Four Common Maryland Home Pests
A damp basement can damage your home, be a health hazard, and can foster the growth of mold and mildew. Worst of all though, it can create the perfect environment for the infestation of nasty pests. There are many bugs that flourish in wet basements, here are the four most common that can plague Maryland homeowners:
Silverfish
A long, silvery bug named for it’s fish like movements. Silverfish have long antenna and move very quickly. Silverfish feed off the polysaccharides found in common household objects like paper, fabrics, and glue. They commonly infest dark, damp spaces like bathrooms, laundry rooms, and especially basements. Though they do not often spread disease, they can cause a lot of expensive property damage.
Millipedes and Centipedes
Typical an inch or so longer, centipedes and millipedes are easily recognized by their many legs. These legs help them move fast so they are very hard to catch and kill. They are typically brown but can vary in shades from dark brown to light gray. Millipedes and centipedes rarely live in large nests. However, the appearance of one may be a sign of a larger infestation. Millipedes and centipedes often enter through cracks in the foundation.
Pill Bugs
Pill Bugs, also know as “roly pollies” are a common nuisance. Pill bugs are small gray bugs that roll into balls when threatened. They love warm damp places because their bodies do not retain moisture. They usually enter the home on the ground level and will only thrive in a damp basement.
Carpet Beetles
Carpet beetles are small furry brown beetles. Carpet beetles eat animal products and fabrics. An infestation of carpet beetles can wreak havoc on your home. They thrive in dark moist areas, so the basement is an ideal environment. They reproduce quickly so it is very easy for a carpet beetle infestation to get out of hand.
Luckily all of these nasty critters can be prevented by the services offered by AA Action Waterproofing. The experts AA Action Waterproofing can waterproof your home so that these unwelcomed guests do not stay. They can also seal any of the many entry points like foundation cracks and unsealed seams to keep these critters out for good.