Cockroaches
Cockroaches are disgusting bacteria spreaders. They come in different varieties, but they are all essentially the same when it comes to spreading bacteria on your counters and getting into your food.
If you want to make sure these disgusting critters don’t create a nest in your home, consider these tips:
- Take out your trash regularly.
- Vacuum and clean up often.
- Check packages for cockroaches before bringing them inside.
- Close off gaps to the exterior of your house.
- Repair or replace torn and damaged door and window screens.
Mosquitoes
Whether they are buzzing around your head while you are trying to enjoy a warm day or they are silently landing on you and sucking your blood, mosquitoes are the worst. Their bites leave little bumps that itch, which is bad enough. On top of that, though, their bites can actually be pretty dangerous. While the issue isn’t as prevalent in the United States, mosquitoes are known to spread dangerous viruses and diseases. It’s impossible to avoid mosquitoes entirely in Florida, but you can make sure they don’t nest on your property.
In order to ensure you don’t end up with a mosquito infestation, consider these tips:
- Keep your grass cut short.
- Remove any standing water from around your home.
- Remove branches, stumps, and debris from your yard.
- Turn any buckets and containers outside upside down.
- Fill in holes on your property that may collect water.
Ants
Ants live in colonies. When you see a couple on your table or counter, you can be assured that there are more somewhere. Whether they are sugar, fire, or Argentine, you don’t want ants to create a colony in your home.
If you want to avoid an ant colony in your house, consider the following tips:
- Rinse out cans and containers before tossing them away.
- Remove debris and fallen branches from your yard.
- Use weather-stripping on your doors and windows.
- Put away food containers when you are done eating.
spiders
Spiders are not only spooky, but they can also be dangerous. While some types of spiders are relatively harmless, others have a bite that can land you in the hospital.
In order to avoid spiders spinning webs in your home, take these steps:
- Remove wood and rock piles, debris, and overgrown vegetation from your property.
- Close your windows and doors when not using them.
- Repair damage to your screens.
- Check the exterior of your home for openings.
- Remove spider webs when you see them.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are small but extremely annoying insects. As their name implies, bed bugs are often found in beds—but they can also make their way to other pieces of furniture throughout the house. Bed bugs feed on blood—which makes you their ideal meal. Their bites are annoying and itchy, which can lead to infections from scratching.
In order to avoid bed bugs, consider these tips:
- Clean and vacuum your home regularly—including your mattress.
- Wash clothing when you bring it home from shopping.
- Wash your sheets regularly.
- Avoid purchasing used furniture.
- Wash your clothing when you return home from traveling.
Rodents
Roof rats, Norway rats, mice…they are all gross. It’s not just the fact that they can give you a fright that makes them problematic. Rodents are also known to chew through your wires, do damage to your home, eat your food, and spread disease. They should be avoided and removed immediately when you do see them scurrying around.
If you don’t want rodents in your home, consider these tips:
- Use your garbage disposal.
- Take out your trash regularly.
- Clean and vacuum your home.
- Put away food after you are done eating it.
- Close your doors and windows when you aren’t using them.
Wasps/Hornets
Wasps and hornets are dangerous. Not only do their stings hurt a lot but they can also cause an allergic reaction for some people. You may not even realize you are allergic until you get stung! Because of this, you’ll want to contact a pest control specialist to remove wasp or hornet nests from your property. You don’t want to risk getting stung.
Ticks
Ticks are parasites that attach themselves to people and animals. These parasites live off of their host’s blood. Not only are ticks annoying, but they are also extremely dangerous. Ticks spread a variety of different diseases—some of which are deadly. If you notice your pet, a family member or you have a tick or ticks, make sure you take care of it immediately.
In order to prevent ticks moving forward, consider these tips:
- Cut your bushes and remove dense vegetation.
- Cut your lawn regularly.
- Use tick control programs to keep your pets safe from ticks.
- Vacuum and clean regularly.
Termites and carpenter ants
Termites and carpenter ants are silent, destructive forces. They are small and difficult to notice but, once you find them, you need to take immediate action to get rid of them. They will continue to spread around your home or business and feed off of your property. This can end up costing thousands of dollars in repairs.
Termites and carpenter ants require professional pest removal services. Nationwide Pest Control will send a specialist out to your home or business to get rid of those pests for good.
