Safe and Healthy Housing: Pest-Free
Water damage, mold, and a pest infestation from a recent RTGC critical home repair project.
A safe and healthy home is vital for overall health, which is why Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte’s Safe and Health Housing model is foundational for all the critical repair projects we do. The eight principles of a safe and healthy home are: clean, dry, safe, ventilated, contaminant-free, maintained, thermally-controlled, and pest-free.
Nobody likes an unwanted house guest. This is especially true when that “guest” has more than two legs and takes a liking to eating your food or destroying your belongings. Today, let’s consider the common household hitchhikers and the effects they can have on your well-being, as well as ways to keep them where they belong — not in your home!
Common Pests in the Greater Charlotte Area
Among the most common pests in Charlotte are cockroaches, ants, various rodents, bedbugs, and flies. While they may seem like minor nuisances, these pests can carry diseases, trigger allergies, and cause property damage if left to roam freely in our living spaces.
Cockroaches, for instance, are notorious for spreading bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli. Many people also are allergic to their droppings, which may trigger asthma or allergic reactions. In the Greater Charlotte area, the most common species you will encounter are either native American roaches (Periplaneta americana) or German cockroaches (Blattella germanica); although, many other invasive species have made their way into our city with the increase in globalization. Preventing access to food and water by fixing dripping faucets and keeping living areas clean and dry is the best way to prevent cockroaches from taking up residence.
In Charlotte, a variety of native and invasive ant species are prevalent. Among the native species, the odorous house ant (Tapinoma sessile) is a common sight. They’re attracted to sugary substances and often invade homes in search of food. Additionally, the carpenter ant (Camponotus spp.) is native to the area and can cause structural damage by nesting in wood. Invasive species such as red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) also carry painful stings, and their mounds should be treated with a commercial fire ant killer as soon as they appear in lawns and gardens. Effective ant control measures are essential to manage infestations and protect homes and landscapes.
Not all furry things in our homes are friendly. Rats, mice, and even squirrels can enter our homes in search of food and safe places to raise their young, but in the process they cause significant damage to homes. They too can make residents ill with their urine and droppings. Several species of mice also carry dangerous viruses. Consult with a pest professional if you have a rodent infestation, as traditional store-bought treatments such as poisons and unmonitored traps can harm wildlife.
A scourge on the rise thanks to their increasing resistance to pesticide treatments are common bedbugs (Cimex lectularius). This species is found worldwide and is known to infest human living spaces, particularly beds and upholstered furniture, where they feed on human blood during the night. Bedbug infestations can be challenging to eradicate and often require professional pest control intervention. Prevent these unwanted invaders by carefully inspecting any used furniture or antiques before bringing them into your home using a flashlight to peer into all crevices. Be vigilant on vacations to avoid leaving your luggage on floors or in closets where bedbugs often hide, looking for a ride to their next destination. Consider leaving your luggage sealed in a plastic bag for several days before unpacking, and immediately wash and dry all laundry on high heat once removing it from the bag.
Flies enter our homes when windows and doors are opened, and they can spread disease by touching the surfaces we cook and eat off of, as well as the food itself. The common household fly (Musca domestica) uses their spongy mouth parts to taste everything they land on. In doing so, flies spread pathogens like viruses and bacteria to everything they touch. Making sure to use intact screens on doors and windows in good repair, as well as eliminating flies when they enter our homes using a flyswatter or other devices, will keep your food uncontaminated.
Dealing with Pests
The best way to deal with pests is to prevent them from entering your home. Maintaining a clean and uncluttered home is one of the most effective ways to deter all types of pests. Regular cleaning routines, including sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming, can eliminate crumbs and spills that attract insects and rodents. Additionally, keeping all food stored in airtight containers and promptly disposing of garbage can help minimize the risk of infestations. While a bowl of fresh fruit ripening on a counter looks attractive, it’s also ringing a dinner bell for pests!
Sealing entry points is another essential step in pest prevention. Inspect your home for cracks, gaps, and openings that pests could use to gain access, and seal them with caulk or weatherstripping as needed. Pay particular attention to areas around doors, windows, pipes, and vents, as these are common entry points for pests seeking shelter and sustenance.
In addition to these preventive measures, regular maintenance of outdoor spaces can also help deter pests from entering your home. Trim overgrown vegetation, remove standing water, and keep outdoor garbage bins tightly sealed to minimize potential nesting sites and breeding grounds for insects and rodents.
The presence of these pests not only compromises our health but also undermines the comfort and sanctity of our homes. Therefore, it's crucial to take proactive measures to prevent infestations and safeguard our living environments. But with simple prevention, you can keep your home safe- and leave unwanted “guests” outside!
Pest-Free Homes from RTGC
Part of ensuring that every homeowner we serve has a safe and healthy home following our repair projects, we focus on taking care of pest control issues. During our home assessment process, we look for signs of infestations. Then, we work with partner contractors to treat all issues to ensure a home is pest-free before we begin other critical home repair tasks in the project.
Are you looking for help in getting a pest-free home? Apply for our services today!