Your house is your fortress, but even the strongest fortresses have weak points. Pests can enter your home in many ways: through cracks in the foundation, holes in the walls, or simply by hitching a ride on your clothing. Once inside, these intruders can wreak havoc, damaging your belongings and spreading disease. Let’s talk about the 10 most common household pests.
The best way to protect your home from pests is to prevent them from getting inside in the first place. But if you already have a pest problem, there are effective ways to eliminate them. Here are 10 of the most common household pests and how to deal with them.
1. Ants
These small, brown insects are attracted to sweet foods and often enter homes searching for food. Once they find a food source, they’ll continue returning and building their ant colony inside your home. They mainly reside in cracks and crevices and can be difficult to eliminate. The best way to remove ants is to keep your home clean and free of food debris. Store food in airtight containers and seal up any cracks or crevices where they might be able to enter.
If you’ve tried these tips and still see a problem, you may also want to look into pest control. In Michigan for example where our friends reside, ants are the number one most common pests to enter your home. Finding the best pest control company in Michigan would be a great option to do away with any pests you may find in your household. Pest control companies are very knowledgeable and know the most effective methods of getting rid of those ants for good. Don’t forget who the best pest control company in Kansas City is. 🙂
2. Cockroaches
Cockroaches are one of the most annoying and common pests and can be difficult to get rid of. These dark brown or black insects attract food and moisture and can live for several months without food. Their droppings can also trigger asthma attacks in people allergic to them. Small roach traps in unseen corners of your home can help to decrease the number of roaches you see. You can also try getting rid of clutter since roaches also enjoy hiding in small, dark spaces.
3. Bed bugs
Bed bugs are tiny, parasitic bugs that live off of human blood. They are most active at night and usually bite people while sleeping. Bed bugs can be found in mattresses, furniture, and cracks in walls and floors. They can also be hitchhikers and can be brought into your home on clothing or luggage. You should contact a professional exterminator if you already have a bedbug problem.
4. Rats
Rats are larger than mice and can be brown, black, or grey. They are attracted to food and moisture and often enter homes through holes in the walls or foundation. Rats can carry diseases, and their droppings can contaminate food.
5. Mice
Mice are small, brown rodents attracted to food and nesting materials. They often enter homes through holes in the walls or foundation. Mice hide in cabinets, closets, and other dark areas. They can also contaminate food with their droppings.
6. Fleas
Fleas are small, brown insects that feed on the blood of animals. They often enter homes on pets or wildlife and can quickly become a problem. Fleas can cause itching and discomfort for both people and animals. Fleas can carry diseases and their bites can be painful.
It would be best to keep your home clean and free of pet hair to prevent fleas from entering. Washing your pet’s bedding as well as vacuuming regularly is just a couple of ways to keep the fleas out. If you already have a flea problem, you can try to treat your pets or contact a professional exterminator.
7. Spiders
Spiders are small, eight-legged creatures that can be brown, black, or grey. They are attracted to insects and often enter homes through holes in the walls or foundation. Spiders bite people, and their venom can be harmful, especially to children.
8. Termites
Termites are very small insects that are white in color. They are wood-eating pests that live in colonies. Termites can cause extensive damage to wood structures and their droppings can trigger asthma attacks in people allergic to them. Although there are a plethora of ways to help kill termites, you have no way of knowing the source until you call an exterminator. Exterminators typically conduct a full inspection and work to safely and effectively remove termites from the foundation of your home.
9. Wasps
Wasps are larger than bees and can be yellow, black, or red. They are attracted to sweets and often enter homes through open doors or windows. Wasps sting people, and their poison can be harmful. It would be best to keep doors and windows closed to prevent wasps from entering.
10. Bees
Bees are small, winged insects that live in colonies. Most bees are yellow and black, while some species tend to be darker in color, and at times, even red. They mainly eat pollen and nectar from flowers. Bees are important for pollinating plants, but they can also be a giant nuisance. They often enter homes through open doors or windows. It would be best to keep doors and windows closed to prevent bees from entering.
Conclusion
Pests are unwanted creatures that often enter homes for food or shelter. If any pests are found in your home, it is important to take action immediately to prevent them from multiplying. Several commercial pest control products can be effective in getting rid of pests. And of course, contacting a professional exterminator is the safest way to keep them out and away from your home.
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