Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Hughes Exterminators Survey Reveals Top Pest Concerns of 2018

They may not be the biggest bugs invading homes, but they sure are a nuisance and one of the most difficult to eliminate. Ants are Americans’ No. 1 pest concern for 2018, according to a survey from Hughes Exterminators conducted by Radius Global Market Research November 2018 among 2,011 US adults, and spiders, mosquitos and roaches are also among the most unwanted.

Many critters mentioned are problematic across the country, and some (like termites) can cause thousands of dollars in property damage. That’s why Hughes is stepping in to educate Americans about how they can deter these uninvited visitors in 2018. More than three quarters (78 percent) have a pest concern heading into the new year, but preparing for issues – and knowing who to call if they become unmanageable – can ease concerns.

“Adults with children are more likely to have insect concerns than non-parents (86 percent versus 73 percent), so if keeping bugs away from kids is a priority for you, prevention is the best course of action,” says Charlie Jones, Hughes pest expert. “There are plenty of prevention tips and strategies that can keep pests away from your home, but when problems do arise, you can rely on Hughes’s expertise in pest control to protect your home and family.”

Ants, the kings of the creepy-crawlies, are among the most common household pests and are the No. 1 pest concern for more than a third of the survey respondents (36 percent). There are 700 species in the United States alone, which can make devising a single treatment difficult.

There’s no foolproof way to barricade your home against ants, but you can improve your chances with some basic household cleaning. Try to sweep crumbs from countertops, clean spills immediately, and keep trees and bushes trimmed back for your home. But if you do spot ants, call for professional assistance to prevent a small problem from turning into a major infestation.

Spiders loom large in the popular imagination, and they skittered into second place in Hughes’s 2018 survey. (In the West and Midwest, they rank as the top pest concern for the year.) Most species are harmless, but to keep arachnids out of your home, keep it clean and seal small cracks and openings around doors, windows and your foundation. Brown recluse and black widow spiders are less common, but if you spot one or suspect you’ve been bitten, seek immediate medical attention.

Mosquitoes rank as the third most dreaded pests of 2018, with 30 percent identifying them as a concern, and unfortunately, they’re sometimes more than just annoyances. These insects can transmit diseases such as West Nile virus, chikungunya, encephalitis, and the infamous Zika virus. To reduce your chances of mosquito bites, remove all sources of standing water from around your home, and cut back any unnecessary vegetation.

Regional and lifestyle differences can affect people’s pest concerns. For example, married people are more likely to worry about pests than unmarried people (82 percent vs. 75 percent). And, while roaches are a concern nationwide, they’re the No. 1 worry in the South, where large and particularly grotesque specimens tend to appear in droves. What’s worse, they carry up to 33 kinds of bacteria and can trigger asthma attacks in children. They prefer warm, moist environments with available food sources, so pay special attention to kitchens and bathrooms (especially under appliances and sinks).

Americans are vexed by creatures of all sizes, with animals like rodents causing worries for nearly 17 percent of those surveyed. The full list of top pest concerns for 2018 is as follows:

Ants
Spiders
Mosquitoes
Roaches
Fleas/ticks
No household pest concerns
Occasional invaders (stink bugs, boxelder, centipedes, silverfish, earwigs)
Stinging insects (bees, wasps)
Rodents/wildlife
Termites
Scorpions
Other

To learn more about the survey and get more tips for pest prevention, visit hughes-exterminators.com. Hughes protects homes from pests with the STEPS^® Total Protection System™, an industry-leading approach that utilizes Integrated Pest Management (IPM). STEPS includes a full property evaluation to pinpoint pest issues; identification of not only the pest, but the true cause of the problem; and treatment in the most environmentally responsible way to alleviate current issues and to help prevent future recurrences. Consumers interested in scheduling a free whole home evaluation can contact Hughes at www.hughes-exterminators.com or call 877-464-8443.

Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Radius Global Market Research on behalf of Hughes Exterminators from November 27 – 29th among 2011 U.S adults ages 18+. The sample is representative of US census for age, gender, region and income. The survey was conducted utilizing an online panel of respondents. A complete survey method is available upon request. For further information, please contact Lauren Bullington at 770-552-4943 or lbullington@hughes-exterminators.com.