Got pests in your house?
Welcome to the club. Pests are one of the most annoying issues that homeowners face. They come into your home uninvited, make themselves at home and then cause serious damage to your property.
But here’s the good news…
If you know how to identify and eliminate common household pests, you can take action to prevent this problem before it becomes a serious issue in your home.
What you’ll discover:
- Why Pest Control Is Important
- Identifying The Most Common Household Pests
- How To Eliminate Common Pests
- Long-Term Pest Management
Why Pest Control Is Important
First, let me tell you something most people don’t know…
Pests are not just annoying, they are also a real danger to your home and your health. Did you know that according to the latest data 21 million homes in the U.S. are infested by rodents during the winter months alone?
Yikes!
And rodents are just the tip of the iceberg, really. Ants, cockroaches, termites, and bed bugs – there are all kinds of pests out there looking for ways into your home. These pests can cause all kinds of trouble including:
- Structural damage to your property
- Health risks from disease transmission
- Contamination of food and surfaces
- Allergic reactions in your family members
This is where professional pest control services can help. Companies like Supernova Pest Control specialize in helping homeowners identify pest problems and formulate a targeted treatment plan that works. By having expert pest control services in your corner, you’ll get access to professional-grade pest control solutions, as well as the knowledge needed to keep your home pest-free for good.
Identifying The Most Common Household Pests
But if you want to eliminate pests from your home, it’s good to know what you’re dealing with first. All pests are not created equal, and different species will require a different treatment approach.
Ants: The Most Common Invader
Ants – they’re EVERYWHERE. In fact, these little critters are the most common pest problem in American homes. Can you believe it? 56% of homeowners in the U.S. report dealing with ant infestations each year.
How can you identify an ant problem?
Look for small insects marching in lines towards food sources
Ants create trails from their entry points to the food in your home
Ants can usually be found near sweet foods, pet food, moisture sources and cracks in your home’s foundation.
Cockroaches: The Nighttime Menace
Here’s something that most people don’t like to admit…
Cockroaches are the most disgusting pests you can have in your home. These critters come out at night and reproduce rapidly while they spread disease throughout your house.
Signs that you have a roach problem:
- Seeing cockroaches scurry when you turn the lights on
- Droppings that look like coffee grounds
- Musty odors in infested rooms
- Egg cases (oothecae) in dark corners
You’ll often find these pests around kitchens, bathrooms, and anywhere else there’s warmth and humidity.
Rodents: The Property Destroyers
I’m not sure if you know this but mice and rats are not only creepy, they are destructive as well.
You may have rodents if you see:
- Droppings in cabinets or along walls
- Gnaw marks on food packages
- Scratching noises in walls or ceilings
- Grease marks along baseboards and walls
Rodents can cause thousands of dollars in damage by chewing through electrical wires, contaminating your food supply, and causing structural damage to your home.
Termites: The Silent Destroyers
Termites – these are the silent killers.
Why?
Termites can do thousands of dollars in damage to your home without you even realizing it. These pests eat away at wood from the inside out, which compromises the structural integrity of your property.
Signs of a termite infestation:
- Mud tubes on the exterior walls of your home
- Hollow-sounding wood when you tap it
- Discarded wings near windows or doors
- Buckling or blistering paint
Bed Bugs: The Sleep Stealers
Bed bugs – these pests are every homeowner’s worst nightmare.
Bed bugs are tiny pests that hide in mattresses, furniture and cracks during the day. At night, they come out to feast on human blood.
Signs of a bed bug infestation:
- Small red or brown stains on your sheets or mattress
- Tiny black dots (bed bug droppings)
- Itchy bites in lines or clusters
- A sweet, musty odor
How To Eliminate Common Pests
Okay, now that you know what you’re up against…
Let’s talk about how to get rid of these pests once and for all.
Start With Prevention
It’s a good idea to think of pest control as an ongoing preventative measure to stop infestations before they start.
Here are some key prevention steps:
- Seal cracks and gaps in your home’s exterior
- Fix leaky pipes and reduce moisture sources
- Store food in sealed containers
- Clean up spills and crumbs right away
- Reduce clutter that provides hiding places
These simple steps can go a long way towards making your home less inviting for pests.
DIY Solutions That Work
Okay, so let’s say you already have a pest problem, but it’s still on the small side. In that case, there are some DIY approaches you can try that actually work, including:
For ants:
- Use vinegar and water to clean their trails
- Sprinkle diatomaceous earth at entry points
- Place out bait stations
For cockroaches:
- Sprinkle boric acid in problem areas
- Set sticky traps to monitor activity
- Deep clean kitchen and bathroom areas
For rodents:
- Set snap traps baited with peanut butter
- Seal entry holes with steel wool
- Keep firewood away from your home
But here’s the thing with DIY solutions…
They work for small problems, but when you have a serious infestation, you need professional help.
When To Call The Professionals
The key to when to call pest control services is to know when your problem is too big to handle alone. For instance, you should call professionals when:
- You see pests even though you’re trying to get rid of them
- The problem keeps coming back
- You’re dealing with dangerous pests
- There’s structural damage from termites or other wood-eating pests
- You have a bed bug infestation
Why call professionals?
The key advantage to having pest control services in your corner is that they have access to professional-grade treatments that will work fast and last longer. They understand how pests behave and will know where to look for hidden infestations. Plus, you’ll save yourself time and frustration.
Ongoing Maintenance
Here’s the one thing most people get wrong when it comes to pest control…
It’s not a one-time deal. Pest control is an ongoing maintenance project if you want to keep your home pest-free year-round.
Here’s what you can do:
- Conduct regular inspections quarterly
- Schedule professional treatments as needed
- Fix moisture problems ASAP
- Monitor for new pest activity
Prevention is always easier and cheaper than elimination, as they say.
Long-Term Pest Management
If you really want to keep pests out of your home for the long haul, you need to think comprehensively. Take an approach that targets all of the factors attracting pests to your property and you’ll be much more likely to succeed.
Maintain the exterior of your home:
- Keep gutters clean and working
- Repair damaged screens and weatherstripping
- Maintain proper grading around foundation
Adjust your interior habits:
- Clean up spills and crumbs immediately
- Store food properly in sealed containers
- Keep clutter to a minimum that provides hiding places
Manage your yard properly:
- Keep grass short and trim
- Remove leaf piles and debris
- Store firewood away from the house
You can think of pest control as an investment in the value of your home and your family’s health.
Bringing It All Together
Identifying and eliminating common household pests is not as difficult as it seems.
By learning to recognize the signs of pest activity in and around your home, taking simple preventive measures and knowing when to call in professional help, you can keep your home pest-free all year long.
Here are the key takeaways from this post:
- Different pests require different treatment strategies
- Pest control starts with prevention
- DIY pest control methods work for minor problems
- Professional pest control services tackle serious infestations
- Ongoing maintenance keeps pests at bay
Don’t wait until you have a major pest infestation to take action. Take steps to prevent a problem before it happens and you’ll be well on your way to protecting your home and family from these unwanted intruders.
