None of us like sharing our homes with house bugs. They belong outside of our homes, as far away as possible. Unfortunately, they love sneaking inside our homes despite chasing them away with countless methods.
They love taking over our space and causing damage to our resources and property even though they leave us alone. That is why we need to be aware of some common house bugs.
One of the many common small house insects is ants. We all know what they look like. They can be black, brown, or reddish, depending on the species, and are usually around 1/8 inch. Ants enter homes for food and water, especially during warmer months or after heavy rains.
They are attracted to sugary substances, crumbs, and even pet food. You can find them in cracks and crevices near food sources, such as kitchen counters, pantry shelves, and along baseboards.
We all know bugs in houses are never a good sign, especially if there are cockroaches around. These insects contaminate surfaces with bacteria, leading to food poisoning and allergic reactions. Their droppings, shed skin, and saliva can also trigger respiratory issues.
They hide in dark, warm, humid places like kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. Common hiding spots include behind appliances, under sinks, in cabinets, and within cracks and crevices. These pests are notoriously difficult to eliminate.
Spiders come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, but house spiders are usually small and harmless. They invade homes because of the abundance of other insects, their primary food source. They prefer undisturbed areas where they can build webs or hide, like corners of rooms, basements, attics, closets, behind furniture, and garages.
They may also be found around windows, where they can catch flying insects. Most species are harmless to humans, but they can be a nuisance. Their webs accumulate dust and become unsightly.
Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects that become swollen after feeding. They enter homes on luggage, clothing, or used furniture. They are attracted to warmth and carbon dioxide, which is why they settle near where people sleep.
You will find them hiding in mattress seams, box springs, bed frames, cracks in walls or floors, and behind baseboards. They hide during the day and come out at night to feed on human blood. Their bites can cause itchy welts and allergic reactions.
Termites are another one of the many annoying bugs in house. They can be drawn to homes by moisture issues, wood-to-soil contact, or cracks in the foundation. They feed on wood and often hide in walls, floors, or wooden structures like beams and joists.
You would not know of their presence until significant damage has occurred. The damage they cause can be severe, as they consume wood from the inside out. This can weaken the structural integrity of a home, leading to expensive repairs if not caught early.
If you notice silver-gray bugs in the house, they are probably silverfish. They have a distinctive shiny, silver-gray color and a fish-like shape. They are attracted to dark, damp environments, making homes with high humidity particularly appealing.
They love hiding in dark spaces, such as cracks and crevices in walls, behind baseboards, under sinks, and around pipes. While silverfish do not pose direct harm to humans, they can damage household items such as books, wallpaper, clothing, and even some foods.
There are many common house insects, but one that many people hate has got to be the houseflies. These pests enter homes in search of food and warmth during cooler months. They are drawn to rotting stuff, garbage, and leftover food, making kitchens and trash cans their favorite hang-out place.
They do not cause direct damage to your home but are a health risk. They can contaminate food and surfaces by spreading bacteria from the unsanitary places they frequent, leading to illnesses.
Fruit flies are tiny insects, about 1/8 inch long, with tan bodies and bright red eyes. They invade homes searching for ripe or rotting fruit, vegetables, or anything sugary. They are drawn to fermentation, so you might spot them around garbage disposals, trash cans, or even damp mops.
Once they enter homes, they lay eggs and multiply rapidly. They do not cause structural damage, but they are a nuisance, and their presence can lead to contamination of food items with bacteria.
Fleas are tiny, wingless insects that can jump great distances. They enter homes on pets like cats and dogs or sometimes on rodents to look for warm-blooded hosts to feed on. Their bites can lead to itching, irritation, and, in some cases, allergic reactions in humans and pets.
That is why they are attracted to homes with pets. They tend to hide in areas where pets frequent, such as bedding, carpets, upholstery, and cracks in the floor. They can also lurk on baseboards and pet bedding.
Moths come in various sizes and colors and are drawn indoors by light or to find food sources. Pantry moths, for example, are attracted to stored food products like grains, cereals, and dried fruits. They may be found in kitchen cupboards and pantry shelves.
Clothes moths, on the other hand, are attracted to natural fibers found in clothing, rugs, and upholstery. They hide in closets, drawers, and under furniture. These moths can destroy food supplies and damage clothing, carpets, and other textiles.
While some common bugs in the house may not harm humans, the same cannot be said for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are attracted to homes with potential blood sources, like humans and pets.
Their bites can cause itching and swelling and are vectors for fatal diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus, and West Nile virus. They hide in dark, damp areas like basements, bathrooms, and under furniture. They are also attracted to areas with high humidity, such as near leaky pipes.
Gnats are small, flying insects that are often mistaken for fruit flies. They are attracted to moisture and decaying organic matter. Some common sources include overwatered houseplants, fruit bowls, garbage disposals, and damp areas like sinks or drains.
These bugs are less of a threat and more of a nuisance. They can be bothersome as they fly around food and living spaces. Their presence also indicates other problems, such as excess moisture or decaying organic material.
Carpenter ants are not like your typical ants. They are bigger and are attracted to moist or damaged wood to establish a nesting site. They often seek out areas where the wood has been compromised by water damage or rot, like inside walls, under floors, and attics or crawl spaces.
These ants create extensive galleries and tunnels within the wood. Over time, this can weaken the structural elements of a home, leading to potential safety issues if left unchecked.
Dust Mites are transparent creatures, typically 0.2 to 0.3 millimeters long, and are invisible to the naked eye. They thrive in warm, humid environments and are attracted to homes because of the abundance of skin flakes, which they feed on.
They are commonly found in areas with accumulated dust such as bedding, carpets, upholstered furniture, curtains, mattresses, and pillows. These bugs do not damage property, but their waste products and body parts can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
A common house beetle is the carpet beetle. These insects are oval-shaped, about 1/8 to 1/4 inch long, and can be black, brown, or a mix of colors with patterns of orange or yellow. They are attracted to natural fibers and organic materials.
They enter homes for food sources, such as wool, silk, cotton, or other natural materials in carpets, clothes, and upholstery. Their feeding habits can cause holes and damage to these objects. They can also damage books and important documents if left unchecked.
Earwigs are harmless, brownish insects with pincers on their abdomen. They love damp, dark environments and often seek refuge in places like basements, bathrooms, and under piles of paper or leaves.
You might find them under sinks, inside closets, or in garden soil near the foundation of your house. These insects do not cause significant damage and are more of a nuisance than a serious pest. If there are too many of them, they can damage plants or fruits.
Centipedes are common house insects that send shivers down your spine. They have multiple legs that are long and quick, which causes a sudden jolt of fear and disgust when you see them move.
They are predators and feed on other pests like insects and spiders. They might be drawn to your home if it is humid with plenty of prey. Once inside, they hide in basements, crawl spaces, bathrooms, and under piles of clothes or leaves. They are generally harmless to humans.
Millipedes look like centipedes but are smaller with fewer legs. They thrive in damp environments, so they often enter homes in search of moisture. They may sneak inside your homes if there is high humidity.
Inside, they hide in dark, damp areas such as basements, crawl spaces, under sinks, behind appliances, or in potted plants. They are not harmful to humans, pets, or structures. They do not bite but can cause minor damage to garden plants, but this is usually not severe.
Weevils are small beetles that feed on grains, nuts, and dried fruits. Therefore, they enter homes to look for these stored food products. They are commonly found in pantry shelves, grain storage containers, and other food storage areas.
They can also hide in cracks and crevices near food sources. These insects do not harm humans or pets directly but contaminate and spoil food, which accidentally ingested, can cause illnesses. If you see weevils in your food, discard them immediately.
Stink Bugs are easily recognizable by their shield-shaped bodies and muted brown or green color. They escape cold weather during the fall and winter and seek shelter indoors. They can enter through small cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and other openings.
These bugs hide in dark, undisturbed places like behind furniture, in wall voids, or attics once they are inside. They can also be found in and around window and door frames. They do not damage structures but leave their odor everywhere.
Here are some general ways you can handle these common house bugs:
Keeping your home clean is crucial in preventing and managing these pests. Regular cleaning involves removing food crumbs, spills, and other residues, vacuuming carpets, sweeping floors, and wiping surfaces.
You also have to clean up clutter and wash dishes to reduce hiding spots and breeding grounds. Maintaining a clean environment disrupts the life cycles of pests and makes your home less appealing to them. This approach reduces the likelihood of an infestation and supports overall pest management efforts.
Sealing entry points prevents bugs from invading your home. Insects and pests often find their way inside through small cracks and gaps around doors, windows, and walls.
Inspect your home for potential entry points, such as gaps between the door and its frame, cracks in the foundation, or holes around pipes to address this. Use appropriate materials to seal these openings. Ensure screens are intact and repair any damaged areas to block pests from entering.
Proper food storage keeps pests at bay. Therefore, store all food in airtight containers to prevent insects from being attracted to your kitchen. This practice keeps the food fresh and ensures that pests cannot access it.
Regularly inspect your pantry and cupboards for any signs of infestations or expired food, and remember to dispose of any contaminated items. Keeping food well-contained and your kitchen clean can reduce the likelihood of a pest problem.
For severe infestations, it might be necessary to consult a pest control professional who can provide targeted treatments. These experts have specialized knowledge and access to advanced solutions that target specific pests effectively.
They can assess the extent of the infestation, identify the type of pest, and apply appropriate, safe, and efficient measures. Professionals also offer advice on preventing future infestations and may provide ongoing monitoring to ensure the problem is resolved.
