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10 Common House Insects in New England and How to Get Rid of Them

Are worries about house bugs in New England keeping you from having peace of mind? Unfortunately, our region has quite a few common house bugs that would love nothing more than to find a warm and cozy spot to move into your home.

Pests commonly find their way into people’s homes in search of food and shelter. Once inside, they may reproduce and create bigger pest problems. 

But you can effectively keep bugs out of your house with pest control services.

In this article, we’ll talk about some of the most common house insects in New England as well as how to deal with them.

Common House Insects in New England

The following are some of the pests that we commonly find in homes in New England.

1. Ants
2. Spiders
3. Centipedes 
4. Millipedes
5. German Cockroaches
6. Earwigs
7. Crickets
8. Silverfish
9. Pillbugs
10. Sowbugs

Here’s what you should know about each.

1. Ants

Ants are the most common insect in the world so it’s no surprise they are also common house bugs. The most common ants found inside of people’s homes are “odorous house ants,” which unfortunately have a rotten smell when crushed. But there are various types of ants and many of them will make their way inside if they have the opportunity.

ants on candy

2. Spiders

Spiders are not insects but rather “arachnids.” Even though most types are not poisonous (and are generally more scared of you than you are of them), these eight-legged creatures remain one of the most feared pests. People just really don’t like spiders!

3. Centipedes

Also called “thousand leggers,” these creepy crawlies can show up in various spots around the house and have no problem getting upstairs with all those legs to help transport them! They tend to come inside when it is either too dry or too wet outside.

 centipedes

4. Millipedes

Millipedes are an unsettling pest that nobody likes to find in their home, but they are really just a nuisance pest. That means they don’t bite or sting. However, they can be annoying when they show up in damp spots, such as the basement or garage.

5. German Cockroaches

A key reason why cockroaches are common house bugs is that they are constantly in search of food. That’s also why cockroaches are commonly found in kitchens. They are in search of any tiny morsel or crumb that you might leave behind! But these pests are disgusting creatures that can also carry and transmit disease.

german cockroach

6. Earwigs

These insects are typically black or brown and have a flat body. They tend to feed on decaying material, like mulch or leaves and might make their way inside when it’s too dry out. They’re commonly found in damp areas of the home like a garage or basement.

7. Crickets

Known for their pesky chirping, crickets are another nuisance pest. They aren’t likely to bite you, but they might chirp in the middle of the night! While bites are rare (they’re more likely to try and get away from you), crickets can carry pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella.

cc-crickets

8. Silverfish

Silverfish are found all around the world, but they are also common house insects in New England. They’re another pest that prefers damp, dark, and cool spaces. You might find them in basements, crawl spaces, or bathrooms. They have shiny silver bodies that give them a fish-like appearance.

9. Pillbugs

Pillbugs prefer to stay hidden. In fact, they are known for their ability to roll into a ball, which is why they’re also sometimes called “rolly pollies.” These are nuisance pests that typically find their way inside by accident.

pillbug

10. Sowbugs

Sowbugs very closely resemble pillbugs and are commonly mistaken for one another. Both are more closely akin to shrimp and crayfish than to insects. They are crustaceans that have adapted to living on land and would love to find a cozy spot in your home!

How to Get Rid of Bugs in Your House

You should not have to worry about pests like the ones described in this article when you are spending time inside your own home! The good news is that there are steps that you can take to get rid of bugs in your house.

  • First and foremost, it always makes sense to seal up entry points that pests might be coming in through in the first place. Tears in screens, cracks in the foundation, and other small entry points are all possible spots that should be fixed or sealed if possible. 

  • Cleaning up crumbs and food debris can also make a difference as pests are commonly in search of a meal.

But even when you make your best effort to seal up entry points, these teeny tiny pests can often squeeze their way inside. And it can honestly be the tiniest crumb that is a feast for these bugs.

That’s why pest control services in Southern NH, ME, and MA also make a lot of sense. It’s a more effective way to prevent pests from invading your home.

Ideally, you want a pest control program that prevents pests from coming inside in the first place. With proactive, quarterly treatments, you can keep most pests out.

Choosing Seacoast for Pest Control Services in Southern NH, ME, and MA

At Seacoast Turf Care, our pest control services cover most of the common household pests. That also includes stinging insects (typically found outside, but that may accidentally come in). And it covers mice.

Mice are sneaky and can move around inside of your walls for a while before you realize that you have a problem. This is another pest that you want to deal with quickly as they can carry and transmit disease.

If you truly want peace of mind that you’re keeping pests away, investing in professional pest control is a wise choice. By taking the right steps, you’ll be able to get back to enjoying life as usual.

Want to learn more about how pest control services can protect your family and give you peace of mind? At Seacoast Turf Care, we service NH towns near Stratham, North Hampton, Exeter and many more. Get pest control pricing for your Southern NH, Southern Maine, or Northeastern Massachusetts property.

Get Pest Control Pricing

Image Source: ants, centipede, cockroach, crickets, pillbug

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