The Pelican State is famous for many things – Jazz music, Creole and Cajun cuisine, and the world-famous Mardi Gras. However, the state’s fluctuating weather and bayous can make it a little welcoming to pests and wildlife, which can sometimes make it into your home. These pests can proceed to eat and contaminate your food, transmit infectious diseases to you and your pets, and more. Below, we look at the most common pests that give Louisiana homeowners a headache and how you can spot them.
Mice
Mice keep Shreveport, LA residential pest control experts busy all year round, but especially in Winter. House mice love to find dark, dank places to nest and can usually be found in basements, attics, and inside walls. Sadly, their small size is indirectly proportional to the amount of damage that can cause to your home. Nice gnaw on wires, tear into carpets and curtains, and eat produce. They can also carry and transmit diseases like Hantavirus. If you have mice in your home, you will notice droppings, chewed wires, signs of nesting like shredded paper, a urine-like odor, and rustling noises.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches, particularly German cockroaches, have the knack for crawling out of their hiding places at the most inconvenient time. Like mice, they like to hole up in warm, dank places and will usually take up residence in your kitchen, pantry, or bathroom. You will also find cockroaches in wet areas, such as near drains and water sources. The most common signs of a roach infestation include cockroach eggs, which are red or brownish shells, tiny droppings, and a greasy odor.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are common in areas of Louisiana with dense populations and swamps. Left untreated, these insects can cause itching, skin problems, and allergic reactions. Bed bugs are also often very painful and uncomfortable and can make sleeping a nightmare. This is why it is crucial to call an exterminator the minute you discover an infestation. Signs that will alert you to bed bugs in your home include black dots in your sheets (bed bug droppings), pale yellow skins and eggshells, and reddish or rusty stains on bed sheets or mattresses.
Spiders
Spiders come inside in the Louisiana winter to follow their prey and find other food sources. You will usually find these eight-legged arachnids in crawl spaces, attics, and other dark rooms. To spot a spider infestation in your home, look for obvious signs like spiders crawling on walls and spider webs. Other signs include egg sacs and an influx of flying insects in your house.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes and their constant buzzing can be a nuisance. Beyond the inconvenience, however, these insects can expose you and your loved ones to a wide range of diseases, including Zika and West Nile. You will notice mosquitoes from their buzzing, the painful bites, and the presence of stagnant water around your home.
If You Notice Signs of an Infestation, Call Pest Control
Your first line of action when you notice these or other pests in your home is to contact a pest control firm like Anti-Pest. Pest control experts familiar with the Louisiana area know exactly what pests plague many homes and how to eliminate them. The experts at Anti-Pest, for instance, can eliminate over 20 pests and proof your home from further infestation by performing exterior treatments, clearing spider webs, and more. Contact the team today to discuss your pest concerns further.
