Family Housing Office

Pest Control

Cockroaches

• American cockroaches prefer to live in warm, dark, wet areas and they often enter structures through drains and pipes. Clean out drains by rinsing with hot water.
• Thoroughly clean all potential food sources especially food preparation areas.
• Clean up spills as soon as possible.
• Store food in pest-proof containers.
• Empty trash cans daily or avoid putting food items in trash.
• Confine eating to a dining area.

Fire Ants

• These red ants build large mound nests that are flattened, irregular in shape, and between two and four square feet in size.
• Fire ants and their telltale mound nests should be actively avoided. Fire ants will sting humans who disturb a nest.
• The sting of a red imported fire ant is painful and often results in a raised welt.
• If you are stung, keep the wound clean and intact to prevent infections.
• Persons allergic to insect stings will react more severely to red ant stings.
• Excessive swelling, itching or redness at the site of the sting, or other symptoms like shortness of breath, thickening of the tongue, or profuse sweating are all symptoms of a serious allergic reaction. Seek professional medical attention immediately.

Rodents

• Rodent behavior is typically driven by hunger, thirst, curiosity, or maternal instinct. They enter structures to look for food, water or shelter.
• The most effective way to control rodents around homes or facilities is to remove food attractants like exposed garbage, food items left on business desks, excess dog or cat food, bird feeders and fallen fruits and nuts from trees.
• People should also ensure their homes have physical barriers in place to keep rodents out. The most common entryways are wide gaps under doors, unscreened ceiling vent holes and torn window screens. All rodents, no matter what size need just a 1/4-inch hole or gap to enter.
• Keeping landscaping clear of clutter, excess vegetation and tall grass will keep rodents from nesting close to homes or facilities where they could gain easy access to the structure.

Spiders

• Be cautious when entering areas that are infrequently visited and disturbed such as storage sheds, wood piles, attics, utility sheds, etc.
• Routinely clean out storage areas.
• In indoor storage areas, place boxes off the floor and away from walls to reduce harborages. Seal boxes with tape.
• Vacuum carpets and furniture routinely.
• Avoid attracting flying insects to buildings with exterior lighting. Reducing flying insects near buildings will deny spiders of their food.