Even the most beautiful homes can have pests. Some pests leave visible damage on a house and can be easily identified. Others are less obvious and can sometimes be spotted only in the middle of home repairs in Virginia Beach and other locations when your contractors are exposing inner panels.
These days, many homeowners are choosing to proactively avoid infestations with various methods now readily available for pest control.
Ants
These food-loving pests can create lines of creatures crawling through your home. Ants have many species, some of which can even eat our wood. All ants, though, are looking for something to munch on. They will usually be living under dry earth or pavements. They enter homes via openings in the structure or cracks in the foundation.
Make sure your food is properly stored and your trash tucked away. You should also consider sealing up any opening you see. You could also get straight to the root of the problem by eliminating the colony through ant baits.
Mosquitoes and Flies
Mosquitoes are more dangerous, as they can spread diseases such as dengue or malaria. They feed on human blood and leave itchy red bumps on the skin. Flies are round with bulging eyes and they feed on unattended food. They are typically found near trash or leftovers and can also carry bacteria as they frequent dirty areas.
The best way to eliminate them is to prevent their quick reproduction. Cover any standing water. Otherwise, make sure they are covered or have a pump. Seal off any openings with sealants or screens. Eradicating them can be done by keeping your surroundings clean and by using a bug spray. If possible, ask your contractor for a safer, more convenient, and more eco-friendly option.
Cockroaches
In the U.S., roaches are either the American or German species Regardless, cockroaches live in colonies. They prefer dark and damp surroundings that suit their nocturnal habits. You’ll often find them loitering around food or trash. These pests are known for their resilience and can even scurry about after being squished. They are also known to carry bacteria and even diseases.
They are best dealt with by keeping your surroundings clean. You can also install roach traps or roach baits. Some roach baits can even last for up to weeks if installed in the right places. You can maximize the effect of your baits by placing them in dark corners of your house.
Bedbugs
Also called bed mites, these pests can affect humans and pets. The easiest way to tell if you have bed bugs is to look for small black spots on your bedding. These are actually the husks of dead bed bugs. Bed bugs aren’t just tucked on the surface of a bed or a cushy material. They burrow into the layers of foam or rug.
These bugs are among the trickiest to get rid of, but a good pest control specialist should be able to eradicate them. You can find temporary relief by using anti-itch cream for irritations. Some also say that steaming your beddings and mattress can eliminate the bed bugs. To avoid bed bugs, change your sheets regularly and vacuum your mattress and pillows along with the rest of your home.
Pests can affect many aspects of your home and your life. But thankfully, you don’t have to live with them. Identifying the problem and finding the solution is often just a few clicks away and only take a trustworthy professional.