There are many advantages to living in the Midwest, including low housing costs and wholesome neighbors. However, throughout Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, residents have been struggling with persistent pest issues since spring. With hot summers and cold winters, the region boasts the ideal climate for a variety of unwanted visitors to find their way into your home during the cooler months.
These are not just annoying pests; they can also be destructive, carry diseases, and contaminate food, posing a significant health risk to your family. Seasonal changes only exaggerate the situation. For example, during rough winters, pests are on the hunt for any available warm indoor location. If pest problems arise, make sure you reach out to a good pest control company.
6 Pests Commonly Found In Midwest States’ Homes
Here are some of the common pests found in Midwest states homes:
- House Mice
The Most Common Rodent Problem Infesting Midwest Homes. They can slip through cracks no bigger than a dime, making entry points a factor that is nearly impossible to seal.
- Carpenter Ants
Midwestern summers are ideal for this species of wood-destroying insect. They burrow in wooden things, especially where there is dampness—basements and dug spaces.
- Boxelder Bugs
Prevalent across the Midwest, these black and red bugs cluster on the sunny sides of buildings in the fall, looking for places to overwinter in houses.
- Cluster Flies
Fall flies invade homes in the Midwest in large numbers this time of the year. They live in wall voids and attics and come out on warm winter days to fly around windows.
- German Cockroaches
These roaches reproduce quickly in warm, humid places like Midwest kitchens and bathrooms. A female can give birth to 400 offspring throughout her life.
- Pavement Ants
These tiny ants create colonies beneath sidewalks and foundations. They get into homes through the cracks, looking for sweet and fatty foods in the pantry and in the kitchen.
How Dangerous Are These Pests (Really)?
Unfortunately, the health risks that these pests can pose to Midwest families are greater than many recognize. What diseases do house mice spread? House mice carry more than 35 diseases that are transmitted from their droppings and urine, including Salmonella and hantavirus. The CDC says about 21,000 Americans are hospitalized each year with rodent-transmitted disease, and states throughout the Midwest have reported severe cases.
German cockroaches cause many triggers, including asthma attacks and allergies, which are especially harmful to children. Their moulted skin and excreta become airborne, affecting the quality of indoor air. According to the American Lung Association, cockroach allergens are found in 78% of homes with asthma symptoms.
Over the years, this can compromise the integrity of your home, as carpenter ants hollow out wood, creating structural damage. Boxelder bugs and cluster flies are merely nuisances, but numerous pests can create unsanitary conditions and stress for homeowners who continuously let the insects indoors.
The Next Step!
If your home in the Midwest is having an issue with pests, store-bought sprays and traps are not going to solve the problem. The best pest control services know the main issues facing homeowners in this part of the country. They are aware of the active pest season and will also notice entry points you may be missing.
Reliable Pest Solutions has been serving Midwest communities for years and knows the variety of pest pressures local homeowners face. They apply pest management strategies that attack the root of the problem, not just the symptoms. Their technicians know the styles of homes built in the Midwest and where common issues occur.
Prevent a small insect problem from turning into a massive swarm at your residence. With professional services, you create a tailor-made treatment plan that helps preserve your family’s health and the value of your home. Call your local pest control expert right now and book an inspection to get one step closer to a pest-free house.
