People often think if they can’t see something, then they’re not in danger. Did you know that some pests can expose homeowners, their families, and their pets to disease or other potentially dangerous health problems, and some can even damage your home’s structure? You might not even know that these pests are hiding in your home.
Most Common Pests in Kansas & Missouri
- Ants - There are several ant species in the Kansas & Missouri area. They infest homes in search of food, and some species, like the carpenter ant, can cause structural damage to homes.
- Bed bugs - Bed bugs can be found in more than just hotels. They are considered ‘hitchhikers’ because they get into people’s luggage, backpacks, purses, and other belongings and are transported to other locations, such as ride-shares, planes, or buses. And they have no problem making their way into people’s homes.
- Cockroaches - Both the American and Oriental cockroaches lay approximately 16 eggs in one case. The lifespan of an adult can range from 5 to 26 weeks, and they may have as many as 200 offspring in total per female. It doesn’t take long to develop an infestation once they start breeding in a home or business. They can track disease and bacteria across counters and other surfaces, putting you and your family at risk.
- Pantry Pests - These pests are more than a little annoying because when they get into homes and pantries, it can lead to throwing away a lot of food. Pantry pests can chew through cellophane and plastic bags to get inside packages. They lay eggs inside food or along the folds of boxes, flour bags, and other foods.
- Spiders - There are several species of spiders in Kansas, but the most concerning ones in the Kansas & Missouri areas are the brown recluse, black widow, and wolf spider because their bites can require medical attention. Spiders do not consume human food, so when you notice their presence in your home, it probably means they have followed other pests into your home.
- Termites - Termites don’t enter a home in search of human food. They are searching for wood to feed on and can cause thousands of dollars in damage before a homeowner even knows they are there.
- Ticks - Don’t let the size of a tick fool you. They can cause serious health issues such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and Lyme disease to name a few. People have lost work and suffered months and even years recovering from a tick bite. Some people have even died. Ticks are not a pest anyone wants to deal with, and they can even present a danger to our pets.
Protect Your Home From Pests
As you can see, numerous types of pests can invade Kansas & Missouri homes throughout the year. Some of these pests may feed on human or pet blood, some have poisonous bites, some can transmit diseases, and others can cause damage to homes. DIY methods do not tend to take care of infestations and some pests require heat treatments that homeowners are not able to do effectively on their own. It is best to have a professional company like Augustine Exterminators protecting your home and family.
Contact Augustine Exterminators to learn about year-round pest control service, schedule a free home inspection, or ask questions about any pests that are plaguing you!