Did you know that the residents of over 14 million houses across the United States have reported seeing at least one kind of pest in their home within the last year?
There are many types of pests and dealing with them can be difficult if you don’t know much about them.
Luckily, that’s what this article is for. Read on to learn how to identify certain pests and know when it’s time to call pest control services. To start off our conversation, let’s take a closer look at one of the most common types of pests found in homes: cockroaches.
Cockroaches as Household Pests
There are thousands of species of cockroaches and while some live in the wild, many live in cities or in our homes. While they can be an important part of the ecosystem in the wild, they can become serious pests once they enter the household. Some of them can also be very difficult to get rid of and kill, even with the help of insecticide.
Some of the most common types of cockroaches that invest houses are the American and German cockroaches. More often than not, you will find these cockroaches in moist areas such as the bathroom or in the kitchen near the sink or dishwasher. This is because these cockroaches love moisture and will always flock to it.
These cockroaches also prefer warmer temperatures which is why they are found inside houses so often, especially in the winter when the outdoor temperatures drop. You may also find more cockroaches when it rains since more of them will take advantage of the wet weather to explore their surroundings.
Cockroaches can live up to a year and one female cockroach can produce up to 400 offspring. Because of this, it is important to take action once you see more than a cockroach or two in your home if you want to make sure your home doesn’t become a breeding ground for these insects. Some of the species of cockroaches can be killed with store-bought insecticide, but others may be resistant and you may require professional pest control services to deal with them.
Rodents as Pests
As with cockroaches, there are many species of rodents, but the most common kinds you would find in your home include house mice and deer mice. Even though mice are a bit larger than cockroaches and are not protected by an exoskeleton, they can still be a challenge to get rid of.
Having mice in your home is never good because they can carry disease and leave droppings throughout your house. They may be hard to find as well since they prefer small, dark, and secluded areas. They are also very agile creatures and are capable of jumping, climbing, and squeezing through impressively small cracks.
This can make them very difficult to catch. Besides carrying disease, mice can cause damage to your property by gnawing through wires and insulation. If mice start to chew on wires, this can increase the risk of electrical fires occurring that could be detrimental to your home and your safety.
Mice are more likely to infest your house if it is cluttered and has not been cleaned for some time. This extra clutter is a playground for mice since it gives them more space to hide and often, more crumbs of food are available for them to eat. To prevent mice from coming to your home, make sure you seal all your food and keep your home clean.
While you can set up mouse traps around your home to catch a mouse here and there, if you find that you have too many mice to deal with, it’s best to call professional services.
Aphids as Plant Pests
When referring to types of house pests, most people think about cockroaches and mice but many forget about plant pests. One of the most common plant pests are aphids. Aphids are insects that love to attach to the stalks of plants and suck the juices out of them.
Often, when you find aphids on your plants, there will be many of them clustered together, all of them looking pretty swollen. This is because their body’s fill with the plant juices they suck out from your plants. They also secrete honeydew, a sweet liquid which other insects like ants love.
This, of course, is a recipe for disaster for your plants. Luckily, aphids are not too difficult to get rid of since their bodies are soft and squishable. To get rid of aphids from your plant fast, spray the plant with your garden hose and the aphids will either be blasted off the plant or killed.
However, keep in mind that this may damage your plant, especially if it is young or delicate. However, if your plant is on the sturdier side, you likely won’t have much to worry about. When you’re done with the hose, you can inspect your plant up close and flick away any remaining aphids.
The Different Types of Pests In The Home
By the end of this article, you should know all about the most common types of pests found in the home: cockroaches, rodents, and aphids. These pests can damage your home and the things in your home in different ways and can even be hazardous to your health.
By knowing more about these pests, you can better decide if you can deal with them on your own or if you should call pest control services. Either way, with this information, you can make sure your home remains completely pest-free.
To learn more about how we can help you prevent and control pests in your home, contact us today.