Are occasional invaders dangerous?

Occasional invaders are nuisance pests. They don’t cause people major health concerns, they don’t damage the structures of buildings, and for the most part, they don’t contaminate food sources. However, just because they aren’t dangerous doesn’t mean that having these pests in your house is ideal. While they are not significant vectors of disease, they do carry bacteria that can contaminate surfaces. Also, some will bite as a means of defense (centipedes), and others will cause skin irritations (millipedes). Another issue with these pests is that since they have high moisture needs, their presence in your home could indicate leaky pipes, poor ventilation, or damaged gutters, causing water buildup in or around your house.

Why do I have an occasional invader problem?

Our yards and the perimeter around our homes often provide occasional invaders with the damp soil these pests enjoy. The ground under mulch in flowerbeds, landscaping ties, trash cans, and woodpiles are where many occasional invaders gather. When environmental conditions dictate that they need to migrate somewhere else, their proximity to our homes means they often end up inside. They move into homes and other structures through gaps they find under doors, in the foundation, around vents and light fixtures, and through damaged weatherstripping. In addition to moisture levels, another big reason that some occasional invaders move indoors is a temperature change. Occasional invaders like Asian lady beetles often move into structures in the fall when the weather cools off, using our homes as a warm winter retreat.

Where will I find occasional invaders?

The areas of our house that are most at risk of being overrun by occasional invaders are those areas that are dark and damp. Basements, kitchens, bathrooms, and closets are typical points of retreat. Favorite hiding spots for occasional invaders within our homes include the backs of cabinets and closets, inside cardboard storage boxes, in piles of folded towels or linens, and under rugs. Wall voids near water pipes, sinks, and tubs also provide areas for occasional invaders to hang out. Since occasional invaders tend to hide in dark, out-of-the-way locations, it can mean that they have been present in our homes for long periods before we finally notice them. Regularly inspecting their favorite hiding spots can go a long way in discovering and then quickly eliminating an infestation of these pests.

How do I get rid of occasional invaders?

Occasional invaders should never be a part of our households, even for just a short period. To eliminate the occasional invaders that moved into your home, reach out to Advanced Pest Control. We take the time to learn about the behaviors, habits, and nesting preferences of the pests that live in our area, ensuring we provide you with the most effective pest control services possible. We are a family owned and operated business dedicated to our Arkansas customers and providing the customized services necessary to rid homes and businesses of occasional invaders and other pests. We provide advanced treatments that produce advanced results! To learn more about ridding your Hot Springs property of occasional invaders that have become unwelcome houseguests through our residential or commercial pest control services, contact our knowledgeable team of experts today!

How can I prevent occasional invaders in the future?

At Advanced Pest Control, we have put together a list of helpful pest control tips to assist you in making your property as unappealing as possible to these annoying and troublesome pests.

• Patch cracks and crevices that occur in your home’s exterior.
• Place screens over vents and chimneys.
• Replace damaged weather stripping around windows and doors.
• Place door sweeps on exterior doors.
• Remove logs, rocks, mulch, and landscaping ties away from the outside walls of your house where occasional invaders can hide.
• Store trash cans and recycling bins up off the ground.
• Keep your kitchen, bathrooms, and basement or crawl space well-ventilated.
• Remove areas of clutter from dark storage areas where occasional invaders like to hide. The fewer hiding spots there are in your home, the easier it will be to spot an infestation.

Learn more about our home pest control and commercial pest control solutions.