Where Do Pests Lurk? The Rooms in Your Home That Pests Like Most The Kitchen Whether it's dry foods in the pantry, crumbs on the counter or under the fridge or food scraps in the trash can, all are items rodents, ants and cockroaches are looking for. Once they've discovered the goodies, they will keep coming back, contaminating kitchen surfaces and food and posing health and property hazards. The Bathroom Not only do sinks and bathtubs provide a never-ending source of moisture for pests, the pipes provide a good travel pathway from the outside or throughout the house. Cockroaches, house centipedes and silverfish can often be found in the bathroom. The Attic and Basement Usually these rooms house boxes, papers and insulation and at times are filled with moisture, which is why homeowners tend to discover rodent and spider infestations there. Rodents are also capable of destroying insulation in attics and chewing through walls, baseboards and electrical wires, increasing the risk of fire. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) reminds homeowners that there are many effective pest-proofing measures they can take to discourage unwanted guests from taking shelter in these places: * Immediately wipe up any crumbs or spills from countertops, tables, floors and shelves. * Wipe down kitchen appliances and clean under them. * Store food in airtight containers, and dispose of garbage regularly in sealed receptacles. * Run your garbage disposal regularly. * Don't let dirty dishes pile up and stand in the sink. * Don't leave pet food and water bowls sitting out for long periods of time. * Occasionally, inspect sinks, toilets and tubs for any leaks or drips. * Give bathrooms a thorough cleaning by scrubbing the floors with disinfectant cleaner, and wiping down the inside of drawers with warm soapy water. * Check to ensure that shampoo, lotion and soap bottles are secure and no contents have spilled out of their containers. * Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation. * Store items in basements and attics in sealed, plastic containers off of the floor. * Keep attics and basements well ventilated and dry. Use a dehumidifier and install gutters or diverts as needed. * Eliminate all moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains. If you suspect an infestation, contact a pest professional who can properly assess and treat the problem. For more information, visit pestworld.org.
Be on the Lookout for These Invasive Species
Insects originating in foreign countries, commonly called invasive species, are a major concern in the U.S. because they often don't have natural predators, allowing their populations to grow quickly. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) reminds homeowners that several of these invasive species can be a threat or a nuisance to families or properties.
According to the NPMA, here are the five most common invasive species that homeowners encounter:
1. Brown marmorated stink bugs arrived in Pennsylvania in 1996 from Asia. The stink bug earned its name from its tendency to release an odor when disturbed or when crushed. While quite harmful to the agricultural industry, stink bugs do not pose a threat to people's health, but their tendency to invade homes in high numbers can be a nuisance.
2. Red imported fire ants (also known as RIFAs) are an invasive species from Brazil that are found throughout the South and in parts of California and other western states. RIFAs will attack humans who disturb or threaten their nests, inflicting painful bites and stings. Those allergic to insect stings will react more severely.
3. Formosan termites were brought into the U.S. from China in military cargo shipments after World War II. This termite species is one of the most destructive, forming huge underground colonies, and is more aggressive in nature, consuming more wood, flooring and wallpaper at much faster rates than other species. Formosan termites are difficult to control once they infest an area and can cause severe structural damage to a home in as little as six months.
4. Rasberry crazy ants are spreading rapidly throughout the Southwest. First found in Texas in 2002, its common name comes from the workers' habit of running in an erratic, jerky manner when searching for food. The ants can bite humans and feed on plants, other insects and even small animals.
5. Conehead termites, an invasive species native to the Caribbean, were first introduced to the U.S. in 2001 and are currently found in Florida. Unlike most termites, the conehead termite does not rely on underground tunneling to travel. Instead, they forage on the ground like ants, allowing them to spread rapidly. As an extremely aggressive species, they are known to cause widespread property damage in a short amount of time.
For more information, visit www.pestworld.org.
