Not all pests bite, sting or cause damage to your home or business, but they are still unwanted guests that need to be removed. And in Denver’s unique climate and environment, we may be inadvertently inviting these unwanted guests into our homes. In this two-part series, we’ll find out how to identify and eliminate some of Colorado’s most annoying pests.
1. Ants
Pavement ants and sugar ants are a common problem during the spring when they first awaken from hibernation. Ants are so pervasive because they leave trails for one another, so if one finds a good meal in your home, you can be sure the rest of the colony will follow. They’re difficult to get rid of because different ants respond to different treatment plans. Plus, killing only the ants you can see will not do the job. Your best course of action is prevention and professional pest control. Prevention includes keeping sugary and syrupy foods sealed or refrigerated and relying on pest control maintenance to keep ants at bay.
1.1 Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are of particular concern because they don’t just enter the home through natural crevices. They can actually burrow into the wooden structure of the home and cause widespread damage. Carpenter ants don’t eat wood; they use wood shavings as nesting material. They are drawn to sweets, greasy foods, and meat. Ants need water to survive, so moisture-damaged wood is a prime location for carpenter ants. Fixing that damaged wood is the single best course of action you can take to prevent carpenter ants from taking hold.
2. Bees
There are over 4,000 species of native bees in the United States, and most will never be a problem for you and your family. Sometimes, though, bees will set up their hive near your home and when provoked, bees will sting, so it’s understandable if you want that hive removed. Because bees are so environmentally beneficial, we often recommend homeowners contact a beekeeper to have the hive removed. If the hive has taken up residence in the home, however, extermination is the best possible solution.
3. Black Widow Spiders
Although they are associated with the Southwest, black widow spiders are native to Colorado. Easily identified by the red hourglass marking on their underside, black widows are feared for their bite, which is venomous. Black widows like dark and secluded places like woodpiles, but will seek shelter in dim basements, corners, or garages. You can discourage black widows by reducing clutter and eliminating their hiding places. Store firewood at least 20 feet from the house and elevate it if you can. Always wear heavy work gloves when moving outdoor items or wood or when cleaning up clutter to avoid bites.
4. Cockroaches
The many species of cockroaches breed year-round, can aggravate allergies and asthma, create unsanitary conditions and typically show up where we least want them, in the kitchen. Removal requires special equipment and training, especially since the eggs are not affected by over-the-counter pesticides. If you have one cockroach, it’s a safe assumption that you have plenty more. Hire a professional to have them removed from your home. To prevent cockroaches, keep food debris cleaned up, seal all cracks and openings in the home, and double-check yourself and any bags you bring in from the outside.
Earwigs are nocturnal insects that are sleek and blackish-brown with relatively large pincer-like protrusions on their rear. Although these protrusions, called forceps, look gruesome and you may get pinched if you touch one, they are not venomous. Earwigs like moist environments where they find plenty of insects and plants to eat. They tend to enter homes in the winter, seeking cover during their dormant period. In the spring, they emerge again, especially in parts of the home where there is water, like kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms. To eliminate earwigs, you need to remove their hiding spots. That means moving woodpiles away from the home; keeping wood mulch away from the foundation, and repairing rotted wood siding.
If You Spot Nuisance Pests, Call An Exterminator You Trust
Many times, even your best prevention efforts can’t keep these uninvited visitors away! Contact Budget Pest Control, your trusted Denver pest control specialist for a free consultation. We will present you with a plan professional pest control as well as provide you with DIY prevention tips.
Don’t forget to check Part 2 of this series where we’ll look at more common pests and how you can manage them on your property!
