Ants
General Facts
Ants are the most common insects you may find in your home because they live together in colonies underground that can extend through trees and into buildings and homes.
Structurally, these colonies are comprised of complex tunneling systems, and a single colony can house tens of thousands of ants. Additionally, it is not uncommon that several colonies can be coinhabiting the same space.
Due to their means of habitation and social behaviors, ants can be difficult to exterminate from a home. Ants also can transmit bacterial diseases such as Salmonella and Staphylococcus.
Why you have them
The main reason why ant colonies may extend into buildings and homes is because the ants are in search of vital resources like food and water. Food-wise, ants are attracted to sweet and starchy products, as well as grease. Ants are capable of and will travel long distances to obtain these needs.
If ants are indoors, they can be found along walls under baseboards and/or carpeting. Outdoors, ants typically house under decorative pieces and landscaping, wood piles, or rocks.
Whether indoors or outdoors, once around 10% of the ant colony find an adequate source in any location, they will lay a scent trail that attracts the remainder of the colony, which subsequently leads to an infestation.
COCKROACHES
General Facts
Cockroaches are insects that are notorious for carrying a variety of diseases. Cockroaches are attracted to areas where food is prevalent, like kitchens, grocery stores, and restaurants. In buildings like these, infestations are most likely.
Cockroach infestations are especially dangerous due to their various means of harm that they can cause. For instance, not only do cockroaches carry bacterial diseases all over their bodies that can be transferred to food, utensils, and other kitchen surfaces, dust containing dead cockroaches, or their body parts can trigger allergic of asthmatic reactions.
Like other insects, cockroaches emit scents that alert and attract other cockroaches to the site of infestation, which subsequently triggers a more serious infestation.
In terms of where they generally reside indoors, cockroaches like a dark, humid area. Due to this, you are more likely to see a cockroach roaming around in your home at night, unless there is a lack of food and water in the area they are residing, which can occur naturally or with an application of pesticide. Also, if there is a large infestation, you are more likely to see a cockroach during the day.
Why you have them
Infestations occur when cockroaches are looking for vital resources like food and water. Cockroaches also can be transferred during food or other deliveries. Because they reproduce quickly, infestations can occur rapidly unless food and water supplies are reduced or cut off completely. To do so, making sure that your kitchens are clean, and food is kept away safely is an effective method of deterring and preventing an infestation.
BED BUGS
General Facts
Bed bugs are insects that feed off the blood of other animals. They are not known to carry and transmit diseases, but bites from bed bugs cause general skin irritation that can be very uncomfortable. They bite usually manifest as small, red welts on the skin that are clustered together, as the bug feeds in the same area during one feeding. Though the bites themselves do not pose serious risk, if the bites become infected, health issues can arise.
In terms of ideal environment, bed bugs are attracted to areas that are rich in warmth and carbon dioxide, which make sleeping animals prime targets.
Why you have them
Bed bug infestations are highly dependent on travel and mass transit. Bed bugs can reside in luggage, on airplane seats, trains, cars, and in hotel and motel rooms. So, when people travel, they can be bringing along an infestation as well. When you travel, you can pick up a couple bed bugs, which then can turn into a major infestation when you come back home.
BEES, WASPS, HORNETS
General Facts
Whether a bee, wasp, or hornet, all these insects can sting you. All these insects must be treated at the site of nest; however, treatment does not necessarily mean more insects will not appear from other areas like trees, bushes, or flying around.
Stinging insects can either be found alone or living in groups. The more social insects are of a higher concern because they are the ones capable of causing a more serious infestation due to a higher volume and frequency of reproduction. Additionally, the more social insects work in a community in which their main goal is to protect their nest, which leads to higher levels of aggression.
Why you have them
With stinging insects, the site of the nest must be inspected before any action can be taken to exterminate an infestation. For example, if you find these insects outside flying around in high quantity, the nesting site must be located because if the site is not on your property, no action can be taken to exterminate the infestation.
RODENTS
General Facts
Rodents are very shy and secretive animals, and a lot of people remain unaware of infestations for a long time, until they notice signs like droppings or gnawing on walls, furniture, or even wiring. Rodents typically hide within the walls, wall voids, attics, basements, in the floors, beneath the house, or behind cabinets.
Rodents can present danger to homes and other residents because they carry diseases as well as can contaminate food and cause damage to property. Rodents gnaw on a multitude of materials, and other than the destruction this behavior causes, gnawing on wiring can cause fires. Tunneling behaviors can also go as far as damaging of the structural foundations of buildings.
Why you have them
Rodents are attracted to vital resources like most pests, including food, water, and shelter. Keeping a space clean and maintaining sanitation measures greatly limits the number of rodents that can survive and reproduce because it limits the number of resources available to them. Access to inside your home or building can also be cut off to rodents by sealing any small holes or cracks that they can squeeze through.