A Comprehensive Guide to Common Pests in Raleigh
"Pests" are any insects or other animals that can be harmful or annoying to people and their property. Unfortunately, the list of pest species found in Raleigh is quite long. From damaging your home to spreading disease to causing injury, pests can cause quite a few problems for local homeowners. To better understand some of the most common pests in Raleigh and what to do about them, check out this comprehensive guide.
Top 5 Common Raleigh Pests to Watch Out For
a. Infestation Signs: You'll probably see ants marching through your home in lines. You may also spot mounds of dirt created by an ant colony in your yard.
b. Problems Caused: Ants will forage on exposed food and can spread foodborne illnesses like E. coli and salmonella. Some ant species, especially carpenter ants, can be destructive to wooden structures. Invasive fire ants possess a painful venomous sting.
c. Prevention Solutions: Sprinkle diatomaceous earth or various scents hated by ants - including vinegar, peppermint, and cinnamon - around doorways or window sills where ants are entering. Set up ant traps in areas where you see ants.
a. Infestation Signs: Bat droppings, known as guano, produce a strong ammonia odor which may be your first warning of an infestation. You may also hear bats squeaking and fluttering in your attic.
b. Problems Caused: Bat guano is highly corrosive and can destroy the insulation and flooring in your attic before seeping into your ceiling. Bats are also known to carry rabies, which they may spread by biting.
c. Prevention Solutions: Keep bats out of your attic by sealing holes in the roof and placing mesh covers over exterior vent openings.
a. Infestation Signs: You might see the roaches, or you may notice the droppings and smear marks they leave behind. Cockroach infestations often result in a musty smell which will grow stronger as more roaches congregate.
b. Problems Caused: Cockroaches will scavenge any food they can access, transmitting a wide range of harmful bacteria in the process. This can cause salmonella, dysentery, streptococcus, and more illnesses.
c. Prevention Solutions: Keep your home clean, especially the kitchen and bathrooms; roaches are commonly drawn in by readily available water and food sources. You may also need to use cockroach traps to get rid of roaches in your home.
a. Infestation Signs: You may find small droppings in your home or notice gnaw marks or grease stains on your baseboards. It's possible you'll hear mice or rats squeaking and scratching in your walls.
b. Problems Caused: Mice and rats can be very destructive due to their gnawing habits, and have been known to start fires by chewing on electrical wiring. A rodent presence can spread diseases like hantavirus and leptospirosis.
c. Prevention Solutions: Seal any possible entry holes along your home exterior with caulk or weatherproof sealant. Make sure any food stored inside or outside of your house is kept in airtight containers to keep rodents out. Set traps in areas where rodents may be active.
a. Infestation Signs: Wood infested by termites will gradually hollow out and become visibly deteriorated. You might also notice mud tubes built by termites going up the sides of your home.
b. Problems Caused: Termites are some of the most destructive pests on Earth, able to completely destroy a house given enough time. The longer an infestation goes unnoticed, the more damage they'll cause.
c. Prevention Solutions: Keep any wood, whether mulch or piles of firewood, away from the perimeter of your home to avoid attracting termites. Don't let water pool too close to your home, either, as termites have a special love for moist, rotting wood. Use termite bait stations to fight existing infestations.
Raleigh's #1 Pest Control Company
When you find pests living in your home, your first move should always be to call a professional pest control provider. Get in touch with Sustainable Pest Systems today if you'd like to schedule pest control services in the Raleigh area!