3 Difficult Pests to Identify in Florida Homes
July 10th, 2020
Generally, pests are a nuisance. But if they are not taken care of in time, they can have a drastic impact on our homes and our budgets.
Some of them are harder to identify, making them more dangerous and more difficult to eliminate. Here are 3 of the most difficult pests to identify. Make you sure watch out for them and have a pest control professional visit your home regularly.
Bed Bugs
This pest is one of the worst to have in your home. They are hard to notice at first since they are very small, about the size of an apple seed. They are active at night and will bite you while you are sleeping.
Rather than looking out for them, you should pay attention to key signs such as red marks from the bites on your skin. They live on the blood of humans and animals so you will eventually experience irritation on your skin.
These bugs usually hide on your mattress, headboard, or bed frame so they can get access to you during the night. Be on the lookout for bloodstains on your sheet and mattress or other rusty colored stains.
Bed bugs can become a nightmare if not treated immediately. In a favorable environment, they will produce about three or more generations in one year. On top of that, they can expand quickly to other rooms by crawling on the walls and the floor.
Termites
Termites can damage the structure of your home without any obvious signs, and that’s what makes it a terrifying pest. They are called “silent destroyers” since they can chew away at your home’s wood pillars and by the time you notice them, they have done significant damage.
Two types of termites usually infest homes: workers and swarmers. Worker termites are responsible for collecting food for the colony and feed on cellulose which is a component found in wood. Swarmer termites take care of the reproduction and creating new colonies.
Many people often confuse swarmer termites with flying ants, dismissing them when they see them in their homes. This mistake often leads to larger consequences in the future.
A quick and simple test for termite pests is to place your thumb on exposed wooden areas in your house and apply pressure to see if the wood crumbles. This test helps you find the tip of the iceberg and shows extensive long-term damage. We highly recommend having a termite inspection done by a professional.
Fleas
If you have pets, there is a higher probability you will be exposed to fleas. They usually feed on domestic animals such as cats and dogs. They can even feed on rats and mice, so it is important that you watch out for rodents as well.
Fleas reproduce very quickly. Their eggs hatch within 2 to 14 days and usually by the time you notice them biting your legs, they have already spread throughout your house.
They don’t need a host to hatch. They can lay their eggs in your carpet, floor cracks, your couch, and almost anywhere. To make matters worse, they tend to flourish more in Florida because of our warm climate all year round.
We highly recommend that you check your home for fleas and their eggs. Start with your pet. They will usually prefer the neck and the inside area of your legs. If you find any, move on to possible contaminated areas such as your pet’s bedding and upholstered furniture.
Get Professional Pest Control Today
None of these pests can be exterminated on your own. It is important that you contact a pest control professional before they greatly affect your home.
Alford Pest Management offers affordable and professional pest control services. We have the proper equipment and expertise to help you get rid of the pests in your home. Contact us today for a free quote or call us to learn more about our services.
