Finding pests in your home is never a good thing. They ruin our food, creep us out, and can even cause harm to us or damage to our homes. Some house pests are much worse than the rest and should be dealt with immediately and prevented throughout the year. Here are 5 of the worst house pests to find in your Massachusetts home.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are some of the most destructive house pests in Massachusetts. These wood-destroying ants live in colonies of up to 3000 ants or more! While they don’t wood, like termites do, they burrow extensively to build their nest. In a short amount of time, they can cause irreparable damage to the wood in your home. Preventing ants from entering your home is essential.
- Structural Wood
- Window and Door Casings
- Behind Walls, Under Cabinets, and Under the Floor
- Attic
- Insulation
- Hollow beams
- Hollow Doors
Common Carpenter Ant Nesting Locations:
Powderpost Beetles
Another one of the worst pests to find in your Massachusetts home is the powderpost beetle. These elusive pests lay their eggs in the wood of your home where they will hatch into the wood-eating larvae that give them their name. The larvae burrow into the wood, eating it until maturing into an adult beetle. That’s when it pushes its way out of the wood, leaving a powdery residue called frass. While the adult beetles don’t eat or damage wood, their larvae can be quite a problem. Between the two types of powderpost beetles, soft and hardwoods are threatened.
- Wood Floors
- Wood Framing
- Wall Studs
- Trim and Interior Moldings
- Antique Furniture
- Floor Joists
Powderpost Beetles Can Damage:
Termites
The house pest that causes the most damage to homes in the entire country is the infamous termite. It’s estimated that termites cause over $2 billion worth of damage to homes in the United States every year. Unlike the destructive carpenter ants, termites actually eat the wood in your home. Having a termite colony in your walls is just bad news. Watch for mud tubes going up your foundation and inside your walls, this is how these destructive pests get around. If you do have a termite infestation, then it’s important to act fast and invest in professional help. Remember that termite colonies can have as many as 2 million workers, so control is absolutely necessary.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are such terrible pests that even hearing the name sends conjures up nightmare situations. These pests are incredibly persistent, causing problems and re-infestations for years if they’re not properly managed. You can find these blood-suckers hiding in your bed, carpet, couch, and other places in your home. Once they arrive, bed bugs spread quickly and most people don’t even know they have an infestation until they start finding the bites all over their body. The worst part about these pests is that they can live for over a year without feeding. That means that a re-infestation is a real threat if you don’t eliminate all of the bed bugs. Because of this, bed bug control is best left to the professionals.
Black Widow Spiders
Finally, one of the worst house pests to find in your home is the most infamous spider in America, the black widow spider. With venom that’s 15 times more potent than a rattlesnake’s, the black widow is the most dangerous spider in America. Unfortunately for us, they live right here in Massachusetts. When it comes to black widows, effective pest control is a matter of safety. Though these spiders are not typically aggressive, they will bite when provoked and their bites are not to be taken lightly. Black widow venom attacks the central nervous system, causing immense pain and can even result in death.
Pest Control Unlimited Can Help Protect You From the Worst House Pests
If you find one of the worst house pests in your Massachusetts home, then it’s time to call in the professionals. The experts here at Pest Control Unlimited have the services, resources, and know-how needed to eliminate and prevent pest infestations. Whether you’re looking for a quarterly pest control program to protect your property all year, a one-time service to attack a specific pest, or even expert bed bug control, Pest Control Unlimited has the solutions for you.
Don’t let your pest problem get out of control, call us at (888) 649-9919. You can also get a FREE quote here. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to find out about our special offers and check out our blog for the best pest control tips to help you protect your home.
