Pests are notoriously difficult to deal with. They can cause significant damage and have an impact on people’s health and well-being.
They also smell bad and breed at a furious pace. It’s no wonder we all fear pests!
They’re a staple of horror movies, and they can be just as terrifying in real life. Here are some of the most horrifying pest control nightmares from exterminators on the front lines.
Flies
Flies are a huge problem in food processing and hospitality, pests can cause damage to property, spread diseases. They’re unhygienic, smelly and can spread disease to people and animals. A single fly is believed to carry up to 100 different kinds of germs. They breed at a furious rate in kitchens and outdoor bins and are extremely difficult to control.
Infestations of flying pests can have a serious impact on business reputation and financial losses. Customers and employees can become fearful and disgruntled. In some cases, they may even develop PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). People with PTSD often experience a variety of symptoms, such as nightmares, difficulty sleeping or concentrating, irritability and aggressive behavior.
There are many ways to prevent a fly infestation. Businesses should have the exterior and interior of their facilities regularly inspected and properly sprayed by a pest management professional. Flies can breed in a variety of places, including ripe or rotting fruit, garbage and recycling bins, and spilled liquids and animal waste. They can also enter buildings through open, screenless windows and doors or by following patrons inside from outside.
Other flying pests include bees and wasps. These pests can cause damage to property and can be a health risk to staff and guests with their stings. They can also contaminate food by depositing pathogens on surfaces they touch. Businesses should have their hives and nests professionally removed to ensure the safety of everyone on the premises.
While bees and wasps are beneficial to the environment, they can still cause a lot of problems for homeowners. They’re noisy and can make a nuisance of themselves. They can also destroy garden plants and eat their leaves. In addition, they can sting people and pets. It’s essential to have a pest control plan in place to stop them from entering the home and damaging property.
During the summer, it’s important to keep fly populations under control. If you have a large outdoor space that’s being used for entertaining, you should consider having your property professionally sprayed by a pest control company to prevent an infestation of flies and other flying pests.
Mice
Mice are one of the most common pests and can cause real stress for homeowners, especially those with young children. They can also pose serious health risks, spreading disease through their urine and faeces, gnawing on pipes, wires and contaminated food. Their constant gnawing can damage walls, cornices and floorboards as well as create fire risks from chewed wood.
Mice can find their way into homes through cracks and crevices, as well as open doors and windows. The most common signs of mice are droppings, greasy smudges on walls and cupboards, squeaking and scurrying noises, shredded paper and cardboard (used to make nests) and holes in the back of cupboards. They will also gnaw through wires creating fire hazards and can chew through wood, plastic and electrical cords.
Mouse infestations can be difficult to control because they are so agile and fast. Effective control involves good sanitation, rodent-proof construction and population reduction. The best way to stop them from coming in is to seal all entry points and keep food, water and shelter away from homes. This can be achieved by storing rubbish in sealed containers, sweeping up crumbs regularly, ensuring all food is stored properly and ensuring garbage bins have secure lids.
Mice also need shelter, so keeping sheds, garages and attics clean can help prevent them from becoming a home for them. Stacking firewood and lumber at least 8 inches off the ground, sealing cracks and gaps, keeping all trash in metal bins with tight-fitting lids and vacuuming regularly (including the backs of cupboards) can also prevent the establishment of a rodent colony.
Having a rodent problem can have a significant impact on your life, causing fear and anxiety and making you feel unclean. They can also affect your sleep and concentration and may even lead to self-destructive behaviour like drug or alcohol abuse. This is why it’s important to recognise the symptoms of a rodent infestation and to seek the assistance of a pest control professional. A professional can quickly assess the situation and take action to minimise the problem and protect your family or staff’s health and wellbeing.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs — those little bloodsuckers from the old nursery rhyme — are making headlines again, with infestations in hotels, homes, and even schools, hospitals, and trains. They appear to be developing resistance to insecticides and may also be resisting heat treatments. They are difficult to control and are a major public health issue, spreading easily from one place to another by attaching themselves to clothing or luggage.
While they primarily feed on humans, they will also bite animals and birds. They are nocturnal, but can be active during the day if hungry. They live in bedding and furniture, and will hide in cracks and crevices. Unlike other insects, they can survive months without feeding.
In the US, most reports of infestations come from apartments and housing, but they can occur in homes as well. A study of bed bug complaints in New York City from 2014 to 2020 found that the number of cases declined substantially, particularly in the higher income boroughs (Manhattan and Brooklyn). However, in lower income areas of the city, problems persisted.
A bed bug infestation can be a nightmare for residents, tenants, and staff. It can be expensive and time consuming to treat, and the pests can recur quickly. Often, the only way to eliminate them is to completely clean and repaint the affected rooms.
Regular inspections by occupants and pest management professionals can help to identify early infestations in their early stages. Those inspections can help to reduce the cost of treatment, because they will allow for targeted spraying of only the areas where bed bugs are most likely to be found.
Bedbugs hide in many places, including upholstered furniture, mattresses, box springs, baseboards, non-washable rugs and carpeting, and behind picture frames and smoke detectors. They can also be transported to work by employees on clothing or luggage. Offices may need to help workers diplomatically by counseling them that they are carrying home-infested items into their workplace, and that they should inspect their own personal belongings before they arrive.
To help prevent or detect a bed bug problem, regularly vacuum all occupied rooms and the surrounding area. Use a nozzle with a stiff brush attachment to scrub mattress seams, and to clean out corners and crevices. Remove and wash infested bedding and clothing, and steam clean draperies and curtains. Keep a record of where pests are found throughout the process, and make sure to check for bugs and eggs for a year after treatment to be sure the problem is entirely eradicated.
Roaches
Roaches are a homeowner’s worst nightmare, causing more property damage than storms and fires combined. They’re also known to spread diseases, including salmonella, hantavirus and leptospirosis. They’re especially dangerous for people with asthma and allergies, as their shed skin can irritate the lungs. They’re attracted to crumbs, trash and spills, and they can crawl into crevices and cracks around windows and doors, foundation and siding.
Pest infestations can have a profound impact on your physical and mental health. They can change how you perceive your home or office, triggering nightmares and flashbacks, and making you dread entering certain rooms. In addition, some pests can carry disease-causing bacteria and viruses and contaminate food and water supplies.
Pests can also cause significant structural damage to homes and businesses. For example, termites chew through wood and other materials, which can lead to costly repairs. They’re also able to chew through electrical wires, which can lead to fire hazards and electrocution. Lastly, rodents can cause costly structural damage by chewing through pipes and creating holes throughout your house.
The problem is, rodents don’t leave a lot of evidence that they’re present. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye out for gnawed wood, droppings and rodent tracks in your home or business. If you notice any of these signs, call a pest control professional right away to prevent the problem from getting worse.
One of the most shocking pest control horror stories involves a rat and a toilet. As you’re probably aware, rats love to live in sewers and drains. But what you may not know is that they can also crawl out of toilets, which can be very dangerous for people in their homes or businesses. To make matters even worse, rats can get stuck in pipes and block waste water systems. The good news is that you can help prevent this from happening by installing traps at your home or business. In fact, a simple rat trap can save you thousands of dollars in repair costs. So if you’re worried about a rat infestation, consider installing these easy-to-install traps in your home or business.
