Homeowners are probably aware of pillbugs, which are also known as sowbugs or rollie-pollies, in reference to their ability to roll into a ball.
If you incorporate pest management procedures into your daily routines, you won't have to worry about them entering your home. Though they don't carry any diseases or infest food products, their presence is still unwelcome in houses, according to the National Pest Management Association.
Pillbugs are not, in fact, insects. They're actually crustaceans that live on land. In fact, the NPMA pointed out that they're the only crustaceans that have completely adapted to land life. They're more closely related to crayfish than insects.
As interesting as this may be, you still don't want pillbugs crawling around your home, so taking preventative measures is essential. They feed on decaying vegetable material and prefer moist environments. However, they don't tend to survive for long if they manage to make their way into homes, even if it's a relatively humid space.
Pillbugs are usually found in moist plant beds. Therefore, if you've got a green thumb and are particularly proud of your garden, it may be time to move your plants, flowers and vegetables a little further from the house. Other areas of concern include stacks of firewood, which can retain moisture. Dry these out and store them away from areas with soil to ensure that pillbugs won't use them as a pathway to your windows.
Cracks and crevices along the house can seem harmless, but pillbugs are only about 3/4-inch long, so they don't need a lot of room to squeeze into your home. Fill in any areas that may be prone to these crustaceans. Doing so will also be beneficial in keeping out other pests that may carry diseases.
If you're concerned about a potential pillbug infestation or have found some in your home but can't locate the source of the problem, reaching out to pest control services such as Abell Pest Control will ensure that your home only houses residents who are welcome to stay. These experts will be able to pinpoint the origin and will resolve the issue quickly and effectively, allowing you to return to your everyday tasks without having to worry about running into one of these nuisances.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
