Pest Watch List: Top 5

For centuries, pests have been a threat to the quality of life we all enjoy due to their ability to transmit disease and cause significant property damage. We all remember from school how the Black Plague spread through Europe. There is a reason the second definition of pest is “nuisance or annoying person.”

To help you spot the most pervasive, pesky insects (and one mammal), our expert team of pest controllers have put together a list of the top five pests that they believe will be the most active this season.

Protect Your Family and Your Home from These 5 Pests

Ants

These little pests continue to be a big reason why homeowners seek help from professional pest control companies. There are actually more than 700 different species of ants in the United States alone, and each one requires different methods of treatment. This makes them a real pain to get rid of. Make sure to clean up spills of sugary or greasy food or drink, take your trash out daily, and repair cracks in your walls to help prevent an ant infestation.

Fleas

In recent years, fleas have developed an impressive resistance to common treatment methods, making them increasingly difficult to control. Always on the lookout for a warm-blooded host to attack, fleas are not only attracted to family pets but humans as well. Fleas can jump up to seven inches, which helps them find their way inside your home on you or your pet. Make sure your pets are getting vet-approved flea medication to avoid bringing fleas into your home.

Termites

Living in the South, termite infestation may seem inevitable. These voracious eaters are active year round and are responsible for nearly $5 billion in property damage every year. The really bad news is their damage is rarely covered by homeowners insurance. Yearly inspections of your home by a licensed pest control professional is strongly recommended. You should also avoid keeping woodpiles near the home, make sure flowerbeds are a few inches away from the foundation, and never install below grade foam board insulation.

Rodents

Some rodents are cute and cuddly, but when they are unwanted invaders, they don’t seem so delightful. These creatures can enter the home through a crack as small as a nickel. Once rodents are inside your house, they can wreak havoc by spreading diseases and causing structural damage to your property. Rodents often carry other pests like fleas, ticks and mites. They reproduce very quickly, making them difficult to control. Make sure your foundation and windows are well sealed, your home is clean, and food is cleaned up.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are universally disliked, and they will not be leaving the South any time soon. While the red, itchy welts they leave behind are uncomfortable, these insects can also transmit diseases such as West Nile Virus, Malaria and Encephalitis. Mosquitoes need very small amounts of stagnant water to breed; a bottle cap full is enough. Their life cycle is short, so eliminating breeding sources is an ideal way to avoid mosquitoes. 

Contact Your Local Hughes Exterminators Professional Today!

If you find any of these pesky pests on your property, contact a licensed professional to prevent a full-blown infestation. Hughes Exterminators is a full-service company specializing in pest & termite protection as well as mosquito, wildlife, and fire ant control throughout Florida.

For a free, no-obligation complete home evaluation, call us at 877-464-8443 or click here to complete our free whole home evaluation form.