Termites
Termites are praised from their ecological abilities to degrade difficult substances like wood but are every homeowner’s worst nightmare for that very reason. Preventing termite invasions may save you a lot of time and efforts spent in eradicating them.
Mice
Rodents are procreating at a rapid rate and this leads to many areas of the world being infested by mice. However, the right knowledge will allow you to get rid of these mice and continue with a life that does not include rodent infestations.
Lizards
With over 5000 species on the planet, it is difficult to categorize lizards without bringing in some science. Some of them are popular because they are great pets while others are famous because of the airtime they get on documentaries and other media.
Crickets
You may be familiar with crickets for a long time thanks to their incessant chirping in the summer evenings. Also known as True crickets, they are small to medium in size, and are found in many regions of the world.
Boxelder Bugs
Boisea trivittata commonly known as the boxelder bug is a North American insect named after its primary host, the boxelder tree. Wherever you may find boxelder trees, from eastern Canada throughout the eastern United States; the bugs are likely to be there too.
Ants
If you encounter ants, they are probably scouts who have not accidentally ended up in your house. At this stage, the workers are looking for food.
Pests are usually animals or insects that cause harm either to human property or humans themselves. They can attack multiple things:
- animals
- plants
- structures
They can also cause damage that is beyond repair.
All of us have dealt with at least some type of pest during our lifetimes, and we all know how troublesome and stressful that can be. Furthermore, pests can even cause serious ecological damage and even carry diseases that can take millions of lives.
In the following paragraphs, I’ll cover the basics that will help us better understand what we may be dealing with. By knowing that, we’ll also better understand how to successfully implement DIY pest control.
Types of Pests
There are many types of pests that can cause us serious troubles. However, we’ll encounter some of them more often, not just once but multiple times.
So what should I do when they’re near me? That’s why it’s important to understand their behavior and everything there is to know about them in order to successfully stop, and even prevent them from coming back.
Why Pests Are Dangerous
The word pest originated during the black plague era. Today, it is used for insects and other species that do serious harm to humans over a period of time. They are fast, spread easily and can be hard to destroy.
Pests are mostly dangerous because they can transmit fatal diseases to humans, but they can also inflict serious damage to properties and agriculture. Thus, it is imperative to recognize them in a timely manner and deal with them efficiently.
Do You Always Need an Exterminator?
“I’m going to look for an exterminator near me.” This is something that comes to mind once you find a pest infestation. Calling an exterminator can be expensive — and not always necessary. For limited or accessible problems, our DIY guides above will save you hundreds of dollars.
For severe, hidden, or recurring infestations, however, a professional service is the safer call. We have compared the four largest and most trusted pest control companies in the US — Terminix, Orkin, Aptive, and Bulwark — across pricing, coverage, warranties, and which one fits which situation.
Most companies offer free inspections — there is no obligation to commit, and the inspection itself gives you a clear picture of what you are dealing with.
