Common House Pests You Don’t Want in Your Property
Bugs are pretty common in this country. In fact, an article on the Atlantic details that American homes are filled with bugs, with some of them containing anywhere from 32 to 211 species of insects. While some of these bugs are relatively harmless, a number of them can cause problems if left to run amuck. This is why we’ve put together a list of common house pests that you don’t want in your property – including ways to effectively deal with them. Read on, to know more about these pests and how to prevent them from taking over your home!
Termites
Some may consider the pests on this list as a minor nuisance, but the termite can literally destroy your home. The Washington Post reports that termites cause $5 billion worth of property damage every year, which isn’t surprising given their capacity for destruction. A colony of termites is reportedly able to eat through a foot-long, 2-inch-by-4-inch beam. That’s a fact that could spell trouble for your home.
There’s only so much you can do when termites invade your property. Instead of dealing with the issue yourself, it would be best to call in termite experts as soon as possible. However, what you can do is watch out for telltale signs of a termite infestation. Loose tiles can indicate termites as they can introduce moisture into your flooring. Mounds of termite pellets on the floor, which resemble fine wood shavings or salt, are also indicative of termites. Keep your eyes open for these signs and call in the experts as soon as possible.
Wasps
Wasps are flying insects that pack quite the sting. The last thing you want is for wasps to establish their nests anywhere on your property. They are known to be extremely territorial and aggressive towards humans and pets that you may have around the house. Because of this, they pose quite a danger, as a wasp’s sting can inflict a significant amount of pain.
So how do you deal with this problem? To deal with wasps with brute force is not advisable, as HomeServe stresses that you should avoid killing wasps because their venom contains a pheromone that’ll make nearby wasps more aggressive when released. This leads to more problems down the line, as it could cause a frenzy of wasps to rain down. Preventive measures you can take including; first, sealing up cracks around the house where wasps can build their nests. Second, you can also install natural wasp repellents such as wormwood shrubs that will go a long way into preventing a wasp infestation.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are one of the most notorious of all the house pests. They soil living environments and make for an overall unhealthy atmosphere within the spaces that they inhabit. According to the American Lung Association, early exposure to cockroaches is linked to the onset of asthma in children. They also spread harmful bacteria on surfaces they crawl on, putting everyone that comes into contact with them at risk.
While you can opt to use sprays and pesticides to get rid of cockroaches, this can be rather harmful, as the chemicals could produce adverse effects in humans as well. Instead of going for a chemical solution, rigorous clean-up will also do the trick when it comes to getting rid of roaches. Make sure you don’t have any food constantly exposed around the house and dispose of the waste properly and your roach problem should be gone in no time.
If you found this article helpful, check out Kathleen Bowering’s article on unwanted animals that you want off of your property!
