Whether we like it or not, pests will always be a part of our lives. They do not necessarily have to be in our homes to have an effect on us; for every time we clean the house, each time we keep our food inside sealed containers, each time we buy food from the market, or second-hand items from a garage sale, we do so because we want to prevent pests from taking over our homes. In a way, they have actually taken over our lives. Unfortunately, it would probably be like this forever.
What Pests Are Helpful In My Home?
Most people actually think that all insects are pests. This cannot be farther from the truth. Not all insects are pests; the truth is most of them are beneficial to the ecosystem. Pests, on the other hand, do not do anything good for humans. They affect human lives negatively. It is important to note, however, that insects that are beneficial in one area become pests once they get near to or enter human dwellings. Obviously, these insects are not supposed to be inside our homes.
An example of beneficial insects that become household pests is the ants. Ants have plenty of uses for the environment; they eat and clean up decomposing dead animals, and they help prevent soil compaction. Another example is the dreaded cockroach. The roaches we find at home are extremely filthy and can cause deadly diseases; but the majority of the cockroaches, which can be found in the forests, are beneficial insects too.
There are many household pests that we need to get rid of. Aside from the above mentioned insects, other pests include mosquitoes, flies, rats, mice, weevils, moths, wasps, silverfish, to name a few.
To most people, the most common reaction is to call a pest control professional. It would be a great move, but before you pay for a professional, you may want to do pest control yourself first. The problem for you now is, how do you start?
Not to worry. In this article, we will discuss how to control pests at home the right and safe way with the help of no less than the best Concorde exterminators - Lake Norman Home Services.
How Do Pests Get In Our Homes?
While we all think that our house is solidly built and our doors, windows, and walls are impregnable, they really are not. Pests are very small and can exploit any small holes, cracks, or openings to get in. The walls in themselves have lots of entry points for mice, rats, roaches, flies, and mosquitoes. The good thing is that you can do something about it. Go around the house and inspect for holes. Seal these holes by caulking.
To inspect the exterior, put some old clothes on because you may have to stoop low and crawl on the ground and below your deck. Bring a pencil with you and check if this pencil can fit into the holes you might see. If the pencil fits, then a mouse can fit into it.
If it takes you the whole day or two, then do it as part of your prevention plan. Inspect your doors and windows, the walls, roof vents, dryer vents, exhaust fans, and the foundation.
Common Types Of Household Pests
Cockroaches
There are more than 4,000 identified species of cockroaches, but there are 4 types of them that can be considered as pests here in Concorde. These are the American, German, Oriental, and Brown-banded cockroaches. Roaches are arguably the most hated of all insects. Aside from its creepy looks, they are very filthy. They thrive in the dirtiest of places and eat anything, so imagine them crawling on your food. Roaches eat feces, rotten meat, garbage, dead animals, and even their own. They also live in dirty places. Due to these filthy habits, roaches carry lots of bacteria and viruses which they generously share with humans. Roaches transmit several deadly diseases, including cholera, salmonella, and typhoid fever.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are considered the most dangerous creatures on the planet, making it a top priority to get rid of them. They have killed more people than all the wars in history combined. Mosquitoes transmit some of the deadliest diseases, like dengue fever, malaria, West Nile fever, encephalitis, and elephantiasis. Looking at them, they do not seem to be dangerous at all, and in fact, they are usually taken for granted. They are so light and can be killed easily. The danger is when they get to bite your skin. The female adult mosquitoes are the ones that bite and suck blood. They need the protein from the blood so that they can produce their eggs. Aside from blood, the females feed on nectar. The males too feed on nectar but not on blood. They breed on standing water.
Bed Bugs
These are tiny, blood-sucking insects that are usually found on the bed. They hide in mattresses, headboards, bed frames, and pillows. However, they reproduce very quickly, and once they do they will be all over the house. You may find them in cracks and crevices of the walls and floors, in ceilings, drawers, electrical receptacles, and furniture. They bite and their bites are very itchy and ugly. They are brown in color, have flat bodies that are oval in shape. After a blood meal, they bloat and turn red. Bed bugs are high health risks as well. Cases of insomnia, stress, anxiety, social isolation, and even depression are reported by those with bed bug infestation problems. It is said that the reason bed bugs have spread in America is because of travel. Bed bugs are good in hitchhiking, latching on to luggage and clothes.
Fleas
Fleas do not attack just our pets, but they attack humans too. Flea bites are very itchy. They can also cause several deadly diseases like the plague, tularemia, tungiasis, and murine typhus. They usually hide in carpets, furniture, and in your plants. Though it bites humans, they prefer the hairy skins of your pets.
Rodents
Rats and mice are the most common rodents that attack households. They contaminate our food and water with their droppings, saliva, urine, and vomit. Ingesting these foods or directly ingesting their droppings can cause infection and deadly diseases. Some of the diseases they spread include leptospirosis, rat-bite fever, and salmonellosis. Rodents are smart nocturnal creatures, and getting rid of them means we have to outsmart them.
Pest Prevention
Prevention is less expensive and less damaging.
The reason why pests enter our homes is that they are looking for food, water, and shelter. Remove the things that they are looking for and pests will not find your house a nice place to live in. Store food in sealed containers. Quickly clean up food residue and drink spills on the tables and floors by sweeping, mopping, or wiping with a piece of cloth. After you have had your meal, wash the dishes and other kitchen utensils and never leave them overnight. Clean your dinner table, stovetops, and kitchen sinks too. Make sure pet food is not left out overnight.
Your trash can is a huge source of food for pests. Make sure to put a lid on your trash cans and cover it so pests. Throw your garbage regularly. Keep your home free from clutter. Remove old boxes, cardboards, stacks of old newspapers and magazines. Pests can use these as hiding places and breeding grounds. Remove old items that can hold standing water as well, like old tires, old cans, old gutters, abandoned birdbaths, water containers, and other similar items.
Look around the house and check for leaky pipes and faucets. Do not allow water to collect around the house. Remove water collecting in trays under your plants.
When buying food packages from the grocery store, check for weevils, moths, and even roaches. A lot of household pests came from products that were bought outside. Same with buying furniture and clothes from a garage sale, wherein you might bring in bed bugs.
If you are worried about mosquitoes, use a mosquito net at night in the bedroom. Use an electric fan to turn them away because they are very light and are clumsy fliers.
Pesticides can also be used to a minimum, as much as possible. When using chemical pesticides, make sure to always read the label for instructions.
There are also DIY organic pesticides on the internet that you can follow.
If all things fail, you can always call the best pest control experts in Concorde, Lake Norman Home Services.
Trusted Pest Control Company
No home or pest is the same, so there is no cookie-cutter solution. At Lake Norman Home Services, we have professional technicians who will examine your home and your lawn to evaluate your individual necessity. We will identify points of entry and make treatments as necessary. We only use state of the art equipment to keep up with these ever-evolving pests. Call us now for more information!