Cockroaches
While cockroaches are gross, they are more of a problem than unpleasant to look at. They can cause infections, and they spread bacteria. They can contaminate your food and the surfaces of your home.
There are a few different cockroaches, and they come in varying sizes and appearances. These include Oriental, German and American cockroaches. While they may be slightly different, they still cause the same issues. Because of this, you’ll want to do the following things to ensure cockroaches don’t nest in your home:
Keep your home clean.
Vacuum your house regularly.
Place weather-stripping around the windows and doors of your house.
Check for cockroaches outside your house and ensure they don’t have a way in.
Check your packages before you bring them indoors.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are a terrible problem in Tampa. Anyone that lives in Florida can attest to how bad mosquitoes can be! These pesky bugs are particularly annoying because they can fly; some are also silent, which means you get bit without even noticing. These bites are itchy, but they can also be dangerous. Mosquitoes carry diseases and can spread them by biting you, so mosquito control is necessary to enjoy an itch-free life.
To avoid mosquito bites, take these precautions:
Fill any areas of your yard that collects water.
Keep any outdoor containers or buckets upside down.
Cut your grass regularly.
Remove standing water in and around your home.
Remove debris and stumps from your yard.
Ants
You see ants all over the place when you go outside, which is fine, but you don’t want to see them inside your house! While ants may seem like they aren’t that big of a deal, they can do quite some damage. Some ants, like fire ants, can sting you, while other ants can cause damage to your property!
Because of how aggressive some ants are and how much damage they can do over time, you’ll want to consider these tips for handling ants:
Use weather-stripping on doors and windows.
Close off any openings to your house.
Remove any overgrown vegetation or branches.
Rinse out cans and other items before tossing them out.
Lock the lids on your trash cans outside.
spiders
Spiders are not only creepy, but they are also a huge nuisance. No one wants to walk into a spider web! Spiders can also be pretty dangerous. While some spiders won’t bite, others have dangerous venom that can harm you.
There are various breeds of spiders, including brown recluse, black widow, American house spider, etc. Suppose you notice that you have a spider infestation, no matter what kind, you’ll want to handle it ASAP.
To avoid spiders, do these things:
Please get rid of any spider webs as soon as you see them.
Replace or repair screens that have been torn.
Keep your doors and window closed so they don’t get in.
Close up any gaps in your house.
Remove rock piles, branches, and other hiding spaces on your property.
Bed Bugs
“Don’t let the bed bugs bite” is good advice. Bed bugs are incredibly annoying, and they cause itching and discomfort. These bugs feed on human blood, which can be tricky to get rid of. They also can spread around your house over time—leading to a more significant infestation.
If you want to avoid bugs in your bed, consider these tips:
Wash your sheets and clothing regularly.
Wash any clothing you bring home from the store.
Avoid purchasing a used mattress, frame, and furniture.
Keep your home clean and vacuumed.
Rodents
Rodents have always been known as disease spreaders, which hasn’t changed much. While they may not be spreading the plague, they can still spread various diseases and viruses.
There are a few different rodents you’ll want to look out for. These include roof rats, Norway rats, and mice. These rodents can eat your food, destroy your property, and spread illness.
For practical rodent control tips, consider the following things:
Clean your house regularly.
Don’t leave food out or open.
Take out your trash often—don’t let it pile up.
Call a pest control specialist in Tampa as soon as you notice your rodent problem.
Wasps/Hornets
Wasps and hornets are mean and aggressive. Anyone that has been stung by one of these insects knows how painful and annoying their stings can be. Beyond that, some people are deathly allergic to these stings, so wasps and hornets pose a real risk. As soon as you see a nest of wasps or hornets, you’ll want to have it professionally removed immediately.
Ticks
Ticks are blood-sucking insects that can cause quite a bit of trouble. Not only can they feed off of your dog or cat, but they can also bite you. Having a tick or ticks attached to you is gross, but it can also be dangerous. Ticks carry disease and can make you very ill. You’ll want to get rid of these parasites as soon as you see them.
Here are some tips for avoiding ticks:
Check your pets when they spend time outdoors.
Cut your grass and other vegetation in your yard.
Vacuum and clean your home regularly.
Use tick control programs for your pets.
Termites
Termites can hide in your home and do some significant damage. Even though they are small, they grow in numbers. You can end up with thousands of them if the issue isn’t addressed! Over time these annoying insects will eat away at your home and do significant damage. Contact a pest control specialist in Tampa, Florida, as soon as you notice termites. Removing these pests is often too difficult for the average person. Rely on experts for termite control.
Carpenter Ants
Another annoying pest that can do damage to your home is carpenter ants. Unlike their namesake, they don’t build when it comes to your home—they destroy. They account for billions of dollars worth of damage to homes every year.
To make sure you don’t have to deal with carpenter ants, follow these tips:
Close off any cracks or openings to your house.
Remove wood debris from your property.
Use a dehumidifier in your basement.
Use weather-stripping.
Stain, paint, and varnish wood in your home.
