5 Common Pests You Can Come Across in New England

New England has an abundance of beautiful homes, booming businesses, and is a wonderful place to live and pursue a career. Unfortunately, however, there are many common pests that also find New England an attractive place to make their home, and unless you enlist some professional help from a reputable New England pest control company, those "unwanted guests" could be with you for some time.

Pest control experts in the area will be able to effectively and efficiently eliminate a wide range of pests, but below, we will look at just five common New England pests:

1. Birds

Ordinarily, birds are quite welcome and certainly not to be classified as "pests." Sometimes, however, birds can become nuisances. For example, pigeons are carriers of ticks, fleas, and various diseases, and birds sometimes nest inside buildings or raid gardens/fruit trees.

In these cases, a local pest control company can help to keep such birds away by using bird deterrents, such as netting, bird slopes that discourage perching, and electric tracks that send a mild but unmistakable "not welcome" message. Bird baits can scare birds away without harming them, and scare tactics like sounds and silhouettes of birds of prey can also be used.

Finally, eliminating food and water sources and sealing off potential nesting/entry points is also important.

1. Bees

When it comes to bees, wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets, it is easy to see why professional pest removal services are often utilized. Despite their invaluable assistance with pollination, bees deliver painful stings, and one in 30 people have allergies that can make bee stings life threatening.

The key to eliminating bees/wasps from your property is finding and "neutralizing" the nest. Bees may swarm, however, when their nest is disturbed. And finding the nest can sometimes be a challenge, as it may be hidden in crevices, under the fascia, or in the attic.

A professional exterminator can locate the bee's nest, spray it so the bees will abandon it, and remove it as soon as it is safe to do so.

1. Bed Bugs

People say "don't let the bed bugs bite," but there is no way to stop them from biting, aside from eradicating them. Bed bugs are tiny insects of the cimicid family whose preferred food is human blood. They often hide in tiny nooks and crannies in mattresses, box springs, and nearby carpeting and floor boards.

Bed bugs can leave their victims with large, bloody welts or skin rashes, and can transmit dangerous diseases. They are not easy to eliminate because they populate rapidly, survive up to a year without eating, and are resistant to many common pesticides.

A pest control company can scour your bed and bedroom for signs of bed bugs and kill them with effective pesticides and by vacuuming up them/their eggs. They can also use mattress heating or freezing techniques to eliminate bed bugs.

1. Mice

If you hear unusual scratching/chewing sounds in your house, especially at night, you may have a mice/rat infestation. These rodents can chew on wires and furniture and leave behind pathogen-rich urine/feces deposits. They also get into food and contaminate it.

While anyone can lay down a mousetrap, professionals will be able to locate the mouse nest, use the best/safest kinds of baits, and choose the ideal type of traps and trap placement for the situation. Additionally, they can verify when the infestation has truly ended.

1. Skunks

In the warmer months in New England, it is not uncommon for skunks to dig under foundations, burrow under decks, and frequent homeowners' back yards. 

Skunks can spray their foul-smelling liquid up to 20 feet, and it can cause pain or even temporary blindness if it gets into the eyes of people or pets. Skunks are second only to raccoons when it comes to carrying rabies, so it is well worthwhile to have them removed.

Pest control workers will find and remove the skunk, following all local laws on trapping/relocation. They will also fill in potential skunk dens with dirt/concrete/wire mesh and remove cover that makes skunks feel protected and welcome.

What to Expect from Your New England Pest Control Company

Also be sure your New England pest control company is 100% environmentally safe and offers customize-able, guaranteed pest control plans to prevent future re-infestations.

Whether birds, bees, bed bugs, rodents, skunks, or other wildlife and insects, a good pest control company should be able to solve your pest problem quickly, affordably, and effectively.