5 Pests That Spread Fast

Many pests make it their goal to get inside your house. Some pests, however, are more problematic than others, and they can spread fast. If you would like to know more, check out these five pests that spread fast.

1. Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are small, flat pests that feed off blood, including human blood. They can get inside your home from nearby homes, or they can hitch a ride into your home. For example, if you went on vacation and stayed in a hotel with bed bugs, you probably brought some home in your luggage. Similarly, if you purchase used furniture, especially couches or mattresses, you could bring in bed bugs too.

Spotting bed bugs can be hard because they are small, hide most of the time, and only feed at night. However, you can look for the signs of bed bugs. Signs include blood stains on the bed that may look like specks of rust and bite marks on your body. You may also see bedbug droppings, eggs, or shed skin.

2. Cockroaches

Cockroaches are larger pests, but they can also make themselves flat to get into tight spots. Like bed bugs, they are nocturnal and like to stay hidden, but they will come out to find food. You can usually tell you have cockroaches because you'll see droppings that look like coffee grounds, and you may see eggs too. Cockroaches also smell, so if you have an infestation, expect a mildew-like odor in the house.

For some people, cockroaches can cause further problems because of allergies. Cockroaches have a special protein that many humans are allergic to. If you have an allergy, you may experience cold-like symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, postnasal drip, and worsening asthma symptoms.

3. Fleas

Like bed bugs, fleas feed off blood, including human blood. They are a common problem for cats and dogs that aren't on flea control. Therefore, if you have cats or dogs without flea control, your furry critter could bring in tons of fleas. Fleas also get inside by hitching a ride on your ankle or feet when you enter the house from outside.

Fleas multiply fast, and they tend to stay on their host, making you or your pet constantly itchy. Many dogs and cats have allergies to flea bites, so one bite could cause widespread itching for a long time. Frequent itching is also bad for both humans and animals because it increases the risk of a skin infection.

4. Silverfish

Silverfish, as the name suggests, are silver-gray in color, and they tend to move like fish. Once more, these pests are nocturnal, but finding them may be harder than some other pests because they like dark, damp places like the attic or crawlspace.

Silverfish eat a lot of stuff, but they really like paper, so you may find them munching on old books. If you have wallpaper, they may also like to munch on the wallpaper.

5. Stink Bugs

Stink bugs are relatively harmless, but they will purposely seek out a home to hide during the winter. Like many other bugs, they can fit through small cracks, making it easy for them to get inside your home.

For most people, stink bugs are harmless, and they don't bite, but some people may experience allergies. If these bugs are disturbed or killed, they will give off an unpleasant odor.

Pests aren't just gross and dirty — they can spread disease and trigger allergies. You may be able to prevent infestations by keeping the house sealed, dry, and clean, but once the pests have invaded, call an expert. If you would like to know more, contact our pest control experts today.