Whether you live in an apartment in the city or a rustic log cabin in the hills of Tennessee, chances are that at one time or another you have seen different types of bugs in your home. While some bugs and insects are harmful to your family and home, some can actually provide a useful service. Still, others are nothing more than a casual nuisance that can be dealt with easily.
This article serves as a brief overview of the different types of bugs that may at one point or another take up residence in your home. This is not an exhaustive list, and it is highly recommended that you contact an exterminator if you cannot identify a bug you’ve found.
Flies
Unless a biting fly manages to find its way into your home, the common housefly is relatively harmless and proves to be nothing more than a nuisance to most people. These little buzzing pests usually find their way into your home during the spring – fall months. Though the lifecycle of these insects is relatively short, you can easily reduce a fly population by utilizing flypaper or a flyswatter.
Although they do not directly cause any harm to humans or household pets, it is possible that a fly in your home could carry disease. At the very least, since it feeds off of rotting meat and excrement, the fly could transfer bacteria and germs from these “food sources” to fresh food placed on countertops in your home.
See Related: Flying Bugs
Ants
Ants are by far one of the most common types of bugs found in homes across the world. They invade human homes in search of food sources, and are generally attracted by sweet cereal pieces that have dropped on the floor, rotting fruit, and loose sugar granules that may have fallen.
While they will typically not harm your home, ants can bite depending on the species. There are several ways that you can stop a complete infestation. Many sprays are available on the market, but even lining your doorways with chalk can stop ants from being able to get inside.
See Related: Silverfish Bug
Spiders
Spiders, while one of the most feared creatures in the world, can actually provide helpful services for your household. They eat other insects that may have taken up shop in your home, and are fantastic at getting rid of possible garden-killing pests. Typically they will enter your home in the fall, when the days begin to get cooler.
While most species are harmless and can simply be ignored, certain geographic regions are hotspots for extremely poisonous varieties. The brown recluse and the black widow are both very poisonous species that should be watched out for.
See Related: Poisonous Insects
Termites
Termites are the bane of many households across the world. They can do an incredible amount of damage to a home’s structure and integrity. Like ants, they live in colonies. Unfortunately, these colonies have voracious appetites and will happily eat away at any exposed wood that they may have been able to smell through the ground.
Termites can be easily prevented with protective chemicals in the foundation of your home during the building process. If you have purchased an older home, you can prevent them from dining on your walls and floorboards by removing debris from your yard and using chemical repellants and pesticides.
See Related: Tiny Bugs
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are found on almost every continent and can invade any home. They prefer warm, moist environments and because of this are often found in kitchens, bathrooms, and storage closets. They can also set up shop in walls, electrical areas, and anywhere else that is near a food source.
They are nocturnal creatures, coming out only to feed, so if you see one during the daytime, you likely have a very large population in your home. They scavenge their food, and will happily eat anything organic in nature, even the glue from book bindings. In order to protect your home, clean your house thoroughly and make sure that you seal your food containers tightly.
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