Occasional invaders are insects and other pests that occasionally and randomly enter your Cleveland home or other structures, many times in large numbers. They’re always on the lookout for shelter, food, and water.
Most occasional invaders spend most of their time, and even breed, outdoors. They start to head indoors when the conditions that help them survive are better. For this reason, it’s important to know why these invaders come into your home, and what you can do to make your home an unwelcome environment for them.
Occasional invaders can really make a nuisance out of themselves. There are some that bite, sting, emit gross smells, ruin your plants, stain drapes and furniture, and damage your carpet and other fabrics. On top of the destruction they’re causing in your home, many pests track disease-causing bacteria and germs, and their feces and shed skins can cause allergies and asthma for you, your family, and your pets.
What Are Common Occasional Invader Pests?
Common occasional invaders at different times of the year include:
- Boxelder bugs
- Spiders
- Centipedes
- Crickets
- Earwigs
- Ladybugs
- Millipedes
- Pillbugs
- Scorpions
- Silverfish
- Beetles
- Mites
- Slugs
- Springtails
- Stink bug
How do I Stop Bugs from Coming in My House?
No doubt you’ve seen an occasional invader (or several) at some point inside your house. Here are 5 things you can do to help keep them out.
- Seal and repair cracks, crevices, and other entry points
Occasional invader control begins outside by caulking cracks around windows, doors, siding, and screening around utility pipe entry points. Repair or replace damaged window and door screens, as well as damaged weather stripping and loose bricks/mortar.
- Ventilate and reduce moisture and leaks
You should always be on the lookout to repair leaks in and outside of your home, especially in basements, kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and crawlspaces. Fix clogged drains and moldy wood. If their is water-damaged wood, use a dehumidifier.
- Yardwork
Make sure to mow your lawn regularly, and to trim tree branches and shrubs away from the side of your home (at least 6 to 12 inches). Keep your lawn free of leaf and grass debris, loose boards, and large stones. Keep firewood at least 20 feet away from your house and up off the ground, if possible. Keep mulch away from being right up against your home.
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- Yellow lighting
Many occasional invaders (e.g., stink bugs) are attracted to bright light, so you may want to use yellow outdoor lighting as much as possible, to make your home less attractive to these pests. Shade your windows so you never have indoor lights shining outward.
You don’t have to put in a lot of time and effort to keep occasional invader pests out of your Cleveland home. For times when occasional invaders enter your home in large numbers, you should consider calling a pest control company. You will likely end up saving yourself a lot of time, money, and stress. Contact our Kingwood, TX pest control experts today! We can effectively make your house a bug-free experience for you and your family!
