What are the Top 3 Pests in Texas?

Pests are unwelcome in every home. They damage properties, contaminate food, and spread diseases. However, they’re unfortunately common. The National Pest Management Association estimates that roughly 7 out of 10 homeowners in the United States will experience a pest infestation. The diverse climate and abundant natural resources make pest control in Texas even more important.

Join us as we explore the most common pests plaguing Texas homes, the health risks they pose to homeowners, and the steps the average person can take to either prevent an infestation or how to deal with an existing complication.

Health Hazards and Risks of Pests

Humans and pests are exposed to an assortment of health risks when living with pests, including:

• Disease transmission – Common household pests like mosquitoes, rodents, and cockroaches, are carriers of diseases like hantavirus, salmonellosis, and West Nile virus, among others.

• Allergic reactions – Individuals with sensitivities and asthma are at a higher likelihood of being triggered by pest droppings, skin shedding, and saliva.

• Skin irritations – Fleas, ticks, and minutes, can cause uncomfortable skin reactions with their bites.

The Three Most Common Pests In Texas

Texas’ warm climate and diverse ecosystems create the ideal conditions for a variety of pests to take root in neglected homes.

The most common home invaders in Texas are:

Cockroaches

Cockroaches can live anywhere, but they’re particularly attracted to warm and humid environments. In Texas, they’ll seek shelter from the heat by nesting in homes and apartments. Often associated with unsanitary conditions, cockroaches can spread bacteria and trigger allergies.

Fire Ants

Fire ants are present in nearly a quarter of the entire Texas state. This invasive species can keep tick populations in control. However, they’re just as dangerous if not more lethal. This aggressive variety of ants has painful bites and has been known to cause property damage by building nests deep within walls.

Mosquitoes

Texas is one of the worst states in the United States when it comes to mosquitoes. The Lone Star State typically deals with mosquito problems for as long as nine months of the year. Aside from itchy bites, these blood-sucking insects can transmit dangerous diseases like West Nile virus and Zika virus.

Preventing Pest Infestations In Your Texas Home

With pests, prevention is better than cure.

Here are some steps Texas homeowners can take to make their homes unfriendly to these irritating menaces:

• Seal entry points to prevent pests from entering your home from the outside.
• Maintain cleanliness by keeping your house free of food crumbs, spills, and other debris. Use airtight containers to store food and seal trash cats with tight-fitting lids.
• Minimize damp environments in and around the vicinity. Call a plumber to fix a leaky pipe or a clogged drain as soon as possible.
• Dispose of yard waste properly. Piles of leaves and yard debris can serve as shelter for pests.
• Overgrown vegetation such as shrubs and tree branches can serve as easy access points, food, and shelter. Keeping them trimmed and away from your area will make your residence less attractive in the eyes of pests.

When to Call a Pest Control Professional

For homeowners, some problems are beyond the average person’s capacity.

You can keep your home as clean as you can, but when an infestation has taken root, you have little to no chance on your own.

When it comes to pest control in Texas, these are tell-tale signs when professional intervention is required:

• Frequent pest sightings
• Unexplained bites or stings
• Noticeable signs of activity and nesting

Expert help is your best bet against these rent-free nuisances. We here at The Pest Bros are committed to providing safe and effective pest control methods that are guaranteed to eliminate bothersome guests from your home.