Invasive Pest Species Explained
Your home is susceptible to many pests, from termites to ants there plenty of insects and rodents that will invade your home and wreak havoc. But most people don’t take into account that the common pests aren’t the only ones that can ruin your home life- invasive pest species can cause serious damage too.
Your home is susceptible to many pests, from termites to ants there plenty of insects and rodents that will invade your home and wreak havoc. But most people don’t take into account that the common pests aren’t the only ones that can ruin your home life- invasive pest species can cause serious damage too.
These pests can cause extreme property damage and present new health threats. Because invasive pest species usually have no natural predators in the environments that they invade this, allows their population to grow extremely quickly and establish themselves in regions throughout the country. So what are some of the invasive pest species you should look out for when it comes to pest control in and around your home?
Formosan Termites
This invasive pest species is originally from China and was brought to the U.S. through a military shipment after World War II. Now this species can be found across the Southern United States in Hawaii, the Carolina’s, Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, and Virginia. This termite species is nicknamed the “super termite,” these invasive pests can chew through wood, flooring and wallpaper within and around your home.
Formosan termites are the most destructive termite species, and can consume around one foot of 2×4 wood in 25 days. This can cause severe structural damage to your home in as little as six months.
In order to prevent an infestation of this invasive pest species, it is important to store firewood at least 20 feet away from your home. It is also important for you to eliminate any source of moisture in and around your home. This termite species is no joke, which is why it is important to have regularly scheduled pest inspections to ensure the safety of your home.
Red Imported Fire Ants
Native to Brazil, this invasive pest species was first found in Alabama in 1933. The red imported fire ant can now be found throughout the southern and western United States and is prone to attack humans that disturb their nest.
This pest is introduced into new areas through potted plants, shrubs, or trees and get their name from their painful stings. Some people are severely allergic to this invasive pest species and can be left with large welts that may turn into white pustules. Although red imported fire ants are typically found outside, they can enter your home through your HVAC systems and AC units making regular pest inspections your best option in preventing them from finding entry into your home.
The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
The brown marmorated stink bug is invasive pest species that is native to Eastern Asia. This pest was first discovered within the United States in Pennsylvania during 1996, and it can now be found throughout 44 of the 50 states. This invasive pest species does not pose any health threats for homeowners, but they can easily become a nuisance when trying to removing them from your home.
Stink bugs are known for seeking shelter inside homes during the winter season. They are usually hiding within the walls, attic, and crawl spaces throughout your home, making their presence hard to detect. This invasive pest species first made its appearance in the state of Virginia in 2004 and then made its way south to the North Carolina border. Their name comes from insects’ tendency to release an odor when it is threatened or crushed.
Stink bugs begin to reemerge from their hiding places throughout your home in early spring, causing them to become active inside and outside of your home.
In order to keep this invasive pest species out of your home, there are a few things that you can do.
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Patch any holes in your screen doors
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Patch holes in your window screens
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Seal any cracks in the foundation of your home
- Vacuum up bugs that you find in your home
Spotted Lanternflies
Like the brown marmorated stink bug, this pest was first reported in Pennsylvania in 2014. They can now be found in Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Virginia.
The spotted lanternfly poses a significant threat to fruit trees and the logging industries because they feed on the sap in many trees and plants. They also tend to lay egg masses on trees, rocks and even on outdoor furniture making it easy for them to enter your home after hatching.
If you do see the egg masses around your home it is important that you take the time to scrape them off and put them in separate bag before throwing them in the trash and calling a pest professional to come and take care of riding your home and the surrounding area of this invasive pest species.
Asian Longhorn Ticks
The Asian longhorn tick is an invasive pest species that first came to the United States from Asia during 2017. These ticks are known to transmit deadly diseases to both livestock and humans, posing a serious threat to you and your family. They are able to multiply rapidly because the females can reproduce without a male tick, making this a main factor as to why they are an invasive pest species.
This invasive pest species is known to carry diseases such as Lyme, Ehrlichiosis, Japanese spotted fever, Powassan virus, and Khasan virus. They are best known for transmitting Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome, a virus that is fatal in about 15% of its victims.
To best protect your home from this dangerous insect, it is important that you wear long clothing when possible to reduce exposed skin and you should regularly check yourself, family members, and pets for ticks after walking through wooded areas. Along with these practices, it is important to call a pest professional in order to keep your home and family as safe as possible.
Combatting Invasive Pest Species
Invasive pests are extremely difficult to treat, which is why DIY treatments will not work when it comes to ridding them from your home. If you suspect that you have an invasive pest species infestation it is important that you contact our expert team at Sigma Pest immediately so we can identify the species and work with you to create a course of action to combat the infestation before it leads to a major problem.