There are nearly one million identified species of insects worldwide, and more than 90,000 different species found in the United States alone—not to mention rodents and birds that commonly infest structures. However, out of the 90,000 insects in the US there are less than 50 different types that become common pests in our homes. Unfortunately, these common insects cause extensive and costly damage to food, stored goods, and even the structure of a home.
The five most common pests in the Pacific Northwest are as follows:
- Small Black Ants, which typically nest outside the home, can be a very frustrating nuisance because of their ability to find the smallest crumb or get into what appear to be closed food containers. They can cause quite a costly problem when they find their way into boxes of cereal, bread bags, any sweet food and even ingredients in the pantry.
- Spiders of all types are very helpful in nature, and very troublesome when they get inside the home. Most Spiders in our area are not considered extremely poisonous, but if they bite it can be very painful and, if not treated properly, the bite can lead to very serious complications.
- Carpenter Ants are essential to the ecosystem in our forests because they chew up and help break down fallen trees. But when they get into home structures they can cause extensive and very costly damage.
- Mice may look cute in the pet stores, but not when they nest in the floor insulation of a home or chew into the food in the pantry. They can ruin stored food and contaminate counters, spreading bacteria through their feces.
- Rats are very cunning and cautious, tunneling or finding holes into homes to nest. They can chew through nearly any material to get to food, often damaging insulation and walls in the process. They are very unsanitary, carrying diseases and bacteria that contaminate any food they eat and even the areas they walk across.