When you look around the beautiful landscape of Arizona, you cannot help but realize that nature is wonderful; it is very peaceful and calming to watch birds fly or deer graze in a field. When you look around the beautiful landscape of Arizona, you cannot help but realize that nature is wonderful; it is very peaceful and calming to watch birds fly or deer graze in a field. However, when the outdoors starts to become indoors, nature is not always quite so calming. A pest infestation can frustrating, stressful, and harmful to your health and that of your family. How can you avoid or remove some of Phoenix’s most common pests from your home?

Crickets. They can be soothing at night. If they are far, far away. In your home, though, they create a concert that will keep you up all night. They are drawn to light, so you can eliminate outside light sources so you will not attract them. Sealing your trash and trimming back vegetation can also help. Now, if you do have some inside, get them quick. They are quick breeders, and you don’t need a new generation taking up residence in your home.

You can use an all-purpose bug spray to remove them, or you can set a trap. Glue traps, for instance, trap crickets but do not put children at risk if they should touch or ingest it. If all else fails, you can always have your pet lizard or cat take care of the problem. They are natural cricket hunters.

Ants. Phoenix has over 400 species of ants – and none of them are welcome in your house. If you start to see a marching army of these pests, there are several things you can do to get rid of them. Seal up any gaps or cracks that could allow entry, including windows. You can also use a deterrent under doors or walls. Good choices include baby powder with talc. Simply apply it in a line in the places you think ants are using as an entrance.

If they are already inside, you can kill the scouts. These will be individual ants that are looking for food. If left alive, it will return to the colony to report back on the yummy treats in your kitchen. What if you don’t catch the scout, and all of a sudden ants go marching one by one right across your countertops. Using an all-purpose cleaner or bleach, wipe out the line. This should deter other ants from following the trail.

Cockroaches. If you shudder just thinking about them, you’re not alone. Roaches are incredibly hardy little pests. You can try sprinkling boric acid around sites frequented by the roaches. Another solution is to put steel wool into the spaces around plumbing and other holes where roaches can enter and exit. They do not like the texture of the steel wool scrubbers. Chemical warfare is an option as well. You can find commercial products on the market or have a professional exterminator do it.

Phoenix pest control professionals can help you remove these and other unwanted visitors. Pests can damage your property, health, and peace of mind; taking action at the first sign of infestation is key in removing them and reclaiming your home.