Bugs in your home aren’t just off-putting and gross, but they can be bad for your health and destroy your property. With so many common household bugs to watch out for in Arizona, it can seem like a full-time job trying to do DIY pest control. Luckily, there are better alternatives to keeping your home safe from insects year-round, and we’ve written a comprehensive guide to doing it.
In this piece, we’ll cover:
- What are these bugs in my house?
- Most common household bugs in Arizona
- Signs of pest infestations in your home
- Year-round pest protection
What Are These Bugs in My House?
Whether it’s tiny black bugs, unidentified beetles, or termites making noise in your walls, it can be unnerving to see the first signs of an insect infestation in your house. Over-the-counter pest control rarely works and is especially ineffective if you don’t know what you’re dealing with.
In Arizona, the desert climate attracts bugs and insects, and they are most likely searching for food, water, and shelter. You don’t want to spend your hard-earned money to let these bugs live rent-free, though, so here are the most common household bugs in Arizona to watch for:
Most Common Household Bugs:
- Termites
Termites are some of Arizona’s most common and invasive threats to your property. Arizona sits on one of the most active subterranean termite belts in the country, meaning there are millions of predatory insects looking to make a meal and a home out of yours. Signs of termites include rotted wood, termite tunnels, and sawdust-like droppings. If you see these signs of termite infestation, it’s time to act quickly.
- Ticks
Arizona is home to 30 species of ticks, meaning this common pest is undoubtedly a year-round problem. The brown dog tick is one of the most common ticks to make it into your home. True to its name (and like many other species), they will burrow in pets but can also feed on humans. Be on the lookout for these pests on your animals or as you are out in nature. If you or someone in your home is bitten, get antibiotic treatment immediately.
- Ants
Ants are some of the most persistent pests in Arizona – and they take over a home quickly. While they aren’t directly harmful to humans, they can track in bacteria, ruin your food products, and make it difficult to be in a kitchen. When you see many ants, they usually look for food or water. While they are exceedingly visible as a sign of an infestation, you should also look for piles of dirt and soil where they nest and try to trace their path back to their primary locale to rid yourself of them.
- Crickets
Crickets are looking for water, shelter, and food, including fabric and other textiles. They also are looking to play music for you and your family if they infest your home, so early prevention of cricket infestation is extremely important. If you see holes in your clothes, droppings, or stains on furniture, that can be a good first clue that crickets are in your house. There’s also the chirping noise, but you may already need professional pest control services by then.
- Scorpions
Scorpions are some of the most feared pests found in Arizona. The four common species are the Arizona Bark Scorpion, Hairy Scorpion, Stripetail Scorpion, and Yellow Scorpion.
Scorpions search for food, water, and shelter throughout your home, especially in damp, dark crevices. Scorpions typically eat insects and arachnids – meaning if there are more pests around your property in general, it is more likely that you risk a scorpion infestation in your home.
- Mosquitos
Mosquitos are banes year-round, but especially between March and October. They swarm during the hotter nights, and their bites can spread illness while also being very uncomfortable.
- Cockroaches
Cockroaches are unsettling to see, health threats, and can be destructive forces to your property. Roaches can enter your home through drains, cracks in your walls, and any other small spaces in your home. Cockroach infestations are challenging to remove with DIY products, and if you see one, there are likely many more. Look for chewed on food and droppings as signs of a cockroach infestation.
Signs of Pest Infestation in Your Home
Though each bug might have a distinct warning sign or marker it leaves behind, many pest infestations will have overlapping signs.
Some of the more common signs of bugs in your home include:
- Bug bites
- Odors from drains, furniture, or structures
- Dead bugs in or around your property
- Tracks or markings on walls
- Damage to plants or textiles
- Repetitive noises
- Seeing live bugs
If you are concerned about the possibility of a potential insect infestation, we recommend contacting a pest control company near you immediately. At a minimum, you can have your questions answered by an expert technician or schedule an on-site appraisal.
How to Get Year-Round Pest Protection
To best protect your home from insects and other pests year-round, there are several things you can do.
The first step is to make sure that you are following these basic pest-prevention principles regularly:
- Keep garbage cans covered and away from living spaces.
- Wipe down all surfaces regularly to deter pests.
- Remove all standing water from your yard or garage.
- Reduce clutter and debris anywhere pests may nest.
- Seal all cracks in your foundation, windows, and doors.
In addition to these basics, it is prudent to schedule regular pest control. It may not be necessary to do quarterly pest control, but it is wise to get at least an annual appraisal from a professional pest control service. In the long run, having an expert appraise your home pest situation and use the most modern technology to potentially treat it will save you time and money while making your life easier.
Insectek is Arizona’s Leading Pest Control Service Provider
At Insectek, we know how important it is to have a pest-free home. Our expert technicians work with residents to ensure that any infestations are removed efficiently, and you have a high-quality, year-round pest prevention plan in place.
If you’re looking to protect your home, family, and health, please reach out to us today to schedule an appointment. We’d love to help!
