5 Most Common Household Pest Problems

No one likes the thought of unwanted household pests, but unfortunately pest infestations are an issue many homeowners will have to deal with at some point during their lifetime. Becoming familiar with the first signs of a pest problem is a valuable skill that could help you or your pest controller catch any unwanted house guests before they get the chance to cause major damage.

#1. Cockroaches

Roaches are one of the most common, and often most dreaded, pests found in residential homes. Cockroaches breed and multiply extremely quickly which can be a serious problem for some unlucky homeowners. They can go unnoticed for a surprisingly long amount of time, often only being found after it’s too late and you have a small horde to deal with.

Roaches prefer small, damp, tight spaces where light is minimal. As cockroaches can eat almost anything in order to survive, the best way of preventing a roach infestation is to limited access to a water supply in any suspected roach environment. The worst part of finding a roach infestation in your home is that they can often be extremely difficult to treat. If you suspect a cockroach infestation in your home your best way of dealing with the issue is often to enlist the help of a professional.

#2. Termites

Termites are another household pest that can cause real damage to your property and can also be hard to treat without the correct know-how. Termites feed off wood inside your home and signs you may have a termite infestation are hollow-sounding wood, visible termite droppings, discarded termite wings or even hearing a slight clicking sound around the home.

#3. Mice & rats

Mice and rats can ruin your precious belongings and cause considerable damage to your home should you let the infestation get out of hand. Rodents can also be prolific breeders and their numbers can double or even triple in a matter of days. Tiny bite marks left on food packaging or rodent droppings can be a telltale sign you may have these pesky critters residing in your home.

If you suspect mice or rats are living in your home you’ll need to know which of the two you’re dealing with prior to deciding on how to deal with the issue. There are now a number of humane ways to rid your home of mice and rats without the need for poison or inhumane traps.

#4. Ants

Due to their size, ants can find their way to the smallest amounts of food that may be left around your home. And once you notice that tiny trail of ants, it can be extremely difficult to remove them. There are many different breeds of ants and most of them are totally harmless to humans. However, some breeds of ant are armed with a painful bite and some can even be the cause of structural damage to your home. If you think your ant problem is becoming hard to deal with then you will need to speak with a pest control professional as quickly as possible.

#5. Bed bugs

For many of us, bed bugs truly are the stuff of nightmares! As the name suggests, these pests can be found in mattresses, bedding and other cracks and crevices around the home. Bed bugs live from human blood but can survive for up to 12 whole months without food. Female bed bugs can lay up to 5 eggs each and every day, meaning bed bug infestations can happen quickly and can also be extremely difficult to treat.

Bed bugs can often be extremely hard to spot due to their size and nocturnal habits. Signs that you may have bed bugs living in your home are small red spots on bedding and bed bugs castings around the home.

If you suspect your home is becoming victim to any of the household pests listed above try not to panic. The best way to effectively deal with most household pest infestations is by using professional pest controllers. Pest controllers will have the knowledge, experience and more importantly the tools to remove unwanted pests from your home.

Published in: Home advice | Author: Lynn