Richard At Home

Household pests are considered as major problems that every homeowner encounters. While most are merely a nuisance, some of these household pests may bite, sting or even transmit diseases. A few may also cause serious structural damage which can affect the value of your house. The first line of defense against all household pests is to keep your home clean and tidy. But dealing with these pests depends on their kind and type.

Here are the most common household pests and how to control them:

Cockroaches

Cockroaches invade human dwellings and are considered as among the most common household pests. They can destroy fabric, cause stains, contaminate food and transmit bacteria and disease including, coliform, hepatitis virus, staphylococcus, salmonella, and streptococcus. They also emit unpleasant odors and may also produce sound. Cockroaches are commonly found near waste deposits or in the kitchen, where food is present. They also reproduce quickly. With plenty of food, warmth, water and nesting sites, your home is an ideal breeding ground. In dealing with these household pests, it is important to be vigilant. Pesticides may not be enough. What is required is that you locate and remove all sources of water and food for the pests, prevent entry to your home and remove any hiding places for them.

Termites

Termites feed on dead plants and trees. They are known for attacking the lumber that is used to build homes but can also be a hazard to books, furniture, and food products within your home, making them among the list of the most common household pests. Termites commonly live in wooden structures, decayed trees, fallen timber, and soil. But habitats vary among species as some termites require different amounts of moisture. These pests are found in greater numbers in tropical regions. There is no single method effective against termites. But preventing this pest from wreaking havoc on your house involves identifying the species, locating the nest and choosing appropriate eradication methods. To prevent these household pests, you should do annual home inspections in termite-prone areas, or use treated timbers in your home.

Ants

They are social insects, which means they live in large colonies or groups. Depending on the species, ant colonies can consist of millions of ants. Although they help in the environment, ants are frustrating when they get into your home. Ants cause problems primarily when they search your home for food or water and when they construct nests in within your house and garden. Several species of ants pose serious health threats to people who are sensitive to their stings. Ants have become common household pests in recent years and getting rid of them quickly will prevent a massive infestation. But they are usually very difficult to control. Finding the most effective treatment for ants depends on the specific type you have invading your house.  It is important that you figure out where they are getting into your house and you can opt for ant baits or any available product on the market to get rid of them. But the most effective method of controlling ants is to prevent them from coming to your home by observing good sanitation practices. Keeping your home clean is definitely one of the best ways to make your home less attractive to ants.

Rodents

Rodents are a group of nuisance pests that include mice, rats, and squirrels. They can contaminate food, damage property, and spread diseases. They thrive in the world in almost any habitat with access to food and water. Although you won’t often find squirrels infesting your home, rats and mice are among the most common household pests. In addition to eating food products, rats also like to gnaw on wood, wires, and insulation which can become costly fixes. Mice, on the other hand, may not be as large or seem as unappealing as rats, but they are capable of much more than their size lets on. They do most of their damage by leaving urine and excrement on household objects and clothing. They are also known to nibble at books, pillows, and other soft items. To control the population of rodents, it is not only necessary to remove the sources of food for them but also to rodent-proof your home by sealing any gaps of more than one-quarter inch with steel wool or sheet metal which they can’t gnaw through. Homeowners can also place traps, rodenticides, or glue boards to capture and kill them.

The presence of these common household pests in your home is definitely annoying, if not alarming. Every man’s home is his castle and it is but important to keep your home and family safe from the infestation of these pests.