A pest infestation can cause significant damage to your home. If left untreated, it can lead to costly repairs and even health issues for your family. Residential Pest Control Brownsville TX keeps these problems from occurring in the first place.
Brownsville’s warm climate attracts a variety of pest populations that require regular treatments. Orkin’s local experts are constantly researching the best solutions to protect your property.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are dirty, unhygienic scavengers that thrive in human environments. They spread diseases and can trigger asthma in children. Their feces are also known to contain allergens that can become airborne and aggravate breathing problems.
These pests hide under loose bark, woodpiles, and dead tree stumps. In spring and summer, large numbers may migrate to homes in search of food and water. Inside, they can be found in basements, crawl spaces, floor drains, and sewer systems.
American cockroaches are reddish brown in color and have tan markings on their heads. They often appear in kitchens and bathrooms, but can also be spotted behind picture frames, wall decorations, and underneath furniture. They produce pea-sized egg cases (called oothecae) that are attached to hidden surfaces.
Termites
Brownsville’s warm climate makes it a great place for termite populations to grow. The pests can cause significant damage to homes and other structures within a short amount of time. If you suspect a termite infestation, get in touch with a local Pest Control Brownsville TX specialist as soon as possible.
Unlike ants, termites don’t walk on the surface of the ground. They prefer to tunnel underground or inside wood. They build mud tubes from soil, wood and other materials to move around. They also tend to live in colonies, with different castes such as workers, soldiers and reproductives.
Termites are secretive pests that can cause extensive damage before being detected. Regular home pest inspections are the best way to protect your property. Choose an experienced, trustworthy company like Terminix for effective protection and prevention.
Ants
Ants are one of the most successful terrestrial insects on earth, colonizing every continent except Antarctica. Thousands of species of ants exist, varying in size, behavior and appearance.
Worker ants called scouts will explore new territory to find food sources and may leave a trail of chemicals (pheromones) for the rest of the colony to follow. They will also release a distress signal in the event of a threat to their colony, and swarms of ants will attack that threat.
Carpenter ants, for example, are attracted to wood that has been damaged by moisture or decay and can damage structures such as decks and porches. They have powerful mandibles and can chew through wood like butter. Making sure that abutting vegetation is kept trimmed and free of debris can help prevent the development of ant colonies in close proximity to houses.
Mosquitoes
During the summer, mosquitoes can carry a number of diseases that can make people sick. They also transmit the Zika virus, which can lead to microcephaly and other birth defects in unborn babies.
Mosquitoes are members of the insect family Culicidae, which also includes crane flies and gnats. They are recognizable by their long, fragile-looking legs and piercing mouthparts. They are attracted to moisture, lactic acid, carbon dioxide, and human body heat.
Female mosquitoes need blood meals to feed their eggs and develop. The proteins found in human blood are used to mature the mosquito’s larvae and pupae. Adult mosquitoes feed on nectar and other plant juices. They are active during the day and can be detected by their hum, which results from the frequency of their wingbeats.
Rodents
Rodents like rats and mice can cause damage to structures in the home by chewing through wood, insulation, and electrical wires. They can also contaminate food by spreading disease-causing germs via their droppings and urine.
While rodents such as squirrels, rabbits, and chipmunks play an important role in grasslands and forests, these animals can become pests when they enter houses or crops. They can transmit diseases including bubonic plague, murine typhus, and spirochetal jaundice and destroy property.
To prevent rodent infestations, homeowners should regularly inspect their property and seal any gaps around doors, windows, pipes, and vents. They should also remove potential food sources and garbage from their property. Additionally, they can use natural repellents to keep mice and rats away from their homes.