Pests are plants, animals, insects, or any living organism that prevents humans from functioning properly. It also destroys properties and can pose a great threat to human health.

These organisms thrive in specific environments and threaten particular areas of living.
In California, there are also pests that thrive in the country based on its weather, environment, and geographic location.

To help you identify which pests your homes are most vulnerable to, here is a list of the most common vexations:

ANTS

Ants have various species, some of them bite while others just love to hang out in your closet and chew on your clothes.

The most common ants that you will find at home are the fiery fire ants. A lot of people are afraid of the fire ants because their bites sting.

There are more than 200 species of fire ants worldwide. This crawlies are called fire ants because of their light brown to dark red skin color.

They often nest outside homes but travels to the kitchen for food. On wet or rainy days, fire ants try to find a dry environment which can be the walls of your homes or the back of your closets.

SPIDERS

Spiders are known to be quiet organisms who like to stay in dry, dark places. Because of their preference, they are often found in the attic, garage, or basement.

Others find them functional to keep at home because they eat smaller insects like ants and mosquitoes. However, spiders, when left on their own, can become pests, especially if it belongs to the species that bite.
Spider bites can be lethal depending on the species involved. Some species only paralyze, others trigger an allergic reaction, either way, these post a threat especially if there are children at home.

With over 35,000 named species worldwide, 3,000 of them are found in North America. It is a combination of biting and non-biting kind.

SILVERFISH

Silverfish is a centipede-like pest but has a flat body and thicker antennas. It is a nocturnal insect that looks like a fish because of its tapered behind.

These insects do not have wings and wiggle their way through spaces in your homes. They are among insects that live between two and seven years. Because of their structure, silverfishes are mostly found on floors or on the ground because they cannot climb walls.

It produces oval-shaped, whitish, about 0.8 mm (0.031 in) long eggs. Unlike other insects, silverfishes take a longer time to hatch, between two weeks and two months. A silverfish usually less than 100 eggs in her entire lifetime.

Silverfishes live in your bookshelves, your desks, your vault, and even your bags. Basically, they like places that are dry and warm. These insects feed on starchy, sugary materials or food. That is why they like to stay in your bookshelves because one book is more than enough for a year’s supply of food. If you see your books with holes in them; chances are, the silverfish found its way in it and decided to live there.

COCKROACHES

There are more than 4,000 species of cockroach worldwide, about 30 of them live within human households.
Cockroaches are among the toughest insects to beat. Some of the species can survive without food for one month. It can also live off of limited resources, like feeding on the glue of postage stamps. Other varieties can go without air for, at least, 45 minutes while Japanese cockroach nymphs can survive through the coldest winters. Just because the cockroaches are not visible to the naked eye, it does not mean zero presence. About 20 percent to 48 percent of homes with no visible sign of cockroaches have detectable cockroach allergens in dust.

Cockroaches are considered pests because they feed on human food and can leave an invasive odor. Cockroaches are harmful because it passively transports pathogenic microbes that have attached themselves to the insect’s body surfaces.

Cockroaches are often linked with allergic reactions in humans, as well as allergens that are linked with asthma.US Health data showed that 60 percent of asthma patients are also sensitive to cockroach allergens.
The more pressing concern is that cockroaches can burrow themselves in human ears, causing pain and hearing loss. They may be removed with forceps, possibly after first drowning with olive oil or medicine.

MICE

Mice are from the rodent family that is described as having a pointed snout, rounded ears, a long scaly tail. There are several species of the mouse but the most common is the house mouse. They are popular because they like to cohabitate with humans for food and shelter.

Rodents are normally nocturnal animals that is why they recompense poor eyesight with an intense sense of hearing. They depend heavily on their impeccable sense of smell to locate food and avoid predators.
Mice are dangerous to humans because of the diseases they carry which include leptospirosis and a virus known to cause Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis or LCM.

These viruses are often picked up from food items that have been exposed to fecal and urinary discharges of mice. When human get in contact with compromised surfaces and accidentally ingests it, then symptoms will start to brew.
While LCM is not deadly, Leptospirosis will definitely kill an individual if left unattended. Leptospirosis attacks the human central nervous system and eventually the brain, kidney, and other vital organs.

TERMITES

Termites are far-off cousins of cockroaches but behave like ants. In terms of characteristics, termites are more relatable to ants considering their social classes, behavior, and structure. They have a queen, workers, and warriors. Queens are in charge of keeping the colony alive with new termites; the workers find food and ensure that the colony walls remain sturdy; warriors, on the other hand, ensure that the colony is safe from all threats.

They burrow into the walls of your homes, your roofs, your cabinets, or any biodegradable component of your house. While termites may not be fatal to your health, it is detrimental to the welfare of your property.

Read more: Comprehensive Inspections and Solutions for Termite and Dry Rot

WASPS

Wasps are bee-like creatures but darker in color and longer in size. But both of them sting when threatened. They are most aggressive during the late summer when queens stop breeding new workers. Because of this, workers are forced to venture out in the open and search for sugary foods and are more likely to engage with people. Oftentimes, because of their looks, people are afraid of wasps. When fear takes control, humans respond aggressively, hence the wasps sting.

Wasp builds their nests near houses, such as on the roof. Stings are usually painful but not life-threatening; unless victims experience anaphylactic shocks.

These are only a few of the most common pests found in California. Sometimes they hide in the deepest parts of your closet or the darkest part of your garage. That is why it pays to be extra careful when venturing into this area of your house to avoid disturbing these pests. Better yet, have them removed by a professional. There are experienced contractors who can do the job with the right equipment and skill. DO NOT compromise the health and safety of your family and call Rocklin Pest Control.