There is no question that insects can be pesky creatures. They can invade your personal space, contaminate your food, and even cause structural damage to your home. While the majority of insects are harmless, there are a few pests that can cause significant harm. In this blog post, we will take a look at what makes an insect a pest, what types of pest bugs you might find in your home, and why some insects can be harmful to humans and their property.
Why Are Some Insects Considered To Be Pests?
In order to understand what makes an insect a pest, it is important to first understand what insects are. Insects are invertebrates. They are the largest group of animals on the planet, with over a million different species identified so far.
While most insects are harmless, there are some that become pests by invading our homes and businesses or by damaging crops. These insects can transmit diseases, contaminate food, damage property, and bite or sting humans and our pets. Some of the most common pests include ants, bedbugs, cockroaches, flies, mosquitoes, and termites.
Why Are Some Insects Harmful?
Some insects are harmful because they can transmit diseases to humans or animals. Others might be poisonous if eaten, while some can cause an allergic reaction if they bite or sting. Some insects, like termites, are harmful because they can cause structural damage to our homes and other buildings.
Insects can also be considered pests because of the economic damage they can cause. For example, crop-damaging pests like locusts and caterpillars can destroy entire crops, leading to financial losses for farmers. Insects that feed on stored grain can contaminate it and make it unfit for human consumption.
While most insects are harmless, there are a few that pose a risk to humans and their property. It is important to be aware of what type of pests are common in your area so you can take steps to prevent them from entering your home or business. If you do find pests in your home, there are many different ways to get rid of them.
What Pest Bugs Can You Find In Your Home?
The type of pest bugs you might find in your home will depend on the climate you live in and what kind of insects are common in that area. Here are a few examples:
– Ants: These pests are often found in kitchens and bathrooms, where they can contaminate food and spread disease. They also cause structural damage to floors and walls by burrowing their way through the wood, foundation, or bricks.
– Bedbugs: These pests are small, reddish-brown insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. These little bugs are often found in mattresses, bedding, furniture and carpets. Due to being so small, they are difficult to spot, and even more difficult to get rid of
– Cockroaches: These pests are brown or black insects that can grow up to three inches long. They are often found in kitchens and bathrooms, where they contaminate food and spread disease. Cockroaches are often associated with unhygienic conditions due to their love of leftovers.
– Flies: These pests are often found near garbage cans, pet food, other sources of food, and of course animal feces. They can contaminate food and spread disease due to their love of dung and rotting garbage.
– Mosquitoes: These pests are small, flying insects that bite humans and animals to feed on their blood. They can transmit diseases like malaria, Zika virus, and West Nile. Mosquitos are often associated with summer and occur where there is standing water nearby.
– Termites: These pests are small, winged insects that live in colonies underground. They cause structural damage to homes and other buildings by eating away at the wood. Termites are most active during the spring and summer months but can be found all year round in some areas. They also appear in large numbers just before or after a rainstorm in an event called a hatch.
How to Prevent Pests
The best way to prevent pests is to keep them from entering your home in the first place. Here are a few tips:
– Inspect your home regularly for cracks or holes that pests could use to get inside.
– Keep food in airtight containers.
-Dispose of garbage on a regular basis.
– Store pet food in sealed containers and clean up any spills immediately.
– Repair any leaks in your plumbing and keep drains clean.
– Remove standing water from around your home, including in flowerpots, gutters, and buckets.
If you do find pests in your home, there are many different ways to get rid of them. Some people prefer to use natural methods like traps or insecticides, while others prefer to call a professional pest control company like H2 Environmental Pest Management. Whichever method you choose, the important thing is to get rid of the pests as soon as possible so they don’t have a chance to multiply and cause even more damage.
Pests can be a nuisance, but some of them can also cause harm to humans and their property. It is important to be aware of what types of pests are common in your area so you can take steps to prevent them from entering your home or business. If you do find pests in your home, there are many different ways to get rid of them.
Do you have any advice for getting rid of pests yourself? Let us know in the comments below!
As always, if you have any questions or would like a free consultation, please give us a call at 347-934-8505. We’re always happy to help!