the top 10 house pests that can damage your home - Vancouver WA Pest Control | Natura Pest Control (2024)

A recent research study found that84 percent of American homeownersfaced a pest problem in the past twelve months. Depending on the pest, it can cause thousands of dollars of damage.

If that’s not scary enough, most homeownerinsurance policies do notcover pest damage. The damage could add up quickly, and you may feel your wallet was also destroyed by one of these pests.

From fruit flies to termites and rats, all pests can carry a wide range of diseases and damage to your house; here are the top ten house pests to be aware of.

1. termites

Termites are number one for a reason – they can cause serious damage. The National Pest Management Association states that termite infestations cause nearly$5 billion in damageannually in the U.S.

Termites can cause damage rather quickly. These pests eat around the clock, so call a professional pest control company immediately when you see any signs of termite damage. Signs of termite damage include shelter tubes fanning on your walls, noises like tapping, tiny pellets inside or outside your home, sagging floors or wood, and tree nests.

2. bed bugs

Bed bugs are a challenging pest. First, they are so small, so finding them hard. They can cause some severe health problems for your family.

It is hard to stop the cycle once you have bed bugs. Females can lay up to 1,000 eggs at a time. If you have unexplained red bites, look around your bed for rust-colored stains (feces) and egg sacks.

3. ants

There are several types of ants. Most ants cause food contamination, but carpenter ants can damage your home’s wood, just like termites. Fire ants can sting and cause health problems.

To check for carpenter ants, look for sawdust beneath wood areas like trim, door jams, or window sills. You should also look for winged ants on your ceilings or near areas you suspect damage. You may also hear the ants in the walls – it’s essential to investigate any sounds you hear in the walls!

4. bees

In the late summer and early fall, bees are super active in preparing and gathering food for their queen to last through the winter. Several types of bees include honey bees, bumblebees, wasps, carpenter bees, yellow jackets, and hornets.

If you have a bee infestation, depending on the type of bee, it’s best to have a professional handle the issue. Some bees, like the wasp and yellow jacket, are aggressive. A honey bee colony should be relocated so it can keep producing honey.

Yellowjackets can chew through drywall and surface wood. Honey bee nests are typically larger and contain thousands of workers.

5. squirrels

Now, let’s talk about some non-insect pests that can cause a great deal of damage to your home. Though squirrels may be cute, they have strong teeth that can chew and destroy your home. Squirrels can chew into your home, destroying your loose soffit and fascia.

Once inside your attic, they like to make nests in soft items such as clothes and blankets, which means they will destroy your belongings. Electrical wires are no match for the sharp squirrel teeth. Squirrels can also chew through PVC piping.

As you can see, they are pretty destructive. They can also bring other unwanted guests into your home, such as fleas, ticks, and mites. Squirrels can also carry diseases such as rabies.

6. rats and mice

Like the squirrels above, rats and mice like to chew. Mice try to get snuggled in for nests, including burrowing in insulation, furniture, electrical appliances, or anything else. As mice and rats travel through your home, they contaminate areas with urine and feces.

Amouse contaminatesten times more food than it eats. They can spread diseases, causing serious harm to humans.

7. roaches

No one wantsroaches in their homebecause they are pretty gross insects. Roaches feed at night, so seeing a co*ckroach in the daytime probably means you have an infestation. These pests are like dark and damp spots under refrigerators, floor drains, sinks, and stoves.

You will see co*ckroach droppings throughout the house, and their feces resemble coffee grounds. As if having co*ckroaches doesn’t stink enough, the actual insects themselves smell, and you can smell an oily or musty smell with an infestation.

co*ckroaches can cause serious allergy issues. They also carry disease. Not to mention, these insects will destroy your food and make your house feel plain dirty.

8. fruit flies

Fruit flies infest homes with rotted fruits, and they also like fermented alcohols like wine and beer. The infestation can multiply once you get a few fruit flies because females can lay up to 500 eggs that hatch within a day and a half. Fruit flies can contaminate food with bacteria and other germs that can make you sick.

9. fleas

Keeping up with your pet’s flea treatment is essential in the summer. If fleas catch a free ride on your furry friend, they can lay eggs in your carpet, furniture, and bedding. Fleas bite more than animals – they will gladly bite you and your kids.

Some people experience severe reactions to flea bites, making life miserable. These pests are hard to eliminate because they are tough, small, and move quickly.

10. spiders

Spiders like to come in for warmth when it starts to get cool. There are a couple of poisonous spiders to watch out for, too. Brown recluse spiders and black widows can cause serious health problems if they bite you.

Be sure to check dark corners because spiders are not fans of light. You also need to take care of any spiders immediately before they lay eggs. A spider can lay anywhere between2 to 1,000 eggs!

looking to destroy house pests?

As you can see, these pests are unwanted house guests. They will eat you out of the house and home – and take your money. As soon as you suspect an infestation, it’s time to call the experts to minimize any damage.

Don’t let house pests destroy your home.Contact Natura Pest Controltoday! We guarantee our work and will help you get your home back.

the top 10 house pests that can damage your home - Vancouver WA Pest Control | Natura Pest Control (2024)

FAQs

What pest is most damaging to a house? ›

Termites have earned their reputation as one of the most dangerous pests in terms of property damage because of how quickly they can gnaw their way through the wood and completely destroy a house's or building's structural integrity.

What is the hardest pest to get rid of? ›

In conclusion, termites, bed bugs, and co*ckroaches are the most challenging pests to eliminate from your home. Their ability to hide, reproduce quickly, and withstand many extermination methods make professional pest control services essential for effective pest management.

What pest causes the most damage? ›

Termites are responsible for some of the most expensive property damage caused by pests, and repairing termite damage can cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars, depending on how large the infestation grew and the extent of the pest damage.

Which pest causes the most damage to property each year? ›

1. termites. Termites are number one for a reason – they can cause serious damage. The National Pest Management Association states that termite infestations cause nearly $5 billion in damage annually in the U.S.

What is the number one household pest? ›

Mice and rats are among the most common type of household pests. They are also perhaps the largest in terms of their size which means that they are easy to spot. You can also identify them from their droppings in different parts of the house.

What is the most destructive insect pest? ›

When it comes to destruction, termites top the list. The Formosan termite and eastern subterranean termite are arguably the most destructive termite species. The Formosan termite is very aggressive, can build huge colonies above ground, and often regarded as a 'super' termite species.

Why are bugs worse after pest control? ›

The treatment can send them quickly seeking shelter elsewhere. Pests might also be led by their strong survival instincts to escape the immediate threat. They might become active trying to leave the area where pesticide has been applied and find new food sources and breeding spots.

What is the strongest pest? ›

Horned dung beetle can pull over 1000 times its own body weight. The insect world is famous for its Olympian power-lifters, but the horned dung beetle (Onthophagus Taurus) takes the gold.

What state has the worst bug problem? ›

1. California

In California, bug-related searches total 46,790. Here is a breakdown of that figure: Bed bugs: 16,260. Termites: 10,000.

What is the number one cause of property damage to homes? ›

Water. Water damage comprises 56.90% of California's homeowners insurance claims, making it the most common type of covered loss in the state.

What is the number one pest problem in America? ›

Flies, spiders, and ants top the list of pests that Americans are most likely to notice in their homes; at least eight in 10 say they are aware of the presence of each of these on at least rare occasions, and nearly all people see at least one of these species. Mosquitos and gnats also are common.

What is the most destructive storage pest? ›

Weevils. Of the internal feeders, weevils (shown in Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3) are generally given the most attention, because they are among the most-destructive pests of stored grain.

What is the hardest plant pest to get rid of? ›

Spider Mites

Closely related to spiders, spider mites are tiny indoor plant mites that produce silky webs. Like aphids, spider mites suck plant sap, which can severely damage houseplants. Spider mites are especially dreaded houseplant pests because they are immensely difficult to get rid of.

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