Last Updated on February 6, 2023
Nobody likes unexpected visitors, especially when they hide in the nooks and crannies of your house and build a small nest where they start living indefinitely and replicating pretty quickly. Like bugs do!
Just the thought of some species of bugs will make many people scrunch their noses in disgust, and for a good reason: most insects look terrifying. So, when these impressed people run into a centipede walking around their living room, panic sets in. But, there are many more critters that might be living inside your house right now – there is an average of about 100 different insects living inside United States homes.
In this article, we’ll go over the most common types of bugs to see which ones present dangers to you or your home, and which ones are essentially harmless. Here are 6 types of those little housemates of yours.
1. Dust mites
House dust mites can be found anywhere in the world, but they are much more common in tropical climates – warm and very humid. They normally feed on dead human skin cells and tend to nest in mattresses, bedding, and carpets. Although they are mostly harmless (don’t bite, sting, or burrow under the human skin), their feces and exoskeleton can induce allergic reactions that can be further aggravated in people who have asthma. How to get rid of dust mites: The first thing to do is to keep your indoor humidity below 50% and avoid having carpets. This will make your house unsuitable for the entrance of these critters. If you live in a humid area, consider buying a dehumidifier. The most you can do besides this is to keep your house clean and properly vacuumed. And, don’t forget to wash your bedding in hot water and vacuum the mattress regularly.
2. Ants
One ant is fine, two, three, seven or eight are tolerable, but the problem is that ants seem to always appear in our kitchens in hordes of dozens. They invade our space in search of shelter and food, that is why you mostly notice them in the winter and the summer. There’s nothing to worry about. Common ants are not only harmless for humans, they even play a key role in ecologic activities that are beneficial to Men, such as the suppression of pests and aeration of the soil. However, since nobody likes having ants indoors crawling on their food, here are some helpful tips. How to get rid of ants: Start by eliminating things that may attract ants. Store sweet food in tight containers and keep them properly closed, and clean up your kitchen and bathroom regularly. Then you can try to discover where they are coming from. Seal any cracks they might be taking advantage of and clean the pheromones trail they leave behind with a water and vinegar solution. This should be enough. Otherwise, you can always try chemical products like repellents and ant traps.
3. Carpet beetles
Carpet beetles are one of the most common bug species. Their larvae can be extremely annoying since they feed on furniture, carpets, clothing, and anything that contains natural fibers to fully develop. This will cause visible damage to all these items. Once they reach the adult stage, they become harmless because they start feeding on the pollen and nectar of flowering plants. How to get rid of carpet beetles: Your vacuum cleaner will once again be your best friend. If you suspect you have a carpet beetles’ infestation, vacuum all the places where they are most frequently found and wash your clothes.
