Pests such as cockroaches, rats and mice can spread diseases. Rodents have incisors that cause damage to wood structures in homes and apartments by chewing. Termites are one of the most destructive pests of homes in the United States.
Regular cleaning, dehumidification and proper storage can control many pest infestations. Other steps include knowing the basic biology and habits of different pests, recognizing common symptoms and taking action promptly. Visit their Website for more informations.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are among the most adaptable insects on the planet, making it difficult to keep them out of your home. They’re able to flatten their bodies and squeeze into spaces only 1 or 2 millimeters wider than they are. They’re experts at hitching rides, entering homes on delivery packages, cardboard cutouts for 6-packs of beer or even in airport luggage. They can also scuttle across floors and walls to find dark, damp places where they’ll be safe from light, air conditioning or heating.
The most common household cockroach is the German cockroach, which grows up to 1 1/4 inches long and has two black stripes on its head. It takes about two months to grow from egg to adult. Other cockroaches include the American cockroach, oriental cockroach and brown-banded cockroach.
Keeping food sealed in cabinets and pantry drawers will prevent cockroaches from gaining access to it. Regularly cleaning the kitchen and storing items in containers with tight-fitting lids can help, too. Make sure your garbage disposal is working well and that there are no leaky faucets or pipes. Emptying pet water dishes and toothbrushes at night can further deter cockroaches from hanging around your home, too.
Booklice
The tiny wingless insects known as booklice (Psocoptera) are a nuisance in dark, damp areas like basements, crawl spaces, kitchens and pantries. They feed on microscopic fungi and mold and often appear in new homes, where they may take up residence in insulation or around leaky plumbing.
The adult psocids are translucent or white to grey in colour and look somewhat like lice. They have a pair of long, slender antennae and chewing mouthparts. They lay sticky eggs alone or in groups and hatch from them within 2-4 weeks, developing through a series of nymphal stages before reaching adulthood.
Controlling a Booklice infestation is difficult as they are very secretive and do not leave many clues. If you suspect a problem, search bookshelves and boxes in dark corners for evidence of their presence. You can also check pantries and cupboards for signs of a mildew-like powder.
The best prevention measure is to reduce humidity levels in the home by opening windows and using fans, or installing dehumidifiers in problem rooms. This will help to eliminate any spores of mildew or mold and discourage psocids. A regular sweep of the house with borax or enzyme-based cleaners will also clean away any food sources and remove any possible hiding spots for these pests.
Ants
Ants are one of the most commonly encountered household pests. These insects are known for contaminating food, staining fabrics and paper, and depending on the species, can cause diseases such as salmonella, coliforms, streptococcus, and more. They can also damage wood structures in homes and property. They can invade properties through open food sources or by chewing their way into the home from the outside.
There are a few different types of ants in our area, including odorous house ants and carpenter ants. Odorous house ants are small and black or brown in color, and emit a scent that has been described as rotten coconut when crushed. These ants are most often seen in kitchens searching for sweet foods. They nest in wall voids and under floors of houses. Carpenter ants excavate wood to build their nests, leading to structural damage in homes.
To keep ants out of the house, keep counters and sinks clean of food scraps. Store honey, sugar, and other sweets in airtight containers. Make sure pet food is kept in containers between feedings and that garbage is taken out regularly. In addition, ant repellents can be very effective when used correctly. Ehrlich specialists recommend a mixture of lemon eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, and water that can be sprayed around the interior of the home.
Bird Mites
Bird mites can be difficult to detect as they are so small. They are typically found in pigeons, sparrows, starlings and other wild birds but can also be brought into homes through pet birds. They can bite humans as they search for new hosts but cannot reproduce on human blood and will die if not fed within a few weeks.
The most common symptom of a bird mite infestation is itchy skin. This is caused by the female mites injecting saliva into the skin, triggering an itching response similar to that of bed bug bites. The itching will usually clear once the mites are eradicated.
Control of bird mites starts with identifying and removing any nests or dead birds on or around property and in walls, roof spaces and porches. Spraying cracks and crevices with residual insecticides will also help to control the infestation. Be sure to read all product labels and apply as directed.
Silverfish or Firebrats
Silverfish and firebrats are wingless, flat insects that grow to about 1/2 inch in length with three thin tail-like appendages. They are found in many areas of the house, including closets, cabinets and storage areas, where they feed on starches, carbohydrates, paper, glue and other materials of plant origin. They can also damage silk and some synthetic fabrics.
In homes, both silverfish and firebrats are primarily nocturnal. They move quickly for their size and are attracted to starchy foods like cereal grains, flour, breadcrumbs, dried meats, book bindings, wallpaper and paper sizing. They also eat wood products and dead animals.
Control of silverfish and firebrats involves eliminating conditions that encourage them, such as humidity, by using dehumidifiers in damp basements and ensuring bathrooms are well ventilated. Regular cleaning around and behind appliances and in cabinets, closets and pantries will help to reduce food sources.
Both insects can be trapped in glass containers (like baby food jars) by wrapping the outside of the container with tape. This method works because silverfish and firebrats cannot climb smooth surfaces, but they can crawl up the taped surface. Boric acid dust can be used in wall voids and cracks to control both silverfish and firebrats, as it is low in toxicity and long-lasting if applied regularly.
Earwigs
Earwigs are not a problem on their own, but when too many enter your garden or home, they can damage plants and cause structural problems in your house. They feed on decaying plant material, wood and flowers and can also invade your home by seeking out damp spots like basements and crawl spaces. Chemical pesticides are not a good control option for earwigs because they can disrupt the delicate balance of your garden ecosystem. Instead, look to natural methods and consult your local pest control company for advice and help.
Earwigs are nocturnal and are attracted to moist dark areas where they can hide during the day. They can be drawn to your home by porch lights, and they’re often brought in unintentionally when people bring plants, wood piles, books, newspapers, boxes or other items inside. They can also find their way into your home through cracks and crevices, especially around doors and windows that aren’t sealed properly. Regular inspections and sealing of gaps are a good idea to prevent earwigs from entering your home, along with a dehumidifier in basements and a vapor barrier under cedar siding. Sprinkle boric acid powder or diatomaceous earth on dark, protected, moist areas outside to kill earwigs and other insects, but be sure to use it when children and pets are not nearby.
Carpet Beetles
Carpet beetles are more commonly found in homes than are clothes moths and can cause extensive damage to a variety of items such as woolens, carpets and rugs, furs, stuffed animals, leather book bindings, animal horns, hair, feathers and dried plant materials. These pests also feed on a wide variety of seeds, grains and stored food products. Carpet beetle infestations are more difficult to control than are clothes moth infestations, but a combination of sanitation, exclusion and non-chemical controls may help prevent an outbreak.
Outdoors, adult female carpet beetles are often found on the blossoms of crape myrtle, spiraea, queen Anne’s lace, buckwheat and daisies as well as other flowering plants with abundant pollen. They will also seek out spider webs and bee, wasp and bird nests to lay eggs in. Larvae feed for varying lengths of time and molt 8-17 times before pupating.
Larvae can be detected by observing fecal pellets, which look like table salt and have the color of whatever item they have fed on. Seeing these pellets should be a prompt indication that carpet beetles are present in the home. Steam cleaning is effective for eliminating carpet beetle larvae and their eggs. In addition, examining fresh-cut flowers before bringing them into the house will ensure that carpet beetles are not hiding inside them.