When it comes to pest control in Maine, professional exterminators recommend learning more about common pests found in households. This can prevent them wreaking great havoc for you and your family.
After all, if the comfort and safety of your home are compromised, it can cause a lot of distress. Pests like carpenter ants, ticks, bed bugs, and cockroaches can invade living spaces really fast; leaving you vulnerable to insect bites, hygiene issues, and lots of other troubles down the lane.
It is important to be aware of the different types of pests that commonly invade houses in your region. This will not only prepare you for dealing with a pest infestation in your own home, but also help you take preventive measures to avoid these unwelcome guests in the first place.
Here, we discuss the five most common types of pests requiring pest control in Maine that every homeowner needs to watch out for. :
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants affect almost every other house in Maine. The term carpenter ant refers to a large species of ants native to various forests around the world.
These are social pests that live in colonies. Carpenter ants usually build their nests in wooden structures, so you shouldn’t be surprised to see them in crawlspaces or creeping along the tree trunks in your garden.
Hiring a quality service for pest control in Maine will help you bid farewell to these crawlers and prevent yourself from any potential damages that they can cause to your health as well as your home. Read more about Carpenter Ants Here.
Wasps
There are three main types of wasps in Maine that you need to be careful of. :
- The Yellow Jacket wasps have a black and yellow body with stripes
- The Paper wasps are brown in color often with red or yellow markings
- Hornets are usually black all over with a white pattern over the head
Wasps live in nests that they build in dense bushes and trees. However, it’s not surprising to come across wasp nests near home entrances, attic spaces, and similar areas where they will have easy access to food and shelter.
Wasp nest removal is highly important and should not be delayed once you have spotted one in or around your house. This is because wasps inflict rather painful stings that can require medical attention in most cases.
However, you must never try to get rid of wasp nests on your own. Domestic insect repellants or pest sprays are not always effective and the attempt to drive these insects out can backfire with severe consequences. Read more about Wasps Here.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs, as the name suggests, are a type of insects that generally live in the warmth of your bed. Although they are not known to transmit any disease, a bed bug infestation can make you sleepless at night – literally!
These tiny crawlers not only feed off your blood, but the worst part is that they attack when you have the least chances to defend yourself. Bed bugs will sip a few drops of your blood and you won’t feel a thing until some minutes have passed and the bite begins to itch. Generally, a bed bug bite becomes more severely inflamed after two days. Learn more about Bed Bugs and how to prevent them here.
Ticks
Ticks are a type of arachnids, which means that they come from the same family as spiders and mites. They typically measure about 2 to 6 mm long – but don’t be fooled into thinking that they are too tiny to cause you any significant harm.
Ticks feed off the blood of their hosts – which can include you and your pets alike. Although most tick bites don’t require any medical attention, it does cause pain and discomfort. However, some ticks are vectors of more severe diseases like Lyme Disease.
If you notice a red patch on your skin that seems to have grown in size around a week after the bite, it is likely to be a sign of Lyme Disease. We suggest getting in touch with your doctor for any medical concerns involving ticks. You can contact us for a quote on tick control services.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are one of the most common types of pests in Maine. Cockroach infestation is a frequent problem in several places including restaurants, houses, hospitals, offices, warehouses, and more.
The University of Maine identifies two main types of cockroaches that invade different places:
- The German cockroach is mostly found near plumbing fixtures as it prefers wet and cold spots. These cockroaches measure about half an inch long and have a tan brown color. Look for them in the cracks and crevices in your bathrooms and kitchen. You can identify the German cockroach by the two vertical stripes near its head.
- The American cockroach prefers to inhabit places where food is prepared or stored – i.e. you can expect to find these insects in your pantry and similar places like grocery stores and bakeries.
The major threat from cockroaches is that they can cause food poisoning and similar health issues by spreading pathogens like E. Coli and Salmonella. Moreover, cockroaches eat away and destroy certain materials like paper and fabric.
If there are a large number of cockroaches breeding in the nooks and crannies around your house, it can lead to skin allergies and respiratory problems like asthma due to cast skins and feces mixing with the air indoors. Contact us today if you are concerned you might have a cockroach infestation.
Pest Control in Maine – Just the Press of a Button Away!
Got an infestation in your house?
Drive those pests away rather than letting them drive you crazy instead.
Ants Plus Pest Control is a trusted name in the pest control industry. We are a locally owned and licensed company providing integrated pest control services for more than 20 years.
Whether you are trying to deal with the pests listed above, or need help with bug identification in your home instead, look no further than Ants Plus Pest Control.
We offer Pest Control in Maine including the major cities Portland, Augusta, and Lewiston, as well as Boothbay Harbor, Brunswick, Falmouth, and the surrounding areas.
To get rid of the tiny invaders taking over your home, get in touch with us today!