Termites eat wood around the house.
A variety of bugs enter houses, mainly to seek out food and shelter. These creatures cause a range of problems, including food contamination, allergies, household damage, bug bites on humans and pets, and an unclean appearance when seen around the house. Most types of house bug infestations are relatively easy to treat with good cleaning practices and bug poisons. Does this Spark an idea?
Ants and Termites
Ants live outdoors but also infest houses.
According to Texas A & M University, ants infest houses and are one of the most difficult types of house bugs to eradicate. They search the house for food and get contaminate food supplies. Some types of ants can bite or sting humans. Termites eat wood and can cause lots of damage to the house. Many types of ants create nests in dead wood, such as nearby outdoor tree stumps or underneath old hardwood floors. The University of Minnesota recommends making houses less attractive to ants by getting rid of easy access to food and water. Keep food in tightly sealed containers and fix dripping faucets. A variety of ant traps and poisons can help remove already existing ant problems.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches can grow very large.
Cockroaches are large brown bugs that make their way into houses in search of food. The University of Florida explains that cockroaches ruin food, harm fabrics, spread diseases, secrete bad-smelling liquid and cause allergies in some people. Deter cockroaches by getting rid of cockroach-accessible food and water sources. Sealing entries into the home also helps prevent cockroaches from entering. Some types of cockroaches live best outdoors, and homeowners can often eradicate this type by simply removing them and putting them outside. Many cockroach infestations, however, require insecticide sprays or dusts, according to the University of Florida.
Bed Bugs
As the name suggests, tiny bed bugs live in mattresses and other upholstered furniture. Bed bugs bite humans, and spread easily on clothes and in luggage. Washington State University recommends using a chemical called pyrethrin to get rid of bed bugs. Pyrethrin sprays usually eradicate bed bugs when sprayed once every 30 days on mattresses, upholstered furniture and small cracks around the house.
Fleas
Fleas usually enter the home on pet dogs or cats.
Fleas are tiny dark brown bloodsucking insects that live in animal fur. They usually enter a house on a pet, and can then spread and hide in carpets, floor cracks and other tiny spaces. They will bite both pets and humans, and lay eggs that worsen the infestation. Vacuuming and thoroughly cleaning the house can help eradicate flea infestations, according to Washington State University. Pets will need some sort of flea treatment to get rid of the fleas.
Tags: around house, food water, infest houses, Some types, State University, Termites wood, types ants