Homeowners in Phoenix, AZ who ignore pest problems in their homes run the risk of dealing with more serious issues in the future. Some pests, including those that are quite common, may cause property damage, come with health risks, and lead to long-term infestations that continue to grow out of hand and become more costly to treat. Knowing what some of these pests are, along with the dangers of ignoring them, is essential to combat a pest problem before it becomes a hazard to your home and health.
Termites
Termites thrive in hot weather, which means that the high temperatures in Arizona provide the perfect atmosphere for them to reproduce and thrive. Termites are commonly referred to as silent destroyers because they feed on wood and can go unnoticed until they cause significant damage. If left unchecked for a long enough period of time, termites may threaten the structural integrity of your home as they chew their way through support beams.
The larger the infestation, the greater the cost of repair and extermination, which may result in unsafe living conditions resulting in the need for major renovations. Termites are very destructive because they hollow out wooden structures from the inside, rendering them prone to collapse. Ordinarily, such internal damage remains hidden until it is too late, which results in expensive and the potential for extensive repairs that you can avert with early intervention.
Scorpions
Arizona is a state infamous for scorpions, especially the highly venomous Arizona bark scorpion. Scorpion stings are not only painful but also have the potential to be dangerous, especially to small children and elderly individuals. The Arizona bark scorpion is the most poisonous type of scorpion in the United States.
To make things even more concerning, these scorpions typically reach about 1.5 inches in length when they’re full-grown, making it easy for them to get into your home through tiny cracks and crevices. If you don’t address a scorpion issue right away, you’re likely to see a huge increase in the population, putting you and your household in greater danger.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are one of the most common pests, regardless of location. More than being a nuisance, cockroaches contaminate cleaned food, spread bacteria, worsen allergy symptoms, and create several problems for those with asthma or other respiratory issues. If you ignore an invasion by cockroaches, it allows these hardy creatures to reproduce rapidly. With their massive populations comes an increase in food poisoning and allergic reactions that may turn into a health crisis in your home.
Cockroaches are natural carriers of salmonella and E. coli, which leads to some of the worst cases of food poisoning. Their droppings and the skin they shed also lead to increased allergens in your home. A heavy infestation may take a lot of time and money to eradicate, so it is essential to start with pest control as soon as you recognize the problem.
Ants
Arizona is home to multiple species of ants, including fire ants and carpenter ants. If you are complacent about an ant problem, you may suffer painful stings from fire ants or severe property damage from carpenter ants. These ants look for food in your home and once they find it, it is very hard to eliminate them completely.
Carpenter ants may destroy wooden structures or cause structural damage if left untreated. Fire ants are very aggressive and cause a severe allergic reaction if you receive several bites. Female carpenter ants don’t typically lay many eggs, but a fully matured queen fire ant who receives food from worker ants can lay up to 800 eggs per day. With this in mind, it’s important to take steps to prevent ants from getting into your home, and if you recognize a problem you should act quickly to eradicate it.
Rodents
Rats and mice cause extensive damage to properties in these areas because they gnaw through wires, insulation, and even plumbing. If you ignore rodent infestation, then there is the possibility of acquiring diseases like hantavirus, leptospirosis, and others. Rodents can also ruin food and create filthy living conditions, threatening your safety further.
Rodents reproduce at high rates, resulting in large populations in very short periods. The droppings and urine from rodents may stain surfaces, provide further contamination to food, and create serious health hazards to your household.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are incredibly small pests that can get into your home on your luggage, by other people, and even on your clothing if you’ve been somewhere that has an infestation. If you ignore bed bugs, infestation happens quickly and creates an expensive problem to solve. Since bed bugs are small, they hide in very tiny cracks and lines in furnishings and other areas in your home, which creates extreme difficulty when trying to eliminate them.
They spread from room to room and from home to home, when attached, very rapidly. While there are some sprays and other cleaning materials available at some big-box retailers, these are not always effective. It’s common to need to replace mattresses, box springs, and bedding materials if you have a bed bug infestation, and the best way to eliminate them is to trust the professionals.
Spiders
While most spiders are harmless, there are a few dangerous types in Arizona, including the black widow, the Arizona blond tarantula, and the brown recluse. Unless you take care of a spider infestation right away, you have a greater risk of bites, which are extremely serious. In addition to their bites, Arizona blond tarantulas also eject bristles from their abdomens when they feel threatened.
In addition to these venomous spiders, Arizona is home to several other species. Even if the spiders in your home are not poisonous, you probably don’t want to deal with their presence. If you notice a single spider, you probably don’t have much to worry about, but if sightings become more common, it may be time to contact a professional.
Pigeons
Many people don’t consider pigeons as pests. The reality is that pigeons create serious problems in many areas. Droppings from pigeons have acid in them, which may start to erode metal structures, stonework, and other building materials.
The droppings may also cause health hazards because of diseases like histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and psittacosis, which may transfer to humans. Furthermore, pigeons harbor ticks and mites, which eventually infest homes and spread to pets and humans.
Legal and Liability Issues
If you’re a landlord, you need to respond to reports of pest infestations quickly. Not only do you want to protect your property, but you also need to protect yourself legally. A tenant may sue you because of the infestations, which may result in fines for violating health codes.
Proper pest control is a legal duty for property owners. Non-correction of pest problems typically results in lawsuits and increased financial penalties, as well as a worse reputation. These fees and costs incurred by the court and the potential necessity of reimbursing tenants are in addition to making the home healthy again.
Contact Us Today
At Green Home Pest Control in Phoenix, Arizona, we provide bed bug inspection, removal, and mosquito control for homes in the area. Our friendly team also provides termite removal, rodent control, and solutions for pigeon removal. Contact Green Home Pest Control for more information today!
