10 Fascinating Facts About Home Pests
Fun Facts and Practical Tips for Pest Control Success
Whenever you mention the word “pest,” it conjures up all kinds of creepy, crawly and downright icky images.
And while there are plenty of pesky bugs that might be taking a bite out of you and your family’s sanity, they can also be surprisingly fascinating bugs as well.
If you’ve ever wanted to know more about what kind of common pests live with us in our homes, here are the top 10 amazing home pests facts.
Complete with FAQs answered by our friendly pest controllers to give you some extra insight into these tenacious critters.
1. Ants
These tiny creatures could fill almost any space imaginable, Including filling up your kitchen sink with thousands of worker ants or forming massive colonies that span hundreds of acres. A single ant may live for weeks, while an entire ant colony could live for decades. They can carry more than their body weight and bony size.
2. Cockroaches
They are one of the hardiest house pests out there. Some have even been known to survive nuclear explosions. These resilient creatures often enter homes through tiny cracks and crevices, then reproduce quickly and spread disease throughout. If a cockroach loses a leg or antenna, it can regenerate a new one during its molting process.
3. Fleas
Fleas are often seen as a nuisance in households And rightfully. Since they can quickly reproduce and wreak havoc on family pets and furnishing alike. Though small, fleas jump amazingly high relative to their size, with some species able to leap up to eight inches. A single flea goes through 4 life cycles.
4. Ticks
Ticks, while not technically having wings, are expert hangers. These annoying pests can attach themselves to nearly any passersby that happen by their habitat and quickly start to feed on human blood as their daily blood meal. Ticks will actually move up higher on your body once they’ve fed. So be sure to check your head, neck, and scalp when doing post-hike tick checks.
5. Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are pesky little creatures that can survive and thrive in warm area, such as hotel rooms and beds. The resilient bed bug is difficult to remove once it’s entrenched itself in a particular area, but professional pest control companies may have the right tools for the job. Bed bugs can actually live up to a year without feeding while spreading diseases to human.
6. Rodents
These social animals and disgusting creatures can carry a number of germs and diseases which can be dangerous both to humans and pets safe. Rodents have 18 different types of teeth and they can actually grow up to 7-10 inches long.
7. Silverfish
Silverfish are especially fast creatures that typically establish nests in damp, dark places such as basements or attics. These omnivorous bugs feed on starches and sugars. Meaning most pantries are a silverfish buffets. Silverfish can actually live for up to 8 years with the right conditions. Though they usually only survive around 3-4 years without proper food source.
8. Spiders
Spiders are, for many people, the scariest of all of the pests that might end up calling your property theirs. These eight-legged creatures can easily creep all over walls and ceilings, with some even having surprisingly strong venom attached to them. Spiders don’t actually have ears. Making it difficult for them to sense sound vibrations though they can still sense air vibrations through their legs. The bird-eating spider is the largest specie known to men.
9. Termites
Termites are some of the most destructive pests and insects found in properties, since they can literally chew through wood for supply. There are three different types of termites including subterranean, dry wood and damp wood termites. Subterranean termites actually build tube-like tunnels up walls in order to easily access food sources inside a property. Another fascinating fact about termite colonies is that their females can lay up to five eggs per day, contributing to their rapid population growth.
10. Wasps
Wasps are another incredibly common bug encountered all over the world. And while some people have an irrational fear of them due to their painful stings, what many don’t know is that wasps play an important role in our ecosystem by pollinating plants and controlling other insect populations. While social wasps typically live in enclosed habitats with large numbers within them, solitary wasps prefer living alone in berries or walls instead.
FAQs
What is the best way to keep my property free from pests?
Keeping pest animals away from your property starts with creating a barrier. This can range from fixing any holes or cracks in your walls that critters could take advantage of, to sealing windows and doorways with weather-stripping for extra insulation. In addition, regularly checking crevices and other potential pest animal hideouts in your home is key.
Does pest control have to come at the expense of my family’s health?
Not at all. Safe and healthy pest control methods exist that allow homeowners to keep their properties free from pests without having to resort to noxious chemical poisons or aerosols. Natural pesticide sprays are effective ways of ridding pests without having harsh chemicals. As well as using physical traps for getting rid of rodents or making sure food is stored properly are all great preventative measures.
Is regular pest control necessary?
Regular pest control is not essential, however sudden outbreaks of pests can be difficult to control after the fact. So it’s important to keep an eye out for any potential infestations. If you have reason to believe a single bug you’ve seen might be part of an infestation, consider calling a professional exterminator who can help identify, assess and offer advice on how to get rid of them quickly and safely.
Conclusion
Keep in mind that successful pest control is often a job best left to professionals.
So if things get too out of hand call an expert right away.
Remember that each bug has different habits and behaviors.
Being aware of these can help keep yourself informed on how to stay one step ahead of any potential invasions.
