Even though they appear harmless, certain household pests can harbor pathogens that spread disease and cause allergens and irritants in the home.
Maintain a pest-free environment by restricting their access to food, shelter, and water sources. Keep trash can lids closed, pick up pet waste frequently, and store paper and books in sealed containers.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are notorious scavengers that can spread disease throughout homes, apartments, and offices. They thrive in environments that that offer food, water, and shelter – perfect conditions for them. People usually notice them as insect eggs.
Cockroaches communicate among themselves through chemical signals called pheromones that attract and mark their territories. When one crawls over an existing pheromone scent on newspapers or cardboard boxes, it picks up on it and can use it as a map leading them home.
Cockroaches, native to tropical environments, invade buildings in search of warmth, moisture, and food sources. They were hiding during the daytime hours before becoming active at night time. Cockroaches may trigger asthmatic attacks in some people as well as spread bacteria which cause disease.
Rodents
Rodents like rats and mice seek shelter when the temperature begins to dip, seeking refuge by nibbling wires which can result in electrical fires, chewing fabric and paper products, staining surfaces, damaging fabric products, damaging fabric products and staining surfaces – while potentially transmitting diseases such as salmonella and hantavirus.
Rodents enter homes seeking food and water sources. To eliminate potential food sources, store trash in sealed containers while also picking up vegetable and fruit scraps from yards, gardens or trees. Reduce water sources by clearing away tall grass, weeds and lawn clutter as hiding places for mice; pet bowls, birdbaths or any outside fountains located close to your house should also be placed elsewhere; outdoor entry points should also be blocked by means such as door sweeps or tight-fitting screens on vents/chimneys to keep mice at bay.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are flat, wingless insects that feed by biting and secreting saliva during the night. Their small size allows them to fit easily into crevices and corners of beds, mattress seams and box springs, headboards and couches as well as wall voids or picture frames.
Pests can move from room to room by hitching rides on clothing or hiding in luggage and purses. While they usually remain hidden during the daytime hours, their activity increases at night in search of food sources.
Pest control companies utilize heating equipment to de-infest furnishings, rooms and dwellings of pests. Clutter must often be cleared away before treatment begins to prevent heating inefficiency and provide more hiding spots for insects.
Fleas
Fleas are typically found living outdoors in warm, humid environments where they wait for dogs or other pets to pass by, or can be transported indoors by urban wildlife such as raccoons, squirrels and skunks.
Flea eggs hatch into larvae that look like tiny clear maggots. These blind, legless worms consume skin flakes and dried blood from adult fleas’ excrements before eventually maturing into adults themselves.
Once flea worms mature into pupae, it is not always easy to identify them without the use of a microscope. Flea pupae are protected within sticky cocoons which contain soil particles and debris from their habitat where they develop.
Spiders
Spiders can become a nuisance in your home if they gain entry via plants, firewood, camping equipment or any number of items brought from outside. To keep spiders at bay and ensure the items you bring inside do not harbor spiders, inspect these before bringing them indoors.
If you notice egg sacs or shed skin around your house, it is advisable to seek professional pest control advice immediately. Increased insect activity could indicate spider infestation since spiders feed off insects.
Spiders provide another important service by preying upon flies, gnats, mosquitoes and other flying insects – without which we would likely experience an army of these pesky pests filling up our homes with parasites!
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are bloodsucking insects that bite people for blood. But their bites also carry germs that cause malaria and yellow fever if conditions allow. Mosquitoes breed in damp and cool places outdoors and may enter homes through open windows and doors, openings for electrical outlets and vents, or similar pathways.
Ehrlich’s pest control specialists are available to assist in getting rid of these difficult-to-eliminate household pests and others. Contact us now for a complimentary inspection, which could save time and hassle later on!
