Occasional Invaders

What are occasional invaders?

Occasional invader is a term used to describe pests that mainly live outside our homes and, for the most part, away from people. However, during certain parts of the year, times of extreme weather conditions, or accidentally, these pests move inside. Below is a brief description of some of our area's most common occasional invaders.

cricket on a leaf

Crickets

Crickets are related to grasshoppers and katydids. Rounded heads, long thin antennae, and wings bent down at an angle identify crickets. These insects are usually brown, black, or yellow, and they have a pair of large, strong back legs used for jumping. Some, but not all, can produce a tell-tale chirping noise.

pill bug on a rock

Pill Bugs

Pill bugs, also commonly referred to as rollie pollies, are one of the only land-living crustaceans. When threatened or disturbed, they roll into a tight ball. Adult pill bugs have a segmented hard shell covering their dark brown or black, oval-shaped bodies, and their exterior consists of seven individual rigid plates.

silverfish near books

Silverfish

These teardrop-shaped insects have brownish or grayish-colored bodies covered in silvery scales. Their unique movements allow them to move from place to place quickly using a wriggling fish-like manner, hence their name. Silverfish have a three-pronged appendage that extends from their abdomen.

a sowbug up close

Sowbugs

The sowbug is the other type of land-living crustacean and is closely related to the pill bug. Their oval-shaped, dark gray bodies are rounded on the top and flat on the bottom. Their bodies are segmented, and they can roll up into a “c” shape. They also have a small tail-like appendage that extends from their rear end.

Are occasional invaders dangerous?

Typically, occasional invaders pose few threats to people or their property. They are mainly unwanted nuisance pests. However, you should never ignore them as their presence is an indicator that other more dangerous and damaging pests may be able to access your home. Also, many occasional invaders are attracted to areas of moisture. If occasional invaders have moved into your home, it could reveal an underlying moisture problem or water leak that needs repair.

Why do I have an occasional invader problem?

As their name states, occasional invaders are those pests that only “occasionally” find a way into a structure. These pests can move inside easily because they tend to live in the soil, gardens, flower beds, and landscaped areas surrounding the perimeter of our homes.

Occasional invaders have the potential to move inside at any time of year when weather conditions become too extreme for them to live comfortably.

When the temperature becomes too cold
When it becomes too hot or dry outside
During periods of heavy rains

They also sometimes move inside while looking for a safe area to lay their eggs or accidentally while out foraging for food.

Where will I find occasional invaders?

Occasional invaders typically gravitate to the areas in a home that offer them shelter and moisture. They usually enter at ground level moving inside through spaces under exterior doors, damaged trim, or gaps in the foundation. Some of the most frequent hangouts for occasional invaders are listed below:

Kitchens
Pantries
Basements
Crawl spaces
Wall voids

In addition, crickets are also found hiding in cluttered areas, storage boxes, and folded blankets or stored clothing while the favorite hiding spot for a silverfish includes areas around drains, sump pumps, vents, and cabinets under sinks. Damp basements, dirt basements, and crawl spaces are some of the sowbug's and pill bug's favorite hiding spots.

How do I get rid of occasional invaders?

At White Knight Pest Control, we understand people don’t want to share their yards and homes with occasional invaders. That's why we eliminate occasional invaders and other pests using our annual pest control plans that utilize friendly pest control products and high-quality services.

Our professionals take the time necessary to build relationships with each of our customers, ensuring we are always working together to meet your unique pest control expectations. Learn more about keeping your property free of occasional invaders with the help of White Knight Pest Control!

How can I prevent occasional invaders in the future?

At White Knight Pest Control, we will help you prevent problems with occasional invaders using our regular treatments. In conjunction with our comprehensive pest control services, the following prevention tips will help you keep occasional invaders out of your Texas, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, or Oklahoma home!

Eliminate debris: Get rid of debris from both inside and outside your home that occasional invaders could use to conceal themselves. Remove fallen trees, leaf piles, rotting logs, and excess woodpiles. Rake any leaves and mulch back from your home’s foundation. Store trash cans, recycling bins, and compost up off the ground. Keep storage areas within your house free of clutter. Store any items in plastic containers, not easy to invade cardboard boxes.
Reduce excess moisture: Cut back overgrown shrubbery and use downspouts to direct water away from your home’s exterior to keep the ground around the perimeter dry. Repair any leaky pipes and air conditioning units. Inside your home, keep humidity levels low by using dehumidifiers in the basement and other damp areas. Ventilate crawl spaces and remove wood debris from them to stop moisture from being trapped.
Eliminate entry points: Seal up cracks in the foundation or exterior walls of your home. Place door sweeps on basement doors and replace worn weather stripping. Place covers over vents and drains. Repair any damaged trim around doors.