What You Need To Know About Pests In Brandon, Missouri
Insects, arachnids, rodents, wildlife, and more become pests when they live where they don’t belong, like in our yards and homes. Taking the time to understand more about pest control in the Brandon region and the most common pests is the best way to keep them away from you, your family, and your property. Learn about the common household pests that regularly call Brandon, Missouri, home with the help of the below pest guide.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are insects that crawl onto the bodies of their sleeping hosts and use their piercing, sucking mouthparts to consume blood meals. Both male and female bed bugs feed exclusively on blood. Because their preferred host is humans, bed bugs are pests that can find their way into any of our homes.
One of the biggest reasons bed bugs are so difficult to control and prevent is their ability to hide out of our sight. Their flat oval bodies squeeze into the tight cracks and crevices throughout a home, remaining unnoticed until their populations increase and signs of their presence are noticed.
Signs that bed bugs may have found a way into your home include seeing dark streaks or drops of blood on mattresses or bedding; discovering piles of shed insect skins under mattresses, floors, or drawers; noticing a sweet, musty odor in your home; or waking up with unexplained bug bites.
Call the Brandon pest control experts at Green Leaf Pest Services for the best bed bug control near you.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are resourceful insects that live worldwide. There are more than 4,000 different types of cockroaches, with a small number of the total having become regular invaders of our homes and businesses. The cockroach that has adapted to living inside structures with people and is the most problematic is the German cockroach. German cockroaches move with ease from one structure to another by hitchhiking.
Cockroaches multiply quickly and thrive in warm, humid areas of our homes. Just a couple finding their way into your home can trigger an extensive, difficult-to-control infestation. Even the cleanest of houses can host a cockroach infestation. In addition to feeding on crumbs found in the kitchen, pantry, and behind furniture and appliances, cockroaches can consume paper, toothpaste, soap, hair, and nail clippings.
The following prevention tips will help you minimize the chance of your home being overrun by these unsanitary, unpleasant pests. Regularly remove trash from your home and property. Always inspect items you are bringing into your home for hitchhiking cockroaches. Store dry goods in air-tight containers and perishable items in the fridge. Regularly clean your home, especially behind large items that can hide crumbs and other debris.
If you are in need of commercial pest control, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Moles
The best word to describe the mole is “unique.” They have a distinct appearance; moles have chunky, cylindrical bodies, short necks, and pointed noses. Their large teeth, paddle-like front feet, and large toenails allow them to tunnel through the soil to create their tunnels. Moles are not rodents; they are insectivorous mammals, meaning they feed on insects.
You don’t want moles taking over your yard for many reasons. As moles dig to forage for their insect prey, they damage and kill grass, landscaping plants, and flowers. Moles can also carry and spread parasites, putting your health at risk. The dirt mounds at their tunnel entrances and exits are unsightly and make mowing difficult, and leftover tunnels can provide homes for rodents and other wildlife.
Controlling moles is difficult since they spend the majority of their lives underground. Yards located near fields, parks, and other large open spaces are most susceptible to problems with moles. However, any well-maintained yard offering them plenty of food sources can become home to these pests. To remove and prevent future problems with moles, get assistance from a local and experienced pest professional.
Rodents
Rodents are a type of mammal; most live outside, away from people. The exception to that rule is the mouse and rat. These two species thrive living near people and are frequent invaders of our homes.
One of the biggest differences between the two species is their size. The adult rat is larger than the adult mouse. Rats have blunt heads and long, scaly, hairless tails. Mice have oval bodies and more triangular heads, and their ears and long tail have a light layer of fur covering them. Both are opportunistic pests that will take advantage of any property offering them access to their basic needs. Unfortunately, our yards and houses provide rats and mice year-round access to multiple food, water, and shelter sources.
Implement the following prevention measures to keep rodents in Missouri from finding food and shelter on your property. Keep lids on all trash cans and recycling bins. Pick up uneaten pet food. Keep indoor and outdoor eating areas free of food debris. Remove bird feeders from your property. Maintain a clean kitchen and practice proper food storage.
Rodents are destructive pests that spread disease and parasites; implement our home pest control plan to keep them away from your home and family. Call today.
Termites
Termites are social insects that live in Brandon. Their feeding habits cause these pests to be extremely destructive; termites feed on trees, pieces of wood, and wooden structures. The subterranean termite is the species of termite most common in our region. These termites nest under the ground, live in huge colonies, and prefer to infest and feed on wood that is water damaged.
Subterranean termites are a year-round threat. Their small size allows them to enter our homes as they travel through the ground foraging for food. Damp soil, mulch, and decaying wood will draw these termites to your house. They enter inside through cracks in the foundation or pieces of wood touching the soil.
Our effective termite control and prevention tips will help you to avoid problems with these destructive pests. Seal cracks in the foundation of your home. Eliminate leaks and clogged gutters that can cause moisture issues in your home. Use dehumidifiers in humid areas. Remove fallen trees and wood debris from your property. For proactive subterranean termite control for your property, call today.
Wildlife
Wild animals live in urban and rural habitats and regularly find their way into our yards and sometimes our homes, garages, and other outbuildings. Some of the most common wildlife to find their way onto our Brandon properties include opossums, skunks, and squirrels. These animals have learned to adapt to living near people as our properties offer them harborage spots, food, and water.
Wildlife typically becomes an issue when they become too comfortable on your property. They are wired to survive, and things like our trashcans, gardens, and bird feeders offer them food to keep their stomachs full. Our houses, attics, chimneys, wall voids, and crawl spaces provide them with places to escape harsh weather or a safe place to raise their young.
The easiest and safest way to remove wild animals that have become too comfortable and are causing problems on your property is to partner with a wildlife control expert. Wild animals are unpredictable; professionals understand their behaviors, know their preferred harborage spots, and will remove them from your property. To learn more about wildlife control in Brandon, reach out now.