Dallas, TX Pest Guide | Insect & Rodent Identification
Residents in Dallas, Texas, know a thing or two about vibrant culture, professional sports, some memorable points in U.S. history and delicious cuisine. But the warm and humid climate that allows people to spend a lot of their time outside also allows for a lot of insects and rodents to enjoy the outdoors, too.
While arts and culture might thrive in Dallas, flying insects and crawling creatures also call the area home. Here are the insects and rodents you could find in Dallas and how to protect your home from them.
Bed Bugs
These wingless, nocturnal pests might not carry diseases, but no one wants to wake up to bed bug bites all over them. A significant problem in Dallas, bed bugs thrive in multi-family homes and apartment buildings, where there are plenty of warm-blooded humans and animals to feast on.
Termites
No homeowner or business owner wants to hear they have a termite problem, and Dallas residents have that fear more than most. Termites eat wood and other plant materials that make up items like furniture, books, shelving and, unfortunately, the foundation of your home. The big danger with termites is you may not know you have them before it's too late. These silent destroyers are a huge problem in Dallas.
Flies
The warmer weather in Dallas brings perfect conditions to turn the fruit on your counter into a feast for a fly, not to mention the way your garbage smells to a fly in the summer. The longer summers and higher temps give flies all they need to thrive in Dallas.
Cockroaches
The German cockroach, American cockroach and oriental cockroach all love to call Dallas home. These critters love drains and flower beds for the moisture found there, and can also be found in your laundry room, kitchen or bathroom. While some species can be useful due to recycling organic material, they can also carry diseases.
Ants
Texas is home to over 14 species of ants, so it's no surprise Dallas sees a good deal of the black carpenter ant. While they don't normally take over a home, they do love to make a home in rotting wood and could cause structural damage to a home. Though they don't sting, they do bite, which is never pleasant.
Mosquitoes
Dallas sees its fair share of mosquitoes, which is no surprise, thanks to the beautiful weather that lasts almost all year. But when Dengue, West Nile and Zika viruses can be transmitted from these flying insects, you don't want them in your yard no matter where you live.
Rodents
From mice to rats, Dallas is home to several rodents. When you have a large city with a warmer climate, trash readily available, a seemingly endless food supply and plenty of places to hide, rodents will always be there.
Mice can get into smaller places and chew their way through your pantry, and they also carry diseases you don't want in your home. With a bigger city come the rats, and Dallas is no exception when it comes to these disease-carrying rodents.
Stink Bugs
While stink bugs are more annoying than anything, with their unpleasant smell, they are mostly dangerous to farmers since they feed on crops. It's still never fun to find these in your home, and you want to get rid of them, so they don't take over. Found in Texas backyards, there are a few species that call Dallas home.
Fleas
Fleas are common in a lot of places, but Dallas sees more than normal. These disease-carrying pests like to hide in shady places, tall grass and on your pet.
Stinging Insects
Dallas has a lot of stinking insects like wasps and hornets, with the Yellowjacket Wasp being a common one. Starting in the spring, Dallas residents may notice them start to hover in the yard and want to check out your outdoor event.
How to Protect Yourself
Each city has its list of insects, bugs and rodents that call it home. The important part is making sure you protect your home against these creatures. From your yard to your house, creating a barrier to stop them from getting too close is key.
- Take care of your yard and keep the lawn tidy and mowed
- Wear bug spray with DEET when you go outside
- Keep your home's entrances repaired, checking for cracks and holes around doors and windows
- Repair screens as needed
When to Call the Professionals
The number of sunny, warm, lovely days that Dallas residents get to enjoy is pretty high, but that also means the insect season is long. With temperatures 50 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for most of the year, it gives bugs, insects and rodents plenty of time to go through their life cycle in amazing conditions for them to thrive.
If you find your yard or home overrun by any of these insects or rodents, never be embarrassed to reach out to professionals like MosquitoNix. You can always call for a free consultation to assess what situation you have. You don't have to panic. You don't have to battle the bug alone and you don't need to live with these bugs in your home. A caring and knowledgeable team at MosquitoNix would love to help take the stress away.
From the Dallas Arts District to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science to an eclectic nightlife to the barbecue, Dallas, Texas, has so much to offer residents. When the temperatures are ideal for insects and rodents almost year-round, residents and business owners in the area need to be aware of what the most common ones are to be able to protect against them. While seeing any type of bug inside your home or business is never the goal, knowing what you are up against is a great first step.
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