Finding an infestation of pests in your home or yard can be incredibly frustrating. When the pests are identified as invasive species, there is all the more reason for alarm.
California is in a constant battle with invasive species. As a homeowner, it is critical that you be on the lookout for such pests—the structural integrity of your home and your family’s health and well-being may depend on it.
Below, we will take a closer look at the rise of invasive species in California and some of the species that residential property owners should be especially concerned about. We will also lay out several practical steps you should take to mitigate the risk of invasive pests in your home.
What Exactly Are Invasive Species?
Invasive species include insects, plants, diseases, and microbes. These organisms are not native to California, and once introduced, they quickly establish, reproduce, and spread, wreaking havoc on agriculture, homes, structures, public health, and more.
Invasive species are spread by human activity, most often unintentionally, but California’s diverse ecosystems allow them to spread rapidly. Since they have few natural predators in their new locations, these species quickly become pests, overwhelming native varieties.
Identifying and addressing invasive pests is critical to protecting the economy and environment, as well as your quality of life as a California homeowner.
Invasive Species Frequently Found in California Homes
While the State of California deals with a wide variety of invasive species, some pests here pose a particular threat in urban and residential areas.
Certain invasive species can abruptly infest homes and cause severe structural damage. Additionally, invasive pests can devastate your yard or garden and even spread disease.
The Mediterranean Fruit Fly
The Mediterranean Fruit Fly, or Medfly, is one of the most destructive agricultural pests in the world, threatening California’s agricultural industry, ecology, and home gardens.
A key pest of citrus fruits, the Medfly infects a huge number of fruit-bearing plant species, clearly a top concern for Californians. Infestations can lead to significant quarantine measures and costly eradication programs that directly impact farmers and consumers—with potential disruptions to your everyday life.
The Argentine Ant
The most common ant occurring around your California house and garden is the Argentine ant. These small brown or black ants form massive supercolonies with multiple queens and thrive in both agricultural and urban settings.
Argentine ants consume any available food source and will quickly invade your home, garden, or trash cans once food is found. The worker ants leave behind a scent trail, allowing them to return repeatedly to the same spot and guide other ants to the food.
These ants can be more than a nuisance; they contaminate food, damage plants, and cause unsightly trails. Due to the sheer number of members in the colonies, ants can be extremely hard to eradicate on your own. In most cases, a professional pest management company can best help you defend your property from invasive Argentine ants.
The Oriental Roach
Measuring about 1 inch long, Oriental roaches, or water bugs, thrive in damp, dark environments. They multiply rapidly in urban areas, especially sewer systems, basements, crawl spaces, and anywhere with ample moisture.
These roaches are notorious carriers of allergens and easily spread E. coli, Salmonella, and other harmful bacteria, thus posing significant health risks to Californians. What’s more, Oriental roaches are resilient. Finding Oriental roaches in your home is not something to be taken lightly. To protect the health of your family and community, you should take immediate steps to eliminate them.
The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug presents a threat to your garden, damaging fruits and vegetables. In search of food and shelter, it is not uncommon to find them inside your home, especially in the cooler months.
Stink bugs are so named for a reason. They emit a foul odor when threatened or crushed, making them very undesirable houseguests. In some instances, the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug will invade homes in large clusters. Stink bugs are not typically dangerous to humans. Still, they can be a huge nuisance, and most homeowners wish to get rid of them as quickly as possible.
The Light Brown Apple Moth
The small Light Brown Apple Moth won’t hurt you or your pets, but they can do major damage to trees, fruit, and ornamental shrubs. These pests harm plants by eating, living on, and laying eggs on their leaves.
Light Brown Apple Moths weaken plants and reduce yields across California. If you discover these moths in your garden, it is wise to take swift action to eliminate them so that your hard work and financial investment are not lost.
The Formosan Termite
The light-colored, half-inch-long Formosan Termite is a force to be reckoned with. These termites have large underground colonies and build intricate mud tubes that destabilize and damage homes and structures.
Often concentrated in urban areas with lots of wooden structures, they are capable of compromising homes, trees, and utility poles. Formosans are even known to chew through non-wood materials like PVC pipe.
Incredibly destructive, these termites can potentially cause costly property damage. If you find Formosan termites in or around your home, it is advisable to immediately contact a highly reviewed pest management company for assistance. When it comes to the structural integrity and safety of your home, you need professionals backing you up.
The Red Imported Fire Ant
The small reddish-brown Fire Ant is an aggressive biter. These ants build large mounds in open sunny areas and are increasingly spreading in California.
As a homeowner, you do not want fire ants on your property for multiple reasons. Their bite is painful and can cause severe allergic reactions in some individuals. Additionally, Red Fire Ants have a tendency to invade and damage electrical equipment as well as damage insulation.
Steps California Residents Can Take to Protect Their Homes and Community
As a California homeowner, vigilance is key when it comes to protecting your property from invasive species. Staying alert and working with your community and industry professionals will go a long way toward keeping your property pest-free.
Regularly inspect your property
It is always a good idea to regularly inspect your home, garden, wooden structures, trees, and surrounding property for any signs of unwanted pests. Early detection is a major factor in preventing larger infestations from invasive species.
Take preventative measures
Be conscientious when it comes to transporting firewood, plants, soil, and outdoor equipment to mitigate the risk of spreading invasive pests. It is good practice to use pest-resistant building materials when possible and properly dispose of infested plants and materials.
Report invasive species sightings to the authorities
You can play an important role in protecting California homes and agriculture by reporting sightings of invasive species. By alerting the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), you aid in containment and eradication programs.
Call in a professional pest management company
Invasive species can be difficult to eradicate on your own. An experienced pest management company can assess the situation and provide effective treatment options and preventative strategies to ward off these pests.
Contact Insight Pest Management to Safeguard Your Home From Invasive Species
Finding invasive species in your California home can be stressful. The very nature of such pests makes them difficult to get rid of on your own. When invasive species threaten your home or property, please know that professional help is at the ready.
At Insight Pest Management, we have over 25 years of experience at the national level of commercial and residential pest control. Our team is dedicated to delivering effective, eco-friendly, and long-lasting pest control services, ensuring your home remains pest-free and safe for your family.
Our knowledgeable team of pest inspectors is familiar with the broad range of invasive species threatening California homes. We will thoroughly evaluate the situation and develop an effective treatment plan that best meets your specific needs.
Quickly eliminate your invasive pests! Call Insight Pest Management or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free quote. Customer satisfaction is always our highest priority.
