods, and recycle newspapers regularly instead of letting them pile up and attract roaches. Also, caulk any cracks in the foundation, outside dividers, and exterior walls.
Ants
Ants are one of the most common household pests and can be a nuisance in the kitchen as they scurry across countertops. They can also cause health issues such as allergies, respiratory problems, and even food poisoning if they carry harmful bacteria to the home from outside.
There are more than 12,000 different species of ants in the world and some types of ants can be dangerous. Fire ants, for example, can sting people and pets and are a serious medical concern in some areas of the country. Carpenter ants can destroy wood in homes and businesses and have been known to create hollow spaces inside logs and structural timbers. Their swarmers are winged and they have long antennae.
Odorous house ants can be confused with pavement ants but are a bit smaller at about an eighth of an inch and have darker bodies that release a distinctive smell when they’re crushed.
Keeping counters and floors clean is the best way to deter ants from entering the home, but regular cleaning doesn’t completely erase their pheromone trail which they leave behind on their travels between food sources and nests. White vinegar and water can be mixed and sprayed over the areas where ants have been, or anywhere you think they may be coming in from. This solution is effective because the ants don’t like the scent of vinegar and the acid in the mixture destroys their exoskeletons.
Wasps
Wasps and their nests can be a problem for homeowners. Some species can chew wood to create a nest and others can cause mold-forming moisture in wall cavities and under eaves. In addition, their painful stings can be a health risk for people with allergies or children and pets.
If you have a large wasp nest on or near your home, it is best to call a professional exterminator. They can drill a hole in the wall or floor or near the nest and pump insecticide into it to kill wasps and their larvae. This approach is more effective than spraying individual wasps or hornets, as it allows for targeted control of the entire colony.
Alternatively, use an outdoor luring trap made of sugar water to capture wasps and other insects as they enter your home. You can also purchase commercially formulated lure traps from most department and hardware stores or online suppliers. You can also trap individual wasps by suspending a piece of rotting fish above a container of water and adding a few drops of dish soap. The odor of the rotting fish will attract wasps and they’ll fall into the water where they’re trapped and killed.
Bedbugs
Bed bugs are a problem in many homes. They hitchhike in luggage or clothing from hotels, apartments, dormitories, and even public places like airports. Once a bed bug infestation is in place, it can spread to every room in the house.
Adult females lay their eggs in secluded locations, and they are sticky, making them adhere to surfaces. Eggs hatch in about a week, and the newly emerged nymphs are straw-colored and no bigger than a pinhead. The nymphs shed their skin five times as they grow, and a blood meal is needed each time.
To keep bed bugs away, vacuum mattresses, carpeting, and furniture with a stiff brush attachment, and pay special attention to the seams, tags, and cracks where they hide. Regularly wash all linens, curtains, and clothing in hot water, dry them on the highest heat setting, and wash plush items like pillows, stuffed animals, and shoes. Vacuum all areas, including crevices around furniture, and promptly empty the vacuum bag outdoors.
Over-the-counter “bug bombs” and insecticide sprays are ineffective against bed bugs, and they will spread them throughout your home and belongings. To successfully treat a bed bug infestation, you’ll need to follow more thorough instructions from your pest control professional.
Silverfish
Silverfish are nocturnal insects that feed on starchy foods, paper, fabrics, and wallpaper. They are very difficult to get rid of. These pests are one of the oldest insect species, dating back millions of years, and they can endure many kinds of environments. They are found in homes because they enjoy high temperatures and humid conditions. They are a huge nuisance and can cause damage to your home.
A good way to prevent silverfish infestation is by keeping the house clean, storing food items in airtight containers, and removing clutter. Also, store clothes and other fabrics in plastic bins, and transfer books and fabric to sealed boxes. If you can, avoid storing clothing in the basement. Install a dehumidifier if you live in a damp area and seal cracks to prevent entry points for bugs like silverfish.
To kill silverfish, you can use store-bought bug sprays and sticky traps. You can also purchase a powder called borax from your local home goods store and sprinkle it around the outside of your home, on baseboards, in closets, and in other places where silverfish have been spotted. The powder will dry out the silverfish, making it easier to remove them from your home.
Centipedes
House centipedes thrive in damp areas and feed on other insects, so reducing the environment inside your home that attracts them will help drive them out. Repair any water leaks, use dehumidifiers in basements, and run exhaust fans in bathrooms to reduce moisture levels in these areas. Keeping clutter and piles of leaves, compost, mulch, or firewood away from the foundation of your home can also prevent these pests from finding hiding spots and easy entry points into your residence.
Though they may seem scary, the good news is that these arthropods don’t bite people, though their venom can be painful if it penetrates the skin. You can use sticky traps to capture them, and other do-it-yourself options include boric acid and diatomaceous earth, which are low-toxicity choices that kill them through dehydration. You can also use a liquid insecticide containing bifenthrin or cypermethrin to kill them directly, but make sure you follow all label directions and safety precautions.
To prevent the recurrence of a centipede problem, seal up any cracks in and around your home’s foundation, trim back shrubs and bushes that touch your house, and replace any mulch with gravel, which is less attractive to centipedes. If you have a serious infestation, you may need to call in a pest control professional for more comprehensive pest management services.
Spiders
Whether it’s a harmless garden spider or an unwelcome house guest, there are natural methods for dealing with these eight-legged creatures. By learning about the pests, their habits, and options for controlling them, you can take proactive measures to keep them at bay and make your home less appealing.
For instance, removing sources of food and water will help reduce their population. Store food and bottled drinks in sealed containers, and dispose of garbage regularly. Also, promptly clean up messes like spilled soda or cereal, and wipe counters and tables regularly.
Another effective strategy is to caulk cracks and crevices around doors and windows to prevent pests from entering your home. This will also ensure that cold and rainwater can’t seep in, keeping the area dry.
Finally, repellents like horse chestnuts can be placed along baseboards and windowsills to deter spiders. Likewise, cotton balls infused with scents that are offensive to spiders can also be used as barriers and deterrents. When combined with proactive cleaning strategies and effective pest control, these methods will ensure that you won’t be waking up to a spider in your bed again. Watch the video below to learn all about these natural, safe-for-children, and pet methods for making your bedroom spider-unfriendly.