Top 5 Common House Pests and How to Get Rid of Them

Pests are any animals or insects that are considered to be a nuisance, and they can cause damage to your property and health.

There are many different types of pests, but some of the most common include rodents, cockroaches, ants, termites, and bedbugs. Here are the top 5 common house pests and how to get rid of them:

1. Rodents

Rodents, such as mice and rats, are some of the most common pests in homes. They can cause damage to your property by gnawing on electrical wires and wood, and they can also spread disease.

To get rid of rodents, you can try traps or poison, but the best way to prevent them from entering your home in the first place is to seal up any cracks or holes on the outside of your house.

Some common types of rodents include:

-Gerbils

-Hamsters

-Mice

-Rats

If you have a rodent problem in your home, there are a few things you can do to get rid of them. First, try to identify where they are coming from and seal up any holes or cracks that they might be using to enter your home. You can also set traps baited with food to catch and remove the rodents.

If you have a serious infestation, you may need to call in a professional pest control company to get rid of the problem. There are a few things you can do to prevent rodents from entering your home in the first place. First, make sure that all food is properly stored in airtight containers.

Rodents are attracted to food sources, so if they can smell food, they will be more likely to try to get into your home.

You can also try using natural repellents such as peppermint oil or cayenne pepper to deter rodents. Also, take care to keep your home clean and clutter-free so that rodents will have nowhere to hide.

2. Cockroaches

Cockroaches are another common pest, and they can be difficult to get rid of once they infest your home. They can carry diseases and contaminate food, so it’s important to get rid of them as soon as possible.

The best way to do this is to call an exterminator, but you can also try traps or sprays.

The most common types of cockroaches in the United States are the German cockroach, the American cockroach, and the Oriental cockroach.

German Cockroach:

This type of cockroach is small, usually only growing to be about 1/2 an inch to 5/8ths of an inch long. They are light brown in color and have two dark stripes running down their back. German cockroaches are often found in homes, restaurants, and other commercial buildings. They typically live in cracks and crevices near food sources and reproduce quickly, so an infestation can spread rapidly.

American Cockroach:

American cockroaches are much larger than German cockroaches, growing to be about 1-3/4 inches to 2 inches long. They are reddish-brown in color and have a yellow band around the edge of their body. American cockroaches are often found in basements, sewers, and other damp areas. They can also be found in homes, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms.

Oriental Cockroach:

Oriental cockroaches are similar in size to American cockroaches, growing to be about 1-3/4 inches to 2 inches long. They are dark brown or black in color and do not have the yellow band around their body that American cockroaches do. Oriental cockroaches are often found in damp, dark areas such as basements and sewers. They can also be found in homes, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms.

Cockroaches are nuisance pests that can spread disease and cause allergies in people. If you have a cockroach problem, there are a variety of things you can do to get rid of them.

Cockroach baits are one of the most effective ways to get rid of cockroaches. Baits come in a variety of formulations, including gel baits, solid baits, and liquid baits. They work by luring cockroaches into eating them and then killing them.

Pesticide sprays can also be used to kill cockroaches. Insecticide sprays can be purchased at most hardware stores, home improvement stores, and grocery stores. Be sure to read the label carefully and follow the directions before using any pesticide product.

Cockroach traps are another option for getting rid of cockroaches. There are a variety of different trap designs, but they all work by luring cockroaches into them and then trapping them.

You can also try to prevent cockroaches from entering your home in the first place by sealing up any cracks and crevices around your home’s foundation, windows, doors, and other openings. Additionally, keep your home clean and free of food and water sources that cockroaches are attracted to.

3. Ants

Ants are a nuisance and can be difficult to get rid of, but there are a few things you can do to get rid of them. Try using baits or traps, and make sure to clean up any crumbs or food that they might be attracted to.

There are more than 12,000 species of ants in the world, but only a handful of them are known to invade homes. The most common types of ants that you might find in your home include carpenter ants, odorous house ants, pavement ants, pharaoh ants, and Argentine ants.

Carpenter Ants:

These ants are one of the most common types of ants that invade homes. They get their name from their habit of eating away at wood to build their nests. Carpenter ants are usually black or red in color and can be up to ½ an inch long.

Odorous House Ants:

As their name suggests, these ants give off a foul smell when crushed. They are small, brown ants that are usually only about ⅛ of an inch long.

Pavement Ants:

These ants get their name from their habit of building nests in cracks in pavement. They are black or brown in color and are between ¼ and ⅜ of an inch long.

Pharaoh Ants:

These ants are often found in hospitals and other places where there are a lot of people. They are small, yellow ants that are only about ⅛ of an inch long.

Argentine Ants:

These ants are originally from South America but have now spread to many other parts of the world. They are small, dark ants that are usually only about ⅛ of an inch long.

If you find any ants in your home, it’s important to identify what type of ant it is so that you can determine the best way to get rid of them. Once you’ve identified the type of ant, there are a few different methods you can use to get rid of them.

One way to get rid of ants is to use baits. Baits are products that contain poison that the ants will eat and then take back to their nests. The poison will kill the ants and hopefully the rest of the colony as well.

Another way to get rid of ants is to use sprays. Sprays will kill the ants that you see, but they won’t do anything to the rest of the colony.

The best way to get rid of ants is to find and destroy their nest. This can be difficult to do, but it’s the only way to make sure that all the ants are gone for good.

Once you’ve gotten rid of the ants, there are a few things you can do to help prevent them from coming back. One thing you can do is to keep your house clean and free of food scraps. Ants are attracted to food, so the less food they can find in your house, the less likely they are to come inside.

Another thing you can do is to seal up any cracks or holes in your house. Ants can enter your house through very small openings, so it’s important to make sure that there are no places for them to get in.

4. Termites

Termites are a major problem for homeowners because they can cause extensive damage to your property. If you think you have termites, it’s important to call an exterminator right away.

There are several common types of termites that can be found in homes and businesses. These include:

Subterranean termites

These termites live in the soil and build mud tunnels to reach their food source, which is wood. They are the most common type of termite in the United States and can cause extensive damage to a structure if left untreated.

Drywood termites

These termites live in dry wood and do not need contact with the soil to survive. They can be found in any part of a structure that contains wood, including furniture and framing.

Dampwood termites

These termites live in damp or rotting wood and are usually found in areas with high moisture levels, such as basements or crawl spaces.

To get rid of termites, it is important to have a professional inspect your property and determine the best course of treatment. This may involve using chemicals to kill the termites or physical methods like fumigation.

5. Bedbugs

Bed Bugs are small insects that feed on blood, and they can be found in mattresses, furniture, and carpeting. They can be difficult to get rid of, but there are a few things you can do to help get rid of them. Try using a vacuum to remove them from your home, and make sure to wash all of your bedding in hot water.

Bed Bugs are small, nocturnal insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. Although they are a nuisance, bedbugs are not considered to be a health hazard. There are three common types of bedbugs:

The common bedbug, Cimex lectularius

This is the most prevalent type of bedbug in the world. It is found in all continents except Antarctica. This bedbug typically feeds on humans, although it will also feed on other animals, such as bats, chickens, and ducks.

The tropical bedbug, Cimex hemipterus

This type of bed bug is found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It typically feeds on chickens and ducks, but will also feed on other animals, such as bats, humans, and reptiles.

The human bedbug, Cimex pipistrelli

It is found in temperate regions of the world. It feeds primarily on humans, although it will also feed on other animals, such as bats, chickens, and ducks.

Here is how you can try to prevent bed bugs infestation:

Vacuum your home regularly, especially in areas where you think bed bugs may be present. This will help to remove any eggs or bugs that are clinging to surfaces.

Wash all of your bedding, including sheets, blankets, and pillowcases, in hot water every week. This will kill any bed bugs that may be present.

Inspect any second-hand furniture or clothing before bringing it into your home. Bedbugs can easily hitch a ride on these items and infest your home.

If you think you have bed bugs, call a professional exterminator to come and treat your home.

Final Word

These are just a few of the most common house pests and how to get rid of them. If you have a pest problem, it’s important to take action right away to prevent further damage to your property and health.