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There are a large variety of bugs in Alabama. Some are pretty harmless, but others can be a nuisance in several ways. They can act as pests that damage your property and cause allergies. This article considers the types of bugs in Alabama and provides valuable information on them.
You can read up on the common bugs in Alabama, such as fire ants, bed bugs, and spiders. You can also learn more about common insects, such as house crickets and stinging insects.
The post wraps up with how to deal with bugs in your home and the services to expect from pest control companies. Read on to learn more about the types of bugs in Alabama and how professional pest control services can help you eliminate infestations.
Common Types of Bugs in Alabama
Alabama has a climate that provides an ideal home for various types of bugs, insects, and other pests. It is ranked as high as 8th in the United States for the number of bugs.
Read on for more information on the most common bugs in Alabama.
Fire ants in Alabama
Up to 170 known species of ants live in Alabama, including red, imported fire ants in South, East, and Central Alabama. However, you can also find black imported fire ants in Northwestern Alabama and the black-red hybrids in North, West, and Central Alabama.
The red imported fire ant can prey on ticks, boll weevils, and bollworms. They are referred to as imported because they came into the U.S. by accident in the early 1900s. Consequently, they spread from the port in Mobile to 12 southern states over time.
Fire ants are a common species in Alabama that can enter your home. They are known to be aggressive, have a painful sting, and are notorious because they do not only bite but also latch on you and sting you.
They have toxic alkaloid venom that causes painful allergic reactions in some people. Some people can even find multiple bites from fire ants to be life-threatening. Just like other ants, fire ants can spread disease pathogens and bacteria. You need to ensure they do not contaminate surfaces and your food.
Bed bugs in Alabama
You should not make the mistake of thinking that bed bugs can typically only be found in beds. You can also find them on walls, wooden furniture, laundry baskets, and electric outlets.
In addition, bed bugs can travel into your home with you from public spaces like movie theaters. Bites from bed bugs can get itchy and can cause allergic reactions. You can look for likely signs of bed bugs, including shed skin and itchy feeling on your skin.
Mosquitoes
Many people are forced to get some form of mosquito control because mosquito bites can be painful. These common insects feed on blood, and their bites can cause itches. Some mosquito species can furthermore carry life-threatening diseases. Meanwhile, some mosquitoes can transfer parasitic heartworms to your pets, including cats and dogs.
Clearing off still water in your immediate environment can reduce the population of mosquitoes around you. Standing water creates a breeding ground where mosquitoes often lay eggs. The eggs need moisture to survive and water to hatch.
Spiders
While some species of spiders are generally harmless to humans, many people have a phobia of spiders. Spider species in Alabama include cellar, wolf, and jumping spiders. However, the common spiders that have venoms that can be harmful include brown widow spiders and black widow spiders.
Many species of spiders spin webs while waiting for prey. If you have spider issues, you may need an effective form of spider control. Invite a reliable pest control company for their services.
Common Insects of Alabama
Alabama's weather is ideal for many insects, and its coastal insects can feed and breed well in it.
House cricket
The chirping noise from house crickets occurs when the front wings are rubbed together. Interestingly, the ears of crickets are located on their front legs. All species of field crickets have two pairs of wings. The field cricket is known to lay its eggs in rotting wood or soil.
Monarch butterfly
The Monarch butterfly is regarded as the state insect of Alabama, while the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is considered the state mascot and butterfly. You may often find monarch butterflies migrating southwards in the fall and making a return migration in the spring. They have scales that reflect light and appear like powder on your finger.
Japanese beetles
Japanese beetles are often bad news for gardeners. They feed on plant foliage and damage leaves, and they can also cause copious damage to crops such as roses, raspberries, and grapes. You can find Japanese beetles in cities, gardens, farms, and forests. It can be challenging to control Japanese beetle infestations.
Brown marmorated stink bugs
These are small and stinky shield-shaped insects that feed on fruits like peaches and apples. They also feed on crops such as corn and beans. You can also find them on weeds and decorative plants.
Signs of the presence of these stink bugs include indentation-like marks on produce and blotchy discolorations. These smelly insects can invade your home, so you may want to call a pest control service when you spot them.
Stinging insects
Bees, wasps, and scorpions are examples of stinging insects. As the name implies, many stinging insects have stingers on their abdomens or at the end of their tails. These stingers are used in defense or as tools to kill prey.
Stinging insects can be dangerous to humans. For example, wasps can build nests in homes and become a nuisance. Likewise, wasp species like yellow jackets and hornets have painful stings that could cause severe allergic reactions.
Wasps like to eat ripe fruits and discarded foods in trash cans and composts. You may find their nests in wall cavities or eaves. Meanwhile, scorpions prefer humid spaces such as bathrooms and basements.
Carpenter bee
Carpenter bees help to pollinate plants and trees. The female bores into untreated wood and can become a nuisance. Carpenter bees may also cause indirect damage when woodpeckers peck on the wood. Female carpenter bees have stingers but only sting when you capture or handle them.
How to Deal with Bugs in Your Home
Effective methods of dealing with bugs depend on the type of bugs. You may use effective DIY methods or invite professional help. However, it is advisable to invite local pest control companies for difficult pest issues such as ant or termite infestations.
Some ways to prevent bugs and household pests from getting into your home include the following:
- Seal entry points.
- Keep your home clean and clutter-free to reduce possible hiding places of pests.
- Use dehumidifiers to keep pests that prefer humid spaces away.
- Regularly clean and wash your pets.
Services to Expect from Pest Control Companies
Apart from helping you to manage and control pest infestations, a pest control company may be able to help you out with the following:
- Termite control measures
- Bed bug control measures
- Moisture control measures to help prevent pest infestations
- Wildlife control measures to prevent wildlife from invading your home or business
- A pest control service often has a pest library and can provide a guide to common pests in your local area. You will be able to learn what the common pests look like, what they cause, and what to do to prevent pest infestations.
- This means that they can also help you to identify pest species and help you deal with them.
Get Help with Common Bug Infestations in Alabama
This post provides more information on Alabama's various types of bugs, including details on bed bugs, fire ants, and stinging insects. You also learned more about how to deal with bugs in your home and the services to expect from pest control companies.
So, hiring a professional pest control service is the most effective means of dealing with stubborn pest infestations. They have the necessary experience and the relevant tools to provide permanent and practical solutions to pest problems.
