Common Pest Issues in North Carolina: Bats, Termites, Mosquitoes & More

Pest issues occur in all different shapes and sizes. Maybe you woke up to the sight of lines of tiny ants marching through your kitchen or perhaps you keep hearing the squeaking and fluttering of bats in your attic. No matter what kind of pest infestation is plaguing your North Carolina home, it’s a safe bet that you want them gone as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, getting rid of pests isn’t as simple as setting a couple of traps and fixing your problem overnight. Pests are persistent and stubborn; do-it-yourself pest control rarely proves effective. Keep reading to learn about some of the most common pests in North Carolina, how you can prevent them from entering your home and what to do if they’re already inside.

Common NC Pests & How to Get Rid of Them

Many different types of pests can be found in North Carolina. While there are measures you can take to prevent an infestation, the most effective way to get rid of pests will always be to call a professional pest control company. These are some of the most troublesome local pests:

• Ants

Many different species of ants live in North Carolina, all of which can cause a range of different problems for local homes. Most ant species are drawn into houses by the search for food, and ants aren’t picky eaters. While they have a distinct preference for sweets, ants will eat just about anything organic. Once they discover a steady supply of food in your kitchen, they’ll infest your home and begin to introduce harmful bacteria to your food supply.

Some ant species can also be destructive. Carpenter ants build galleries in your walls, hollowing out the wooden structures of your home in North Carolina. Other species, like fire ants, have an aggressive temperament and a painful, venomous sting. You can try your hand at ant prevention by setting traps but this will only take out a few scouts. Eliminating a whole colony from your property requires professional ant control.

• Bats

Bats are nocturnal insect-eaters that play a helpful role in North Carolina’s ecosystem by feeding on mosquitoes and other pests. The problem with bats is that they need to roost in dark places by day. Normally, bats live in caves but they’ve begun to rely on the attics of local homes as an alternative source of shelter. When bats roost in your attic, their waste – known as “guano” – will quickly pile up, destroying your insulation and flooring over time. Bat guano is also known to contain a fungus which can cause histoplasmosis in humans.

Another danger of bats is that they’re the most common carriers of rabies in North Carolina. Because bats are prone to bite when threatened, you should never attempt bat removal on your own. If bats have begun roosting in your attic, call a licensed bat removal company to get them out safely.

• Bed Bugs

It’s bad enough to have pests crawling around inside your home but it’s much worse to find them in your bed. Given that they attack us in our sleep, when we’re at our most vulnerable, it should come as no surprise that bed bug infestations are some of the most feared pest problems in North Carolina. Because they are tiny and avoid the light, bed bugs often go unnoticed for quite a while, allowing infestations to grow much larger. Early signs of bed bug infestation can include itchy bumps on your skin, weird stains on your sheets, and a strange odor coming from your mattress.

While bed bugs are most infamous for invading beds, these blood-sucking pests can also infest other furniture in your house. Bed bugs are among the most difficult pests to exterminate, and thorough extermination will always require the assistance of a professional pest control company in North Carolina. Licensed exterminators can make use of the most effective bed bug treatments to get rid of these nightmarish pests so you never have to wake up with itchy bites again.

• Mosquitoes

If there’s one pest problem in North Carolina that everyone hates, it’s being swarmed by mosquitoes. Unfortunately, from April until October, mosquitoes are the bane of homeowners throughout the state. Large swarms of mosquitoes buzz around backyards and porches, and sometimes they even find their way inside. Not only do these pests suck your blood, leaving itchy welts behind, but they can also spread life-threatening diseases, including malaria and West Nile virus.

There’s no easy way to get rid of mosquitoes. Bug zappers are useless and bug spray only does so much good. If you want to be able to enjoy your yard in peace, you’ll need to hire professional mosquito exterminators in North Carolina. Professional exterminators can use a variety of mosquito treatments to eliminate both adult mosquitoes and mosquito larvae on your property.

• Termites

The most destructive pest problems in North Carolina are termite infestations. Termites feed on the cellulose found inside of wood, and they’ll hollow out every wooden structure in your home in order to get at it. The voracious appetite of termites results in billions of dollars of property damage every year. If a termite infestation persists for long enough, it can even lead to a structural collapse.

Unfortunately, detecting a termite infestation can be difficult since termites rarely emerge except in spring, when winged termites known as “swarmers” take flight to start new colonies. Finding wood that is hollowed or sagging is another telltale sign of a termite infestation in your North Carolina home. Termites are such a destructive pest that there’s no sense wasting your time on DIY prevention. If you discover an infestation, you need professional termite treatments applied by licensed technicians in order to exterminate them as quickly as possible.

Let Us Protect Your Home From Pest Problems

Whether you have termites in the walls or mosquitoes mobbing your patio, you shouldn’t have to live with pests. At Sustainable Pest Systems, we specialize in eco-friendly, highly effective pest control solutions for all manner of bugs and critters. Give us a call today if you want us to provide pest control services for your home in North Carolina!