You may think the annoying kid down the street or your Uncle Frank is the least wanted guest in your home over the holiday season, but the tiny little pests you may not see can cause considerably more damage. Although there is no official list for the most despised urban pests, your irritation levels for each pest may be based on your geographical area, the type of building you live in, and your own personal experience.
We’ve put together a list of the 10 most unwanted urban guests so you can keep an eye out for their irritating presence.
Argentine Ants
Argentine ants originated from Brazil and Argentina, and are now a common presence throughout the southern US and California. Dealing with Argentine ants requires a specialist, as they are persistent in returning to and invading your home.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are a real issue in homes, hotels, and other lodging areas throughout the entire nation. Bed bugs show up in nursing homes, condominiums, apartments, cruise ships, and universities, just to name a few. Bed bugs will catch a ride on human travelers, making it difficult to control their spread. They may also simply walk to a new place on their own six legs.
Fruit Flies
These pests are particularly annoying, especially in commercial food operations. They may show up and breed in the tiniest amounts of fermenting liquids or rotting fruits and vegetables. Fruit flies may even reside in contaminated mop water or a dirty mop.
German Cockroach
Although cockroaches are high on the list of pests you don’t want to see in your home, they are fairly easily controlled by experts. Cockroaches can exist in tiny spaces and are incredibly resilient, making it necessary to call a pest control company when you notice a problem.
House Flies
House flies are likely to transmit organisms from fecal material to food ingested by humans in sensitive sites. House flies are a common nuisance throughout the country, particularly during certain times of the year.
House Mouse
House mice are loathed and feared by many humans. Mice can live in high numbers in any building with little to no evidence that they exist. House mice have a high breeding potential, and are incredibly successful at staying hidden from the average eye.
Indianmeal Moth
The Indianmeal Moth can breed into exceedingly high numbers in stored food products. They may reside anywhere food is stored and are considered the number one pest in any type of stored food.
Odorous House Ant
These ants are natives of the US and can be found virtually anywhere. Colonies may be large with quite a few queens, and there may be several nests located within one single building.
Subterranean Termite
Underground termite colonies can contain millions of tiny termites, and costs millions of dollars in damage to the average building. They feed on wood and love an environment that is warm and moist with food sources.
Yellowjacket
Yellowjackets wasps are considerably more aggressive when they are protecting their colonies. These stings are particularly painful, and they may sting several times.
Professional Pest Management
Here at Planet Orange, we understand the habits and behaviors of these irritating pests, and can ensure that your home is free and clear of the things that scare and disgust you via our green pest control methods. Learn more on our website!