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“Watch Out For Ants They Are Every Where”
What To Know About Spiders, Ants, Bugs and Our Houses
Tis the season of creepy crawlies and the bugs that bring the heebie-jeebies! In the Seattle area October is the height of spider season. As an inspector moving through Rhododendrons and other shrubs near houses I brace for a face full of silky web. My step-sweep-pause-swipe technique averts most of the unpleasantries but I’ve grown used to the tickly, sticky sensation on my face and neck; an ugh-sensation for most people! Insects have gotten a hard rap and are the brunt of rumors, hatred and extermination. Let me offer a few perspectives to reduce your fears, improve our environments and guide us to a better shared space.
Spiders are terrific pest control!
Interestingly, wasps, yellow jackets, hornets do the same. The webs spiders build collect the variety of flies, moths, crane flies and more. If desired, the webs strung between bushes, doorways and in eaves can all be swept away. Spiders are incredibly resourceful finding their way up tub drains, through window and door openings, and gaps no one ever knew existed. They are harmless. Okay, there are two exceptions: black widow and brown recluse spiders live in dry, dark environments yet I’ve only ever seen a black widow in Yakima. After almost twenty years of crawlspaces and attics I still haven’t found one in the course of my work in the Puget Sound area. I eagerly keep my eyes open every time I enter one of those spaces. My conclusion, do not fear they seem not near!
When we find a spider indoors help them out. Keep a container and lid on hand to gently scoop them up and put them outside where they can do their best work. They are here to help.
Not all ants are the same!
There are the nuisance ants that look for human food to consume and spoil picnics and may show up in pantries; there are mongo-sized ants that scout for opportunities to burrow into the wood components of our houses; there are mini-ants hanging out in wet areas; and then the common ants we find in the yard minding their own business until a child zaps them with a magnified sunbeam. These four types of ants are called respectively: Sugar, Carpenter, Moisture and Thatching ants. They are also the most commonly found ants in and near our houses. Each have their own solution.
Sugar ants are foodies. Clean up the food including vacuuming and washing the area. Keep cabinets, drawers and pantries clear of food residue. Ensure food containers remain closed and countertops clear of food items. A house perimeter deterrent is often needed to interrupt their habitual trips to the last place they found food.
Carpenter ants are careful opportunists. Scouts are continually out scavenging for an opportunity. Simply watch and see if they are coming and going. Monitor for frequent sightings of these unpleasant, bulbous ants. Keep the outside of the house free of vegetation, storage and earth-to-wood contact. Recurring sightings in the same area may indicate the need for professional help
Moisture ants are water dwellers. They absolutely refuse to stick around dry environments. They are commonly found in bathrooms, under sinks and near water leaks. Fix the water problem and we fix the moisture ant problem.
Thatching ants are minding their own business. Let these fascinating creatures live their best life. If they come near our house it was an accident, I promise. We must left the door open or need to replace our door’s weather seal.
Minimize chemical treatments!
We live in chemically-obsessed culture that cures every problem with some compound concocted in a lab. Every solution is a complex solution so the seemingly-simple application of insecticide always brings complex side effects. It’s unavoidable. Therefore, I endorse the use of chemicals in moderation, and temporarily to get us started in the right direction. As evinced by the four highlighted ants, there are many non-chemical things we can do to remedy critter intrusions. Here are some other non-chemical actions:
- Vegetation in contact or near the house is a prime access point for pest activity. Look above at tree branches. Bushes continue to grow and spread so they require annual maintenance.
- Bark, dirt, gravel and other materials up against our houses. Wood piles and rotting materials nearby lure critters to our houses with the safe nesting crooks. Keep the walls and foundations clear and open.
- Moisture from plumbing leaks or poor drainage provides the essentials for critter life. Remedy these issues and regularly check for water collecting in the crawlspace or around the house structure. Ensure water doesn’t pool and drains rapidly away.
- Rodent activity in crawlspace areas is an invitation. Rats and mice can be a source of moisture, indicate access points for the insect-sized creatures and promote flies because of their waste. Treat and remove carcasses before they decay.
- Keep the attic (above the ceiling) and crawlspace (below the floor) clear, ventilated, dry and inspectable.
Two bugs do business out of sight!
These are termites and boring beetles. Most concerns associated with these critters can be eliminated by two simple steps. Keep house structural areas dry. Keep house wood components separated from the ground and earth-materials. Identification of their wood-consuming work and the inviting conditions to future issues is the focus of the Structural Pest Inspection performed with all of my home inspections. Some clients hire me back every 1-3 years for a Home Maintenance Inspection to check for unrecognized activity. Read on for more information!
Be kind to the critters we wrongly love to hate!
Slugs leave their distinctive slime trails on foundation walls inside and out. This time of year they are leaving snotty messes on roads and walkways. They show up in highly organic and fertile areas. They mean our house no harm!
The roly-polies also known as potato or pill bugs often leave evidence of their housekeeping near crawlspace vents and under rocks doing no harm to our houses. They find dark, safe places for fear of children poking their distinctive round defense. It is easy and well to overlook their presence.
Black garden beetles are big, distinctive and ugly. Imagine them as the gentle, gainly gardening types who come in peace. If they show up in your house it was not their intention. They are far more afraid of you than vise-versa! Help them find luscious grass or soft soil to get on with their lowly existence.
Then my dear and favored insect. Honey bees and bumble bees are friendly, non-threatening pollinators. They are not the annoying pests landing on outdoor dining plates – these pests are actually wasps, hornets and yellow jackets. Bees are as sweet as the honey they cultivate. Be kind to our fuzzy little flyers!
By the way: The picture from the article title were from an inspection in an under stair Harry Potter-like storage room!
