Your home is a complex and dynamic ecosystem, home to a wide variety of creatures, both visible and invisible. Some of these creatures are pests, while others are harmless or even beneficial.
Some of the insects and other creatures that commonly inhabit homes:
- Clothes moth caterpillars: These caterpillars chew into woolen jumpers, fur coats, and other fabrics made from natural fibers. They are particularly attracted to items that have been soiled with sweat or food.
- Bed bugs: These bloodsucking insects are a major pest in many parts of the world. They hide in beds, mattresses, and other furniture, and come out at night to feed on the blood of sleeping humans.
- Silverfish: Silverfish are small, wingless insects that feed on paper, cardboard, and other cellulose-based materials. They are particularly attracted to damp and dark places, such as basements, attics, and crawl spaces.
- Cockroaches: Cockroaches are omnivorous insects that will eat just about anything. They are particularly attracted to warm, damp places, such as kitchens and bathrooms.
- Carpet beetle grubs: Carpet beetle grubs feed on the wool fibers in carpets, rugs, and other textiles. They can also damage furniture and other belongings.
- Crane flies: Crane flies are also known as daddy longlegs. They are harmless insects, but they can be a nuisance when they enter homes in large numbers.
- Geckos: Geckos are small lizards that are found in many parts of the world. They are often welcomed in homes because they eat insects and spiders.
- Booklice: Booklice are tiny insects that can be found chewing on stored flour, cereal, and other foods. They can also be found on paper and books.
In addition to these insects, other creatures that may inhabit homes include:
- Rodents: Mice, rats, and other rodents can enter homes in search of food and shelter. They can damage property and spread diseases.
- Spiders: Spiders are found in almost every home in the world. They are generally harmless, but some species can bite.
- Dust mites: Dust mites are microscopic creatures that live in dust and bedding. They can cause allergies and asthma in some people.
It is important to note that the types of creatures that inhabit homes can vary depending on the location and climate. For example, termites are a common pest in warm climates, but they are less common in cold climates.
Cockroach
A cockroach can live for up to a week without their heads. This is because they have a simple nervous system that is spread throughout their bodies, and their heads are not essential for their survival. Additionally, cockroaches can breathe through their skin, so they do not need their heads to take in oxygen.
However, it is important to note that headless cockroaches will not be able to eat or drink, so they will eventually die from starvation or dehydration. Additionally, they will be more vulnerable to predators and other dangers without their heads.
So, while it is true that cockroaches can live for a short period of time without their heads, it is not something that they can do indefinitely.
Black Widow
Black widow spiders are venomous spiders that are found in many parts of the world, including North America. They are known for their dark color and distinctive red hourglass marking on their abdomen. Black widow spiders like to live in dark, secluded places, such as under floorboards in cellars.
Bite
Black widow spider bites are relatively rare, but they can be serious. The venom of a black widow spider contains a neurotoxin that can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
- Severe pain at the bite site
- Muscle spasms
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Fever
- Sweating
- Difficulty breathing
- Increased blood pressure
- Anxiety
In severe cases, a black widow spider bite can be fatal.
Dust Mites
Dust mites are microscopic animals that live in houses all over the world. They feed on the dead skin cells that we shed every day, which they find in the dust and fluff at our feet. Dust mites are not harmful to most people, but they can trigger allergies and asthma in some people.
Dust mites thrive in warm, humid environments. They are most commonly found in bedrooms, where they can live in mattresses, pillows, bedding, and carpets. Dust mites can also be found in upholstered furniture, curtains, and stuffed animals.
Dust mites lay eggs in the dust and fluff around our homes.
- The eggs hatch into larvae, which feed on dead skin cells.
- The larvae molt into nymphs, which continue to feed on dead skin cells.
- The nymphs molt into adults, which can mate and lay eggs.
- The entire life cycle of a dust mite takes about two months. Adult dust mites can live for several months.
Dust mites are most active at night, when we are asleep and shedding dead skin cells. This is why many people with allergies or asthma experience worse symptoms at night.
Tiny Beetles
Tiny beetles, such as flour beetles and rice weevils, can find their way into open packets of flour, pasta, rice, or biscuits. They can do this by crawling through small openings in the packaging, or by being accidentally introduced when the food is being prepared.
Once inside the food, the beetles lay microscopic eggs. These eggs are very difficult to see, even with the naked eye. After a few days, the eggs hatch into grubs. Grubs are small, worm-like creatures that feed on the food they are in.
As the grubs grow larger, they shed their skin several times. This process is called molting. After molting for the last time, the grubs pupate. Pupae are the resting stage of an insect's life cycle. After a few days, the pupae emerge as adult beetles.
The entire life cycle of a flour beetle or rice weevil takes about 30 days. Adult beetles can live for several months, and they can lay hundreds of eggs in their lifetime.
This means that if a few beetles get into a packet of flour, pasta, rice, or biscuits, they can quickly multiply and create a large infestation.
Mice
Mice are excellent climbers and can squeeze through very small openings. They can also jump up to 12 inches vertically. This makes it easy for them to get into homes and kitchens, even if there are no obvious entry points.
House mice typically hide under the kitchen floorboards during the day and come out at night to forage for food and water. They are attracted to the warmth and food sources in kitchens, and they can quickly learn how to navigate the layout of a house.
Here are some specific ways that mice can get into kitchens:
- Through cracks and holes in the foundation or walls.
- Through vents and chimneys.
- Through gaps around doors and windows.
- Through utility lines, such as pipes and wires.
- Through pet doors.
Once inside the kitchen, mice can wriggle up the tight gaps between cupboards and walls to get onto the countertops. They can also climb up the legs of tables and chairs.
Wasps
Wasps can build their papery nests in attics or beneath house timbers for a number of reasons. These locations are often warm, dry, and protected from the elements, making them ideal for raising a new generation of wasps. Additionally, attics and house timbers may provide wasps with easy access to food sources, such as insects, spiders, and nectar.
Wasp nests can contain a large number of wasps, with some nests containing up to 5,000 individuals. This is because wasps are social insects that live in colonies. The colony is led by a queen wasp, who is responsible for laying eggs. The other wasps in the colony are worker wasps, who are responsible for foraging for food, building the nest, and caring for the young wasps.
If you have a wasp nest in your attic or beneath your house timbers, it is important to have it removed as soon as possible. Wasp stings can be painful and, in some cases, life-threatening. If you are allergic to wasp stings, it is especially important to have the nest removed promptly.
Housefly
Houseflies are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. However, they can only eat liquids, so they must first liquefy their food. To do this, they spit on it. Their saliva contains enzymes that break down food into a liquid form.
Once the food is liquefied, the housefly uses its proboscis to suck it up. The proboscis is a long, tube-like mouthpart that is shaped like a straw. It has two spongy pads at the end that absorb the liquid food.
Houseflies have taste receptors on their feet, so they can taste food before they step on it. This is why they are often seen walking on food before they eat it.
Housefly's feeding process:
- The housefly lands on food and tastes it with its feet.
- If the food is edible, the housefly regurgitates saliva onto it.
- The enzymes in the saliva break down the food into a liquid form.
- The housefly uses its proboscis to suck up the liquefied food.
- The food travels down the housefly's esophagus and into its stomach.
- The food is digested in the stomach and absorbed into the housefly's bloodstream.
- Overripe fruit and vegetables
- Sugary substances
- Meat and other animal products
- Feces and other decaying matter
Houseflies can be a nuisance, but they also play an important role in the ecosystem by helping to break down decaying matter.
Woodworms
Woodworms are the larvae of various species of beetles. They are not true worms, but are often referred to as such because of their long, slender bodies and lack of legs. Woodworm larvae are found in all parts of the world and can infest a wide variety of wooden structures, including furniture, flooring, and roof trusses.
In the wild, woodworm larvae play an important role in the ecosystem by breaking down dead trees and other woody debris. However, when they infest human-made structures, woodworm larvae can cause significant damage. Woodworm larvae eat the wood, leaving behind small holes that can weaken the structure and make it more susceptible to collapse.
One of the most common types of woodworm larvae is the deathwatch beetle larvae. Deathwatch beetle larvae are known for their distinctive ticking sound, which is produced by the male beetles when they are trying to attract mates. Deathwatch beetle larvae can cause significant damage to timber beams, and their presence is often a sign of serious structural problems.
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