Charlotte’s Least Wanted – Your Most Common Pests and How to Beat Them

Here at Noosa Pest Management, we can’t help but notice that there’s something really bugging the people of Charlotte… Five things, in fact. Five crawling, biting, mess-making intruders that we really don’t want in our homes. In this blog, we’re going to take a look at Charlotte’s most common troublemakers, and give you a few tips on how to keep them out of your home – or get rid of them once they’ve moved in.

The Most Common Household Pests in Charlotte

Ants

What: In North Carolina there are a number of different species of ant that you can expect to find invading your home, but the greatest offenders are:

The odorous house ant (AKA stink ant). Dark brown or black in colour, these ants give off the smell of rotten coconut when squashed.

The fire ant. There are four different types of fire ant and all can be a source of huge annoyance and pain. Some have even been known to kill people with their bites.

Why: They’re attracted into homes by food – particularly sweet things. Once there, they will contaminate practically everything in your pantry that isn’t stored in a can.

Prevent: Don’t leave food in the open. Ensure all building crevices are sealed and try to make sure that there is no mulch around your foundations. Too late to stop them? Call Noosa Pest Management Ant Control to arrange your bespoke treatment plan: 704-499-9922.

Cockroaches

What: The most common cockroaches in Charlotte are the American, German, Smokeybrown and Oriental cockroach. Aside from being a bit creepy to look at, you don’t want them in your home because they spread disease… And poop everywhere.

Why: Cockroaches come in the house because we create the perfect habitat for them. They like the moist darkness of pipes and the places we don’t often use: under the sink and refrigerator, behind skirting boards, under the bath.

Prevent: You can try to stop ‘roaches from entering your house by sealing gaps in your walls, around doors, windows and pipework. But the truth is, if they in and you have pipes, you won’t stop them. Noosa Pest Control Residential Services can help get rid of them though.

Mosquitoes

What: There are about 3,000 different types of mosquito, but only six in America are really dangerous, causing anything from Yellow Fever to Zika. The others are simply annoying. Either way, you don’t want them on your property.

Why: Mosquitoes can live almost anywhere, but they particularly favour places with standing water and/or long grass, marshes and moist soil.

Prevent: Keep your grass short. Don’t put in a garden pond or outdoor pool. Pray it doesn’t rain in summer. You can try no end of things, but you can’t really get rid of mosquitoes. But you CAN reduce their numbers. It takes time and patience, a systematic approach, and low-toxicity insecticide. You could probably do it yourself. But it’s much easier if our professionals handle your mosquito control for you.

Termites

What: Small, soft-bodied, ugly as hell, termites are among the most destructive creatures you could meet. According to the USDA, U.S. residents spend at least $1 billion on termite control and repairs each year. They damage approximately 600,000 U.S. homes annually.

Why: In some cases, termites are accidentally introduced to a home, brought in infected fire wood, garden mulch, or sometimes even furniture. Other times, they just find their way in through the front door, or up through the foundations of wooden houses.

Prevent: If you can’t build a brick home, make sure that no wood is touching your foundations, get rid of any dead trees, and make sure that none of your plumbing is leaking as termites are attracted to standing water. A professional inspection annually is a must. If you already suspect an infestation, get help. Fast. Every home is different, so Noosa Pest Management can create a bespoke termite treatment for you.

Bed Bugs

What: Bed bugs are small parasitic insects that live in and around beds and emerge at night to suck your blood.

Why: Bed bugs are hitchhikers. If you – or your belongings – have come into contact with them, they will burrow into any available fabric and hitch a ride to your home. They’re most commonly picked up in hotels, but they can come from anywhere.

Prevent: You can treat a bed bug infestation yourself with cleaning and insecticides, but it does call for absolute thoroughness. If you’re unsure, seek professional help. At Noosa Pest Management, we’ll be happy to discuss a range of possible bed bug treatment and inspection options for you and your family.