Weather decides which bugs turn up around your house and how many of them you’ll deal with. Snow brings one set, heat and dryness another, and rain and humidity bring high humidity pests of their own. If you want the full year-round picture, our bugs by season guide covers what to expect in every stretch of the calendar. Right now, from June through early September, Central Arkansas’s humidity is the driver. That extra moisture pulls out a specific handful of pests, and knowing which ones is the difference between an easy fix and a bigger problem.
The first thing to understand is that these bugs are called “mildew feeders,” pretty self explanatory in that the primary source of attraction for these little guys is mildew. Like any other bug, mildew feeders lay eggs, which usually takes them about 4 to 5 days. The average lifespan is somewhere around 22 days. One could think, “well, 22 days isn’t that long, I’ll just wait for them to die out.” The risk you run with this is obviously the rapid reproduction. You’ll want to be sure to take care of this as soon as you notice the issue. Three simple tips: increase sanitation, decrease moisture, and increase ventilation in your home. Breaking it down a little further, let us get into the specific bugs you’ll experience in the extreme heat and humidity.
Pillbugs
One of the most common is the “pillbug.” The pillbug, in all actuality, is a crustacean that has adapted to living on land. Naturally, these guys like moisture and hide under various kinds of objects throughout the day (mulch, compost, stones, along pavement joints, bricks, and building foundations). Don’t be alarmed though, pillbugs don’t sting, eat clothing, bite, or carry diseases. They’re harmless and more of a nuisance than anything else. Insecticides will not exterminate them, since they’re actually not insects. It’s hard to tell, but they actually have a ton of legs. While they make their way into your home, they most likely won’t last very long due to a lack of moisture. So take care of any damp areas. If you experience an influx of pillbugs, simply vacuum them up or pick them up and set them free.
Ticks
Unlike pillbugs, ticks actually can cause physical harm, so it’s important to be able to identify them. High humidity and significant rainfall can certainly contribute to the volume of ticks that are out and about. Ticks feed on mammals (such as humans), birds, and reptiles. There are several different kinds of ticks, with dog/wood ticks and red/brown ticks being among the most common. Dog or wood ticks are about the size of the dot of an exclamation point. This is largely because they are still in the larvae stage. It’s important for you to know that the younger the tick, the more likely they are to carry lyme disease. Red/brown ticks are fully grown and are about 3/16 of an inch, so still pretty small. If after you’ve noticed that you’ve been bitten by a tick you realize there is a circle starting to develop around the bite, be sure to get yourself to a medical professional, that is the first sign that they could have been carrying something harmful. They really like lower legs and ankles, so the best way to avoid them is to wear long pants, keep out of long grass, and keep your eyes peeled.
Slugs
While ticks may be harmful to your health, slugs are after your garden and vegetation. If you’re experiencing high humidity levels and ample moisture like we are, you may want to check on your beloved plants. Slugs are predominantly nighttime bugs, that is when they are getting into and chewing through your vegetation. There are several different methods to getting rid of slugs. There are forms of slug bait out there, but be aware of their contents, because some of them contain metaldehyde, which can be harmful to birds, mammals, and pets. Some people use salt to dry them out and kill them. This method works, but it has been known to negatively affect your garden. For the best DIY solution to this issue, set out some saucers full of beer. It may sound strange, but it attracts them like magnets. The only downfall to that method is having to clean them out.
When It’s Time to Call Bug Masters
Pillbugs almost always take care of themselves once the moisture problem is fixed. Ticks and slugs are worth a closer look, especially if you’re finding them inside or in growing numbers. If that’s the case, or if something else altogether has moved in, Bug Masters’ residential pest control team serves homes across Central Arkansas and can take it from there. For a look at what else shows up throughout the year, see our bugs by season guide. Contact us today for an inspection and treatment.
