Basements are a part of the house that homeowners don't frequent often. As a result, they make a great home for pests that can easily crawl through small spaces in windows and wall cracks to get access to your home. However, only certain creatures are fans of basements. Consider these pests that may try to invade your basement.
Though some people may believe spiders are an asset to a home, as they can kill other pests, some types may be vicious and unkind, InsectIdentification.org noted. Certain spiders, such as the wolf spider or brown recluse spider, can inflict a serious amount of pain on a person and possibly kill them depending on a person's age. Though most spiders will not immediately attack a person, they may if they feel provoked. Spiders are big fans of basements mainly for their seclusion. Homeowners can prevent dangerous or poisonous spiders in their basement by reducing clutter. Spiders primarily like to hide in dark spaces behind boxes and other objects. Keeping these areas organized will reduce your likelihood of welcoming a spider population in your basement.
These quick, multi-legged bugs often scare homeowners upon an initial introduction. Though silverfish aren't actually dangerous, they may still frighten you. These pests are a fan of damp, dark places, which is why basements are an ideal home, University of California, Davis stated. Normally, silverfish are brought into a house on some sort of paper product, such as a box, as that is what they mainly feed on. However, if they make it into the main part of your house, they may go after certain textiles, such as silk, biting small holes into them. Keep silverfish out of your home by purchasing a dehumidifier, which can take all moisture out of a basement or other damp area. They also may hide under cabinets if there is a leaking pipe, so check your plumbing often.
Basements are home to several things that may allow moisture, including laundry machines, bathrooms and possibly cracked piping. All three of these often provide puddles of water, which is a cockroach's paradise, deBugged noted. These pests can thrive off water, and a secluded, dark space is a perfect breeding ground. Cockroaches are sneaky, and only come out at night when homeowners aren't around. However, if you don't visit your basement often, this is a great spot for cockroaches to hang out. You may not know you have a problem for months until you discover multiple roaches in your home. Keep these gross creatures out with a dehumidifier and by decluttering, which will give them very few hiding spots.
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.
