Occasional Invader Identification & Prevention
(Various insects)
What are occasional invaders?
Most species of insects and other pests live outside in the grass, wooded areas, meadows, along waterways, and similar outdoor spaces. However, some species don’t just live outside; they occasionally make their way inside our home and other structures to live. The most common reason for these pests to move indoors is because their habitats have become too hot, cold, wet, or dry.
Some of the most common species of occasional invaders living in our area include the boxelder bug, stink bug, house fly, springtail, Asian lady beetle, and silverfish. Effective pest control can help keep these occasional invaders from becoming permanent residents in your home or business.
Are occasional invaders dangerous?
Most species of occasional invaders in our Lewisville service area are nuisance pests. While they are difficult to prevent, invade in large numbers, and annoying to deal with, they cause no significant health risks. A couple of problems they do cause include staining surfaces and fabrics with their excrement and producing unpleasant odors.
Some occasional invaders do pose problems that cause them to be dangerous when in our home. Take, for instance, the house fly; they are a type of filth fly and carry disease-causing pathogens on their bodies, legs, and in their saliva with which they contaminate food, food prep areas, and other surfaces of a home. Other species of occasional invaders like silverfish can cause some damage to personal items by chewing on clothing, upholstery, and paper. They also contaminate dry goods stored in pantry areas, and can be found even in commercial properties.
Why do I have an occasional invaders problem?
In most cases, occasional invaders invade because they are living outside close to our home’s exterior. They live outdoors in the soil under flower beds, gardens, and other landscaped areas. When the weather becomes unsuitable, they find their way inside through cracks in the foundation and other openings. Some species of occasional invaders will move inside in the late fall to secure a place that is safe and warm to overwinter. Also, some species of occasional invaders like the house fly find their way into homes while out looking for food sources or for somewhere to lay their eggs.
Where will I find occasional invaders?
There are many places that occasional invaders live and hide in our homes, but they typically choose sites that offer them easy access to food or secluded shelter.
Some of the most common places occasional invader live inside of homes include the following:
- Kitchens
- Pantries
- Basements
- Crawlspaces
- Attics
- Behind wall voids
How do I get rid of occasional invaders?
For a long-term solution to ridding your North Carolina property of occasional invaders, it is best to partner with a professional. At Ray’s Pest Control & Wildlife Removal, we work closely with our customers to learn about the specific pest problems they have been experiencing. Our pest experts provide our customers with the highest quality service to solve their current pest problem and keep them from returning. Since 1972 our family has been helping the families in the Winston-Salem, and surrounding areas maintain pest-free properties.
If you are experiencing problems with occasional invaders, reach out to Ray’s Pest Control and learn about our effective home pest control solutions. For more information about our residential or commercial pest control programs, call us today!
How can I prevent occasional invaders in the future?
Don’t leave whether or not occasional invaders invade your property up to chance; partner with Ray’s Pest Control and implement the following occasional invader prevention tips:
Eliminate attractants. Make the outside of your home less attractive to occasional invaders by removing debris from your property that they can hide under, such as fallen trees, logs, leaf piles, and woodpiles. Keep trash cans, recycling bins, and compost bins up off of the ground and away from your home.
Reduce excess moisture, both inside and out. Create a barrier between and soil or mulch and your foundation. Keep the soil around your home dry by cutting back overgrown shrubbery and using gutters to direct water away from your exterior walls. Repair any leaky pipes in or around your home. Inside your house, keep humidity levels low by using dehumidifiers in the basement. Ventilate crawlspaces to stop moisture from becoming trapped in them.
Eliminate entry points. Seal any cracks you find in the foundation or exterior walls. Install door sweeps on basements doors and replace weatherstripping that has become worn. Check window and door screens to make sure there are no rips in them. Place covers over vents, drains, and chimney openings. Also, seal spaces around air conditioners and utilities (wires, pipes, cables) that enter your home.
