Ants
There are thousands of different types of ants, but only a few types are commonly found in homes. These include carpenter ants, pavement ants, and fire ants.
Carpenter ants are unique from other ant species in that they are destructive and will damage wood by creating nests inside of the wood. Pavement ants are usually found outside, but they can enter homes through cracks in the foundation and can be particularly problematic in homes with cellars or dirt basements. While many ants do not sting or bite, fire ants can do both and are infamous for their aggressive nature.
Most kinds of ants live in large colonies and are difficult to get rid of once they settle in, but here are some ways to prevent them from entering your home, to begin with:
- Clean up any food crumbs or spills immediately
- Store food in the refrigerator or in an airtight container
- Reduce the amount of moisture around your house by clearing gutters regularly and fixing any indoor or outdoor leaks
Many people do not realize that ants help to keep the environment clean by serving as decomposers and feeding on waste.
Bees
It is important to take care of bees as soon as you begin seeing them around your home so that they do not establish their colonies, leading to a much bigger problem. Although most types of bees will not sting unless they feel threatened, they can still be a danger depending on where they choose to build their nests. Wasps, hornets, and some of the more aggressive stinging insects can certainly be alarming, especially to families with small children.
There are many reasons bees are essential to life, which means we should strive to relocate them rather than eliminating them. Not only do bees provide pollination for many of the foods we eat, but they also do the same for many other animals, such as birds and cows. Pollination is also vital to the growth of flowers, trees, and other non-food crops.
Spiders
Typically, spiders are found in shady or sheltered areas, such as under furniture or woodpiles, in sheds, garages or basements. Spiders emerge when they are hunting for food or other insects. Although the presence of spiders in your home can be disconcerting, spiders can be beneficial in the sense that they prey upon pesky insects. There are only a few venomous spiders found in North Carolina.
Fleas
Fleas are particularly worrisome for pet owners, and taking good care of your pets goes a long way in avoiding a flea infestation. There are many different options available to pet owners such as flea collars, oral medication, flea shampoos, and topical treatments. If your pet does have fleas, it’s important to treat the pet (consult with your veterinarian on this step), but you must also treat the environment considering fleas can lay 25-40 eggs per day.
Pest Prevention Methods
There are several ways to prevent infestations from all the aforementioned pests and others:
- Store trash in containers with lids and dispose of it regularly
- Do not leave food, open food containers or wrappers out
- Ensure that window and door screens are completely intact
- Maintain trees and shrubs and keep them away from the sides of the house
- Keep woodpiles away from the house and off the ground
Preventing infestations is key because once these stubborn pests have settled in, it can be extremely challenging to get rid of them. Be proactive by contacting Rid-A-Bug, and we can help you with prevention and treatment of common pests.