Home Protection: Common Household Pests to Watch For
Even though no homeowner would like to admit it, every home has its share of creepy crawlies and pests. Although their cameo appearances are somewhat rare, these critters can bring serious consequences for you and your family's health. For instance, they can contaminate your food and water supply which in turn may trigger allergic or fatal reactions. Here is a list of common household pests.
Termites
These cellulose-eating insects are usually found infesting wooden structures. They resemble ants but are paler and have thicker waist. Termites usually come out during spring in a swarm. What's alarming about termite damage is it can go undetected for many years until someone inadvertently bumps the wood. One way to check for termite damage is to tap wood along the wall with a screwdriver handle. Damaged wood will sound hollow and its surface may even break.
Rats
Every home is vulnerable to rat infestation. The thing about rats is they can multiply to as many as 200 a year and are notorious disease-carriers. Rats have been known to carry the bubonic plague, tapeworms, salmonella, Leptospirosis, and murine typhus. They transmit diseases by biting, infecting human food supplies with their droppings and urine, and by living and dying in water sources drunk by humans.
Cockroaches
Roaches are the main cause of headaches of many homeowners. They usually come out at night to consume garbage, rotten food, and waste materials. Cockroaches can multiply as many as 20,000 a year and carry tons of diseases like salmonella, staphylococcus pneumonia, diarrhea, and can trigger several allergies. Fortunately, cockroach problems may be avoided by spraying insecticide occasionally or getting the services of Salt Lake City pest control professionals.
Ants
Most homeowners don't usually consider ants as a threat. Nevertheless, while they may seem harmless at first, ants can easily transfer diseases because they thrive in dirty environments. If you see an ant farm near your house, it is best to hire a Utah exterminator to get rid of these pests accordingly. The Queen Ant can give birth to as many as 1,000 worker ants a year, so don't take them lightly.
Mosquitoes
These insects reside in stagnant water. They transmit diseases like malaria, encephalitis, yellow fever, and dengue which sometimes lead to death. According to reports, mosquitoes are responsible for infecting over 700 million people worldwide every year. While repellants and insecticides can reduce mosquito bites, homeowners are still advised to contact a Utah exterminator for total pest control.
Termites
These cellulose-eating insects are usually found infesting wooden structures. They resemble ants but are paler and have thicker waist. Termites usually come out during spring in a swarm. What's alarming about termite damage is it can go undetected for many years until someone inadvertently bumps the wood. One way to check for termite damage is to tap wood along the wall with a screwdriver handle. Damaged wood will sound hollow and its surface may even break.
Rats
Every home is vulnerable to rat infestation. The thing about rats is they can multiply to as many as 200 a year and are notorious disease-carriers. Rats have been known to carry the bubonic plague, tapeworms, salmonella, Leptospirosis, and murine typhus. They transmit diseases by biting, infecting human food supplies with their droppings and urine, and by living and dying in water sources drunk by humans.
Cockroaches
Roaches are the main cause of headaches of many homeowners. They usually come out at night to consume garbage, rotten food, and waste materials. Cockroaches can multiply as many as 20,000 a year and carry tons of diseases like salmonella, staphylococcus pneumonia, diarrhea, and can trigger several allergies. Fortunately, cockroach problems may be avoided by spraying insecticide occasionally or getting the services of Salt Lake City pest control professionals.
Ants
Most homeowners don't usually consider ants as a threat. Nevertheless, while they may seem harmless at first, ants can easily transfer diseases because they thrive in dirty environments. If you see an ant farm near your house, it is best to hire a Utah exterminator to get rid of these pests accordingly. The Queen Ant can give birth to as many as 1,000 worker ants a year, so don't take them lightly.
Mosquitoes
These insects reside in stagnant water. They transmit diseases like malaria, encephalitis, yellow fever, and dengue which sometimes lead to death. According to reports, mosquitoes are responsible for infecting over 700 million people worldwide every year. While repellants and insecticides can reduce mosquito bites, homeowners are still advised to contact a Utah exterminator for total pest control.
