All You Need to Know About Pest Control

Mosquitoes breed in standing water and bite to feed on blood. They are nuisance pests and can transmit diseases like Zika, West Nile, and malaria. Eliminate breeding environments by draining standing water sources. Use window/door screens to prevent indoor entry. While outdoors, wear bug spray containing DEET, picaridin, or other repellents, and light citronella candles to deter mosquitoes. Traps and mosquito dunks also help reduce populations. Professional mosquito control sprays large areas for community mosquito prevention.

Ticks live in wooded, brushy areas and bite humans and animals to feed on blood. They can transmit Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and other illnesses. Avoid tick habitats when possible. Use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants when visiting tick-infested areas. Check for and safely remove attached ticks promptly. Control ticks in yards by clearing tall grass and brush. Professional tick pest control sprays targeted insecticides and installs tick tubes containing permethrin-treated cotton. These control ticks on mice which helps limit the spread of Lyme disease.

Stinging wasps like yellow-jackets, hornets, and paper wasps build nests on homes and are aggressive when defending nests. Allergic reactions to stings can be life-threatening. Professional power washing or foaming of nests after dark is safest for removal. Traps containing fruit juice or pheromones attract wasps away from homes. Residual sprays applied by pest control technicians to eaves, soffits, and overhangs help discourage nesting. Inspect homes in spring for early nesting activity and remove nests before populations grow large. Taking precautions like wearing protective clothing and avoiding prodded nests helps prevent stings.

There are over 700 ant species in the United States, many of which can infest homes. Common household ant species include carpenter, pharaoh, pavement, odorous, and Argentine ants. Ants enter through cracks and follow pheromone trails to food sources. Borax and boric acid powders, granules, and baits effectively control ants indoors and outdoors. Seal entry points, store food in containers, and eliminate standing water to discourage ants. For severe infestations, seek professional ant pest control, which may employ liquid insecticide treatments or ant-killing dust.

Bed bugs are small parasitic insects that feed on human blood, often biting at night. They infest mattresses, bed frames, furniture, and even electronics near sleeping areas. Bed bug bites appear as itchy red welts. Heat treatments by professional exterminators kill bed bugs and eggs on contact. Traps, steamers, and chemical sprays are also used to eradicate bed bugs. Thoroughly inspecting for signs of bed bugs when traveling can help prevent bringing them home. Isolate infested items in sealed bags until proper treatment.

Rodents like mice, rats, and squirrels damage homes by chewing on electrical wires, insulation, and wood. They contaminate food sources and can spread diseases. Indoor traps, baits, and poisons help control rodents, while sealing entry points like holes and gaps helps prevent access. Messy outdoor spaces attract rodents looking for food and shelter. Pruning vegetation, cleaning up fallen fruit, and securing garbage in lidded cans discourage outdoor rodents. For major rodent issues, professional exterminators may employ bait stations or rodenticides.

Cockroaches multiply quickly and contaminate food and surfaces with bacteria. They squeeze into homes through small cracks seeking water and food scraps. Roach baits, gels and growth regulators help control infestations indoors, while outdoor spraying targets entry points and breeding sites. Eliminate moisture and food sources roaches require and use boric acid powder in wall voids. Stopping an infestation early improves roach control success before populations grow. Fumigation by pest control pros reaches spaces that harbor roaches.

Fleas live on pets and wildlife and bite humans and animals. They infest yards, homes, beds and furniture. Fleas spread diseases and cause itching and discomfort from bites. Oral and topical flea medications treat infested pets, while flea collars, shampoos and sprays provide additional protection. Indoors, thoroughly wash bedding on hot cycles and vacuum thoroughly to remove eggs and larvae. Professional exterminators can treat severe home flea infestations. Outdoor flea control concentrates on treating lawns, landscaping beds and under porches where fleas breed and hang out.

Gnats and flies enter homes through open windows or doors, looking for food and moisture. They breed rapidly in drains, compost piles, fallen fruit and animal waste. Screens, fly paper, and electric bug zappers prevent indoor entry. Pour boiling water down drains weekly and clean trash cans to eliminate breeding sites. Traps containing vinegar or wine tempt gnats and fruit flies. Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTI) is a biological larvicide that kills gnats and flies in outdoor breeding sources. Professional pest control applies high-volume spraying to control severe fly infestations outdoors.

Termites cause serious property damage by eating the cellulose in wood foundations and structures. Telltale signs include mud tubes, sawdust piles and wood that sounds hollow when tapped. Professional termite control involves liquid soil treatments, termite baits, or foam applications. Fumigation tents may be required for whole-structure treatment. Preventative termite control includes using treated wood, installing termite shields, grading soil, and using barrier sprays around foundations. Routine professional inspections help detect infestations early before major damage occurs.

Common household spiders like brown recluses, black widows, and hobo spiders deliver toxic, painful bites. Sticky traps monitor for venomous spiders indoors. Shake out and inspect clothing and shoes stored in garages and basements where spiders nest. Seal cracks in foundations that give spiders entry. Messy piles of wood, debris, and clutter outdoors attract spiders by harboring insect prey. Using pesticidal dust in home voids and power washing or spraying eaves outdoors helps reduce spider populations. Hiring a professional exterminator may be required for severe infestations of venomous spiders like black widows.

Beetles damage homes by boring holes and tunneling through wood. Common household beetle pests include carpet beetles, cigarette beetles, and old house borers. Discard infested furniture, fabrics, and pantry products. Use pheromone traps to monitor and control beetles. Application of borate powder in wall voids deters beetles. Freezing small items for a few days kills all life stages. Fumigation by professionals may be the best solution for major structural beetle damage and large-scale infestations. Prevent beetles by keeping homes dry and well-ventilated, reducing clutter, and promptly fixing leaks and moisture issues.