There are over 78,000 pest control workers in the United States. And that number will grow eight percent by 2026.
Why are there so many pest control workers? Because there are a lot of pests! Odds are, if you own a home or rent an apartment, you’ll need pest control services at one point.
Keep reading to learn about eight of the most common household pests and what to do about them.
1. Rodents
Rodents, like mice or rats, are some of the most common house pests. These pests are able to make entry into your home through very small openings and then nest inside your home.
Not only are they annoying, but they can also bring diseases or parasites into your home. If rodents nest inside your walls, they cause a fire hazard by chewing on wiring.
To get rid of mice, block their entry point into your home then set traps or poison. If they are living in your walls or somewhere inaccessible, call an exterminator.
2. Ants
Ants are bothersome insects that can infest your home.
While ants are small and may seem harmless, where one ant is, others will follow. If you don’t address the issue immediately, you’ll find your whole home infested with ants.
Ants are easy to get rid of with a few pest control methods. Always keep your kitchen clean to prevent an open food source for ants. Also, seal all cracks that allow access into your home.
3. Cockroaches
Cockroaches love warm places and seek out places in your home to rest.
These household pests are known for their resilience. They can last up to a month without food! But they can only last a week without water, so make sure you don’t have any water sources available for them in your home.
If cockroaches infest your home, you’ll notice staining on furniture and destroyed fabric and paper. Worse still, cockroaches can transmit diseases, including salmonella.
4. Fleas
If you have pets, odds are you’ve encountered fleas once or twice. If you have, you know exactly how hard fleas are to get rid of once they are in your home.
Fleas can carry diseases and bite both you and your pets. They’re pretty hard to get rid of since they’re so small and can live in furniture and carpet.
The first step is to treat your pet for fleas so they don’t bring more into your home. Then vacuum and clean all fabric surfaces to get rid of eggs and larvae. If the issue is serious, consider using a fogger to completely kill all fleas inside your home.
5. Termites
Termites are destructive pests that are often mistaken for ants due to their appearance. If you notice white pests inside your home that resemble ants, don’t ignore them.
Termites eat wood and can eat every hour of every day! It doesn’t take them long to cause damage in your home. In fact, each year, termites cause around $5 billion of damage in the US.
Since termites are so harmful to your home, it’s recommended you find an exterminator as soon as you notice them. These pests are not ones you should attempt to get rid of on your own.
6. Spiders
Spiders are one of the many types of household pests that people dread having inside their home.
There are over 3,000 types of spiders in North America. You don’t have to worry about finding all 3,000 types inside your home, but there are some spiders who like to call your home their own.
Keep an eye out for the American House Spider, Brown Recluse, Sac Spiders, and Jumping Spiders. If you do find a spider inside your home, you should research the species you’re dealing with since some are harmless but others can bite.
7. Wasps
Hornets, Yellow Jackets, and Paper Wasps all have harmful stings and can infest your home.
Wasps live in nests, which they can build in both the interior or exterior of your home. They prefer protected locations, like attics or wall voids.
If you have broken screens in windows or space around the seal of your door, wasps will find a way inside. It’s best to get rid of wasps right away, as their stings can cause a deadly allergic reaction to your or your family members.
8. Bed Bugs
Beb bugs are one of the pests that once you get, they’re almost impossible to get rid of. Bed bugs also spread extremely easily and are commonly found in hotel rooms or apartment complexes.
These pests feed on blood and love warm, dark locations. They get their name because they often hide underneath mattresses. They can live for months in hiding without food.
If you discover evidence of bed bugs, cover your mattress and furniture in a plastic cover. Any bed bugs stuck inside the plastic cover will eventually die. But, since bedbugs spread quickly, it’s best to consult a professional.
Get Rid of Common Household Pests
Know that you know all about the most common household pests, take the steps to keep them out of your home.
First, make sure the exterior of your home is clear of debris and foliage so that pests don’t make your home their home. Then, make sure to seal off any entryways into your home, such as cracks in the foundation or broken seals around doors.
If pests do get inside your home, make sure your home is clean so they do not have a readily available food source. Keep an eye out for pests and if they start to appear more often and in larger numbers, it’s time to consider pest control.
If you’re ready to call in the professionals, read this article on how to find the right pest control services.
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