Pest Library

Your Guide To Common Pests In Denver, CO

The insects, mammals, and occasional invaders of our area are increasingly dangerous to your well-being. Not only are these creatures capable of physical and mental destruction, but they may also cost several hundred dollars to remove post-infestation. Here’s what you need to know about the most common types of pest species here in the Denver, CO area.

Ants

Pavement ants, odorous house ants, field ants, carpenter ants, and harvester ants are five common varieties in the Denver area. Ants have six legs, elbowed antennae, and distinctively segmented body parts. They live in large eusocial colonies dominated by a clear caste system. Ants are opportunistic feeders and will create long 'trains' of worker ants that deliver food back to their colonies.

Pests such as ants are typically classified as nuisance pests by professional etymologists, partially due to their small size and partially due to their inability to spread diseases. However, ants do have the ability to disrupt a home or business in other ways. Foul odors when crushed, food contamination, and potential fire hazards are only a few examples of the resulting damage they can bring about.

A large portion of ant prevention stems from reduced household moisture. Items such as desiccant bags and dehumidifiers are perhaps some of the best investments for humidity-laden homes and businesses. Should leaking pipes or clogged drains create additional water sources, it would be best to get in touch with a repairman in your area. Contact our technicians now for additional protection and increase your household defenses with Advantage Pest Management's ant control program.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are some of the most common household invaders in the world. Here in Denver, species like German cockroaches, American cockroaches, and Oriental cockroaches are extremely common. German cockroaches are known for their small size and tan color. American cockroaches are much larger and usually have a pair of folded wings on their backs. Finally, Oriental cockroaches are small, dark, and referred to as 'water bugs' by the local residents.

Illness is a common result of a cockroach infestation. Cockroaches frequent filthy environments like dumpsters, sewers, and drains, allowing them firsthand access to pathogens. Roaches are known for spreading parasite eggs, strains of bacteria, and viral illnesses that they transmit via surfaces and food items they walk across. If a cockroach infestation starts around your Denver property, it will be wise to seek professional help.

If you still have the opportunity to prevent roach activity, start by trimming back all shrubs, grasses, and vegetation. Reduce humidity levels inside the home, especially those in bathrooms or kitchens. Finally, ensure that all food and garbage items are in their proper containers.

Occasional Invaders

Some pests only choose to enter a home now and again. These insects are what pest control professionals identify as occasional invaders and include earwigs, silverfish, centipedes, millipedes, and box elder bugs, among others. Occasional invaders have varying characteristics, colors, and size patterns. However, they do have some things in common. All occasional invaders are attracted to moisture, particularly humidity in the air. These pests are more active during certain parts of the year than others.

These pests do not cause physical injuries to people, although they can damage property. Earwigs and silverfish will eat cardboard and clothing. Centipedes can bite people. Millipedes squirt a type of dark acid when threatened. Finally, box elder bugs release a bad odor when crushed, much like their cousin the stink bug. All in all, these are not pests that pose particular threats to people, pets, or properties. However, they are more than capable of creating infestations, which are almost impossible to remove without help.

The prevention of occasional invaders begins with proper moisture management. Use dehumidifiers or desiccant bags to eliminate humidity from enclosed spaces inside the house. If there are additional water sources such as clogged drains or leaking pipes, reach out to a local repairman for help. Finally, remove any hiding spaces such as clutter, boxes, or clothing piles from your floors as often as possible to help eliminate any pests that could be hiding in the area.

Rodents

There are thousands of rodent species in the United States, many of which you'll find here in Denver. Three species in particular – house mice, deer mice, and Norway rats – provide the greatest amount of disturbances to home and business owners. You can easily identify rodents by their long tails, thick whiskers, and furred bodies. Larger rodents such as Norway rats can measure nearly a foot from tip to tail, while mice are much smaller at three to four inches.

The spread of disease is quite common among rodent species. Rats prefer to spend their time in less savory areas and pick up a wide variety of sicknesses that range from irritating to dangerous. They can spread some pathogens simply through water droplets in the air, which rodents leave behind in a myriad of ways. Rodents may also choose to physically attack those who threaten them, including people and pets.

Methods for preventing rodent infestations consist of strong general protection advice. Whenever possible, keep all food items and ingredients stored in their proper containers and eliminate all trash and garbage that could be attracting rodents to the area. If there are any long patches of grass or vegetation in the yard, do what you can to cut and mow these away. Finally, invest in an ongoing rodent protection program with the team at Advantage Pest Management.

Spiders

Many types of spider species live in the Denver area. The most common of these include black widow spiders, funnel weavers, orb weavers, cellar spiders, and woodlouse spiders. Unlike other types of insects, spiders have eight rather than six legs giving them the unique classification of 'arachnids.' Spiders are also known for spinning webs, possessing sharp fangs, and hunting other insects.

It is important to note that all spiders have fangs and venom sacks. While not every spider can pierce human skin or use venom to harm human health, they are all equipped to bite. Less dangerous spiders are just nuisance species (including funnel weavers, orb weavers, cellar spiders, and woodlouse spiders). However, some can be deadly. A single bite from a black widow spider can be fatal to humans and animals.

The best way to prevent spiders from entering the house is to be on the lookout for an underlying pest infestation. You can easily accomplish this by relying on a professional pest control company like Advantage Pest Management. You may also prevent spiders from coming too close to the home by sweeping away webs, reducing clutter, and reducing humidity in the house.

Stinging Insects

Insects such as paper wasps, bald-faced hornets, and yellow jackets have developed a reputation as dangerous stinging insects in the Denver area. These pests have varying characteristics, although they do share black and yellow color patterns, compound eyes, and large stingers. Some stinging insects can attack multiple times, unlike honey bees or other less-aggressive species. When threatened, stinging insects will swarm, attack, and eliminate threats using painful venom.

The venom of a stinging insect is not life-threatening to the average person or pet; however, should victims be allergic in any way, even one sting could be fatal. Stinging insects may also reduce access to the outside of your home or business, which prevents you from enjoying your property. Finally, these pests could be dissuading customers from coming inside. It is important to stay well away from any stinging insect nests and alert a professional pest control agency as soon as possible.

Most stinging insects will not colonize a property if you use proper prevention steps. Pick up any fallen fruit from underneath orchard trees, and turn compost piles frequently to prevent attracting pests. Clean up after all outdoor picnics, barbecues, and cooking events. Finally, make sure to properly install all window and door screens. It is always a good idea to have a seasonal pest control plan in place to deter a potential invasion.

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