The Northeast area of the United States has a variety of insects and rodents that can be annoying and detrimental to one’s health. Among other things, learning how to get rid of flies, which are often prominent in the Northeast, can help a person avoid the annoyance of insects on food and in his or her home. Unfortunately, flies may be a nuisance, but they are not the biggest problem in existence. Some of the common pests in the Northeast include the following:
- Black legged ticks (also known as the deer ticks)
- Yellow jackets
- Termites
- German cockroaches
- Carpenter ants
- Rats (i.e. roof rats
- Mice
Characteristics and Habits
The deer tick has a flat body that is shaped like a tear drop. The deer tick has the reputation of transmitting Lyme disease during the nymph stage. Approximately 10,000 people every year are diagnosed with Lyme disease, most in the Northeast area. Deer ticks tend to gather in those areas between fields and grassy areas, or where there is dense vegetation.
The social wasp and yellow jacket are unlike bees in that they are able to sting a person multiple times. They are good for the environment because they feed off a number of insects, but they become troublesome when they build nests that are in or near areas where humans gather, such as a home, empty spaces underground or when scavenging on food in recreational areas where adults and children assemble.
The termite has three classes: worker, soldier and reproductive. The workers are the ones who are responsible for wood damage; they live underground and make their way to wood by navigating through mud tubes. You will always find termites near the soil or sources of moisture.
German cockroaches are the most common household pests throughout the entire United States. The most common areas of infestation are kitchens and bathrooms. Because they like heat, they can infiltrate electrical outlets and appliances and cause short circuits or fires. They shed their skin, with the nymph’s exoskeletons being the biggest cause of asthmatic and allergic reactions in those who are prone to such health conditions. German cockroaches also transmit a variety of other diseases, including food poisoning and dysentery.
Carpenter ants tend to nest in both rotting and sound wood. Unlike termites, they do not chew completely through wood—only enough to build a nesting spot.
The most common rat in the Northeast is the Norway rat. Though they may be called various names, including sewer rats, water rats or roof rats, they are still biologically a Norway rat. They are nocturnal creatures that can cause a great deal of damage to both food products and structures. Roof rats are associated with a number of diseases, and they occasionally bite. They can also gnaw on electrical wires and create fires or fire hazards.
The house mouse is a very social creature that is inquisitive about its surroundings. It can damage a great deal of food products, in addition to items it uses for nesting (i.e. paper, cloth, cardboard and insulation). Deer mice are responsible for damaging furnishings and stored materials; they are responsible for transmitting hantavirus and carrying deer ticks.
Pest Control and Elimination
Controlling the deer tick involves getting rid of all potential coverings, including debris and ground cover where they may harbor. Controlling rodents will also aid in controlling the deer tick population. A professional pest control specialist can also aid in the final process.
Controlling the yellow jacket or social wasp is a very dangerous job because of their ferociousness. It is essential to make sure you protect yourself from any potential stings by wearing protective clothing. You cannot just eliminate the nest—you must also get rid of the insects by using dusts, aerosols, liquids or any combination that is effective.
Once a thorough inspection of the building is complete and you know where your termite infestation is located, you need to treat the problem using either chemical applications or the newer baiting systems to get rid of the termites. The sooner you treat the problem, the more likely you are to reduce the amount of damage caused by the termites.
Elimination of the German cockroach begins with good sanitation practices. To effectively remove them, you will need to use dusts, gaits and insecticides. You may need to enlist the services of a professional to remove them effectively.
A professional best handles carpenter ants by removing moisture and any wood sources available to them.
Controlling roof rats—or rats of any kind, for that matter—relies on sanitation, removal of any areas where they can take shelter, and rodent-proofing the area. Make sure you enlist the services of a professional to bait the area properly if you have a rat infestation of any kind.
To rid your home of mice, you must set up bait and traps. After elimination is complete, you will need to seal all entry holes to prevent re-entry.