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Household Perimeter Pests and their Control
"Perimeter pests" or "occasional invaders" are catch-all names for the various insects and other critters who occasionally wander into homes from the outside. Here are a few of the perimeter pests most commonly found in the Dayton area.
Sowbugs and Pillbugs
Sowbugs and pillbugs are not really "bugs." They're not even insects, in fact. They're crustaceans. They require a very high moisture level and breathe through gill-like structures. They're commonly found (often already dead) in basements and along the insides of exterior walls.
Control of sowbugs and pillbugs is mainly accomplished non-chemically, by cleaning up decaying organic matter and correcting excessive moisture situations. In some cases, exterior treatment with insecticides can help reduce entry of pillbugs and sowbugs into homes, but in most cases it is unnecessary.
Centipedes and Millipedes
Like sowbugs and pillbugs, centipedes and millipedes are not insects. There are many species of these creatures. Some require high moisture levels, but others are comfortable in dry areas. Most centipedes and millipedes are harmless, but a few species can inflict stings.
Control of centipedes and millipedes is primarily non-chemical, consisting of debris removal, correction of moisture problems, or exclusion. In some cases, insecticide treatment can be helpful as an adjunct to non-chemical control in cases of serious infestations.
Earwigs
Earwigs are small insects who survive primarily as scavengers who eat dead plant and animal matter. Despite their scary appearance and prominent pincers are their abdomens, they are harmless.
Earwig control is accomplished primarily through non-chemical means, especially cleaning up organic matter and correcting moisture problems. Exterior insecticide treatments may be used as an adjunct and to quickly reduce populations in serious cases.
Silverfish and Firebrats
Together known as "bristletails," silverfish and firebrats can be very difficult to exterminate once they enter a building. Silverfish prefer moist environments such as damp basements, pipe chases, and water-damaged wood. Firebrats prefer dry, hot environments such as furnace rooms and dry attics in the summer.
Control of silverfish or firebrats can be difficult. Control may involve non-chemical methods as well as treatment with desiccants, residual insecticides, and sticky traps. Sometimes treatment can be accomplished completely on the exterior of a home, especially when the insects are harboring under exterior siding.
Crickets
There are many species of crickets, almost all of which are primarily nocturnal and prefer dark, secluded environments. Generally speaking, they only become a problem when they enter homes, often taking up residence under decks, in crawl spaces, and in basements.
Treatment typically involves the use of sticky traps to rapidly reduce populations, and the use of interior and/or exterior insecticides or baits to maintain control. Granular baits containing boric acid are often very effective against crickets, but each situation is different.
Ticks
Ticks are parasitic arachnids who feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals.
Some tick species, such as the deer tick (shown on the right), have been implicated in the transmission of serious diseases. Deer ticks are known to transmit Lyme disease, while other ticks have been implemented in the transmission of human granulocytic and monocytic ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, relapsing fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever, tularemia, Q fever, and tick paralysis.
Control measures for ticks are highly individual based on the tick specie and the environmental factors accompanying a particular infestation.
Z-Best Pest Control provides quality termite and pest extermination services in Ohio's Miami Valley, including Dayton, Kettering, Miamisburg, West Carrollton, Springboro, Bellbrook, Vandalia, Englewood, Trotwood, Troy, Middletown, Wilmington, Xenia, Fairborn, Springfield, Centerville, Germantown, New Carlisle, Oakwood, Beavercreek, Gratis, Eaton, New Lebanon, Farmersville, Brookville, Lewisburg, Greenville, Medway, Union, Port William, Sabina, New Vienna, Blanchester, Waynesville and Lebanon; and Montgomery, Miami, Greene, Butler, Warren, Preble, and Clark Counties in Ohio. Today is
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