How To Keep Bugs Out

There are a few different types of ants you might see in Granite bay, including Odorous House ants, known for their rotten odor when squished, Pavement Ants, known for their affinity for pavement and curbs, Fire Ants, known for their aggressive nature, Argentine Ants, known for their danger to gardens, and Carpenter ants, known for their destructive affinity for wood structures. Any of these ants can present problems for homeowners, ranging from food contamination and stinging all the way to structural damage. 

There are several steps you can take, fortunately, to minimize the risk of infestation, including cleaning and sealing potential entrances.

Spiders are mostly harmless, but there are several types you can expect to see around Granite Bay—some of them even potentially dangerous. These might include Common House Spiders, Daddy Long Legs, Recluse family spiders, and even the infamous Black Widow.

Finding you have a spider problem in your Granite Bay home can be alarming, but there are some ways to minimize risk, and Earthwise is always here to help.

Though wasps perform vital functions in the ecosystem, wasps can be quite frightening to find around your home. They pose a risk of stinging, which can be especially dangerous for those with allergies or those who are unsure if they’re allergic, and they’re very often best to avoid altogether. Wasps you might see around Granite Bay include Yellowjackets and Paper Wasps. While they’re quite similar in appearance—both black and yellow—they can be distinguished by their habits and through closer inspection. Paper wasps like to build papery looking hanging nests, while YellowJackets often burrow underground to make their nests. While Yellow Jackets are more aggressive, both species pose a risk for stinging. Wasps can be dangerous to approach, especially for those with potential allergies, so if you have any doubts, it’s always best to call pest control professionals if you need to get rid of a nest.

There are a few types of cockroaches that make their way into homes around Granite Bay, and none of them are good news. Some of the most common cockroaches in the area include Turkestan Cockroaches, and German Cockroaches. While Turkestan Cockroaches are larger and you’re more likely to see them outdoors, around your garden, or in your shed, German Cockroaches are smaller and you’re more likely to see them in your home, especially in your kitchen or bathroom. 

Cockroaches pose a serious risk of contaminating food and spreading disease, and they can be very difficult to get rid of entirely. The best approaches to Cockroaches are cleaning thoroughly, reducing the amount of water they have access to, both indoors and outdoors, and sealing up potential entrances to your home.

Earwigs are a nuisance, and while they aren’t known to bite or sting, and they certainly don’t burrow into people’s ears, they can damage your fruit and produce, and they’re quite unsightly to have around the house. Earwigs are particularly attracted to moisture and small areas, so avoiding clutter, sealing entrances, and reducing moisture are your best bets to keep them away from your home.

Rats and mice are not uncommon to find in the area. There are a couple common species of rats you might see—Norway and Roof Rats, Norway rats being larger and preferring to burrow at ground level and Roof Rats being smaller and being avid climbers who nest in upper levels and attics—and house mice. It’s possible to see any of them around Granite Bay, and aside from causing structural damage and scaring residents, they also pose a risk of both contaminating food and spreading disease. 

With rodents, it’s especially important not only to clean regularly, but to seal entrances well. House mice (and rats) are quite flexible, and they can squeeze through even very small spaces that you wouldn’t expect them to be able to. 

Often mistaken for ants, termites can cause plenty of their own problems. They can wreak havoc on your home and cause serious structural damage that can become quite costly to repair—and residents are often unaware they’re even there until they’ve already caused considerable damage. 

With termites, reducing available water is key, as is regular inspections. Since they’re so hard to find, it can be crucial to have your home inspected by professionals periodically to ensure that you aren’t at risk.