The thought of an ant – or worse, cockroach – strolling through your living room while you’re binging on Netflix is not cool. In fact, it’s quite disgusting.
Clark, your neighborly pest control expert, is going room by room, from the attic to the crawlspace, to identify potential pest hot spots and what conditions might be attracting them. In this edition, we’ll take a seat in your living room (or great room, or man cave) to identify pests that want to crash the party.
Ants and flies: Whether it’s a snack during a movie or dinner while watching the family’s favorite show, certain pests – like ants and house flies – are happy to join in as well and finish off any leftovers. Argentine and pavement ants have been known to eat meats, bread, oils, and fats, while odorous house ants prefer sweets. House flies are a little less picky, feeding on a wide variety of human foods and liquids.
Bed bugs: Despite their name, bed bugs can also be found in living room furniture. These bugs are known for being skilled hitchhikers and can catch a ride on clothing or personal items, traveling from places like schools and hotels right into living rooms. Once hidden within couch cushions, bed bugs will wait to feed on anyone dozing off during a late-night movie. Remember: It’s a person’s steady stream of CO2 that draws them out and indicates a meal is nearby.
Other pests: Occasional invaders like ladybugs, carpet beetles, and stink bugs can make their way into living rooms, which typically are located on the first floor near the front door, and tend to have multiple windows and other entry points. Ladybugs and stink bugs usually can be found near windows and doors, while carpet beetles will venture further into living rooms to dine on pet hair, dead insects, and woolen fabrics.
Why are pests attracted to living rooms?
While living room bugs and insects might not fully appreciate a nice reclining chair or HD television, they still make the most of all the amenities living rooms have to offer.
Typically, living rooms are larger in size relative to other rooms, and they provide pests with ample hiding spots out of human sight. In particular, carpets serve as shelter and even food for some living room bugs, like ants and beetles. For other pests that follow carpet-free diets, food crumbs left behind from TV dinners or late-night snacks will more than satisfy their appetites.
Aside from these attractants, living rooms generally have greater accessibility for pests, compared to other parts of the house. They typically are located on the first floor and near the front door, and also tend to have multiple windows, providing numerous entry points for pests. Additionally, living rooms accommodate a great deal of foot traffic relative to other rooms, giving any hitchhiking bugs ample opportunities to ride in on clothing, personal items, or pets.
Four tips to prevent pests in the living room
Ensure that pests do not spoil a family movie night or get together by following these pest-proofing tips for the living room:
- Seal any cracks or crevices along the interior and exterior of the living room with a silicone-based caulk, steel wool, or a combination of both.
- Replace broken windows, repair ripped screens, and install weatherstripping.
- Maintain a clean and clutter-free living room by disposing of any leftover food and routinely vacuuming to pick up crumbs and pet hair.
- As people and pets move in and out of the living room, make sure they do not bring any unwanted visitors with them. Check outdoor pets for any bugs attached to them, and have people remove shoes and other dirty clothing before getting comfortable on your couch.
Call or text Clark at (800) WE-NEED-YOU (936-3339) if you have problems with any of these pests in your living room, or anywhere in your home. You can also e-mail us at clarkcares@clarkpest.com to let us know how we can serve your pest control and lawn care needs.
Until next time, I’m Clark, and thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home and yard.