Pest |
Where They Are Found |
How to Prevent / Get Rid of |
---|---|---|
Termites |
wood in direct contact with the soil
stored newspapers and cardboard boxes
wood (e.g., tree stumps and construction debris buried in backfill)
fence posts
wall voids
porches
|
break wood-to-soil contact
remove scrap wood and paper debris
improve drainage away from structure
inspect vapor barriers
improve ventilation in crawl spaces
|
Ants |
water damaged wood
fence posts
decking
firewood
door and window voids; attics
utility piping
dead parts of trees and stumps
tree branches contacting roof
kitchen cabinets
wall voids
gaps under doors and around utility piping
house plants
cracks in pavement
under landscape timbers
rocks and mulch
|
eliminate conditions that favor moisture accumulation
move and aerate firewood
remove dead trees, stumps and overhanging branches contacting house as well as rotten railroad ties in landscape
remove food sources
seal all cracks and crevices
locate and eliminate nests
correct drainage in house plants
seal cracks in pavement and concrete slabs
|
Cockroaches |
kitchens
grocery bags
un-refrigerated vegetables
toasters, radios and TVs
bathrooms
electrical and plumbing conduits
floor drains
|
clean up spilled foods and water
eliminate harborage and pathway areas by sealing or screening
repair water leaks
increase ventilation
inspect incoming foods and packaging
|
Mice & Rats |
under sinks
kitchen cabinets
stored food
storage areas
wall voids
inside appliances
closets
firewood
attics
garages
basements
|
install physical barriers
eliminate food and water
remove nesting sites
inspect incoming boxes
|
Domestic House Spiders |
holes or cracks in a structure
basements
crawl spaces
attics
garages
basements
outdoors in vegetation
|
remove or limit heavy, ground-covering vegetation
seal cracks and holes in building exteriors
install tight-fitting screens on all attic and foundation vents
seal holes around pipes indoors to prevent spiders from entering the home along plumbing lines in basements or crawl spaces
|
Scorpions |
under or inside something like a baseboard, a shoe, or a rug
sometimes fall into a sink or bathtub during night hunting
Can crawl up masonry, rough wood or plaster, such as in wall voids, and may hide under or near air conditioning ducts in attics
|
seal entrance points to house
place physical barriers (like double-stick tape) across or below all cracks or openings
|
Flying Insects |
garbage
faulty plumbing
eaves
attics
light fixtures
wall voids
puddles of water and other moist areas
|
install or repair screens
change lighting
improve drainage
remove garbage daily
keep trashcans clean and tightly covered
repair cracks around siding, windows and doors
|
Pantry / Fabric Pests |
flour
potpourri
spices
cereals
rice
beans
dry pet food
stored clothing
woolen rugs
|
inspect foods and packaging prior to storage
store foods in glass/plastic containers
clean up spilled foods
rotate dry goods
store only clean cloths
|