Those with green thumbs will be able to return to their gardens as spring sets in. As satisfying as these outdoor areas are, they're also spaces in which to practice frequent pest management.
According to the North Carolina State University Department of Entomology, millipedes don't sting, bite or infest everyday essentials such as food and clothing. Though these many-legged creatures aren't as harmful as other pests such as wasps, they can still pose a threat to the health of homeowners and pets.
Pest World pointed out that some species of millipedes secrete foul-smelling fluid, which can be toxic for small animals and lead to small blisters on humans. These pests can appear in large numbers, which means that home pest control is important.
Millipedes don't survive for very long inside homes, according to Pest World. However, if you're a gardener and are often in the yard, you run the risk of encountering these pests and potentially being exposed to the toxic fluid that's secreted through openings at the sides of the millipedes' bodies. This can be especially dangerous for households with curious children or small pets that are allowed outdoors.
According to the West Virginia University Extension, millipedes feed on decaying organic matter. Therefore, they're attracted to mulch and piles of leaves. If you want to avoid millipedes altogether, it may be in your best interest to get rid of this detritus. However, if these materials play an important role in your gardening, reconfiguring the layout can help keep these pests out of your home.
Move mulch and leaf piles to the other side of the garden, away from your house. This way, millipedes will have a further distance to travel to your home. Since they thrive in moist environments, the larger amount of space between their preferred habitat and your house will likely keep them away from the indoors.
Furthermore, assess the exterior of your home and look for areas that are prone to moisture, such as water spigots or drip lines from air conditioning. Millipedes can be attracted to these areas, the WVU Extension pointed out. If you're unsure of how to handle a millipede infestation, you can reach out to pest control specialists, such as those from Abell Pest Control. These experts will analyze your property and advise you on best practices.
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.
