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The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and you’re probably ready to spend more time in the sun. Unfortunately, our tiny pest friends have the same idea. Here are five of the most common pests in Utah and what you can do to keep them out of your home.
Spiders
Although there are only a few species that can cause life-threatening issues, it’s pretty much the general consensus that these guys are not welcome in your home. From Black Widows to the Brown Recluse to a relatively harmless Daddy Long Leg, the best way to keep these guys at bay is the clean up cobwebs when you see them and call a pest control specialist to help you find the root of the issue.
Wasps/Hornets/Yellowjackets
Where there’s one, there’s a whole hive. Wasps are often found in the eaves of your roof or nestled in other hidden places. Hornet nests are most often found in trees and Yellowjackets nest in holes in the ground. With these guys, you’re going to want to call in the pros to find where they’re coming from and eliminate them completely.
Ants
This is another pest that travels in large numbers. An ant colony can be home to hundreds if not thousands of ants depending on the species. To minimize ant life in your home, keep pet food in sealed containers, clean up food spills and use insecticide sprays if necessary. For a long-term solution, have a professional pest control specialist spray quarterly.
Rodents
These guys may look cute but the diseases they carry are anything but adorable. They can enter your house through a hole as small as a quarter of an inch! Keep them out by blocking entry points and throwing away food waste daily. Watch for droppings to see where they’re living. A pest control specialist can use specific traps and poisons to hygienically and humanely catch rodents.
Box Elder Bugs
These guys aren’t dangerous but they can be annoying. If you have Box Elder or Maple trees in your yard, you may have a few of them in your yard and home. Keep them safely outside by sealing the cracks and crevices along windows, doors and rooflines and having a pest control professional come spray on a quarterly basis.
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