Common residential pests in California include bedbugs, mosquitos, termites, spiders, and rodents. It’s no secret that southern California has a lot of pests. From insects to rodents, it’s likely you’ve dealt with an infestation at some point. In this blog, we are going to go through some of the more common residential pests in southern California, and how to manage them.
Mosquitos
Mosquitos are very common pests residents deal with during the summer season in California. Whether you’re trying to hold your family BBQ, or going to outdoor events, mosquitos feel like an unavoidable pest of the season. But as common as they are, how much do you actually know about them? Here are some mosquito facts:
Generally, the only thing to worry about with mosquitos is an itchy bite. However, while rare, they can carry deadly diseases such as West Nile Virus.
Mosquitos like to hang out near warm stagnant water, which they use to lay their eggs.
There are many mosquito repellents you can apply to keep them away, such as DEET, Picaridin, and eucalyptus oil. Citronella candles or sprays, repellent wristbands, or essential oils.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are more common than you might think, and have made a resurgence over the past decade. If you find yourself dealing with a bed bug infestation, you're not alone, and the best thing you can do is act quickly. Find more info on bed bug treatment in Southern California here.
Bed bugs look like flat ovals with a light reddish-brown shell. Bed bugs are experts at hiding, in the seams of mattresses, headboards, and in clutter around a bed. Bed bugs usually only come out at night to feed. Bed bugs can infest anything, regardless of hygiene or cleanliness. Here are some ways to detect an infestation:
While bed bugs are good at hiding, their feces can be easier to detect, especially on a mattress or bed frame. Their feces look like an oval black dot, which they leave around the places they frequent most.
Their eggs are white cylinders, however, they usually will find a hiding spot for these, such as behind furniture, under beds, or even in vents.
Bed bug bites are similar to other bug bites, and depend on the specific allergic reaction of the victim. In general, it is best to be cautious if you get an insect bite in your own home. If you notice a bug bite while sleeping, it's best to check for bed bugs immediately.
Bed bugs can multiply rapidly, and are hard to “starve out” as they can survive without a host to feed on for months. The best way to deal with bed bugs is to seek professional help immediately.
Termites
Termites are another common pest Southern Californian residents deal with often, especially during the warmer months. Termites are sometimes called white ants, due to how similar they look. You can find the difference between termites and ants by looking for a white or clear outline on their head, thorax, and abdomen.
Due to their ability to quickly chew through wood, termites cause $5 billion in property damage every year.
While termites might hide out during the winter, don’t be fooled! Once they have made their nests on your property, they will come back in the warmer months. With termites, it’s important to act quickly, as termites can cause structural problems in a house or lawn before you know it. If you or someone you know needs emergency termite treatment in Southern California, we've got you covered!
Spiders
Most spiders are friendly; eating bugs that could otherwise infest your house. However, while rare, Southern California is home to some venomous spiders that can cause more severe harm, one of these being the black widow.
How to Identify a Black widow:
You can identify a black widow by looking for two red or orange spots on its underside. Additionally, their webs are sticky, and undefined, which is typical of most widow spiders.
Black widows tend to stay close to the ground, either in burrows of other animals or under woodpiles.
Black widows will only bite you if you pose a threat to their eggs, otherwise, they are more than happy to run away. Their bites can be fatal, however, with proper medical treatment, this is near-impossible. The severity of symptoms can still vary but include nausea, cramps, chills, fevers, and severe high blood pressure.
Be careful and wear gloves if you are going to deal with them. If you have a full nest of widows, more protective gear may be needed. Black widows are rare in residential areas, but 2,500 people per-year seek medical services due to black widow bites.
Rodents
It's very common for Cali residents to deal with rodent infestations. The two most common rodent species to make their way into your house are mice and rats. These two types of rodents have many similarities:
Mice and rats both have distinct black droppings. When cleaning or sanitizing rodent mess, it’s best to wear a mask and gloves, in order to avoid diseases that can be caused by touching or breathing in the fumes from their excrements.
Mice and rats are attracted to any food that may be left out. Whether it's an open pantry, unclean surfaces, or trash without a tight lid, they are much more likely to stick around.
Both species are easily able to fit into openings the size of a pencil, which is how they make their way into your house.
What Is the Difference Between Mice and Rodents?
The most noticeable difference between rats and mice is their size. Rats are typically much larger than mice and can be almost a foot in length.
While most mice are brown, rats are either black (Black Rats) or gray (Norway Rats).
Rats can chew through electrical wiring, as well as wood, and are known for making burrows into your floor or walls.
Mice are curious, whereas rats are cautious. Mice will walk into a trap, but rats require a little more effort. It is better to leave an un-set trap in the area first so the rat can get used to it, before replacing it with a set trap.
