At Brock Lawn & Pest Control, we believe that understanding the behavior and habits of common pests is key to effective prevention. By knowing what attracts pests, how they enter homes, and their life cycles, you can take proactive steps to keep your home pest-free. In this blog, we’ll explore the behavior of some common pests and provide practical tips on how to prevent infestations.
Common Pests and Their Behaviors
1. Ants
Behavior and Habits:
- Foraging: Ants are constantly in search of food and water. They follow scent trails to food sources and communicate with other ants to mark these trails.
- Nesting: Ants build nests in various locations, including soil, walls, and under floors.
Prevention Tips:
- Seal Entry Points: Use caulk to seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and foundations.
- Keep Food Sealed: Store food in airtight containers and clean up spills immediately.
- Eliminate Water Sources: Fix leaky pipes and ensure that there is no standing water around your home.
2. Cockroaches
Behavior and Habits:
- Nocturnal Activity: Cockroaches are most active at night, searching for food and water in dark, hidden areas.
- Thigmotactic Behavior: They prefer tight spaces where they can feel contact on both sides of their bodies, such as cracks and crevices.
Prevention Tips:
- Clean Regularly: Keep your home clean, especially kitchens and bathrooms. Remove food scraps and wash dishes promptly.
- Reduce Clutter: Eliminate hiding places by reducing clutter in your home.
- Seal Entry Points: Use caulk and weather stripping to seal gaps around doors, windows, and plumbing.
3. Rodents (Mice and Rats)
Behavior and Habits:
- Gnawing: Rodents constantly gnaw on objects to keep their teeth trimmed.
- Hoarding: They collect and store food near their nesting sites.
- Nesting: Rodents build nests in hidden areas using materials like paper, fabric, and insulation.
Prevention Tips:
- Block Entry Points: Use steel wool and caulk to seal holes and gaps larger than a quarter-inch.
- Keep Food Secure: Store food in metal or glass containers with tight-fitting lids.
- Maintain Cleanliness: Keep your home clean and remove potential nesting materials.
4. Termites
Behavior and Habits:
- Wood Consumption: Termites feed on cellulose in wood, causing structural damage over time.
- Silent Destroyers: They work silently and often go unnoticed until significant damage is done.
- Moisture Dependence: Termites are attracted to moisture and need a humid environment to survive.
Prevention Tips:
- Reduce Moisture: Fix leaks, ensure proper drainage, and use dehumidifiers in damp areas.
- Inspect Wood: Regularly inspect wooden structures for signs of termite damage.
- Use Barriers: Install physical barriers and chemical treatments around your home’s foundation.
5. Mosquitoes
Behavior and Habits:
- Breeding in Water: Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water.
- Active at Dawn and Dusk: They are most active during early morning and late evening.
- Attracted to CO2 and Heat: Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide and body heat emitted by humans and animals.
Prevention Tips:
- Eliminate Standing Water: Regularly empty and clean containers that collect water, such as birdbaths and gutters.
- Use Screens: Install window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out.
- Wear Protective Clothing: When outdoors, wear long sleeves and pants, and use insect repellent.
Understanding the behavior and habits of common pests is the first step in preventing infestations. By knowing what attracts pests and how they operate, you can implement effective measures to keep them at bay. At Brock Lawn & Pest Control, we’re here to help you with all your pest control needs.
Brock Lawn and Pest Control provides a variety of residential and commercial services including: general household pest and rodent control, termite control and inspections, lawn and ornamental services and mosquito control. Our Pest Management Professionals are fully licensed and insured. All of our work is performed by our highly qualified in-house staff. We offer both residential and commercial Pest Management for buildings and lawns. We feature the most advanced products and service programs available and we serve the homeowner as well as the business owner with professional service you can count on. Brock offers the highest standards of protection against any invading pests with innovative, cutting edge systems and materials that offer the finest balance of effectiveness and environmental responsibility.
From Pensacola to Tallahassee, from the state line to the World’s Most Beautiful Beaches, The Brock Family has provided complete lawn and pest services, including rodent control, to thousands of families, schools and businesses in the Florida Panhandle for over 50 years. Call us today to schedule service!