What are millipedes, springtails, and fruit flies?
Experiencing a pest infestation in your home can be frustrating and overwhelming. Three common types of pests in Houston homes are millipedes, springtails, and fruit flies.
Millipedes have two pairs of legs per body segment, with their worm-like bodies varying in length. Despite their many legs, millipedes are slow-moving.
Springtails are tiny pests, about 1/16 of an inch long, and usually look like black pepper because of their size.
Fruit flies range from brown to tan, with red or black eyes. They are small, about 1/8 of an inch long.
Are millipedes, springtails, and fruit flies dangerous?
For the most part, millipedes, springtails, and fruit flies are not dangerous to people. However, millipedes can cause skin irritation, burning, and discoloration due to the hydrochloric acid they produce, so it's best not to handle them with bare hands.
And although these pests aren't dangerous to people, their presence can indicate other issues that cause health concerns. For example, all of these pests enjoy moist environments, and moisture in a home can also mean fungus and mold growth. So if you see any of these pests in your home, it's essential to get to the root of the problem.
Why do I have a millipede, springtail, and fruit fly problem?
As you may already know, fruit flies become an issue in homes with over-ripe or rotting produce; food residue in sinks and around your home can also attract these pests.
Millipedes and springtails commonly infest when looking for moisture if it's too hot and dry outside. But they are both decomposers, so they are also attracted to decaying organic matter like fruit flies.
Where will I find millipedes, springtails, and fruit flies?
Again, these pests are attracted to places with a lot of moisture, so they usually gravitate toward areas of a home with a lot of humidity or moisture buildup, such as kitchens, bathrooms, basements, crawl spaces, and garages.
Fruit flies are regularly an issue in kitchens, eating areas, bathrooms, and around garbage cans.
How do I get rid of millipedes, springtails, and fruit flies?
If you are experiencing millipedes, springtails, and fruit flies, you can rely on The Bugstoppers for pest control in Houston. Our residential pest control services start by talking with you and performing an inspection to understand the pest pressures you are specifically experiencing, what is causing them, and where they are coming from. Then, we create a plan of action using interior and exterior treatment methods to eliminate active pest problems and help prevent future ones with monthly or quarterly recurring services.
So contact The Bugstoppers today to get rid of fruit flies, springtails, and millipedes from your home!
How can I prevent millipedes, springtails, and fruit flies in the future?
To prevent future pest infestations in your home, we recommend adopting these tips:
- Check the exterior of your potential entry points, such as cracks in the foundation, missing screens and weatherstripping, gaps around windows and doors, uncovered vents, and other openings.
- Remove organic debris from your yard, including leaf piles, dead trees, stumps, and lawn clippings.
- Eliminate food sources by using garbage cans with tight-fitting lids, food storage containers that seal, and cleaning up crumbs and spills immediately.
- Reduce moisture in your home by repairing leaks, checking for proper ventilation, and using dehumidifiers.
Contact The Bugstoppers for quality pest control to keep pests like millipedes, springtails, and fruit flies out of your home.