As the temperatures warm, many pests are beginning to return to the outside world, and centipedes are no exception. These creepy crawlers love any areas that are warm and damp, which is why some people may run into them in their basement. However, they're beginning to make an arrival in people's apartments, and even their beds! As appalling as that may be, these little pests are fans of getting into bed with you. Consider these tips on how to keep pests out.
There are a few different types of centipedes, but the most common centipede you'll find is the house centipede, Apartment Therapy noted. This bug is quite scary to look at, as it has several pairs of legs and moves very fast, usually making the person who encounters it scream. These pests like damp areas such as the kitchen, bathroom or basement, and have a tendency to come out of drains or through cracks and crevices in the floors and walls. Though this pest seems like it could kill you, it only hurts other bugs. It's actually a natural pest repellant. It isn't afraid to take on cockroaches, flies, moths, termites and even bed bugs! So if you have a problem with any of those pests, it may be the reason for house centipedes' arrival. However, most people still don't want them around given their frightening appearance and unexpected behavior.
Get rid of their food source: As mentioned, this bug tends to feed on other bugs. So, if you have a house centipede problem you most likely have another pest problem. Get rid of the other kinds of insects you have roaming the house to get rid of the house centipede. Once their food supply is gone, this pest will have nothing to do.
Close off their entrances: There are a few spots in any apartment or house that are notorious for bringing pests in. These include shower drains, sink drains, doors, windows, and small cracks in floors and walls. House centipedes aren't that wide and they aren't that tall, so they don't need the largest opening to get through. If you suspect these pests are coming up through a drain, keep a plastic sandwich bag filled with water over the drain to keep centipedes out, the Albuquerque Journal recommended.
Cut back the flora: Cut back any shrubs or bushes that may be housing centipedes in your yard. These may create nesting areas for centipedes before they come into your home.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
