Ants
Did you know that: Ants are the #1 nuisance pest in the United States, and there are more than 700 ant species found in the U.S., although only about 25 species commonly infest homes. Ants are social insects that typically live in underground colonies, made up of workers and a queen.
Ants will eat practically any kind of food, but are especially attracted to sweets. Ants are easily identifiable due to their three distinct body region: head, thorax and abdomen, as well as antennae.
Where will you most likely to find ants: Your kitchen area for one, keep your tabletops clean and keep sweets sealed and away from potential ant attack.
How can you fight ants? Well over the counter sprays can work in the short term but the use of a pesticide and ant traps done by a professional is the best solution.
Bed Bugs
Of almost all publicity given to a pest of late the Bed Bug had really taken center stage. The Bed Bug was once almost totally eradicated in the United States but population shifts and easy borders have made this little bug come back with a vengeance.
Bed bugs feed only on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded hosts. Although they have a cryptic behavior and can conceal themselves in tight cracks and crevices, bed bugs are often found in bed parts, such as mattresses and box springs, hence the common name.
National Pest Management Association and the University of Kentucky, found that 99.6 percent of U.S. pest management professionals have encountered a bed bug infestation in the past year and that infestations have increased in the majority of locations in which pest professionals typically treat for bed bugs. Prior to 2000, only 25 percent of respondents had encountered a bed bug infestation.
Here are some tips for travelers from the NPMA:
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Thoroughly inspect the entire room with a flashlight before unpacking, including behind the headboard, under lights, and inside dressers, drawers, sofas and chairs.
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Pull back the sheets and inspect the mattress seams and box springs, particularly at the corners, for telltale stains, spots or shed bed bug skins.
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Place suitcase in a plastic trash bag during the duration of your trip to ensure that bed bugs cannot take up residence there prior to departure.
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Pack clothes in zip lock bag for easy cleaning upon returning home.
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Do not place luggage on upholstered surfaces. The safest place is in the bathroom in the middle of a tile floor or on a luggage rack after it has been thoroughly inspected. Do not use a luggage rack if it has hollow legs, where bed bugs may hide unseen.
A third pest that often causes screams for child and adult alike is the spider. There are several types of spiders but only a few usually are encountered in the house or around the house:
Spiders
Brown Recluse Spiders have a characteristic dark brown violin marking on their back. The Brown Recluse is small and usually hard to see until it bites and its bite can become infected and a problem. The potential need for antibiotics once bitten may be necessary. So again a pest control specialist can find these spiders and get rid of them.
Common House Spider
The common house spider is usually the spider most often encountered indoors. It is a nuisance pest, probably more because of its webs than the spider itself. This spider is found worldwide and is common throughout the United States and Canada.
Jumping Spider
The jumping spider common name comes from their jumping ability and habit which they use to capture prey. They are an occasional nuisance pest indoors, and some colored species may cause concern when people mistake them for Black Widow spiders. About 300 species of jumping spiders are found in the United States and Canada.
Wolf Spiders
Wolf spiders are hunting spiders and will chase their prey. These spiders are often big and hairy which alarms some people, but they are primarily nuisance pests. Over 100 species occur in the United States and Canada.
Termites
Termites are known as “silent destroyers” because of their ability to chew through wood, flooring and even wallpaper undetected. Each year, termites cause more than $5 billion in property damage.
Swarmers, looking to start a new colony, are typically the first sign of termite season as these winged-pests show up inside homes in early spring. To get rid of termites in the home, contact a termite management specialist to address the infestation.