Occasional Invader Identification & Prevention

What You Need To Know About Occasional Invaders

“Occasional invaders” as a term relates to a group of common pets that tend to swarm around homes and other human dwellings during certain times of the year. While not considered dangerous, occasional invaders can still be a huge nuisance when they arrive in huge numbers around your home.

Frequently Asked Questions About Occasional Invaders

Occasional invaders are a group of pests, including arthropods and insects. These invaders enter your Del Rio home throughout the year, seeking shelter from outdoor conditions when they’re too extreme. We deal with all kinds of occasional invaders like those listed below.

Earwigs – These nocturnal pests are known for feeding on plants and crops. They can cause real damage to vegetation around your property. Earwigs are active at night. During the day, they gravitate to dark, damp places like bark, piles of decaying matter or lawn debris, bags of dirt, fertilizer, mulch, and under rocks.  

Millipedes – These arthropods are known for having many legs, ranging between 80 to 400. Millipedes gravitate to moisture-rich, humid areas and scavenge on garden debris like decaying plant matter and leaves. There are around 10,000 known species of millipedes in the U.S. alone.

Scorpions - These nocturnal pests live mostly in dry habitats and can enter homes and businesses through windows, doors, cracks, crevices, and pipes. They’re distinguishable by their long tails that have a stinger at the end. There are over 1,200 scorpion species in the world and around 70 species in our country alone.

Silverfish - These shiny crawlers are silverfish. These tear-shaped pests are a silver-blue color, giving off a metallic shine. Silverfish gravitate to locations with high humidity like bathtubs, sinks, kitchens, and showers. They feed on carbohydrates like sugars and starches. Their presence can be indicative of bigger moisture problems throughout your property. 

Are occasional invaders dangerous?

The consequences of an occasional invader invading your home vary depending on the individual species. Some can cause damage to your belongings and overall property, while others can sting and cause severe reactions in their victims. Scorpions, for instance, are known for stinging their prey and can also sting when they feel threatened. That can be dangerous, and local property owners certainly don’t want these occasional invaders in their homes. 

Why do I have an occasional invader problem?

There are a number of factors that can attract occasional invaders to certain homes. Keep in mind that like all pests, silverfish, scorpions, millipedes, and earwigs are always on the hunt for food and water in order to survive. If your home has any moisture issues that present them with water or copious food left out (including paper products and fabrics), that could be enough to attract them.

Where will I find occasional invaders?

Occasional invaders will be found in different places based on the specific species in question. Earwigs and silverfish are most often found in or around paper products and fabrics, so typically they’re in your closets, kitchens, and around books/bookshelves. Millipedes are attracted to moisture-rich areas, so in homes, they are usually in the bathroom or in damp garages. As for scorpions, they are found wherever there are other pests around that they can prey on.

How can I protect my property from occasional invaders?

When it comes to keeping occasional invaders away from your property, there are a variety of things you can do. Because so many species seek humidity and moisture, monitoring the moisture level around your home is important. Any sources of excess moisture are usually conducive to pest activity, so reducing these sources around your house is crucial to keeping occasional invaders off your property. 

In order to protect your property from occasional invaders, there are a variety of prevention methods you can implement around your property. Consider the following suggestions to aid you in your efforts to reduce the presence of occasional invaders:

• Eliminate garden debris and decaying matter around your property.
• Properly seal garage and entry doors.
• Put a dehumidifier in moisture-rich areas. 
• Reduce all sources of excess moisture.
• Remove stones and timbers from the property.
• Repair damaged window and door screens.
• Store firewood off the ground, a good distance away from your home.
• Use caulk to seal cracks and holes on the outside of your house.

While taking preventative action can help, occasional invaders can be sneaky about finding their way into your home. For this reason, getting ongoing services from a team of qualified experts is important. 

How do I get rid of occasional invaders?

If you want to secure comprehensive protection from occasional invaders, the best thing you can do is get in touch with your local pest professionals. That’s why we’re here. The team at Gold Star Exterminators - Del Rio offers complete protection from all kinds of common area invaders, helping you put in place the necessary preventative measures to keep them away throughout the year. Call us today to learn more about our occasional invader control solutions. 

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