HOME INVADERS: TOP 5 WEST TEXAS PESTS
If you live in West Texas, your home may play host to more guests than you may realize! The outdoors are teeming with tons of critters, and we’ve seen just about everything. Here’s a quick look at the top 5 West Texas Pests. Read on to learn how to identify and manage these common home invaders.
TOP PEST #1 ROACHES
Did you know that Texas is home to more cockroaches than any other state? With a title like that, it’s only natural that some of the billions of roaches throughout the state would find their way into your personal space. Roaches can survive on next to no food. They can find their way into homes via garbage, pets, and more. In addition to just being generally repulsive, roaches are also capable of carrying diseases, some of which can include salmonella, typhoid, and staphylococcus, among others!
TOP PEST #2 SPIDERS
For you arachnophobes out there, spiders are pests that probably need no further introduction! It’s important to be aware of the different dangerous spiders that could be present throughout your home. The brown recluse and black widow families (both found in West Texas) deliver a bite that can be life-threatening for both humans and pets. It is essential to treat poisonous spiders with caution.
TOP PEST #3 ANTS
Most West Texas residents are used to living with ants. Ants usually keep their distance and are harmless. Put them inside a home, however, and now you have a problem! While Lubbock is home to various ant species, pharaoh ants, Argentine ants, and red imported fire ants are most common. Ants can form colonies almost anywhere (both indoors and outdoors) and are active during both day and night, most commonly in very wet or arid conditions. While most ants don’t carry diseases, they can sting!
TOP PEST #4 FLEAS/TICKS
While they may come in many different shapes, sizes, and colours, fleas and ticks are both parasites that can cause various potentially dangerous problems for humans and pets. Their tendency to carry Lyme disease, tularemia, tapeworms, and more makes them a pest whose presence should not be taken lightly!
TOP PEST #5 KISSING BUGS
The Mexican Bed Bug or Triatomine bug, Kissing Bugs are typically found nesting in firewood piles. They can enter homes via open windows, doors, mesh screens, clothing, and pets. Much like fleas, ticks, and roaches, these bugs are vectors. Vectors carry diseases that can be harmful to any humans or pets that they come in contact with. Kissing Bugs cause Chagas, a disease that mimics other common illnesses, often with worse symptoms.
Bug Tech is experienced in managing these top West Texas pests that may wander inside your home. What kind of pests are you seeing? Let Bug tech help identify and develop a solution that fits your unique pest problem. Click below to let us know how we can help!
