Top 3 Pests to Watch Out for in Los Angeles
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Cockroaches in the kitchen and mice in the loft are just two of the many nuisance pests that can cause trouble in your home in Los Angeles. Understanding the common pests in your region can help you know how to prevent and get rid of them if you discover an infestation. Below is a list of the top 3 pests to watch out for in Los Angeles.
Rodents
Rodents are always looking for food, water, and shelter. They are opportunistic pests that take advantage of any property that offers them these basic needs. They will live in your property as long as food and shelter continue to be available. Preventing rodents is challenging because most of these animals have adapted to depend on people to survive.
Some of the most common rodents in Los Angeles include field mice, house mice, Norway rats, and roof rats. These rodents can chew cables, pipes, wires, personal items, walls, boxes, clothing, and furniture. Rodents can also contaminate food, cause diseases, or bring parasites with them (mites, ticks, and fleas). They thrive in areas with shelter, moisture, and warmth, making it common for them to live inside attics, basements, bathrooms, and kitchens.
You can prevent rodents by cutting off their access routes to your home. Repair any cracks and place weather stripping around your doors and windows. Also, you should keep your eating areas free from debris and keep your food in tight-fitting containers. Repair clogged drains and leaky pipes and ensure that your home is neat and organized.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are common pests in Los Angeles that have adapted to living near people. They can become a significant problem if left unaddressed. Once in your house, cockroaches hide in dark, tight places during the day and emerge at night to scavenge for any available food sources. They prefer moist, warm areas and mostly reside in kitchens, bathrooms and basements.
Cockroaches breed very quickly and are difficult to control. They contaminate your surfaces and food with bacteria and other pathogens that make people sick. You can eliminate them by eliminating excess moisture by fixing leaky pipes and keeping crawl spaces well ventilated. You should also seal cracks and place weather stripping around doors and windows. Empty your trash cans daily and ensure they are always closed. Also, do not leave any leftover food exposed.
Stinging Insects
Predatory stinging insects like wasps and hornets are common in Los Angeles. Their stings are strong enough to cause allergic reactions that can sometimes be life-threatening. These insects live, feed, and breed outside.
You can prevent them by preventing their nesting sites around your home. Common nesting places include shrubs, tree limbs, ground holes, roof extensions, underneath porches or decks, under mailboxes, and behind window shutters.
Dealing with these insects requires the knowledge and experience of a professional like the ones at Aptive Environmental in Los Angeles to ensure there are no hidden places where these insects can nest and breed.
