Pests Common in North Carolina

House pests can be found in every state across the country. North Carolina is not excluded from this list. In fact, residents in the state must deal with an array of house pests that tend to infiltrate their homes and create unappealing living conditions.

When any pest decides to move into a home, completely uninvited, things can get quite dramatic. At this point, calling for help from a professional pest control technician is best. An exterminator will be able to evaluate the problem and provide a homeowner with a plan of action to eliminate the pests once and for all.

Along with calling the professionals for help, it is also a good idea for residents to get to know some of the most common pests they may see in their homes. Keep reading to learn what these are.

The House Ant

In the state of North Carolina, a person may see all types of ant species, depending on the time of year. The most common type of ant that is seen is the odorous house ant. However, there could be other species of ants present, too, including Argentine ants, pharaoh ants, pavement ants, ghost ants, black ants, and acrobat ants.

The house ant prefers to live in outside areas, such as a mulched garden bed, along the cement foundation of a home, or under a pile of debris. However, the ant will make its way inside for a place to live or for an easy meal. It is possible to prevent this ant from getting into a house by ensuring that all crevices and cracks in the foundation have been sealed. It is also a good idea to make sure that piles of mulch and other debris are located far away from the home and potential food sources for an ant, such as sugar, crumbs, and more, are completely unobtainable.

When the ant comes into a home for food, they will likely be seen in the kitchen. If one is killed, they will emit an odor, which is why they are called odorous house ants.

Termites

There are more than 50 different types of termite species in the country. Each of these is categorized as a dry wood, dampwood, or subterranean termite. Every category, as their name implies, has a preferred area to live and reproduce.

Termites can cause a lot of issues in a home before they are found. Remember, there may not be any type of warning signs there is an infestation until a lot of damage has already occurred. The bad news is that, when termites move into a home, it is the homeowner that has to pay their food bill. This is something that can cost several thousands of dollars. It has been estimated that termites lead to over five billion dollars in total property damage across the country every year.

When it comes to termites, early detection is key. There are certain areas in the home that can be inspected for termites. There are also steps a homeowner can take to avoid a termite infestation.

The Cockroach

There are over 4,500 different types of cockroaches in the world. About 69 of these species are found in the U.S. However, the most common types of cockroaches that are found in the state of North Carolina include the American cockroach, German cockroach, oriental cockroach, and brown-banded cockroach.

Roaches are quite sneaky when it comes to making their way into a home. In some cases, it means getting inside a brown bag when someone is at the grocery store or riding home from work. There are other situations when the cockroach will get inside using a small gap around windows and doors, pipes, or even cracks found in the foundation. No matter the case, when the cockroaches gets inside, it can take a lot of work to get rid of them.

There is a common misconception that a cockroach is only going to be interested in setting up shop in dirty homes. However, what they are really looking for is food, darkness, moisture, and warmth. If someone notices that there is a cockroach in their home, it is a good idea to call a pest control professional.

Call the Professionals for Help

When it comes to pest problems in North Carolina, there are more than a few factors to consider. Take some time to think about all the most common pests that are in the state to know what to do and how to ensure that a pest problem is handled.