As a homeowner, nothing beats the feeling of going home to a cozy, clean, and stress-free house. It’s also the place where you feel safe. However, you might not feel so safe if there are common household pests getting into your home. It’s already bad enough that you can’t control what might bite or irritate you when you’re outdoors. It’s even worse if those bugs and other little creatures find their way into your home. Having that kind of experience in your house is just a big no-no.
Pest problems at home can be daunting to address. Not only do you have to locate the infestation, but you also must locate the spread. You also need to tackle how to eliminate the pests, which isn’t an easy task to begin with.
Common Household Pests 101 • How To Eliminate Them
You must first know what the most common household pests are. It helps to get to know their characteristics, how they reproduce, and what attracts them to your house. Having this knowledge makes it less daunting for you to eliminate them. If you’re from East Idaho, it might help to check https://www.ifyardbutler.com/pest-control for more information.
In addition, the list below is to help you identify the most common household pests and the best ways to eliminate them:
1. Ants
Ants are a common problem in most households. They’re annoying because they find ways to enter even the smallest cracks of the house to lay eggs to promote an infestation. They’re considered essential because they eat other harmful insects, but, they’re still a nuisance. Ants may seem harmless at first, but they are uncomfortable as you see them swarming around food crumbs or residues on surfaces.
The good thing about this type of pest is you can easily tell when they the household. Once you see even a single ant, others are always nearby. The key is to get rid of them as soon as possible to avoid a larger infestation. To get rid of home ants, clean the surface where you see them. You can use soap and water to clean it. However, make sure that all surfaces, sticky objects, or food spills are wiped clean. If the ants are gathering around a container or an object, take it out of the house.
Sometimes, getting rid of the ants still won’t stop others from getting inside your home. When this happens, block and seal holes in your doorway and windows to make block their entry. Make sure your house, especially the kitchen, is clean of all food crumbs and debris that can attract them.
2. Termites
Termites are eusocial insects that are one of the most damaging pests in the world. Many also call them the ‘silent destroyers’ and are worse than a nightmare when your house gets infested by them. Being such small bugs, termites secretly and silently munch away the substructure of your home. They enter masonry gaps that are as small as 1/32 of an inch which is less than a millimeter.
Since termites are really small and barely make any sound, it’s difficult to know if they’re in your house. To know if your house has termites, check for any noticeable blisters, sags, or cracks in surfaces. You might locate them in skirting boards, ceiling beams, and laminated floors. Another way to spot any damage inflicted by termites is to knock or tap on timber around your house. If it makes a hollow sound, it’s most likely there’s termite damage.
Here are some tips on how to eliminate these bugs:
- Use termite-killing products to damaged surfaces
- Set up termite baits
- Diffuse boric acid in your walls and floors
- Apply wood treatments by sprinkling sodium borate or borax powder on affected areas
Prevention is better than cure, that’s why it’s highly recommended to stop these pests from invading your home by installing a barrier around your home.
3. Cockroaches
Cockroaches aren’t only annoying, but they’re also dirty, and scary when they’re flying around the home. These bugs can cause serious health issues such as coliform, streptococcus, salmonella, hepatitis, and staphylococcus. This is because of their ability to transmit diseases and bacteria. They also contaminate food simply by touching its surface. Cockroaches are usually found in the kitchen where there’s food. They may also be present near water deposits and other dark areas of the house.
To eliminate these pests, you can make a concoction by mixing powdered sugar and boric acid. The sweetness of sugar will lure them in while the boric acid will kill them when they ingest it. You may also try using bug sprays, although they’re not usually effective, especially if there’s a massive invasion. Once you get rid of them, you can prevent the insects from coming back by sealing up any holes or cracks in the house. If you have any water leaks, make sure to fix them as well.
4. Fleas
A common household pest that readily infests your home is fleas. Once they start infesting your pets, they eventually spread through the whole house. These pests thrive in warm climates, so if you live in warm regions and you have pets, be sure to regularly check your fur babies for fleas.
The easiest way to tell if fleas are already present in the house is when your pets and family members start itching. At times, there are little jumpers visible because of their strong legs that allow them to jump several inches in distance. Just imagine if your pet is the carrier of this pest—your house can turn into a nursery of fleas. The largest percentage of infestation is because of cocoons, larvae, and eggs that spread through the home. This only means the solution must involve different angles if you want to eliminate this pest.
The first thing is to treat your pet and their living environment. Talk to a veterinarian or a professional team of pest control to address the problem right away. Then, use a powerful vacuum on your mattresses, upholstery, and floors to dispose of the fleas. Using a steam cleaner can also help since soap and high heat can drive the fleas away.
Make sure to wash all your bedding in hot water and then dry them on the hottest setting. If you think the infestation is already severe, consider buying new bedding since just washing them probably won’t help.
5. Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are extremely uncomfortable and annoying common household pests. They bite you while you’re asleep because they’re active during nighttime. They draw blood from your skin through their beaks, which is how they feed. Their feeding could last from 3-10 minutes, and you won’t even notice or feel it. Because they have flat bodies, bed bugs can easily enter tiny spaces. They usually hide in box springs, mattresses, headboards, and bed frames because these are where they can easily access their food at night.
Though painless at first, the bite could turn into itchy welts later on. You’ll notice the bites on parts of the skin that are exposed as you sleep. Sometimes, you may think it’s the mosquitoes that are causing the bites and itchiness. You can only tell they’re caused by bed bugs because of some signs such as bloodstains on your bedding, eggshells, shed skins, or fecal spots in the bed or other areas where the bugs hide There is also a strong musty smell that comes from the scent glands of the bugs.
If you think there are bed bugs in your room, you may get rid of them by doing the following:
- Cleaning curtains, clothing, linens, and bedding in hot water. Make sure to dry them using the highest setting on your dryer.
- Vacuum more frequently, particularly your bed. Once you’re done vacuuming, don’t let the cleaner bag sit anywhere. Remove it immediately and place the garbage outside.
- Use a zipper and a tightly woven cover for your box springs and mattresses. The cover will keep the bugs from getting out or entering inside. Make sure not to remove it for at least a year, and the bugs will eventually die inside.
If the infestation seems more severe than you can handle, it might require chemical treatments. You can do it on your own, but be careful because the chemicals can be harmful.
6. Mice
Mice may be smaller and less unappealing than rats, but they’re capable of more than their size lets on. They do damage to your clothing and household objects by leaving their excrement and urine on them. Mice also destroy pillows and books by nibbling at them. When you’re infested with mice, it’s crucial to quickly find ways to eliminate them. They can reproduce as often as ten times in a year, which makes it even harder to manage their population.
The best way to eliminate mice in your home is to make sure there isn’t food available for them to feed on. You also need to remove anything outside the home such as uncovered garbage cans. Containers should be tightly sealed and in clean condition.
Because of their small size, mice easily squeeze through cracks and gaps. So you also need to block or seal those to prevent the pests from entering your property. Another technique to try is placing glue boards, rodenticides, and traps in areas they frequent.
7. Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are probably one of the most irksome insects you have to deal with when you’re outdoors. While it’s difficult to get rid of them if you’re outside, you should make sure they won’t be bothering you inside your house. Although it’s only the female mosquitoes that bite, the male ones are also just as annoying when they’re flying around. What’s even more annoying about these insects is they can detect you even when you’re several feet away from them.
Getting rid of mosquitoes may be tricky, but it’s doable. You can use citronella candles to drive them away. There are also insect repellents you can wear or apply on your skin, so they won’t bite or come near you. If your house has screens, make sure they don’t have tears and holes so the mosquitoes won’t get in.
In conclusion
Several household pests can invade your home if you’re not careful. You have to always be on the lookout in case they start getting inside. The key is to spot the infestation as early as you can, so you can do something about it. Being prompt in taking action is crucial.
Mosquitoes, mice, termites, ants, cockroaches, fleas, and bed bugs are just some of the most common household pests. Don’t let them breed and live in your house rent-free. Find ways to eliminate them right away, either by doing it on your own or calling a pest control expert. Remember, it’s your home and not theirs. Consider the ideas mentioned here as you make your house pest-free.
If you have any questions or suggestions, we always love to hear from you in the comments below. Also below are links that will take you to more fantastic articles about ALL things DESIGN for your home or business.
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About the Author: Ashley Edwards
