While it’s normal to see bats, spiders and other creatures invade your front doorstep on Halloween in the form of trick-or-treaters or spooky décor, we advise people to be on the lookout for real-life ghoulish pests this fall. Cooler temperatures mean cockroaches, spiders, centipedes and rodents might seek refuge in your house. Here are some halloween scary pests you will want to keep away from your home.
Halloween Scary Pests in your Home
Rats
Rats are one of the most reviled pests, due in part to their strange, hairy appearance. They are primarily nocturnal and can be found nesting in a variety of places – from inside piles of garbage to undisturbed areas of basements.
Rats can fit through an opening the size of a quarter, so it is easy for them to find access to our homes. Once inside, they can spread diseases by contaminating food and put homes at risk for electrical fires by gnawing through wires.
Spiders
The sight of a spider crawling on the wall can frighten just about anyone, especially around Halloween. Although spiders often get a bad rap, only a few species found in the United States are actually dangerous. Homeowners should be particularly aware of the brown recluse spider, the black widow spider and the hobo spider, as these types of spiders are known to administer a painful bite when disturbed or threatened.
Bats
For centuries, bats have caused unfounded fear in people, as they are often associated with vampires and haunted houses. Bats are nocturnal mammals that roost in dark areas of buildings, such as attics, belfries and under fascia boards, and in other sheltered areas like caves. They are known to fly from their secluded nests at dusk to get food and return just before daylight. Bats are frequent carriers of rabies, which can be fatal if left untreated.
Bed bugs
Bed bugs are similar to vampires in that they feed off of human blood, typically at night. Although bed bugs are often found in beds, they can also conceal themselves behind:
- baseboards
- underneath electrical switch plates
- furniture crevices
- will hide in luggage
- purses, laptop cases
- other personal belongings
In an effort to find a human food supply. Luckily, these elusive pests do not transmit disease, but they can leave red, itchy welts on the skin. In the case of an infestation, contact your bed bug control Omaha & Lincoln professionals.
Tips to homeowners for preventing a pest infestation during the Halloween season:
- Seal cracks and holes in and around the home’s exterior to block entryways for pests.
- Repair broken or poorly fitted window screens and loose/missing shingles; insure that locations where pipes and wiring enter homes are properly sealed.
- Do not leave unsealed food lying around, as it attracts insects and rodents.
- Store fire wood at least 20 feet away from the house and five inches off the ground.
- Check wood for insects – especially spiders – before bringing it indoors.
- If you see signs of a pest infestation in your home, contact a licensed pest professional to inspect, identify and control the problem.
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