Fort Worth, TX Pest Guide | Insect & Rodent Identification
If you live in Fort Worth, Texas, you see around 220 to 230 sunny days a year, which makes for a lot of time spent outside, enjoying your yard and other fresh air activities. From May to November, the sky is pretty clear, and even the winter is short and sweet, with the coldest month of February still not too bad.
With the gorgeous weather and higher temperatures come the insects and rodents who also enjoy the climate. Residents and business owners have to deal with these unwanted guests, but the more you know about which pests to look out for, the better you can protect yourself, your family, your pets and your property. Here are the most common insects and rodents found in Fort Worth, Texas, so you can stay on top of keeping them away.
Mosquitoes
Anywhere where the temperatures are warm and humid, mosquitoes will move in. With over 3,500 species of mosquito, it shouldn't be a surprise a lot of them love the Fort Worth area. Carriers of diseases like West Nile virus and Zika virus, no one wants mosquitoes taking over their yard.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches love the humid and warm conditions Fort Worth brings to the yard. Cockroaches can be found all over Texas, and since they can adapt and survive in almost all conditions, keeping an eye on these pests is important so they don't move into your home.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs love to wait until the cover of night to bite and bother human victims. This is especially true for Fort Worth residents, as the area is constantly one of the worst when it comes to bed bug infestations in the United States. These nocturnal parasitic insects usually hide in the mattress and headboard, waiting to bite any exposed skin at night.
Termites
The Fort Worth area is most commonly home to the Formosan and drywood termites, though other species can cause as much damage. Residents should know that not even winter puts these pests to bed, and the colder temps push them further inside, looking for warmth.
Ants
Texas has a lot of ants. From fire ants to carpenter ants to acrobat ants, there is probably a species or two in your yard right now. Proper identification is the best way to get rid of these insects.
Spiders
Though the majority of spiders in Texas are harmless to humans, you never want to see a brown recluse or black widow around. Most other spiders are just trying to build a web, but you still don't want them infesting your home.
Flies
The humid conditions and sewer systems found in Fort Worth easily attract flies to homes. Finding the source of their breeding site is important in riding yourself of any species of this winged insect.
Rodents
The sunny days give rodents like mice and rats plenty of opportunities to eat and build homes. But in Fort Worth, even the mild winter can drive these creatures to find a warmer home inside - which could lead them to your house. Not only can they carry diseases, but they can ruin your food stores.
Stink Bugs
Stink bugs aren't too annoying if you aren't a farmer, but you still don't want to be surprised by them inside your house. There are quite a few species that call Texas home, and while none are too harmful to humans, you want to take care of these before they become a problem.
Fleas and Ticks
Due to the warmer weather and abundant wildlife, Texas has a huge flea and tick problem. While their bites are annoying and can be painful, the fact that they carry diseases that can be transmitted to you and your pets is dangerous. Tick season is longer in a place like Forth Worth, so residents need to stay vigilant most of the year.
Stinging Insects
Paper wasps, Yellowjacket Wasps, Bald-Faced Hornets and Cicada Killers are just a few of the stinging insects that you could find in Fort Worth. The sting of any of these could be painful to you or your pets, so you want to take care of a nest of any of these as soon as possible and with the help of a professional.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Home
No matter where you live, there will be bugs, insects and rodents you will have to worry about. Protecting yourself, your home and your pets from these pests isn't extremely hard to do, but it does require a little time and effort.
- Take care of your yard and keep the lawn tidy and mowed
- Wear bug spray with DEET when you go outside
- Wear loose and long clothing
- Keep your home's entrances repaired, checking for cracks and holes around doors and windows
- Repair any tears and holes in screens as needed
When to Call the Professionals
If you find your yard or home overrun by any of these insects or rodents, never hesitate to call on professionals like MosquitoNix. One call is all it takes for a free consultation to understand what you are dealing with. Sometimes, a DIY remedy can work, but for certain insects and situations, you want the professional help of a caring and experienced team like MosquitoNix to be there for you.
You can't completely escape bugs and insects, even in the winter in Fort Worth, but you can create a safe and bug-free yard and home when you follow a few tips and don't forget to call on the professionals if you need to. Fort Worth, Texas, has the Kimball Art Museum, the Fort Worth Zoo, Fort Worth Water Gardens, the Stockyards Museum, Sundance Square and so much more to see and experience. Don't let the bugs keep you away from enjoying those 220-plus days of amazing weather, and don't let them take over your home.
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