Imagine that you are having a quiet and lovely evening at home, and then you see a spider running across your living room. Your heart jumps, and you wonder if it is just a harmless house guest or potentially something far worse.
In reality, many pest species live in the United States and can threaten your health, your house, and your sanity. Whether disease-carrying mosquitoes or venomous spiders, these unwanted houseguests can transform your sanctuary into a breeding ground for endless anxiety.
Although some pest encounters can be handled with a DIY remedy, other situations call for support from the best pest control company.
Which Are The Most Dangerous Pests Found In The USA?
1. Black Widow Spiders
These shiny black spiders certainly pack a wallop of neurotoxic venom. They are located all around the continental US and have a painful bite that can lead to intense muscle spasms, trouble breathing, and in rare instances, death. You can spot them by the red hourglass marking on their abdomen.
2. Brown Recluse Spiders
Brown spiders produce a bite leading to local tissue necrosis and are mainly found in the southern and midwestern states. The venom destroys skin cells, resulting in painful wounds that may take months to heal and may need medical attention.
3. Africanized Honey Bees (“Killer Bees”)
They have migrated from the southern U.S. and are now out of control, more aggressive than their cousins, the European bees. They swarm in greater numbers and follow threats farther away. Bee stings kill around 100 Americans a year, according to the CDC.
4. Mosquitoes
Do not underestimate these tiny bloodsuckers. They transmit many disease agents, including West Nile virus, Zika, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. According to the American Mosquito Control Association, more than 300 million Americans are bothered by mosquitoes each year.
5. Ticks
Ticks spread Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and other diseases. It is common in wooded areas throughout northeastern and upper midwestern states.
How Can You Stay Safe From These Pests?
1. Prevention Is Your First Line of Defense
First, remove the standing water around your house. This simple task eliminates breeding grounds for mosquitoes and creates drier areas that are not friendly for ticks. Keep the foliage trimmed back from the foundation and seal cracks where spiders may enter.
2. Know When to Call the Professionals
Some situations require expert intervention. If you find a severe infestation or scary snakes, do not remove them by yourself! Establishments like Presto Pest Control are trained to deal with such scenarios and have both the equipment and the training to handle such dangerous situations.
3. Personal Protection Measures
Wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors in areas with a lot of ticks. DEET is the most common active ingredient in EPA-approved insect repellents. Be sure to check yourself and your pets for ticks and remove them immediately with fine-tipped tweezers.
4. Home Maintenance Matters
Frequent cleaning makes it harder for pests to find a home. Vacuum often, especially in the corners and under furniture, which are spiders’ natural habitats. Do not clutter your house; pests love undisturbed places.
How Do These Pests Make Their Way To Your Home?
The cracks and gaps that are found on the exterior of your home act as superhighways to spiders and other crawling residents of the outdoors. Look near windows, doors, and where utilities enter your residence. Surprisingly large intruders can fit through even small holes.
Pests often come indoors due to weather changes. On hot summer days, they look for cool, moist areas. During the winter, they search for shelter away from the cold. The residence for unwanted guests moves to your basement, attic, or crawl space.
Having overgrown vegetation allows you to slowly transition from the outside world to your home. Pests are more than happy to turn shrubs touching your house, overhanging tree branches, and tall grass into highways right to your property.
