The Most Common Pests Found in the Average Home

Pests don't discriminate and will invade your home in St Catharines, if you don't believe in pest control in St Catharines! They crawl through the smallest gaps in search of food, so nothing is stopping them from coming inside all hours of day or night! 

That means every type! Roaches scurry quickly towards their next meal while ants trek kilometres to get close at the first sight of food. And mice and rats! Yikes!

In St Catharines, It's essential to know how you should approach each pest to know which method of pest control is right for you. 

Here is a list of the most common pests that invade our homes:

Ants

Ants are one of the most common pests found in the average home.

You might see tiny black or red ants crawling around your kitchen counters, or they might be swarming around your candy bowl. Ants aren't just a nuisance for your food, but wasps and bees as well.

They will leave their mark on the sweetness of any sugary substance, and it is usually not pleasant to bite into when you discover an ant in your brownies! 

There are many different types of ants and very few ways to get rid of them with complete satisfaction once they have invaded our homes.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are another of the most common pests found in an average home.

They are known for their distinctive appearance. They have shiny, armour-like shells that help protect them from many types of household chemicals, traps, and insecticides used to get rid of them. 

Although there are over 3,500 species of cockroaches worldwide, only around 30 species live with humans.

Cockroaches carry diseases and germs on their legs and bodies, passing them onto people through contact with food or kitchen utensils contaminating them. 

While some cockroach species do not cause harm to humans, they may contaminate areas by shedding their skin or dying in walls causing foul odours.

Dust Mites

Dust mites are another of the most common pests found in an average home.

They can be found anywhere there is a collection of dead skin cells. These include beds, furniture, carpets, old clothing, and stuffed animals. 

Our homes can become infested with dust mites if we have not cleaned or vacuumed the floors or carpet for a long time. 

The presence of large numbers of dust mites may cause allergic reactions among those sensitive to them. Although they usually feed on dead human skin cells, it has been known for some species to feed on live human skin cells as well. 

Dust mites were named for the fine dust collected by their fecal pellets. These pests are about 1/12 of a millimetre long or about as thick as human hair.

House dust mites feed on flakes that shed human skin. They thrive in warm, humid conditions with little disturbance from airflow or sunlight. 

Dust mites have been increasingly problematic for people worldwide as homes become more sealed against air pollution and weather extremes.

Pantry Pests

Pantry pests are another of the most common pests found in an average home.

Your pantry might appear to be a haven for food storage, but it is a dangerous place for your goods. There are many reasons why pantry pests may want to move into your food store, dead or alive. 

They could be looking for warmth and shelter from the elements, which we all need from time to time, even if we don't precisely enjoy sharing our space with them! 

They will not just leave once they have made their way into your pantry either! That's because then they would only have to find somewhere else equally as welcoming to live in! They will continue to multiply and become a significant problem if not eradicated quickly.

Fruit Flies

Fruit flies are one of the most common pests found in the average home.

This tiny pesky insect is drawn to fermenting fruit products such as juices or alcohol. But don't worry because it isn't harmful to us; it's just unpleasant to find one bite into your favorite snack only to feel a crunch of wings. 

No one ever wants to discover evidence of an infestation and then end up with dozens of fruit flies flying around their head. Here is a list of ways that you can get rid of fruit flies:

  • Place apple cider vinegar in a container with small holes poked into the lid.
  • Use plastic wrap to cover bowls or dishes containing rotting food and poke small holes into the top.
  • After cleaning dirty dishes, fill them with water and place them in the freezer overnight.
  • Soak cotton balls in wine or vodka and leave them out in areas where fruit flies are usually seen
  • Create traps by placing pieces of sliced fruit in a jar that has been covered in plastic wrap with holes in it
  • Keep fruit stored in the fridge instead of out on the counter.
  • Clean your garbage disposal regularly by pouring baking soda and vinegar down it followed by running water.

Bedbugs

These bugs are one of the most severe pests found in the average home. And it seems they are coming to St Catharines and here to stay without a pest control plan!

One bite from these nasty parasites is enough to swell, itch, puff up and even develop into full-blown welts. Bed bugs are usually only discovered after having an infestation because they're mostly active at night when you sleep. 

They hide in dark spaces like mattress seams or behind headboards during the day, but their flat bodies allow them to slip into any crack or crevice for protection.

 If you are unfortunate enough to be infested with these little bloodsuckers, then follow this advice:

  • Vacuum every crack and crevice in your home, including bedposts, headboards, floorboards etc.
  • Wash all linens in hot water followed by putting them right into the dryer or hanging them out under the sun for a few hours.
  • Place clothing inside black garbage bags and leave it outside whenever possible during hot summer months.
  • Seal all cracks around baseboards using caulk or something similar.
  • Clean your entire home top to bottom to get rid of any signs of their existence.
  • Keep your home as clutter-free as possible.

Rodents

Rats and mice are the most common vermin found in the average home. 

Whether you have seen little furry trails running along your kitchen floor or heard tiny feet scuttling behind your baseboard, you probably know what a mouse looks like. 

Mice are often considered more of a nuisance than a threat due to their diminutive size, so they can get into even the tiniest spaces without being noticed until it's too late.

Rats are larger than mice and thus are more destructive if not dealt with swiftly. They can spread disease through contamination via urine and feces, which is why it is essential to clean up whatever they have affected as soon as you can.

Rats can breed exponentially fast, meaning they will only escalate if no action is taken against them. They contaminate all of their living spaces by urinating frequently and leaving droppings everywhere. Cleaning up after these pests is another crucial step of rodent control:

  • Place traps around areas where rats or mice have been seen entering your property.
  • Point a hose at any holes you find; this will help drown any rodents that may be inside them. 
  • Clean and disinfect all areas where rodents have been to ensure they do not come back.
  • You can install a one-way door so that rodents can leave but cannot reenter 

Additional tips:

  • Keep your trash cans as far away from the house as possible and secure lids tightly with bungee cords.
  • Trim grass around your home because it is an easy hiding place for rodents
  • Close off any unfinished walls to keep them out of areas like crawl spaces or under porches etc.  
Pest-Control-St-Catharines-The-Most-Common-Pests-Found-in-the-Average-Home-pest-control-technician-in-brown-suit-and-yellow-work-helmet

There are a number of ways to ward off pests from your home. Whether you are dealing with bedbugs, rodents or any other kind of vermin, following these simple tips can help you get rid of them for good. 

Prevention is vital, so be sure to keep your home clean and free of clutter and take action when you see any signs of an infestation. For more detailed instructions, please consult with a professional pest control exterminator in St Catharines.

With Pest Control St Catharines, you can rest assured that we'll take care of all your pest control needs. 

We have a wide variety of services to choose from, so you can find the perfect one for your specific situation. 

Contact us today and let us help take care of your pests!

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