Not only are pests like cockroaches frightening, but they bring damage, allergies, and diseases with them. While we have to deal with far fewer troublesome bugs than we did even just a century ago, many homeowners are still unsettled to find them in their homes.
Today, the best way to prevent an infestation is to understand common pests and their traits. By knowing what signs to look for, you can get pest control services from professionals before unwelcome guests do too much damage.
Below, we’ve put together a list of seven of the most common household pets to be on the lookout for. You shouldn’t have to share your home with pests, so keep reading for important information that can help prevent infestations!
1. Rodents
While they can make great pets, rodents you don’t purchase at the pet store can do harm to your home and your health. Mice and rats are the two most common pest rodents found in homes today.
Rodents are attracted to dark, warm places where they can hide. They spread disease and contaminates through saliva, urine, and feces, and any food they touch should be thrown away.
Mice and rats are constant chewers and will gnaw through almost any materials. Wires, wood, and food containers are some of the items that rodents chew through the most.
If you have found any signs of chewing or small droppings in your home, call your pest removal service. It’s important that you never handle any wild rodents on your own, as they have large front teeth and easily spread disease.
2. Ants
Ants are incredible communicators and will bring hundreds more when they find a source of food.
While ants aren’t known for carrying diseases, you never know where they were wandering before coming into your home. Once inside, they can quickly grow in numbers and become difficult to totally eliminate.
When you have ants, the first thing you should do is search for their entry point and seal it off.
You should also clean your kitchen and remove any open sources of food that could draw the ants back in. Ants don’t typically do a substantial amount of damage, but they quickly become a nuisance once in your house.
3. Termites
A termite infestation in your home can cause devastating damage. Termites eat cellulose, meaning that they will go to work on anything wood in your home.
They can easily go unnoticed for a long time, meaning that when you finally find them they may have already done substantial damage to your house.
To protect your property from termites, it’s important to understand the signs they leave so you can eliminate them as quickly as possible. Because termites will eat wood for 24 hours a day, a quick pest control service response to their presence is vital.
4. Bedbugs
Bedbugs are small insects that survive on blood, and mammals like humans, cats, and dogs are some of their favorite menu items. Though bed bugs were nearly eliminated in the mid 20th century, these pests are on the rise again.
Bedbugs multiply quickly, and even just a few can turn into a population of thousands in a matter of weeks. Once they’ve established a population, they can be difficult for an inexperienced homeowner to deal with.
These insects are both irritating and fear-inducing, especially because they come out at night to feast on blood. When you’re faced with bed bugs, the best option is always to call professional pest services to eliminate them.
5. Cockroaches
Cockroaches are large insects that have a reputation for being both frightening and indestructible. Luckily, they’re not quite as invincible as they’ve been rumored to be, and pest services can eliminate these insects when needed.
Contrary to popular belief, cockroaches thrive in more than just dirty environments. Even a clean home can become the site for a cockroach infestation.
That said, the best way to prevent a cockroach problem is to keep your home clean and ensure that all food is stored properly.
Cockroaches carry everything from tapeworms to viruses, so they should be handled as soon as they are found. Typically active at night, you are more likely to spot signs of them than actually see the bugs themselves.
Common signs of cockroaches are their shed skins, eggs, and droppings which look like black dust.
6. Fleas
Fleas are one of the most common and irritating pests that can make their way into your home. These small insects usually catch a ride on dogs or cats, though they are carried by rodents as well.
While fleas can’t fly, they can jump incredible distances. Just like bed bugs, fleas survive by eating blood meals. Their bites leave swollen red marks, and they can easily transmit diseases.
The first step to preventing fleas is ensuring that all pets are protected against them. While they won’t damage your home, fleas can be frustrating to remove, making it a job you should leave to the best pest control companies.
7. Silverfish
Silverfish are large insects that favor dark and damp areas such as basements and garages. Though commonly mistaken for centipedes, silverfish are known to bite and are not aggressive.
Like cockroaches, they are nocturnal and are often quite frightening to see. When you do see a silverfish, it’s likely to be in a tub or sink.
Silverfish can cause allergies and attract other pests, as well as do damage to your home. If they aren’t removed, silverfish will eat grains, paper, clothing, and much more.
7 Common Pests That Require Pest Control Services
Your home should be a place of safety and comfort. After a long day, the last thing you want to worry about is cockroaches in your kitchen or bed bugs in your sheets.
By understanding common pests and their signs, you can reach out for professional pest control services before infestations get too far. You should never have to deal with pests alone, and many require expertise equipment only professionals can provide.
Expert pest control services give you peace of mind and quickly eliminate unwelcome guests so you can get back to feeling comfortable at home.
Have you been searching for help with pests in your home? Reach out today to our experienced professionals, and we’ll remove the unwanted guests so you can go back to enjoying your home.
