Find out what's bugging you
Pest Library
Learn about Kansas City Insects & Pests
The Kansas City metro is a great climate for insects, rodents, and other pests that can share disease and cause damage to property. This is a guide to some of the most common types of pests we treat for in the area, and we also include some information on how to protest your home from infestations.
Ants
Ants are small but mighty pests, and can actually cause really significant issues for such a tiny insect. Ants do prefer outdoor nests, but we see them inside homes because of the ample supply of available food, water, and shelter. During the colder months, they're driven inside by extreme weather and lack of food.
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As we know, ants love to live in community. Where one ant goes, more will always follow! While they may seem innocuous, they can spread bacteria, get into your food supplies, and some can cause extreme damage to wood. Some ants are more aggressive and will bite and sting, and others produce a nasty odor. With so many types of ants, its best to depend on the professionals to handle any infestations.
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The best tip we have for preventing ants in your home is limiting their access to food. Trash should be in bags and in a tightly covered container. Sweep often, pick up uneaten pet food, and keep your outdoor eating space well-swept and clean. If you find
that ants are often coming into your home, consider putting all of your pantry items into containers with tightly-fitted lids, and make sure to store perishable foods in the refrigerator.
FUN FACT
There are more than 10,000 ant species in the world, and its estimated that more than 10 quadrillion ants are alive at any point in time.
Cockroaches
Is there anything worse than a cockroach? We submit that there is not. These are some of the most creepy crawly bugs out there, and their infestations are extremely difficult to remove.
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While ants are usually easy to spot, cockroaches are hide-and-seek experts. Not only that, but they have their reputation for a reason - they're just nasty critters. These scavengers will travel through sewage and trash cans and drain pipes on the hunt for food. If they enter your home, they bring all of that bacteria with them, and then set up shop in your home. If you spot one cockroach in or around your home, take action and call Cridder Ridder immediately.
General prevention, as usual, is achieved by maintaining your indoor and outdoor spaces (sweep up all that food!) and
sealing any cracks or openings on the exterior of your space. Specifically for cockroaches, who hide really well in old pieces of furniture and the like, be sure to check any items purchased secondhand and deliveries from any sort of warehouse.
FUN FACT
A cockroach can hold its breath for 40 minutes and they can run 3 miles in an hour.
Termites
Termites are social insects that are known for their ability to consume and break down wood and other plant materials. They live in large colonies and are found in almost every part of the world. There are over 2,700 species of termites, and they vary in size and color depending on the species. Termites play an important role in many ecosystems by breaking down dead plant matter and recycling nutrients. However, they can also cause significant damage to buildings and other structures, making them a major pest for homeowners and property owners. To prevent termite infestations, it's important to keep wood and other plant materials away from the foundation of buildings and to address any moisture issues in and around the structure.
Termites can cause significant damage to homes and other structures in Kansas City. These insects feed on wood and other cellulose materials, such as paper and cardboard, and are capable of consuming large amounts of these materials in a short period of time. As termites tunnel through the wooden structures of a building, they weaken the structural integrity of the wood and can cause it to collapse or become unstable. In addition, termites can cause costly damage to furniture, flooring, and other personal property. Homeowners in Kansas City should be vigilant in monitoring for signs of termite infestation, such as piles of sawdust or discarded wings, and take steps to prevent infestations through regular inspections and treatment by a pest control professional. Prompt action can help prevent extensive termite damage and avoid costly repairs.
FUN FACT
Termites are sometimes called "silent destroyers" because they can chew through wood, flooring, and even wallpaper undetected, causing significant damage to buildings and homes before they are discovered.
Spiders
Spiders are, quite literally, everywhere. They thrive in backyards where plenty of flying insects are available to catch for food, and their eating habits are actually very beneficial for controlling insect populations. They are generally unnoticed in outdoor spaces, and tend not to cause harm (other than the occasional accidental walk through an unseen web resulting in high powered karate chops into thin air).
If spiders start becoming more prolific (meaning, you're seeing lots of them and webs are everywhere) you've got an infestation and a treatment of your outdoor spaces will reduce the population.
Spiders love dense vegetation, bright lighting, play structures, woodpiles, standing water, and any outdoor space that has places for them to weave their webs.
By limiting insect activity (regular pest control spray treatments), spider populations will not be as interested in your yard or home. Additionally, keeping outdoor lights from running through the night, maintaining short grass, weeding garden areas, and cutting shrubs back from the house at least 12" will go a long way toward limiting your spidery guests. Repairing damaged screen, sealing cracks, and refraining from propping open un-screened doors and windows are other easy ways to keep the spiders away.
FUN FACT
Spiders are technically not insects (they're in the arachnid family) and there are 38,000 different species living on every continent but Antarctica.