Sun Tzu, author of The Art of War, proclaimed the importance of knowing your enemy.
We prefer non-violent conflict resolution, but when you are facing a pest problem at home, it can feel like war. To help you prepare for battle, we wanted to provide a briefing on the most common offenders.
Ants: There are about 14,000 known species of ants in the world. While ants may not pose an imminent health threat (except in the case of fire ants), they can cause serious structural damage to homes and tend to congregate in overwhelming numbers. The 3 most common culprits in the United States are:
- Carpenter ants
- Odorous ants
- Pavement ants
Spiders: These 8 legged creatures come in more than 40,000 different species worldwide and have existed for hundreds of millions of years. Many people experience arachnophobia, or fear of spiders, and with good reason since some species inject a lethal venom when they bite. The two most dangerous spider species in America are:
- Black Widow
- Brown Recluse
Mice: Commonly portrayed as cute and friendly in children's movies and literature, rodents can carry more than 35 known diseases, some of which can be fatal. There are two types of mice that tend to cause American homeowners problems:
- Deer mice
- House Mouse
Moths: Many types of moths exist all over the world. Human interactions with moths vary greatly since some moths are agricultural or household pests while others produce silk, serve as a food source, or are simply harmless insects. In the United States, homeowners typically experience problems with moths either in cloth and fabric or in pantries.
- Webbing Clothes Moths
- Indianmeal Moths
- Pantry Moths
Sun Tzu also stated the importance of knowing oneself in order to win battles. We propose that in the battle against pests, knowing yourself can help you claim victory as well. Know the area you wish to protect and address any potential weaknesses before they become a problem. Sealing possible entry points and removing pest attractants are critical steps when it comes to winning the war against pests.