Seeing pests roaming freely around the house is nothing less than a nightmare for any homeowner. This is because getting rid of them is not just costly but also time and energy-consuming.
The whole experience of removing them can be stressful, as there are different types of insects in the house, which makes it hard to distinguish between them. In this blog, you will discover the 15 most annoying insects that can easily invade your house.
15 Most Annoying Insects Found in the House
Ants
Ants are among the most common pests in homes across the US. Carpenter ants are one of the most bothersome ants that use wood for chewing and to make tunnels to damage the structure of a house. Carpenter ants are either black or red and have three distinct body sections. These ants do not cause harm to people or other pets, but their habit of wood-boring can be a concern.
There are other common ants, like pavement ants and aggressive fire ants, whose stings are painful. Once you spot ants indoors, it is better to control them before they multiply.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are considered among the scariest and most rigid household pests for many homeowners. Since they reproduce rapidly and hide in small cracks and dark corners, it gets challenging to get rid of them. There are 69 species of cockroaches in North America, and German cockroaches are among the most common in homes.
This cockroach is light brown in color and has two dark stripes on its back. Cockroaches carry harmful bacteria and diseases that pose a serious health risk.
Centipedes
If centipedes are present in the house, it usually means there are other pests as well. This is because centipedes prey on spiders and cockroaches, which means other insects must be around, which have drawn centipedes to that area. Centipedes have long, segmented bodies with a pair of legs per segment, giving them their multi-legged appearance. Centipedes do not pose a serious risk to humans, but their bites can cause mild pain, redness, and swelling.
Gnats
Gnats are one of the tiniest flying insects that can rapidly become troublesome once they enter the house. Since this insect is too small, it is hard to identify until there are a bunch of them flying around. Gnat insects have short lifespans and die on their own if they fail to find a breeding spot. You will often see them near the trash or damp areas. Therefore, make sure to close the trash cans tightly right after use and throw them in the garbage in sealed bags to keep gnats away.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are another bothersome wingless insect, small and brown, with a flat, oval body. Bed bugs are geniuses at hiding themselves and are mostly found in mattresses, bed frames, furniture, carpets, and even clutter around the bedroom. The very first step to get rid of infestation is to look for them in dark spots, in the mattresses, or in cracks in furniture. Since they are good at hiding, it is crucial to check carefully, recognize what bed bugs look like, and control them before they spread.
Crickets
Crickets are generally harmless,much like most of the insects you see around your home. However, Jerusalem crickets bite humans only when they feel threatened. The majority of common house crickets, also known as Acheta domesticus, are totally safe to manage. Seeing crickets hopping around the house or garden is not a health risk. However, they are noisy; therefore, it is better to get rid of them at the earliest to maintain peace.
Silverfish
If you discover a tiny wingless insect with a shiny appearance, it's most likely a silverfish. It is known for its shiny, silver color and fish-like shape. Silverfish are not harmful to humans, but they can become destructive inside homes. This pest is attracted to items like books, paper, clothing, wallpaper, and unsealed dry foods like pasta, as these are its main sources of food.
Since silverfish thrive in dark, damp places, homeowners often find them in kitchens, basements, attics, or garages, where moisture and humidity are high. They may not bite, but their presence can be bothersome as they damage most of your belongings.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes may look smaller in size, but their buzzing noise and itchy bites are far more dangerous than one can imagine. This tiny insect is well known for spreading severe diseases like malaria, dengue, Zika virus, West Nile virus, and chikungunya. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are nearly 3,500 mosquito species worldwide.
However, not all of them bite humans or carry illness, but all of them surely carry one or the other problem. Mosquitoes pose health risks and are responsible for over a million deaths each year. Therefore, it is important to remove them as soon as they are found.
Meal Moths
Meal moths, also known as pantry moths, are well known for invading kitchens and pantries. They search for stored dry food items like cereal, grains, pasta, nuts, and powdered milk, as well as dry fruits and, at times, pet food. Meal moths do not spread disease, but they reproduce rapidly. For example, female moths lay up to 400 eggs, making infestations hard to control. Meal moths enter the house through contaminated food packets from stores or factories, so their presence doesn’t necessarily mean your house is dirty.
Termites
Termites are small pests with six legs, larger than ants. It has straight antennae and a wide waist. This insect is either white in color or brown. There are different kinds of termites, including workers, soldiers, kings, queens, and winged reproducers. Since termites hide so well, it's important to look for them to prevent severe damage.
Termites use wood to chew to cause harm to the home’s structure. Therefore, make sure to seal cracks and keep the wood away from the home’s foundation to keep termites out. If you experience some warning signs like discarded wings, damaged wood, or loose tiles, there is are higher chance that termites are present in your house.
Flies
Flies, similar to ants, show up more in summer as they get attracted by the smell of food. Like any other flying insect, flies carry millions of bacteria and digest food by vomiting it out, which further spreads stomach bugs in the house. Make sure to store all food items properly and to use reusable food covers, as they may attract flies.
Since flies also reproduce rapidly, it is crucial to manage and control them quickly. Look out for signs of infestation, like tiny black spots near lights, regular fly sightings around food or trash, and maggots, to remove them before they multiply.
Spiders
Spiders are disliked by most people because they sneak into the house, mainly during warmer months, while searching for mates. Many people are scared of spiders, but they do not cause any harm and rarely bite unless provoked. Even the most venomous types of spiders are generally more afraid of humans. The best way to prevent them is to block their entry with window mesh. Common signs of infestation include spider webs, egg sacs containing hundreds of eggs, or large numbers of flying insects.
Ladybugs
Ladybugs are 1 to 10 mm long and are among the smallest oval-shaped beetles. Most of them are bright red in color with black spots. They are often found in autumn, from September to November, as they search for warm places to spend the winter. They look for cracks around windows, doors, attics, soffits, and behind siding where they can hide.
Earwig
Earwigs are small insects that are dark red or brown in color, and they are about 5-16 mm long. They have a pair of pincers at the back of their bodies, which makes them a unique, noticeable feature. They come indoors in search of food or shelter, mainly during weather changes. They are easily found in damp places such as the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room. Earwigs are not as dangerous as they seem. It is not true that they crawl into people’s ears. Their pincers are weak and rarely break the skin; they only pinch if threatened.
Mites
Mites are tiny creatures less than 1 mm long and have four pairs of legs, just like spiders. There are several common types of mites, including dust mites, clover mites, spider mites, bird mites, and chiggers. Clover mites use tiny cracks to enter the house, whereas dust mites live indoors. Chiggers and bird mites easily attach themselves to the host to enter the house. Though small, mites can still cause problems. Their bite can lead to mild irritation and itching, and over-scratching can cause infection. Dust mites cause allergies and trigger asthma attacks.
