There are over a million species of bugs in the world, and 7,000 are being discovered each year. The top 10 most common summer bugs in house are what we will be studying in this information-filled article.
As you read on, you will discover that most of these summer bugs in house are harmless and do not cause any harm to humans or even pets.
Why, then, are they a threat to humans? Why don’t you find out below?
What are the Top 10 Most Common Summer Bugs In House?
1. Stink Bugs:
Stink bugs are one of the most common summer bugs in house and can measure about 2 cm in length.
These pests usually have patterns on their backs that look more like a shield. You will see this marbled pattern if you look closely at its wing region.
Stink bugs are one of the most common bugs in house during summer and can easily be distinguished by the white bands on their legs and even their antennae.
With their distinct coloration and appearance, you can easily identify them and differentiate them from similar-looking tiny summer bugs in house.
The stink bugs are mostly active during the months of August through October, as they would be scouting for preferable hiding spots to keep themselves warm during the cold.
They are able to access your house through the following mediums:
- Cracks and crevices
- Windows
- Vents
- Shutters, etc.
One thing that makes the presence of these summer bugs in house irritating is that they tend to flock together, and the mere sight of this can be quite disturbing.
Even though these summer bugs in house do not cause any harm to humans or pets, it is obvious from their names that they emit an odor that is somewhat ‘stinky’.
Read also: How to Keep a House Bug-Free During the Summer Months
2. Ladybugs:
Ladybugs are very common summer bugs in house, and certainly, every one of us reading this article must have come across this bug at least twice in our lifetime.
- Ladybugs are pretty easy to identify and can be distinguished by their red color and black spots.
- They have tiny and oval wings.
- They measure lengths of 1 to 10 mm.
You will often find them in your home during the months of September through November, when they will be searching for suitable hiding spots for the upcoming weather (winter).
In the house, you will often find them gathered in places such as:
- Wall voids
- Attics
- Door frames
- Exterior sidings
- Soffits, etc
Even though these bugs are not harmful to humans, it is believed that when in danger, they can emit stinky yellow secretions, which can trigger allergic reactions including asthma and even irritation to the eye.
Even though they do bite, this bite will only feel like a pinch and does not contain poison.
3. Daddy Long Leg Spiders:
This is another summer bug in house and can be identified by the following features:
- They have long and thin legs.
- They have long legs that usually extend about 2 inches from the length of their body.
- Their bodies usually measure about 0.25 to 0.3125 inches in length.
Their appearance is what gives them the name spindly (long and thin) spiders.
You will often find these spiders in their cobwebs in places such as:
- Attics
- Basements, etc
They are also referred to as cellar spiders, and it is pretty obvious due to the places in the house that they chose to hide.
These summer bugs are not harmful to humans, as they do not bite and are not venomous.
4. Wolf Spiders:
Wolf spiders can be identified by the following features:
- Their colorations range from black to gray or brown.
- They are very hairy; probably how they derived the name wolve spiders.
- These spiders can reach lengths of about 1 and 0.5 inches.
These spiders usually mate during the fall and will often find their way into your home while looking for a suitable habitat to lay their eggs.
In the house, you would often find them in places such as:
- Firewood stacks.
- Under stones
- Under boards
- Basements
- Garages
- Sheds, etc
They often inhabit places where other insect activities are pending so as to make their search for food less stressful.
These spiders prefer to hide rather than bite, but if they feel threatened, they will definitely deliver a painful bite.
5. Carpenter Ants:
The carpenter ants are another set of common summer bugs in house, and can easily be identified by the following features:
- The winged carpenter ants reach lengths of 1 inch.
- The wingless carpenter ants reach lengths of 0.25 to 0.5 inches.
- They have narrow waists.
- Their colorations are usually shiny black to dark brown.
- They have mandibles for chowing on their food.
It is advisable to get rid of rotten or decayed wood that has been damaged by water, as this will only invite these ants to come and cause greater damage to your house.
Unlike some of the previous summer bugs in house previously mentioned, the carpenter ants do bite, and this bite can be quite painful when delivered.
Although their bites do not contain venom, they may trigger allergic reactions as a result of the formic acid present during the bite.
It is advisable to clean the bite area immediately after a bite has been delivered to avoid further complications.
6. Camel Crickets:
You can identify the camel crickets by the following features:
- They are often tan, light brown, or dark brown.
- They have humped backs.
- They have long antennas.
- Their bodies reach lengths of 0.5 to 1.5 inches.
Just like most pests, these bugs in house during summer prefer places that are dark and moist and will often be found in basements.
Camel crickets are safe to have around, as they do not cause any harm to humans or pets.
7. Silverfish:
The silverfish are very common summer bugs in house and got their name from their silver-like coloration. Below are possible features that can help in identifying this pest:
- Of course, they have silvery scales.
- They have long antennae that measure close to the length of their bodies
- They have 3 appendages protruding from their abdomens.
- They can grow to lengths of 12 mm.
In most of our previous articles, we have described these insects, and it is stated that they will usually feed on foods that are high in protein and starch, including:
- Paper
- Books
- Photo albums
- Cereals, etc
You will mostly find them in areas that are moist and have high humidity, such as:
- Bathroom
- Attics
- Basements, etc
This means that to get rid of them, you will need to reduce the moisture spots in your house, and this can be done by possibly purchasing a dehumidifier from Amazon.
Silverfish bugs can be irritating, but they do not bite or cause any harm to humans, as their only business is with the available food sources.
Read also:Â Why Do Water Bugs Come Out In the Summer?
8. Cockroaches:
Of all the common summer bugs in house, the roaches are the most common. These bugs are very common in homes and appear to be tenants in every home. Lol!
Below are some possible features that are associated with roach identification:
- They have 6 legs, like any regular insect.
- They have 2 antennae.
- They measure more than 2 inches in length.
- Most roach species have wings.
In the home, you can find these tiny summer bugs in almost every corner. You will often find them in the following places:
- Bathrooms
- Kitchens
- Basements
- Laundry
- Cupboards
- Drains
- Cabinets
Although roaches rarely bite unless you are undergoing a serious infestation, they can still transmit food-borne diseases and even trigger allergic reactions (asthma) if allowed to thrive.
9. Bed Bugs:
Bed bugs are one of the most common insects you’ll find in your house as they can come in through purchased goods or even from your travels.
These bugs can be identified by the following features:
- They grow to lengths of 0.125 to 0.25 inches.
- Their colorations range from red to light brown. You must also know that their colors vary depending on how often the bugs feed.
Bed bugs are more prevalent in places where human activities are rampant. They usually feed on blood as their primary food source.
These bugs are nocturnal, meaning that they are more active during the night as they tend to avoid contact with humans at all costs. Also, they would want to feed when the humans are sleeping and vulnerable.
They are able to access your home during the summer by climbing onto the following:
- Clothes
- Luggage
- Briefcase
- Purse, etc.
Although these bugs do not cause any harm to humans, imagine being fed on by multiple insects when you are asleep. It is irritating, right?
They do bite, and this bite can cause skin irritation, swelling, red welts, etc., and it can even trigger allergic reactions.
10. Earwigs:
Earwigs can simply be identified by the following features:
- They have pincers on the rear.
- They are usually dark red-brown in color.
- They measure lengths of 5 to 16 mm.
You will often find these bugs in humid and moist parts of the house, which include:
- Kitchens
- Laundry
- Bathrooms
Earwigs do not cause any harm to humans and only pinch with their pincers when they feel threatened. They do not do this on purpose.
Their pincers do not contain any form of toxins and will cause no break in the skin.
How To Get Rid of Summer Bugs In House
- Keep Your Environment Clean at All Times:
- Ensure that food sources are scarce by keeping your kitchen clean.
- Ensure frequent disposal of your garbage bag.
- Wipe your counters after cooking.
- Ensure that food is tightly sealed in a plastic bag.
- Do not leave dirty plates in the sink overnight.
- Eliminate moisture points in the house by fixing plumbing leaks.
- Clear clogged gutters.
- Ensure that your attics have access to ventilation.
- Get rid of firewood stacks and ensure they are kept far from your building walls.
- Always inspect your luggage after traveling.
- Inspect cardboard and furniture before moving them inside the house.
- Employ the Use of Bug Repellents:
- Purchase pungent-smelling plants like mint and rosemary from Amazon, as these can ward off these tiny summer bugs in house.
- You can use lemongrass, which contains citronella oil. Bugs dislike this oil.
- Encourage their natural enemies in your house. These natural enemies include:
- Birds:
- Cardinals
- Sparrows
- Chickadees, etc
- Spiders
- Bats
- Geckos (one of these equals the use of insecticides to eliminate these bugs)
- Birds:
- If you have noticed where bugs, such as ants, gather, you can sprinkle borax and sugar. The ants will take this back to the colony and introduce this harmful mixture to the rest of its members.
- Introduce diatomaceous earth. This soil type is known to cut bugs and can be purchased from Amazon at an affordable price.
How To Keep Bugs Out Of House In Summer
- Seal cracks and crevices.
- Install door sweeps to prevent bugs from entering underneath the door spacing.
- Use a mesh screen in your window.
- Repair possible entry points that may grant these summer bugs access.
- Caulk windows, plumbing pipes, air conditioning vents, etc.
Read also:Â Summer Ants and How to Get Rid
Conclusion
Certainly, most of the common summer bugs in house that we mentioned above are less harmful and cause no harm to humans or pets.
Why, then, do people want to know how to prevent bugs in house? Well, this is because allowing these bugs to thrive for so long will only cause their population to increase and may likely get out of hand.
What do you think of these top 10 bugs? Do you know of any other common summer bugs? Let us know via the comments section below!
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