Although household pests are common, they can be a real headache for homeowners. They give the impression of a dirty house and in some cases, could even be detrimental to your health.
Certain pests are known for spreading disease or having a deadly sting that could cause serious illness or death. Even ones that are considered harmless to humans can still wreak havoc on your home.
Depending on the region you live, some pests may be more burdensome than others. In Northern California, certain pests you may encounter include:
Ants
Ants are common pest for households, creating a steady line of insects seeking food and water. You can usually trace the trail back to their original pile, if you have the patience to follow the entire line. While most type of ants are relatively harmless, two species to look out for in California are the Red Imported Ant and Carpenter Ant. The Red Imported Ant was first found in the state in 1998, and it known for it’s stinging bite. Carpenter ants can cause serious damage to your home or building - although they don’t consume wood, as their name suggests, they just hollow out wooden pieces to nest.
Cockroaches
Possibly the most common household pest known to man, cockroaches infest pretty much any building or structure than can provide shelter. Six types of cockroaches are commonly found in California, including America, Brown Banded, and Oriental cockroaches. The most troublesome is the German Cockroach, who prefer the indoors and are notoriously difficult for homeowners to remove without assistance. Known for spreading disease and bacteria, they are an unwanted guest in anyone’s home or business.
Black Widow Spiders
Probably one of the most well known spiders due to it’s lethal bite, black widow spiders are common throughout the state of California. The females are usually identified by their unique markings - an all black body with a bright red hourglass on the belly. Black widows are known for their reclusive habits, so they may be lurking in dark corners or holes throughout the home. As the most venomous spider in the U.S., homeowners should be especially diligent in eliminating black widows if they are found.
If you come across an infestation in your home (or even just a single insect that has you worried), the best thing to do is call a licensed pest control company to investigate. They will be able properly identify your pest problem and recommend an effective treatment to remove your pest.
Outdoor temperatures are turning chilly in California, and that means that outdoor pests are looking for a warm and cozy spot indoors. Unfortunately, the crawl spaces in your home are a perfect location for rodents.
Which Pests Do You Have To Be Concerned About
There are three species that we commonly see when we get calls to come do rodent damage cleanup and sanitization:
The tiny house mouse can create big problems in your home when they enter to find shelter and food. Because they’re so small, they can live undetected in your home for quite a while. Your first clue will be mice sightings during the daytime; if you see them, you have a big problem.
The common brown rat or sewer rat is actually the Norway rat species. They’re very large with a 9-inch body and a 7-inch tail. They can very quickly do lots of damage to your home because they gnaw on materials like electrical wires and wood beams.
Smaller than Norway rats, roof rats are also very common in California and create similar damage. They will multiply very quickly in your home. One adult female can give birth to as many as thirty baby pups in a year.
All of these rodents can create structural damage, and they spread disease. Exposure to their feces is a health hazard and they also carry ringworm, salmonella and other harmful diseases. And you certainly do not want a rat bite! In addition to rodents, other species like birds, raccoons and squirrels may be calling your crawl spaces “home”.
What We Can Do About Animal Pests
We will help rid your home of these unwanted guests by cleaning up and professionally sealing your crawl spaces. We’ll remove mold and mildew and install a vapor barrier to make it much less inviting for rodents and other pests. We effectively isolate the crawl space from the outdoor elements and the effects will last for decades. Our barriers offer the added benefit of blocking harmful radon gas and improving your home’s energy efficiency. In some cases, the homeowner can even use the new crawl space as an added storage area. In many cases, we are also able to install drains and pumps to improve drainage around your foundation.
Crawl spaces are not often on a homeowner’s list of home improvements, but it can make a real difference, so give us a call, whether you have pests or not.
