Whether it’s a rat running across your floor, bed bugs biting, or cockroaches crawling around, you don’t want pests in your house. Not only are they gross, but they can also cause serious health concerns. Many pests carry diseases, and others can bite. This can lead to anything from an itchy bump to a trip to the hospital.
If you have pests in your home, you may be ignoring them and hoping they go away. You may have also made the decision to take the job of removing them into your own hands. For a smaller number of pests, this may be possible but once it’s reached the point of an infestation, a pest control specialist will need to be called in to remove the pest problem.
What Is a Pest Control Specialist?
Pest control specialists (i.e. exterminators) are professionals that have been expertly trained to handle pest infestations. These specialists have experience with removing a variety of different types of pests, and they know what to look for when rooting out an infestation. Pest control specialists also have access to professional-grade equipment that is designed to remove larger infestations.
If you find that you have an infestation in your home, you’ll definitely want to contact a pest control company so they can dispatch a pest control specialist to handle the infestation.
How Do I Find a Pest Control Company Near Me?
Finding a pest control company near you isn’t too difficult. There are a lot of options when searching online. Finding the right company can be a little more challenging. You’ll want to make sure the company you are going with has good reviews and is staffed by experts in their field.
Read through the website of the company you are considering and check their qualifications. From there, you can better determine if they are the right pest control company.
You can also skip the hassle and hire Nationwide Pest Control. We’ll dispatch an expert exterminator to check out your pest issue, then eliminate the pests. For more information about our services and service providers, reach out today.
The Different Types of Pests You May Encounter
There are a variety of different pests you may encounter. Pests can be anywhere from small and difficult to notice to large enough that you’ll see them running across your floor. Below is information about the different types of pests you may encounter and what steps you can take to avoid them. If you still end up with an infestation after taking these steps or you’ve already found an infestation in your home, contact Nationwide Pest Control so we can eliminate your pest problem.
Cockroaches
Whether they are Oriental, German, or American, cockroaches are disgusting critters that get into everything. You may find them crawling on your counters, hidden in the corner, or even making their way into your food! While there is a relatively low chance you’ll get bitten by a cockroach, they are still dangerous to have around your house. Cockroaches are known to spread various illnesses. It’s best to avoid them.
Below are a few tips for avoiding an infestation of cockroaches:
- Inspect the packages you receive before bringing them indoors.
- Make sure your basement stays dry.
- Use weather-stripping around your doors and windows.
- Inspect the exterior of your home for cockroaches.
Ants
If you notice a few ants scurrying around on your counter, you may not think much about it. The problem is ants don’t generally come in small numbers. There is likely a larger infestation somewhere in the house that needs to be addressed. While some types of ants aren’t aggressive, others are. Fire ants, for instance, are particularly nasty and sting. Even with Argentine and sugar ants (that don’t sting), you don’t want them eating your food and proliferating.
Here are some tips for avoiding ants in your home:
- Use weather-stripping on your windows and doors.
- Rinse out containers and cans before you throw them away.
- Repair damage to the outside wall of your home.
- Remove branches and overgrown vegetation from your property.
Spiders
Many people are afraid of spiders—and for good reason! Not only are spiders gross, but they can also be dangerous and even deadly. There are a variety of different spiders you may experience, which include long-bodied cellar spiders, black widows, house spiders, brown recluses, and more. While some of these types of spiders are harmless, others have deadly bites. To be safe, you’ll want to keep spiders out of your home.
To stop spiders from getting in your home and spinning their webs, consider these tips:
- Get rid of spider webs as soon as you see them.
- Make sure your windows and doors are closed when they aren’t being used.
- Get rid of rocks, branches, and debris from your property.
- Make sure there are no gaps that lead to the exterior of your home.
- Replace ripped or torn door and window screens.
Rodents
Rodents come in different varieties. Some of the most common in the United States include roof rats, mice, and Norway rats. What all of these rodents have in common is that they can damage your property and lead to serious illness. Rodents are well-known for spreading disease. They also eat your food, chew through wires, and cause other problems.
In order to stop rodents from moving into your home, consider the tips below:
- Close your doors and windows when you aren’t actively using them.
- Regularly clean and vacuum your home.
- Put food in containers after you are done eating and don’t leave it on the counter.
- Take out your trash often; don’t let it pile up.
Mosquitoes
There are few things as annoying as mosquitoes buzzing around and biting you. Not only are the bumps they leave behind itchy, but their bites are also very dangerous. Mosquitoes have been known to spread some of the worst viruses and diseases in the world. While not every mosquito is a carrier, you still want to avoid them as much as you can to ensure your safety and comfort.
Here are some things to consider when it comes to avoiding mosquitoes:
- Don’t leave standing water around your home.
- Make sure you don’t have any holes on your property with standing water. Fill in any holes.
- Keep your grass cut short.
- Get rid of stumps and debris from your property.
- Keep containers and buckets outside upside down.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs do, in fact, bite. These bites are really annoying and are very itchy. While bed bugs are synonymous with beds (hence the name), they don’t just stay in your bed. Over time, bed bugs will move to other areas of your house and make their home on your furniture. It’s best to get rid of them before they have the chance to spread.
If you want to avoid bed bugs, consider the tips below:
- Wash your clothing when you return home from a trip.
- Wash your clothing when you bring it home from the store.
- Wash your sheets regularly.
- Don’t buy used clothing and furniture if possible. If so, clean it thoroughly and check it for bed bugs.
- Clean your home and vacuum regularly.
Wasps/Hornets
Wasps and hornets are nasty, mean bugs. Unlike bees, they tend to be extremely aggressive. This means there is a much higher chance of them stinging you. On top of this, some people are allergic to their stings. Even if you aren’t personally, your visitors may be. This puts them at risk. Instead of trying to handle the issue yourself, you should consider hiring a pest control company to ensure the safe destruction of the nest.
Termites/Carpenter Ants
Termites and carpenter ants are dangerous in different kind of ways. Instead of biting or spreading disease, they eat your house and cause major property damage over time. If allowed to multiply, they can do severe and costly damage. If you notice termites or carpenter ants, make sure you hire a pest control company like Nationwide Pest Control to eliminate the infestation entirely.
Ticks
Ticks are bloodsuckers that are known for spreading illness. They may catch a ride on your pet or you to get inside. From there, they can spread illness with their saliva when they bite.
Here are a few tips you’ll want to consider in order to avoid a tick infestation in your home:
- Keep your grass cut short.
- Clean and vacuum regularly.
- Use a tick control program for pets that spend time outdoors.
- Check your pets when they come indoors to ensure they aren’t bringing in ticks.
- Remove dense brush, bushes, and vegetation from your property.
Reach Out Today!
If you have an infestation or you suspect one, reach out to Nationwide Pest Control today. We’ll send out a specialist to determine the extent of the infestation, then remove the pests. We guarantee that the pests will be gone when we are through!
Contact us today. We look forward to speaking with you.
