Indoor Bugs and What to Do About Them
Your home is your personal sanctuary. It is where we sleep, dine, and spend a great deal of our free time. Unfortunately, we are often not alone in enjoying this sacred space.
Aside from our loved ones and darling pets, many other little creepy crawlies like to make themselves at home in our living space. While many of these creatures are small and often go unnoticed, some of these pests can cause major problems for your welfare. If you suspect you may have some unwanted house guests, here are nine indoor bugs and what you can do about them.
1. Flies
Flies are a nuisance pest that can contaminate food and transmit dangerous diseases. The most common intruder is the house fly, but your home can also suffer from fruit and horse flies as well. These bugs are persistent and plentiful. If hatching occurs, your problem can go from one buzzing bother to many. While house and fruit flies mainly zoom around and pester, horse flies can bite leaving some nasty welts. These pests should be dealt with quickly.
What you should do:
Because they can transmit nasty diseases and contaminate anything they land on, this is a pest you should deal with immediately. To prevent them from getting inside, keep your home as tidy as possible. Block all possible entryways like doors, windows, and cracks. Eliminate any breeding sites. If you suspect an infestation, it would be wise to reach out to a pest control expert to locate the breeding ground and eliminate the problem.
2. Fleas
These pesky parasites feed off warm-blooded creatures and come in many different varieties: cat, dog, and rat fleas. These critters do not fly, but they jump onto their hosts. They bite and leave painful, itchy red bumps. Normally, you don’t just find one. These pests can not only affect your family but your furry friends as well. Enough of these pests can cause your animal’s serious harm.
What you should do:
With fleas, prevention is the best course of action. Keep your yard clean and try to deter any creatures carrying fleas from entering your yard. Seal all cracks and crevices on the outside of your house using silicone-based caulk. In addition, use flea management for your pests: ointments, baths, and other treatments. If you do have an infestation, vacuum the affected area and dispose of the vacuum bag in a sealed garbage bag. Place it outside. If the infestation doesn’t relent, contact a pest control expert to inspect your home.
3. Book Lice or Louse
These little insects are a common parasite often found in damp pantries or storage areas. They feed off mold, dead insects, stored food and other organic matter. These scavengers live indoors, are wingless, and are drawn to places with high humidity and moisture. They don’t cause any physical harm, but they are unwanted, nonetheless.
What you should do:
The best way to keep these bugs out is by eliminating any excess moisture. Run a dehumidifier, make sure your rooms are properly vented, and be sure all your water sources are cared for. If you do find booklice, throw out any contaminated food or items, whether they are cereal, books, flour, or grains. If you wish to keep infected items, like books, seal them in a plastic bag and freeze it. Once the bugs are dead, vacuum up the remains and dispose of them properly.
4. Little Black Ants
Ants are a common invader, especially the little black ants. These pests are normally worker ants searching for food and water for their colony. They act as a search party, checking for ideal places to raid. If you aren’t careful, one can become many and that can be bad news for your pantry.
What you should do:
To protect against these invaders, seal all cracks in your exterior with a silicone-based caulk. Store all firewood about 20 ft from your home and keep your shrubs trimmed. Seek out ant nests and use store-bought killers and repellents to destroy them.
5. House Spiders
House spiders are so stealthy it can be hard to spot them. Cobweb spiders, cellar spiders, and ghost spiders are among the wide variety of housemates you may not know you have. They are very common in homes. They often make webs or hide, making a feast of other possible pests that may reside in your house as well. Less of a pest and more of a small exterminator, house spiders are often harmless if left alone. Many spiders, however, can become an issue.
What you should do:
As with other pests, seal up any potential cracks and openings with a silicone-based caulk. If you spot any spiders in your home, vacuum up egg sacs, webs, or the spiders themselves and dispose of them outside.
6. Bed Bugs
These horrific parasites feed off humans and other animals while they sleep. Nocturnal creatures, bed bugs are a non-flying insect that can be found in populated areas such as hotels, schools, offices, or homes. Bed Bugs can hide just about anywhere: beds, furniture, light fixtures, switch panels, or many other spots. These nasty insects bite and feed, leaving welts on their hosts. Often hard to find, bed bugs are a pest that can be difficult to deal with.
What you should do:
If you are traveling, inspect your hotel room, seal your suitcase, and check your clothing upon your return. Examine second-hand furniture for any tell-tale signs like droppings or stains. Inspect beds with a flashlight. Also, check headboards, box springs, and other places. Check out pet beds as well. If you suspect an infestation, seek out help from a pest control expert.
7. House Centipedes
These fast, active hunters are frightening to look at if they should catch your eye. Often, these insects are hard to spot. They try to avoid being seen and stay out of sight. They feast on cockroaches, flies, and other more threatening pests. While these bugs are more of a problem for other invaders, they are not a pleasant discovery in the middle of the night.
What you should do:
House centipedes often hang around areas in your home that are full of moisture. Vent attics, basements, and crawl spaces and use a dehumidifier. Seal all possible openings. Outdoors, clear away any refuse and store firewood properly. If you do see a centipede in your home, vacuum up the pest and dispose of the bag outside.
8. Silverfish
These flightless bugs are attracted to wet, damp places. They feed off crumbs, dead insects, glue, paper, and leather. They often leave yellow stains and notches in infested areas. They can damage property if left unchecked.
What you should do:
The best way to dispose of this pest is to control the food in the infested area. Invest in a dehumidifier. Repair any leaky pipes or drains, and eliminate any moldy, wet areas. Keep books dry and your foods like sugar and flour in airtight containers.
9. Cockroaches
These creepy beetles can be found just about anywhere. They come in a variety of species and can be very dangerous if left alone. Often, an infestation can trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions. Additionally, these pests can spread harmful bacteria. They inhabit dark, wet areas and stick close to food sources. If you see one, chances are there are many.
What you should do:
Cockroaches are one of the most resilient pests. The best way to deal with them is to prevent them altogether. Keep your home clean, inside and out. Seal your food and trash receptacles. Close any cracks and openings. Inside, clear clutter, crumbs, and drains. Make your home uninhabitable for them. If you suspect an infestation, contact a pest control expert to inspect your property.
With proper treatment and precautions, you can keep your home bug free! If you are having difficulty with any pests or the problem is bigger than you anticipated, do not hesitate – contact a pest control specialist at The Pest Rangers and make your home pest-free today.