Pest infestations are annoyances at best and severe health hazards at worst. As has certainly been demonstrated during the last year, zoonotic diseases are a significant concern to global public health—and many pests are carriers of such diseases.
Pest control is an integral part of sanitary and health standards in a community. Like all places, the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area has its common pests that residents should keep an eye out for.
1. Bed Bugs
Dallas-Fort Worth often finds itself listed among the worst bed bugs-affected cities in the United States. They’re especially common in congregant living settings like multi-family homes and apartment buildings. They do not carry any diseases, but they bite and leave behind itchy welts that some people are allergic to, and they can also cause psychological damage.
Easy ways to combat bed bug infestation include removing their hiding spots using protective coverings on mattresses and box springs. Also, make sure that you do not bring used furniture into your home unless you can confirm that it originated from a bed-bug-free property.
2. Rodents
Rodents are among the most dangerous pests on this list since they host many potentially fatal zoonotic diseases like salmonella, rat-bite fever, and hantavirus. Some ways to combat the significant health hazard of a rodent invasion include:
- If you stack wood on your property, keep the pile at least 30 feet from your house, since wood piles tend to be ideal spots for mice nests.
- Seal off cracks in the foundation, as well as gaps around doors and window frames.
- Store all food in well-sealed containers, especially any dry goods in a pantry setting that often go unchecked.
- Trim trees away from your home so rodents can’t use them as pathways to your house.
3. Cockroaches
Cockroaches are also reasonably common in congregant living settings. They’re not only an annoyance to deal with but also can lead to the spread of many diseases, especially those of parasitic origin. Their carrying of parasites and other illnesses, combined with their ability to sustain under harsh conditions, make them a grave threat to public health.
Since prevention is still the best way to control a cockroach infestation, make your home less hospitable to roaches by:
- Sweeping up any crumbs, especially in dark, hard-to-reach places like under the refrigerator and oven.
- Regularly cleaning the garbage disposal and taking out the trash.
- Not leaving dirty dishes sitting in the sink.
4. Mosquitoes
Apart from causing annoying, itchy red bites, mosquitoes are well known to be vectors of several potentially fatal diseases like West Nile Virus, Zika Virus, and Dengue Virus. Fortunately, it is relatively easy to control and prevent a mosquito infestation since their places of origin are easy to trace.
- Don’t leave standing water around your home or yard like in gutters, kiddie pools, and plant pots.
- Be sure you have window screens without holes or tears.
- Make sure to use a mosquito net if your home is located near large stretches of forest or bodies of water.
- Repair cracks or gaps (if any) in your septic tanks and cover open vents and plumbing.
5. Spiders
Most spiders are not venomous and are more a scary sight than a health hazard. However, all spider bites can cause pain and itching and are often signs of substandard sanitary conditions and other pest infestations. The Dallas-Fort Worth area is also home to brown recluse and black widow spiders, which can be more dangerous.
Spiders are generally carried into homes on clothing, other items that sit outside for a while and then are brought indoors. Thus, an easy way to prevent them from infesting your home is to regularly examine yourself and anything you’re bringing inside, like sports equipment and outdoor furniture that’s being stored. Also, spiders are typically lured by other insect infestations, as other pests are vital food sources for arachnids. Although some see moderate spider presence as a net benefit to limiting other pest numbers, it is crucial to address the other bugs in your house to mitigate spider presence.
Know When To Call a Professional
Pest infestations can quickly get out of control, and it’s always best to think of prevention strategies before you reach that point. However, hiring professional pest control in Dallas, Texas, has some critical advantages over homemade solutions.
They’re experts in the field and are equipped to deal with virtually every household pests with specialized equipment that will end up being cheaper in the long run when it comes to severe infestations. Unlike when you undertake pest control yourself, professionals are less likely to cause additional damage to your home.
Whether you’re able to handle a pest issue yourself or find that you need to call in professionals, remember to keep calm. Many people feel overwhelmed by pest issues, but keep in mind that there is always a solution.