Know Your Pests

Signs to Watch For

Trails of ants near food sources, small dirt mounds near foundations, sawdust piles (carpenter ants).

Prevention Tips

Keep food sealed, clean up crumbs immediately, seal cracks around windows and doors, trim branches touching your home.

Why It Matters

Carpenter ants can cause structural damage similar to termites. Fire ants can sting and cause allergic reactions.

Signs to Watch For

Small reddish-brown bugs in mattress seams, tiny blood spots on sheets, itchy bite marks in rows on skin, musty odor.

Prevention Tips

Inspect hotel rooms when traveling, check secondhand furniture before bringing it home, use mattress encasements, reduce clutter.

Why It Matters

While they don't transmit diseases, bed bugs cause significant stress, sleep loss, and allergic reactions. Infestations grow quickly.

Signs to Watch For

Droppings near food sources, gnaw marks on wood or wires, scratching sounds in walls at night, nesting materials.

Prevention Tips

Seal gaps larger than 1/4 inch, store food in airtight containers, keep trash sealed, remove outdoor debris piles.

Why It Matters

Rodents carry diseases (hantavirus, salmonella), contaminate food, and chew electrical wires — a leading cause of house fires.

Signs to Watch For

Webs in corners, window frames, and basements. Egg sacs in hidden areas.

Prevention Tips

Reduce outdoor lighting (attracts insects they eat), seal cracks, remove clutter, keep woodpiles away from the house.

Why It Matters

Most Ohio spiders are harmless. Brown recluse bites can cause tissue damage and require medical attention.

Signs to Watch For

Visible nests under eaves, in bushes, or underground. Increased wasp activity near food or garbage.

Prevention Tips

Seal trash cans, don't leave food outdoors, check for nests in early spring when they're small.

Why It Matters

Stings can cause severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). Nests near doorways are especially dangerous. Don't attempt DIY removal.

Signs to Watch For

Noises in attic at night, damaged soffit or vents, overturned trash cans, droppings on roof.

Prevention Tips

Secure trash lids, don't leave pet food outside, trim tree branches near roof, install ridge guard on vents.

Why It Matters

Raccoons carry rabies and raccoon roundworm. Their droppings are a serious health hazard. They cause major attic damage.