New homeowners and homeowners who have held onto the family home for generations collectively shudder at the mention of termites and woodworm. Either of these pests can destroy a home or at the very least cost the homeowner thousands of dollars in repairs. Any part of a home that was crafted from wood is vulnerable to attack. What are the usual suspects in these crimes against homes? Well, here are a few of the most common home-wrecking insects.
1. Termites
The best known, and perhaps the most dreaded of all the nasty pests that can destroy a home, are termites. These little critters live in swarms - if you see one (unlikely), you can be certain that there are thousand more of them chomping away at the wood structure of a home. They can be hard to detect but spotting mud tunnels or noting and floors sagging are two tip-offs as to their presence. Another way of ascertaining their whereabouts is to tap on wood in any part of the home - a hollow sound may mean termites. Three major classes of these household invaders are Formosan termites, drywood termites, and subterranean termites.
2. Woodworm
Not a specific species, woodworm is the larval stage of several wood boring insects such as ambrosia beetles, black borer beetles, furniture beetles, deathwatch beetles, longhorn beetles, powder post beetles, and weevils. They can raise havoc in the larval stage when they burrow beneath the wood and as adults when they exit the wood via exit holes.
3. Ants
These pesky pests are no fun at a picnic and most people certainly don’t want to live with them. They come in all sizes from little black ants to army ants. No cook wants them invading her foodstuffs and most species bite!
4. Cockroaches
All they need are warmth, water, and nesting sites to make a house a place of horror. The nocturnal pests can also cause serious health risk to people who suffer from asthma. But perhaps the worst thing about having cockroaches scurrying around your home is the mental image of such a vile insect living so nearby.
5. Bedbugs
They feed on blood and are the bane of hotels and their visitors around the world. Their bites are not dangerous but they are very itchy and leave unsightly red bumps on their victims.
6. Spiders and Tarantulas
Simply put, these creepy crawlies belong in the garden. Some species of spider, such as the black widow and brown recluse, pose a very real and present danger to your health, but most household spiders are actually harmless and help cut down on the number of flies in the area where they live. Tarantulas may look terrifying and their bite is typically painful, but not usually a health threat, although should you get bitten it’s always a good idea to consult a doctor.
7. Moths
Most often spotted at night, they are a nuisance pest more than anything else. They won’t destroy the structure of your home but they aren’t your woollen sweaters’ best pal either. In fact, moths are quite partial to garments made of silk, felt, fur, and feathers so make sure you keep them well away from your wardrobe.
8. Rodents
Rats and mice not only destroy and contaminate food in the home, but they also harbor and transmit diseases. They can also be the vehicle for other pests such as fleas, lice, and ticks, which present additional health risks. However, apart from the potential damage to your health that these rodent pests present, it is often the noise of them scurrying around in the loft late at night that most frustrates people!
About the author
This is a guest post from Mark Brown who writes about home management and personal finance for Money Compare, an Australian money comparison website where you can compare term desposits and home loans from a range of banks and issuers.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
My gandmother had a problem with bugs so every spring she’d line the house with lime on the outside and boric acid on the inside didn’t see a bug ,ant or spider after that
I hate cockroaches! I have them in my flat and I can not get rid of them. i tried everything, but without much success. Any advice?
the photos are so good!
New homeowners and homeowners who have held onto the family home for generations collectively shudder at the mention of termites and woodworm.