Having your morning coffee interrupted by an approaching bug army can be worrisome. Unfortunately, bugs like to invade homes, and some of them come with unwanted baggage. When these pests show up, it’s important to act quickly to protect your home. We’ve made a list of pests that you don’t want to ignore.
Termites
This bug strikes fear into anyone who hears its name and for good reason. Though termites don’t attack humans, they can cause quite the headache.
Why Are Termites a Problem?
Termites eat wood, which can wreak havoc on your home’s structure. They’ve perfected their silent attack, making them tricky to detect since they live in the ground under your house.
How to Identify Termites
Termites can be anywhere from ¼" to ½" long. There are 40 known species, and they vary in shades of white and light brown. Termites also leave behind a few warning signs. Look for mud tubes outside of your house. Hollow-sounding, soft wood and discarded wings near windows and doors can also be a problem.
How to Get Rid of Termites
Termites can be difficult to handle, so it’s best to call in the professionals.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are another pest that can give you nightmares. While these bugs are more of an annoyance than a threat, you don’t want them as a house guest.
Why Are Bed Bugs a Problem?
Bed bugs aren’t carriers of disease, but they do enjoy making a meal off human and animal blood. Reactions to bed bug bites vary. Some people will experience no side effects, while others will have red bite marks. There have been cases of severe allergic reactions.
How to Identify Bed Bugs
Bed bugs make it difficult to find them. Their small, flat bodies allow them to hide in small cracks and crevices. If you suspect bed bugs have invaded, begin a thorough search. Besides tiny brown bugs, keep an eye out for rusty spots on your mattress and furniture.
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs
Whenever you travel, you should check your hotel room for signs of bed bugs. Washing and drying your clothes and bedding on high heat settings can help to kill bed bugs. You’ll also want to treat your bed and areas where these pests have been seen with an insecticide dust like our Bed Bug Killer.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes have no problem ruining your outdoor fun. These pesky bugs are most problematic in spring and summer.
Why Are Mosquitoes a Problem?
Female mosquitoes feed on blood to gain protein for their eggs. They often leave behind itchy, red bites. Mosquitoes are also known to carry diseases like the Zika virus, yellow fever, and malaria. When you’re chosen as their afternoon snack, these diseases can be transmitted to you.
How to Identify Mosquitoes
There are several mosquito species, and they vary in appearance. However, these pests share a few characteristics including a thin body structure, six long, thin legs, and a proboscis.
How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes love water and lay their eggs in it. Eliminating sources of stagnant water is one way to prevent a mosquito infestation. Another option is to treat your yard with a plant-based insecticide spray. Our Mosquito & Tick Killer is a great way to keep mosquitoes away.
Cockroaches
No one wants to find a cockroach lurking in their home. These bugs look for places that will have food, water, and shelter. Unfortunately, your home could be a perfect fit.
Why Are Cockroaches a Problem?
Like mosquitoes, cockroaches can be a risk to your health. They’re carriers of pathogens that could cause disease. Cockroaches spend their time in dirty places, like garbage, and these locations carry germs. When cockroaches visit your home, they have no problem contaminating your food.
How to Identify Cockroaches
There are a few common home-invading cockroach species. These cockroaches vary in size and color, but they all are flat with an oval-shaped body. Cockroaches have a small head when compared to their large body.
How to Get Rid of Cockroaches
If you spot a cockroach or evidence of their presence, like their droppings, it’s best to act quickly. Our Roach Killer Gel Bait is up to the task. Cockroaches will eat the bait and return to the nest. When other cockroaches are exposed to the bait, they will die.
Wasps
The buzzing of a wasp can quickly scare people away. While wasps don’t carry any diseases, they can still be a pain.
Why Are Wasps a Problem?
Wasps are extremely aggressive and territorial. When they feel threatened, they fight back by stinging. Unlike bees, they can sting multiple times. These pests also aren’t afraid to call for back up, which can result in a painful situation.
How to Identify Wasps
Wasps have long legs and a thin waist. Paper wasps are brown with yellow markings, and they grow between 5/8"-3/4". Yellow jackets are yellow with black markings and range in size from 3/5"-5/8". In addition to spotting these pests, you may also notice their nests in your yard.
How to Get Rid of Wasps
If wasps are bugging you, our Wasp & Hornet Killer can help. The foaming jet spray reaches up to 18 feet, allowing you to carefully spray the wasps and their nest.
Dealing with invading pests isn’t any fun. That’s why we always have your back! Our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products are an effective and more environmentally and family-friendly solution.