Occasional Invader Identification & Prevention
What are occasional invaders?
Occasional invaders are those pests that live mostly outside, but when their living conditions become unsuitable, usually due to bad weather, they move inside and become unwelcome houseguests. Our Idaho homes have become a respite for earwigs, boxelder bugs, carpet beetles, and centipedes.
Are occasional invaders dangerous?
Occasional invaders are mostly a frustration. Keeping them out of our homes is difficult and once they move inside, getting rid of them is even trickier. Most occasional invaders are not a health threat to us, nor do they cause structural damage to our homes.
Some occasional invaders like carpet beetles will damage our personal belongings and cause other problems. Carpet beetle larvae feed on and damage fabric items like carpets, blankets, rugs, and upholstered furniture. Their larvae also like to feed on the oils found in our hair. As we sleep, they crawl over our skin, and their bristly bodies can cause skin rashes.
Why do I have an occasional invader problem?
Occasional invaders are in your home for one reason; it is providing them with something they need. Usually, they need warm, safe shelter. These pests migrate from outside to inside our homes to be more comfortable. Some of their most common entry points include cracks in the foundation, gaps under doors, through vents, and spaces that develop around windows and utilities like wires or cables entering our homes.
Where will I find occasional invaders?
Dark, damp areas are where most occasional invaders congregate. Outside, many occasional invaders live near our homes in flower beds, under landscaping ties, in woodpiles, leaf piles, and under trash cans and other containers. Hot, dry weather often forces earwigs and centipedes to move inside our homes. They will move to damp areas like basements, crawlspaces, and bathrooms. Box elder bugs move indoors to overwinter and escape cold weather. They seek refuge in our attics, wall voids, and crawlspaces.
The carpet beetle invades areas of our homes that provide them with feeding and breeding sites. Kitchen cupboards, pantries, carpets, and closets are common spots to find carpet beetles inside Idaho homes.
How do I get rid of occasional invaders?
Let Falls Pest Services help you get unwanted occasional invaders out of your Idaho home. Using our customized services, we will meet all your pest control needs, and occasional invaders will no longer invade your property.
We are a local company dedicated to providing our local customers with affordable pest control services performed by knowledgeable and friendly professionals. Whether you are a home or business owner, Falls Pest Services can help you solve your current pest problems and help you reach your goal of maintaining a pest-free property. Call us today to learn more about our reliable pest control options in Idaho Falls!
How can I prevent occasional invaders in the future?
The best way to prevent problems with occasional invaders and other pests is to put in place a year-round pest control program. In conjunction with professional home pest control and commercial pest control services, the following tips can help you avoid problems with occasional invaders in your Idaho Falls home.
- Make sure to seal up an occasional invader’s most common entry points, such as spaces in the foundation and gaps under basement doors.
- Create a barrier between any mulch or grass and your foundation.
- Trim back shrubs and bushes from your home’s exterior walls.
- Remove brush piles, woodpiles, fallen trees, and landscaping ties from your yard where occasional invaders like to hide.
- Make sure your yard has good drainage.
- Regularly vacuum carpets and upholstery to remove stray occasional invaders.
- Store blankets, clothing, and other fabric items in airtight plastic containers instead of cardboard boxes.
- Reduce humidity level in your home by using dehumidifiers and making sure to ventilate crawlspaces.
