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Where Do Cockroaches Live?

Where Do Cockroaches Live

Where do cockroaches live?

  1. Garbage cans
  2. Under sinks
  3. In appliances and furniture
  4. Closets and cabinets
  5. Basements
  6. Clutter

 

Cockroaches are one of the most adaptable and resourceful pests that you can have in your home. Due to their size and their ability to squeeze in through tiny gaps, they can live almost anywhere—as long as there is access to food and water. According to https://www.midamericapest.com/where-we-service/tulsa-ok-pest-control, that means these pests can live in your home without you knowing. If you’re finding their eggs everywhere, you might be confused about where they’re hiding. If you want to answer where do cockroaches live, keep on reading! If you need pest control in Salt Lake City, click here to get the best services.

Under Sinks

Cockroaches thrive in dark and hidden places. They can live for long periods without food but they need to drink water to survive. This is why they’re attracted to places that can give them a steady supply of water. One of these is found under your sink area—especially if you have leaky pipes. Aside from moisture, this place also allows them to hide undisturbed. Some species of cockroaches can also hold their breath for more than half an hour when submerged in water.

If you have broken pipes, have them fixed as soon as possible as they can attract cockroaches into your home. Remove water sources such as dishwashing sponges, brushes, and more.

 

Garbage Cans

Garbage Cans

Garbage cans are one of the places where cockroaches like to explore because it gives them direct access to food and water. As these pests like humidity and darkness, they might also live in these containers.

If you don’t want to attract cockroaches into your home, make sure to seal your garbage bins with a lid. Empty it often and clean any leftover spills and food scraps on the container. This is also applicable to trash cans outside your home.

 

In Appliances and Furniture

Because cockroaches like dark places, it’s also no surprise that they’re willing to live inside your appliances and furniture. As they can squeeze in tight gaps with no problem, you might find them underneath your couch or in crevices on your refrigerator.

Try to include your appliances in your cleaning regime. Vacuum your furniture to suck in any eggs that cockroaches might have laid. Be careful when purchasing pre-owned couches because these might also bring in pests to your home.

 

Closets and Cabinets

Closets and Cabinets

There’s a reason why your mother used to put mothballs into your clothing cabinets. Other than moths, these round objects contain scents that cockroaches don’t like. It is also often placed under the sink to keep off different types of bugs.

Cockroaches like to explore cabinets and closets, especially you don’t use them often. This is why you might find the remains of a cockroach egg if you decided to rummage through your storage for seasonal clothing. Clean your closets from time to time to prevent pests from making it their home. Or better yet, you could declutter clothes that you haven’t used in years.

 

Basements

If you’re like most people, then you probably don’t check your basement often. Instead, it’s left alone for a long time unless you need something. This is why it’s one of the top places where a cockroach infestation might develop. Other than being a dark place, basements are warm and cozy places for these pests too.

The best way to prevent cockroaches and other pests from invading your basement is to seal openings. If you can, lower the humidity in the area to deter these bugs. Make sure to keep it clean as these pests also love clutter.

 

Clutter

Clutter

Clutter serves as a place where cockroaches can hide. If you have a stack of cardboard, magazines, and papers, these pests can squeeze in and make these their breeding place. You might not notice it until you see their eggs while you’re browsing an old magazine.

It’s not their main source of food, but a cockroach can also feed on the glue used or the material of the cardboard itself. If it’s wet, it also provides them a source of hydration.

 

Key Takeaway

Due to their size, cockroaches can live hidden from your view. They can be found in dark, damp, and undisturbed places where they’re left to breed and cause an infestation.

If you’re still wondering where do cockroaches live in your home, you can call a pest control expert such as Topbest! We can help you find the root cause of an infestation and provide short and long-term solutions to fix the problem.

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5 Largest Insects in the World

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Don’t hesitate to contact termite control if ever you see a giant termite crawling in your house!

While there are movies that present giant insects hell-bent on human destruction, there is no way an insect can grow as big as a human being. Unlike other living creatures, insects don’t have lungs or gills. Instead, they have tiny tubes called “trachea”, which transports air to their body cells as they breathe.  In the Paleozoic era, insects were bigger because of the higher oxygen levels in the atmosphere, which made longer tracheas work. When the oxygen levels lowered, insects became smaller. However, that didn’t stop several species to grow as large as a plate. Listed below are 5 of the largest insects in the world:

 

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Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing

Native to Papua New Guinea, this butterfly is the largest butterfly in the whole world. With a wingspan of 12 inches, this beautiful creature was named in honor of Queen Alexandra, the wife of King Edward VII of England. Sadly, this gentle giant is endangered no thanks to the destruction of its habitat due to oil palm expansion and the fact that females lay only 27 eggs in its lifetime.

 

Tarantula Hawk

Compared to other wasps that live in colonies, the tarantula hawk is a lone wolf. It got its name because its young eat tarantulas that were paralyzed by its parent. Despite its menacing appearance, this wasp is pretty docile and won’t attack unless directly provoked. However, the tarantula hawk is infamous for its sting. The pain is so excruciating that some people compare it to being electrocuted although it is not deadly to humans.

 

Giant Weta

One of the heaviest insects in the world, the giant weta can weigh up to 70 grams, which is heavier than a sparrow. They couldn’t fly thanks to their weight and they are long too. They can reach about 4 inches, not including the antenna and legs. These insects are endemic in New Zealand and are related to crickets.

 

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Giant Burrowing Cockroach

Australia is home to the largest cockroach in the world: the giant burrowing cockroach. Also known as the Rhinoceros cockroach, these creatures can grow up to 3 inches, live up to ten years and, unlike your conventional roach, they give birth to live young. They are also not considered as a pest because they play an important part in the ecosystem by breaking down dead leaves. Some people also find that these roaches are great pets thanks to their low maintenance.

 

Giant Long Legged Katydid

Growing up to 6 inches, this insect couldn’t fly or jump despite its long legs. Despite its frightening appearance, the giant katydid is actually gentle and some people even keep them as pets. Most katydids are vegetarian while there are some who are carnivorous, preying on smaller insects. Their large, leaf-like wings are perfect for camouflage and they are more active during the night.

Don’t worry if ever you see some of these insects in your house. Some of them are friendly and ideal as pets. However, just be sure that you remain safe with them.

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3 Insect Pokemon You Shouldn’t Use Pest Control On

Pokémon, a ridiculously addicting video game for the Game Boy way back in 1995, has now become one of the most beloved game franchises the world has ever known. Ever since its release, it has accumulated a huge number of media products, ranging from more video games like 온라인 카지노, to movies, to an animated TV show, and even various kinds of toys and merchandise. Created by Satoshi Tajiri, it revolves around the idea of a human player going on a journey to catch more powerful Pokémons (also known as pocket monsters) as he or she progresses through its fictional world.

The Pokémon themselves are a marvel to discover as most of them are obviously derived from real – world counterparts. For example, Psyduck very closely resembles a platypus, while Squirtle’s look is based on that of our normal, common turtles. The broad spectrum of animals that they resemble are remarkable; they can range from mammals, fishes, and even insects!

Much like our normal world where bugs are constantly subjected to some form of pest control when necessary, insect-like Pokémons are also kept in check by the humans who capture them. But what kind of Pokémon are they, you may ask, and what are they like?

In the following list, you will find 3 Pokémons that are actually based on real insects – while emulating its powerful, fictional counterpart is surely not possible, content yourself with the fact that they actually exist – at least in the visual sense.

Caterpie Pokemon

Caterpie

Based on the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar, Caterpie is a good starting Pokémon for beginners who want a bug-type in their arsenal. In the real world, though, they’re far from being able to fight, especially in their state as a caterpillar… or as a butterfly. As one of the most common species of butterfly that can be found in the Eastern United States, they’re mostly harmless; they spend most of their time feeding on the nectar of flowers such as those of the Apocynaceae, Asteraceae, and Fabaceae families.

Leavanny Pokemon

Leavanny

Looking at the cute Pokémon version, one would not be faulted for inferring that its real world counterpart would look just as adorable and complex. Well, they might not be as glamorous, but they’re certainly just as impressive – Leavanny is based on twig-like, leafy insects known as “walking sticks”, or more precisely, Phylliidae. These insects are some of the most remarkably camouflaged organisms in the entire animal kingdom with their appearances very closely resembling leaves – some of them even sport “wilted” areas of their bodies to really give off that authentic leafy look!

Nicanda Pokemon

Nincada

As its name suggests, the Nincada is based on our real world Cicadas. They’re known for their loud songs and they feature prominently in Chinese lore. They represent carefree living and immortality; some even consider them good luck and keep them as house pets much like any other would with a cat or dog. Other times they’re eaten deep fried.

Bugs are an integral part of any natural ecosystem, and in this case, even Pokémon’s! However, keep in mind that in the real world not all bugs should be tolerated as much because collecting them won’t do you good. Instead, call on pest control as it is the most necessary form of action to battle them.

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“Bug Buster!” Using Copper Against Termites

Bug Buster

Imagine a society without copper. At first, you probably think you can live without it, but not without wi-fi, of course. But no. Copper is man’s oldest metal, dating back more than 10,000 years. Just ponder on its many wonders.

Even you have copper inside your body. It is involved in the formation of red blood cells, the absorption and utilization of iron, and the synthesis and release of life-sustaining proteins and enzymes. Woah! You have copper inside your room. It is part of television sets, computers, smartphones, iPods, e-readers and a whole lot more! You have copper inside your home. It is used in water pipes, power lines and surprise, surprise – termite control – all around the world, including Philippines.

Yes, this mighty metal is also a bug buster. Here’s why you can rely on it.

In 1882, a French botanist who goes by the name Pierre-Marie-Alexis Millardet treated vineyard grapes with a blend of copper sulfate and discovered that the mixture killed powdery mildew. Since then, the properties of copper have been explored as an organic biocide.

  • Copper oxidizes enzymes, lipids and proteins. It can change the normal role of fore mentioned agents, making them reactive and toxic.
  • Copper-based pesticides are good treatment for woods, primarily because it has copper as a primary ingredient mixed in a special chemical cocktail. These treatments include chromated copper arsenate, alkaline copper quaternary and copper azole.
  • Alkaline Copper Quaternary is a water based wood preservative method introduced in countries as an alternative to Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA). CCA was found to be highly dangerous; it can break down and leach in the environment. ACQ, on the other hand, is safer and home-friendly, normally containing 66.7% copper oxide.
  • Copper Boron Azole type A contains 49% copper, while Copper Azole type B is composed of 96.1% copper. Woods treated with copper azole are generally greenish-brown with little or no odor.
  • Lumber treated with copper-based solutions tends to be great in outdoor applications, especially if used in direct wood-soil contact like fences.
  • It also has the advantage of being resistant to deterioration from sun and water exposure, and inhibits the growth of microbial agents like fungus that accelerate wood’s decay.

What’s the catch?

However, the downside of using copper-based pesticides is its toxicity. Occupational exposures to this kind of pesticide aggravate allergic reactions, itching and eczema. Not only that, the solution can leach to the soil, and pose hazard to you and your family. That is why only ACQ and copper azole are the lumber-treatment recommended for residential purposes.

Another downside is copper-based solution are not always perfect – no matter how lethal it is. Termites can still go around your treated wood and gnaw the wood in your favorite furniture. Remember how termites work? Termites, especially the subterranean ones, can create a complex network of tunnels underground, reaching hundreds of feet in any direction. Thus, they can resurface anywhere when they find a good food source of wood. Perhaps, that wood pile in your garage or that drift wood in your garden may be the termites’ next delicious happy meal.

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Vintage Lover? Be Careful of Termite Infestation in Your Antiques

Vintage-Lover

Antique furniture is popular because its value has and will continue to increase over time. Imagine possessing something that dates back to when Magellan first set foot on the Philippines! Vintage items hold a lot of history and memories in them, having witnessed many generations pass before finding it’s way in your home. If only antiques could actually relay these stories!

Aside from being historical artifacts, antiques are known for their durability — that is, until termites manage to find their way in them. Your antique may not appear infested at first, only to discover a bunch of termites have already invaded your home and are happily gnawing on your precious antiques. You can do an immediate termite control action for infestations, but remember that the best thing to do is to leave it to professionals.

The easiest way to protect termites from your antique is, as always, prevention.

Check It Out!

Before purchasing your new piece, inspect if for small exit holes where termites and other pests may have been. This is a necessary for all new vintage (how contradicting) items that will enter your home, as once termites get in, all your other furniture and even your whole house will be in clear and present danger.

If one day you discover a particular item to be infested, let it air out in the sunlight. Keeping it in the sunlight for a maximum period of 4 hours may help to get rid of the termite problem. Inspect the rest of your furniture while you’re at it.

Be Careful Where You Place Your Item

Why bother purchasing an antique item if you plan to keep it in the attic or in the stock room? You’re certainly not helping yourself avoid termites if you put your precious things there!

Termites love damp and moist places. Never place your vintage furniture in an area that is so obviously attractive to termites. One more thing, do not expose your antiques to the soil and (duh) termite-infested wood.

Use Non-chemical Products!

You’re a vintage lover, right? So I’m sure you wouldn’t want your antiques to be damaged while getting rid of the termites. Use only non-chemical product for termite control as much as possible, as natural products would pose less of a threat to your vintage piece than dangerous chemicals. You’ll be able to keep the actual grain or wood finish of your piece even after the fumigation.

Some natural termite repellents are garlic and neem. Or just go to your kitchen and grab some salt. Mix it with water, making sure you will have a salt solution saltier than the Pacific ocean. Sprinkle it on the termite holes.

Termites hate salt – including salty soil – so the saltier, the better. This is because salt dehydrates termites and eventually kills them.

Don’t hide it!

Display it! You have all the bragging rights to do so. After all, it’s vintage. Who doesn’t love vintage? Hiding your antiques will do it no good, and you will only be giving the termites an opportunity to infest it. Have your antiques out in the open, where it’s exposed to fresh air and bright sunshine. This is much better for your items, and will keep the bugs away.

 

Vintage items are precious. Imagine how many generations took care of those antiques before the items find its way to you. So don’t take them for granted. They may be old, but they are gold.

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“Poor Pets”! How To Prevent Termites From Chewing Your Pet’s House

How-To-Prevent-Termites-from-Chewing-Your-Pet's-Home

Let’s face it. Termites will be around longer than we can ever be. Pests are seemingly immortal and impervious to pain! There are just too many of them that it becomes difficult to stop them from disrupting our daily living and eating their way inside our houses and yards. It’s best to use termite control only in extreme cases so while still preventable, stop them from multiplying and destroying you or your bills will multiply and destroy your wallet. It’s annoying but the sooner we deal with them, the sooner we can get back to what we’re doing. But, first things first. Termites love wood. In all the objects that we own, our pet’s house is the one pure, varnished whole piece of wood so seductive to a termites eyes, they would steal it if they can and eat it slowly, savouring every bite. Before it’s too late, here are some ways to prevent termites from chewing your pet’s house. (No, it doesn’t involve a flamethrower).

Eliminate Moisture

Naturalists know termites love moist environments. For them, such a land is fertile and therefore good for growth and breeding. So above all else, make sure your pet’s house is always dry. When it gets wet, dry it immediately. No exceptions or else you might find termites making settlements inside your pet’s house — and like good little warmongers, they would fight to keep the territory their conquered in their tiny little hands.

Use A Cardboard Trap

Cardboards are excellent decoys for which to lure our annoying little critters into. Cardboards look and smell the same as wood. These attributes attracts termites. By lightly spraying water on the cardboard, the smell becomes even more powerful. Place them near a target and watch the termites group together and come closer. Once they are on top of the cardboard trap, pull it down, collect the termites and burn the living daylights out of them.

Expose the Area to Sunlight

Sunlight is for termites as onions are for aswangs and manananggals. It is their one true weakness. Termites literary die when they are exposed to sunlight because of the heat it generates. They can’t stand being hot since they were adopted themselves to darkness. So, to stop them from procreating and strengthening their numbers, expose their homes to direct sunlight.

Using Parasitic Nematodes

Parasitic Nematodes are small worms that typically feed on microscopic creatures such as bacteria and fungi while some groups went further and actually feed on termites. Using these creatures, we are effectively creating a biological war by introducing a predator to creatures who don’t usually have any. This method is very effective in removing stubborn termite infections on any wooden surface.

Using Borates

This is the most common method of prevention. Spraying borates on any wooden surface protects the wood and as a side bonus, unlike most chemicals, don’t harm humans and their pets.

While these methods may prevent further infestation, they are unlikely permanent solutions. The best they can do is to stop termites from overpopulating, but it can’t remove all of them. That requires total fumigation! If you don’t want to pay for fumigation, start preventing before the termites spread. That way, they are discouraged from growing and wrecking your home and your pet’s and your own lives.

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The Facts Behind 6 Termite Control Myths

TopBest - 6 Myths About Termite Control

When it comes to house management, termite control isn’t what many homeowners would consider a priority. They live their picture perfect lives, without any idea that these pesky creatures may already be eating away the wood in their homes. Our experts at Topbest can’t bear the fact that you might be living over a ticking time bomb, so we’ve decided to debunk all those common misconceptions you think are true about termite control.

 

Termite Inspection is not necessary

Many homeowners can go on for years without as much as a peek from a pest control professional. Although termite inspection isn’t considered a need, it’s something that you need to schedule at least once a year. Yearly home pest control checks can save you a whole lot of money in repairs in the long run. We can’t stress it enough, but prevention is still the best cure, so if you think you have a possible termite infestation in your hands, all you have to do is give us a call.

 

DIY is A-OK

Sorry to burst your bubble handy folks, but going DIY for your termite control just isn’t going to cut it. Even though it may seem like the more economical choice, commercially available insecticides and herbal repellents aren’t strong enough to put a termite colony down. And even though you manage to get your hands on the right chemicals, you probably don’t have the technical knowhow to administer the treatment in the nooks and crannies were termites live. Our advice? Best to leave it to the experts.

 

Termite Damage is ALWAYS covered in home insurance policies

Another myth that needs to be debunked – big time! Most policies fail to cover termite damage since it’s not really considered as a major problem. You won’t get it unless you specifically ask for it. And even when you do, expect to pay a premium for this little change. So what’s a homeowner to do? Make sure to go through your insurance policy to check if there are any clauses for termite damage.

 

One termite control treatment to rule them all

A lot of people think that you only need one termite control method to get rid of those pests for good. The truth is, with as much as 4,000 termite species living on this planet, you need pest control services that will specifically address your problem. You can’t take the one size fits all approach when it comes to getting rid of termites, and not expect to be disappointed.

 

If you house is made of cement, there’s no need to fret

This one makes sense to some degree. Why worry about termites when your house is made from cement right? What many people don’t take in consideration is that termites can still cause damage to their drywalls, wallpaper and wooden furniture. If your home has anything that contains cellulose, you’re at risk for a termite infestation.

 

It’s easy to detect a termite infestation

Lastly, termites are like secret agents. You’ll only know they’re there when the problem has already gotten out of hand. You may not be aware of it, but you might already be harbouring entire colonies of the enemy at this very minute, Keep an eye out for tell tale signs that termites are living among you. You won’t see it, unless you consciously go looking for it.

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An Insider’s Guide on How to Deal with Different Pests This Rainy Season

TopBest - How To Deal With Pests During The Rainy Season

Are you constantly being bothered by unwelcome guests in your home? No, we’re not talking about the in-laws, but those pesky pests who are turning to become more than a nuisance. These pests don’t just get to your food and property, but they can affect your health to some degree. Oh, and let’s not forget the amount of money that you’ll spend just to keep them away. Why pay pest control services that charge exorbitant amounts for termite control, when you can get them much cheaper? (wink, wink).

So whether you’re having problems with ants, cockroaches, bedbugs, or fleas, it’s important that you know the proper way to deal with pests this rainy season. Prevention is still the best way to go about any pest situation.

 

Ants

When it comes to handling ants, good housekeeping is crucial. Ants will go everywhere and anywhere in search of food and water so make sure to keep your house spin and span during the colder season. Keep all food items sealed in tight lid storage containers to stop ants from getting to them.

If you want to immediately resolve your ant problem, try spraying the ant trail with this eco friendly house cleaner solution. Just mix 1 part vinegar and 1 part water and you’re ready to eliminate that ant trail. What it does is it erases that chemical marking that encourages ants to follow the trail.

 

Cockroaches

Unlike ants, cockroaches can go on for weeks without any food or water so getting rid of these buggers can be very tricky. You can however discourage them from making your home their home by making sure your trash cans are impenetrable. Cockroaches love to breed and hide in clutter so the best you can do is be more particular with your home’s trash management. This means, taking out the trash every day, and spraying those cans with an antiseptic. It may seem like a lot of work, but trust us, it’s worth it.

 

Bedbugs

Also known as nocturnal nightmares, these pesky creatures strike when you least expect it. If you put high importance on a good night’s sleep, checking your mattress is a must! Bedbugs are very sensitive to heat so if you find any signs of infestation in your bedroom, it’s time for a thorough steam cleaning. You can also spray an eco friendly insecticide on your bed mattress, clothes and even curtains to prevent bed bugs from multiplying.

 

Fleas

If you have pets living inside your home, fleas and ticks can really suck the life out of you. Not only are they disgusting to look at, but they can also cause grave harm to your beloved pets. Aside from making sure your cats and dogs are well groomed, you can discourage a flea and tick infestation by vacuuming your home regularly. Pay close attention to dark corners and crevices where fleas and ticks are likely hiding. If you have carpets, this is the perfect time to take it to the cleaners.

Have any favourite pests that you would like to get rid of before the rain days start? Or have any tips that you would like to share on how to prevent a major infestation from happening? Let us know in the comments section below.

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House Check: 3 Reasons Why Rats Love To Chill At Your House

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Rats are exponential creatures. What do I mean by that? Let’s say 2 rats decide to chill at your house and start to multiply… Did you know that in 18 months, those 2 rats will have already had more than 1 million descendants?! Exponential creatures. And that’s quite an accurate picture when talking about rat infestations in the Philippines. We Filipinos just tend get used to the rats. We’re not doing anything about it. But now that you know the consequence of your apathy, maybe you’re thinking of hiring the best pest control in the Philippines before you find a million rats in your house, eh?

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Wouldn’t you want to NOT have to call pest control? Because that’s possible. It’s possible to not let 2 rats breed in your home. And the first step to not doing that is to not offer you house as a hotel for rats.

Maybe you’re guilty of these 3 reasons why rats would love to chill in your house…

 

1. You Give Them An Unblocked Port Of Entry

Rats can live anywhere they want, they aren’t necessarily picky beings. However, when these vermin are ready to mate n’ multiply, that’s when they start to invade our houses. Hence, we have to be extra careful, because when these rats get comfy in our homes, they will breed – and that will have been the start of a colony that will bring plagues of horror into our home: eaten wires and furniture, not to mention leptospirosis, kidney, liver and heart problems.

What to do:

Check the outer façade of your house. Do you see little holes? A hole the size of a quarter is all it takes. If you see possible points of entry, seal them immediately. Also, don’t forget to keep your doors closed. It would be silly to literally let the rats in through the front door. Watch out for branches hanging out to the roof of your house,

 

2. You Invite Them By Not Cleaning Up

Rats prefer houses with poor sanitation. This way they can gnaw and chew whatever’s lying around. Dirty houses also mean more cover and hiding places for them, so the dirtier the better for these vermin.

What to do:

First of all, be conscious of your garbage. At the end of the day, make sure to throw your garbage out – as in literally out, especially your kitchen garbage. Or if you’re too lazy to do that, then just keep lids on your bins. Next, and probably the more obvious – clean your house. Sweep and mop the floors regularly

 

3. You Leave Them Crumb Smorgasbords

If we were to sum up why houses love our houses, there would be just 2 reasons: food and shelter. Yes, even Maslow’s hierarchy of needs apply to these pesky pests

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What to do:

After eating, make sure that you CLAYGO (clean as you go). Dispose of leftovers properly and make sure to leave no crumbs. If you let this crumb pile build up on you, it’s literally like serving these rats a smorgasbord.

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Who Bit Me? Identifying Bug Bites

Who-Bit-Me-Identifying-Bug-Bites

Bug bites can vary from unnoticed, to annoying, to potentially dangerous. Sometimes you won’t even notice you’ve been bitten until you see the bite. Being able to distinguish bug bites is essential for you to apply the best remedy. It’s also an act of precaution: when bites from a certain type of bug or a variety of them occurs too often, it may be time to consider calling for pest control services.

Allergy to any of these bites will inevitably cause severe allergic reaction regardless of which insect administered it. Otherwise, here’s how to identify the most common types of bug bites.

MOSQUITO

Who Bit Me? - Mosquito Bite

Bites from these tiny vampires cause immediate swelling around the area bitten, and in the middle of the swelled portion there will be a tiny hole where the mosquito’s sucker pierced through your skin. When they suck blood, their saliva enters our blood stream and could potentially transmit deadly viruses.

FIRE ANT

Who Bit Me? - Fire Ant Bite

If a fire ant bites you, trust us, YOU’LL KNOW. Each fire ant can bite more than once, and they often attack in swarms. Extremely aggressive, these ants will leave groups of tiny, red, swollen dots, sometimes even pus-filled, on your skin that can last to up to a week. Colonies are extremely difficult to get rid of and should only be done by a professional.

SPIDERS

Who Bit Me? - Spider Bite

Majority of the types of spiders have been reported to be venomous. Lucky for us humans, we’re somehow immune to some of them. The others however, can cause a stabbing pain, severe illness and even death. It would be easier to distinguish what type of spider bit you if you actually saw it, but symptoms such as fever, headaches, rashes, and even stomach upset can indicate if it was indeed a spider that bit you. Spider bites usually cause red swelling on the skin and two puncture marks, and take longer to heal than other insect bites.

BEDBUGS

Who Bit Me? - Bed Bugs

Bedbugs don’t transmit any human disease, but are quite difficult to get rid of. They normally bite areas of the skin that are exposed during sleep, such as the face, arms, and feet. Their bites are small and pink, but tend to be in rows or groups.

FLEAS

Who Bit Me? - Flea Bite

Even households without pets can have fleas every now and then, especially if stray dogs and cats pass by. Human illness caused by fleas is highly unlikely, but the area around flea bites may become sore.

TICKS

Who Bit Me? - Tick Bite

The difference between tick and fleas are that the former are not limited to cats and dogs; they can feed off the blood of rodents, possums, reptiles, birds, and even humans. They are also capable of transmitting diseases to humans! Tick bites are usually easy to identify because, get this: the tick is still there, attached to your skin. Removing the head of the tick (not just the body) is important to help prevent risks of diseases.

While most bites are harmless and are itchy at most, scratching constantly may cause infection. Discover and deal with infestations while it’s still early; if you suspect an infestation, do not hesitate to call pest control to thoroughly check your home for you.