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It is always exciting to see and experience the approaching of a new season. Whether it be summer, winter, or fall, something is amazing about watching nature transform before your eyes. While it can be pleasant, the changing of seasons also brings along unwanted insects. Depending on where you are physically located and the time of year, you might find yourself contending with different species.
These are the species that are commonly referred to as occasional invaders. They might only be occasional guests, but they can be major nuisances and leave behind lingering problems once they’re gone. The presence of some of these pests in the home could even indicate humidity or water problems.
Battling Occasional Invaders
Regardless of the insect or the situation, you are dealing with, the best and first place to start is always with understanding thy enemy. Occasional invaders are referred to as occasional invaders because they only enter the home occasionally. They usually do so because of the weather. Depending on the species of the insect, it could be the heat or cold forcing the invaders into the home.
These insects usually have no choice but to seek refuge inside the home because the outside conditions could potentially kill them. Take the brown marmorated stink bug, for example. It’s the perfect example and is forced inside the home when the outside weather conditions get too cold. The stink bug is not built to battle cold outdoor weather conditions, therefore, when winter starts approaching, it seeks refuge in nearby buildings and structures.
Another major problem with occasional invaders is that a lot of them lay dormant in the home. They usually enter the walls, attics, or crawlspaces and hibernate until the warmer weather comes back. You probably won’t even notice them until the next changing of the seasons.
The Occasional Invaders Library
It goes without saying that occasional invaders are going to be different for different citizens. It depends on where you are located and the time of the year. With that established, here are some of the most common occasional invaders.
Centipedes – With long worm-like bodies, and lots of legs, the centipede is easily identifiable. They can appear in yellow or dark brown colors and have dark markings on their claw-like appendages. These appendages also contain venom that comes in handy for paralyzing prey.
Millipedes – Millipedes, similar to centipedes, also feature a cylindrical worm-like body. The major difference is the legs. Millipedes contain two pairs of legs per body segment. They also differ in color, appearing anywhere from brown to black. Some species even contain red or orange mottling. These insects are known for curling into a ball when threatened.
Silverfish – Wingless and wriggly, the silverfish moves like a fish, hence the name. They are brown and feature a teardrop-shaped body. They are usually silver with gray scales and have three bristled appendages protruding from their backs.
Earwigs – Dark and reddish-brown with long, flat slender bodies make the earwig more easily identifiable. They also have pinchers that are commonly referred to as cerci. They have forceps on their abdomens that help with feeding. A lot of the species have wings but not all can fly.
These are just to name a few of the occasional invaders. There are lots more including crickets, pillbugs, and sowbugs.
What Dangers Do They Pose?
Despite the lingering list of potential occasional invaders, what you need to know is that most don’t pose a major physical threat. If you have delicate indoor blooms, these invaders could feed on the leaves and stems. As far as biting goes, it is highly unlikely that you’ll need to worry about suffering harm. Most of them don’t pose any physical harm or carry diseases, but they can feed on furniture, wires, houseplants, and rugs.
The biggest threat they honestly pose is lingering smells and stains. Some bugs emit musty-like odors and leave behind excrement when crawling on the walls and ceilings. The centipede is about the only exception to the list. Although considered extremely rare, the centipede will bite, and it has been reportedly painful.
Why Are Occasional Invaders In My Home?
As you might remember from above, occasional invaders on enter the home when seeking refuge from outdoor elements. However, this is not the only reason. It was also said that the presence of these pests could be an indication of other underlying problems. Take the earwig or the silverfish, for example.
Both of these species are attracted to humid environments. If you spot their presence in the basement, bathroom, or crawlspace, it could be that they are overly humid. Maybe bring in a dehumidifier or check for leaking or standing water. If such conditions are present, they will need to be dealt with immediately.
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