Pest Library

What You Need To Know About Pests In El Paso

Scorpions

Scorpions are a type of arachnid. They are a predatory species that feeds on various insects, other arachnids, and even small animals like rodents. We identify these stinging pests by the segmented tail that curves over their back and their claw appendages. While they prefer to live outside, scorpions find their way into our Texas homes following their insect prey or while searching for water sources or safe shelter.  

Scorpions are among the more intimidating pests to discover inside your El Paso home. Coming into accidental contact with one of these arachnids can lead to a painful sting. Those allergic to scorpion venom can experience a reaction that varies from mild to life-threatening. Keeping these pests at bay is vital to your and your family’s health and safety.

Make your home as uninviting to scorpions with the help of these tips:

• Repair cracks, crevices, and other openings in your home’s exterior.
• Eliminate potential hideouts in your home by removing as much clutter as possible.
• Remove water sources by repairing leaky hoses, fixtures, and air conditioning units.
• Inspect items that have been outside for hitchhiking scorpions before bringing them inside. 

For quality scorpion control in El Paso, reach out today. 

Termites

Termites are wood-eating pests that live throughout Texas. In El Paso, the most common type of termite is the subterranean termite. These termites nest in the ground in areas of damp soil. Their diet consists of cellulose that they extract from trees and other wood and organic sources. Subterranean termites have high moisture needs and prefer to eat wood that is damp or otherwise water-damaged. 

A termite infestation can happen in any of our El Paso homes. However, homes with moisture issues are most susceptible to problems with these pests. Being proactive and partnering with a local pest control expert is the best way to keep these destructive pests out of your home. Regular pest inspections and treatments are the best defense against termites. 

Eliminating excess moisture in and around your home is key to controlling termites in El Paso. Here are some ways to do so:

• Repair leaky irrigation systems.
• Ensure your yard has proper drainage.
• Fix leaky pipes and fixtures.
• Remove damp or decaying pieces of wood from in or on your home.

For termite control you can trust, call AAA Pest Control now. 

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are small flying insects that pose significant health risks to people worldwide. Though the primary diet of male and female mosquitoes is plant nectar and other sweet liquids, females also require blood meals for reproduction. As female mosquitoes feed on the blood of animals and people, they acquire and spread diseases that can significantly impact our health.

Mosquitoes are outdoor pests; female mosquitoes lay their eggs on standing water. These biting pests are most active when temperatures are about 50 degrees, making El Paso a place where mosquitoes are active almost year-round. The presence of swarming, biting mosquitoes in our yards can drive us indoors and make spending time outside miserable. 

Keep mosquitoes away from your yard with these tips:

• Fill in low-lying areas to eliminate areas of standing water.
• Store containers upside down or indoors to prevent them from filling with water.
• Properly treat the water in pools and other artificial water features.

It is also essential to regularly change out water in pet water bowls, bird baths, and wading pools.

Spiders

Texas is home to many different spiders, including garden, wolf, and sun spiders. In most cases, having spiders in your outdoor spaces isn’t a problem. Their presence can be helpful as they provide a source of natural pest control because they feed on insects and other arachnids. Spiders typically only become problematic when they move into our homes, either while searching for safe shelter or after following their prey indoors. 

Though most of the spiders in our region are harmless, our region is home to a few dangerous spiders (black widow spiders and brown recluse spiders). Dangerous spiders are those spiders with venom potent enough not just to harm their insect prey but to harm people. Correctly identifying the spiders on your property is vital to protecting your family from the spiders in El Paso that may cause you harm. 

Use these tips to avoid issues with invading spiders:

• Remove spider webs as you come across them; without their webs, they won’t be able to catch their prey reliably.
• Maintain clean kitchens to deter insect activity in your home, as spiders feed on insects.
• Prevent them from getting into your home by making sure screens are intact and installing door sweeps on exterior doors.

If spiders ever become a problem on your property, contact us for help. 

Ticks & Fleas

Fleas are small wingless insects, and ticks are a type of arachnid. What these two different species have in common is that blood is their sole source of nutrition and what allows them to complete their life cycle. Both fleas and ticks bite through the skin of their human and animal hosts and feed on their blood. Flea bites leave behind uncomfortable, itchy rashes, and both parasites can spread disease-causing pathogens that make people and animals ill. 

Fleas and ticks typically find their way to our yards on the backs of their animal hosts. As mice, squirrels, raccoons, skunks, deer, and porcupines move around, they introduce fleas and ticks to different outdoor spaces, including our yards. These pests are prolific breeders, and controlling and preventing them is a frustrating task. Take the frustration out of flea and tick control and partner with a local pest control professional for assistance. 

Help prevent major issues with fleas and ticks on your property with the help of the following tips:

• If possible, fence in your yard to keep larger wildlife and wandering pets out of your yard.
• Keep the grass in your yard mowed short.
• Remove leaf piles and other yard debris that provide the shade and moisture that fleas and ticks love to hide within.

If you own pets, it is also extremely beneficial to place them on a year-round flea and tick preventive. 

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are hitchhiking pests. They have adapted to living indoors with people because our blood is their preferred food source. Bed bug infestations are common in places where large groups of people come and go regularly. Movie theaters, libraries, hotels, airports, schools, and laundromats are places where people routinely encounter bed bugs. 

A bed bug infestation can pop up in any El Paso home. After coming into contact with bed bugs in any public place, you can unintentionally introduce bed bugs into your home. While bed bugs are blood-feeding pests, they aren’t currently known to spread diseases to people. However, they are problematic; their itchy bites are unpleasant and can trigger allergic reactions. Additionally, their presence causes people stress and interrupts sleep. 

Use these tips to avoid a large-scale bed bug infestation from developing in your home:

• Place bed bug-proof covers on mattresses and box springs in your home.
• Regularly vacuum floors and upholstered furniture to remove stray bed bugs.
• After returning home from travel, immediately wash and dry all clothing taken and sanitize suitcases and other travel bags.

Protect your home and family from biting bed bugs with the help of AAA Pest Control. Call us today for bed bug control in El Paso.