Just as we seek shade on a sunny day, pests also seek cool spaces in the summer. Unfortunately, your home’s damp, cool basement or crawlspace can quickly become a favorite summertime hangout spot for these pests:

 

  • Centipedes: The good news is these multi-legged creatures love to feed on cockroaches. The bad news is that means you may have a cockroach infestation. Also, beware of their bites.
  • Cockroaches: Georgia is home to 5 primary species of cockroaches American, German, Asian, Smoky-brown (Palmetto bug), and Brown-banded. These adaptable pests are constantly looking for food, water, and shelter.
  • Camel crickets (cave crickets): Nonvenomous but creepy looking. Camel/cave crickets do not have wings or sound producing organs, therefore do not chirp but rather leap when frightened to scare predators.
  • Millipedes: Often driven inside after heavy rains.
  • Scorpions: These arachnids eat insects but their sting can be painful.
  • Silverfish: Silverfish feed on mold growth and can be found crawling around or near drains.
  • Spiders: Spiders feed on other insects, making a basement or crawlspace a great place to find a meal.
  • Termites: Termites love moisture! Damp basements and crawlspaces are a beckoning buffet to these destructive pests.

 

Bugs Could Be Just the Beginning

The bugs listed above serve as excellent food sources for rodents and snakes, meaning the prevalence of insects can lead to even bigger problems. We have approximately 40 species of snakes in Georgia, six of which are venomous (copperhead, canebrake/timber rattlesnake, Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, pygmy rattlesnake, water moccasin/cottonmouth, and Eastern coral snake.) While you may not mind sharing your land with nonvenomous snakes since they feed on rodents and small mammals, you probably don’t want them in your home—and you definitely don’t want venomous snakes on your property.

 

Preventative Action

Step one is always exclusion. Seal up cracks and gaps around your doors, windows, and foundations to prevent insects from gaining entry to your home. To make sure your basements and crawlspaces are not becoming home to insects this summer, be sure the areas are dry and free of standing water. You can install dehumidifiers, have sump pumps installed, and/or have your basement or crawlspace professionally sealed. A neglected crawlspace can lead to multiple issues from animal infestations to moisture and fungus problems. At Wild Trappers, we specialize in sealing crawlspaces and vents to keep out unwanted visitors. Additionally, we’ll clean-out crawlspace debris, old insulation, vapor barriers and dead animals.  A dry area is not desirable, meaning insects will find somewhere else to spend the summer.

 

Contact Wild Trappers for All Your Summer Pest Removal Needs

You should not attempt to trap or remove snakes from your property. We know the difference between a dangerous snake and a harmless one, and we know how to safely remove them all from your property. We can also clean out and seal your crawlspaces so they stay dry and pest-free for many seasons to come. Call (770) 504-4154, email, or contact us through our online form today!