Pest Library
This resourceful guide equips you with essential information about pests commonly found in and around your San Antonio, TX property.
Identify and Prevent Common Household Pests
Pests not only pose threats to your home’s integrity but also jeopardize your family’s well-being. With numerous pests inhabiting North America, staying informed about their characteristics and potential hazards can be challenging. Our pest library is your comprehensive guide to understanding and addressing these issues.
Roaches are resilient insects that thrive in dark, damp areas of your home, such as kitchens and bathrooms. They can carry diseases and trigger allergies. To prevent roaches, keep your home clean and dry, seal cracks and crevices, store food in airtight containers, and eliminate clutter. Use bait stations or hire professionals.
Silverfish are small, wingless insects known for their silvery scales and wiggling movements. They feed on starches and paper, often damaging books, wallpaper, and clothing. Reduce humidity levels in your home, fix leaks promptly, store food in sealed containers, and declutter to eliminate hiding spots. Use traps or contact pest control if infestation persists.
Ants are social insects that form colonies in and around homes. They’re attracted to food and water sources, leaving scent trails for others to follow. Keep food sealed, clean spills promptly, seal entry points, trim foliage away from your home, and use bait stations or ant traps. Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces ants frequent.
Wasps are flying insects known for their painful stings. They build nests in protected areas like eaves, attics, and bushes. Disturbing their nests can provoke aggressive behavior. To deter wasps, seal entry points, avoid leaving food or sweet drinks outside, and use decoy nests to deter them from building new colonies. Contact professionals for nest removal.
Spiders are beneficial predators that help control other pests, but some species can be venomous and pose risks to humans. They typically reside in dark, secluded areas. Reduce clutter, vacuum regularly, seal cracks and crevices, and install screens on windows and doors. Use sticky traps or contact pest control for severe infestations.
Scorpions are nocturnal arachnids that hide during the day and hunt at night. They’re attracted to warm, dry environments and can deliver painful stings, sometimes requiring medical attention. Seal cracks and crevices, remove debris from your yard, trim vegetation, and eliminate hiding spots. Wear protective clothing when handling outdoor items. Contact professionals if needed.
Earwigs are small insects with pincers on their abdomen, often found in moist, dark areas like mulch, leaves, and damp basements. While they’re mostly nuisance pests, they can infest homes in large numbers. Reduce moisture in and around your home, eliminate hiding spots, seal entry points, and use sticky traps or insecticides for control. Regular yard maintenance can also help prevent infestations.
Crickets are nocturnal insects known for their chirping sounds. While mostly harmless, they can damage fabrics, paper, and plants. They’re attracted to light and moisture. Reduce moisture levels in your home, seal entry points, store firewood away from your house, and use insecticides or traps for control. Keep outdoor lights off at night to deter crickets.
Fleas are parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. They can transmit diseases and cause discomfort. Treat pets regularly with flea preventatives, vacuum frequently, wash bedding often, and maintain a tidy yard. Use insecticides or contact professionals for severe infestations.
Ticks are blood-feeding parasites that can transmit diseases to humans and animals. They’re commonly found in wooded areas and tall grasses, attaching to hosts for feeding. Check yourself and pets for ticks after outdoor activities, wear long sleeves and pants in tick-prone areas, use insect repellent, and remove ticks promptly with tweezers.
Rats are larger rodents that can cause damage to property and spread diseases. They’re attracted to food, water, and shelter in homes and can breed rapidly if left unchecked. Seal entry points, eliminate food and water sources, maintain cleanliness, set traps or use bait stations, and keep outdoor areas tidy. Regular inspections can help detect infestations early.
Mice are smaller rodents that can squeeze through tiny openings to gain access to homes. They contaminate food, damage property, and carry diseases. Seal gaps and cracks, store food in airtight containers, keep indoor areas clean and clutter-free, and use traps or bait stations. Regularly inspect for signs of mice activity.
Wildlife such as raccoons, skunks, and opossums can cause damage to property and spread diseases. They’re attracted to food and shelter in residential areas. Secure garbage cans, remove food sources, seal entry points, and install fencing to deter wildlife. Contact professionals for safe and humane removal if wildlife becomes a nuisance.
Mosquitoes are flying insects known for their itchy bites and ability to transmit diseases like West Nile virus and Zika virus. They breed in standing water and are most active at dawn and dusk. Eliminate standing water, use screens on windows and doors, wear insect repellent, and consider mosquito traps or professional treatments for effective control.
Termites are wood-destroying insects that feed on cellulose material found in wood and paper products. They can cause extensive damage to homes and structures if left untreated. Schedule regular termite inspections, reduce moisture in and around your home, remove wood-to-soil contact, and treat infestations promptly with liquid or bait treatments.
