Perimeter Pests: What Are They? And Why Should We Care?

What do we mean when we say “Perimeter pests?” They are exactly that...pests around the perimeter of your home. These insects or bugs hang around the outside of your house, and if not taken care of properly, can quickly infest and become quite a nuisance. And let's face it, most of what we classify as perimeter pests are actually pretty unsightly and are not much fun to be around! Perimeter pests found around your yard and home might be ants, spiders, earwigs, millipedes, rolly-pollies, and many more.

Types of Perimeter Pests

 

Ants

Indiana has many types of ants, but the ones you’re likely to see surrounding your home are either pavement ants or black ants. Pavement ants like to colonize under rocks and in the cracks of sidewalks and driveways. Whereas black ants typically nest in woodwork, masonry or yard debris. Black ants are more likely to make their way indoors, and infestation usually occurs with improper food storage. Even though both ant types have stingers, they are pretty harmless since the stinger is too small to have any effect. Because of this, both pavement ants and black ants are considered nuisance pests that can quickly invade your home in large numbers.

 

Silverfish

Silverfish, also known as “carpet sharks”, are silvery-blue bugs that have fishlike features. Silverfish are attracted to warm, humid areas and are often seen in the home near laundry rooms, ovens, attics, and fireplaces. They’re especially attracted to adhesives, fabrics and paper products and are known for their destructive damage to common household items such as books, clothing, and drapery.

 

Centipedes

Centipedes lurk in the damp, dark crevices in and around your home and only come out at night to feed off other insects. Because of this, centipedes are seen as mostly beneficial although when threatened, can bite and can cause a significant allergic reaction.

 

Spiders

Like centipedes, spiders are beneficial since they prey on other common household insects. However, if you see spiders inside your home, it often indicates the presence of another population of other insects or bugs. Not to mention, spiders can quickly breed into an infestation, as a single female house spider can lay up to 1,600 eggs in her lifetime. YIKES!

 

Pill Bugs

Better known as the “rollie pollie”, pill bugs are actually pretty harmless and because they aid in quick composting, most gardeners welcome the site of them. However, consistent rain can drive pill bugs into your home, and seeing one often means there is a much larger population somewhere close to the outside of your home.

 

Earwigs

The earwig is most easily recognized by pincers on their hind end. Earwigs habitat in the same cool, damp conditions as centipedes and pill bugs, so chances are if you see one, you will also see the other. These insects produce large populations around foundations and often enter homes once the weather becomes dry in search for food.

 

Cockroaches

Roaches often get a bad wrap, and for good reason. These insects are known to transfer bacteria such as E.coli and salmonella and will deem just about anything as a food source. Since they communicate by pheromones, have a long lifespan and high reproduction rates. As you can imagine, a few cockroaches can quickly lead to an infestation.

 

How To Control Perimeter Pests

Since Lawn Pride classifies perimeter pests differently than others (such as the grub, vole or mole), we take a much different approach in how we eliminate and control them. By creating a protective barrier around your home’s foundation, our treatments repel insects and bugs, preventing them from infiltrating your home. Sign up for our Perimeter Pest Program and try up to five treatments for complete control of ants, spiders, earwigs, and more!