How do you deal with pests? Sometimes, we’re confident in taking on pest removal without professional help, but there’s a reason why such help exists.
In this blog on the types of pests treated by pest control, we’ll look at the following questions:
- What are the most common pests treated by pest control companies?
- What are the 5 major categories of pests?
- What type of pests needs the most maintenance for pest control?
- What is the most common form of pest control?
What are the Most Common Pests Treated By Pest Control Companies?
Pest populations vary depending on the region and climate. Unfortunately, Arizona is home to a handful of pests that can harm your home and family without intervention. Pest control is commonly called for some of the most destructive pests, including the following:
What are the 5 Major Categories of Pests?
An exterminator’s approach to pest control will depend on what type of pests they’re dealing with. Pests can be divided into five major categories: arthropods, vertebrates, weeds, pathogens, and nematodes.
Arthropods
Arthropods include insects, mites, ticks, and spiders. Due to their variety, arthropods can live in several different spots in a home, with some being a bigger problem than others. Insects are the largest group of arthropods identifiable by their six legs and three body parts (think of an ant, for example). Some have wings while others don’t, but all types lay eggs, making the presence of a few put your home at risk of an insect infestation.
Vertebrates
Vertebrates are animals with backbones. The most common vertebrate pests include rodents and birds. Pests like rats and mice carry potential diseases that can be easily spread onto surfaces and foods. While birds are less commonly handled with pest control, some, like woodpeckers, can cause damage to the home and require intervention. Mammals can be detrimental to crops in the yard due to their diets and preferred breeding grounds (e.g., rabbits damaging lawns and moles digging holes in gardens).
Weeds
Weeds not only rob nearby plants of water and nutrients, but they also attract pests that feed on decaying organic matter and overgrowth, like cockroaches, gnats, and flies. Maintaining yards, gardens, and lawns is essential to avoid a bigger problem in the long run.
Pathogens
Another pest that many may forget about is pathogens. Pathogens are organisms that cause diseases. These typically include fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Fungi can live and feed on other organisms, essentially existing as parasites. Bacteria can be spread through other pests like rats and cockroaches.
An infestation can lead to dangerous bacteria spreading to surfaces and food, putting people at risk of becoming sick. Viruses can cause diseases in humans, animals, and plants. Like bacteria, other pests carry viruses and spread them in a home. They also deteriorate plants and cause sickness.
Nematodes
Nematodes are tiny worms that live in water and soil. They’re pests due to the damage they cause plants. Their presence is indicated by the small holes they leave behind on leaves and petals. A nematode infestation may leave leaves shades of yellow or brown. The holes they create in plants make them more susceptible to diseases, escalating the damage.
What Type of Pests Needs the Most Maintenance for Pest Control?
Pest maintenance for infestations is always essential regardless of the types of pests. That said, certain types of pests are more challenging to eliminate and control: termites, bed bugs, and cockroaches.
- Termites cause damage to building infrastructure, and they reproduce rapidly. They’re difficult to spot, and pest infestations can occur seemingly out of nowhere. Some pests, like ants, will pass away as a whole if the queen dies. Termites will restart a colony even after their queen is killed, making it much more difficult to break down the population. It takes multiple pest control sessions and maintenance to eliminate termites and prevent them from returning.
- Bed Bugs are resistant to many over-the-counter insecticides. They live in large numbers, so they’ll return if even a few of the population aren’t eliminated. Bed bugs are also skilled at hiding even in groups, so an infestation can occur before a person is even aware of the problem.
- Cockroaches are among the most challenging pests to kill due to their adaptability to their environment, rapid reproduction, immunity to certain poisons, and overall resilience. A cockroach’s exoskeletal strength allows it to withstand forces 300 times its body weight when traversing the smallest crevices and up to nearly 900 times its body weight without injury. While roaches only live around 100 days, they can quickly adapt to their surroundings and reproduce to carry on their population. Over-the-counter insecticides may do nothing to a cockroach infestation, but pest control experts have the tools to get rid of cockroaches and prevent future pest problems.
What is the Most Common Form of Pest Control?
The most common types of pest control use insecticides and pesticides. These are known as chemical pest control methods. Other methods can include physical pest management like traps and baits, but depending on the severity of an infestation, these may prove insufficient on their own. Pest control companies have, in recent years, begun adapting to include a combination of pesticides and organic methods to minimize the need for harsh chemicals.
