Top 5 Pests to Expect and Prevent in College Dorms
When students leave for college, they are on their own to maintain their dormitory. Here’s some information about what pests to expect in a bedroom and some tips to help you control them.
Spiders: Most people jump at the sight of a spider. Spiders are unwelcome guests who always tend to enter a room. Spiders are attracted to two things, moisture and light. You will often see spiders spinning webs in the corners of the room or by the windows. If you see a cobweb forming, a handheld vacuum is an easy way to get rid of it. Try not to leave clutter around. Spiders can easily web a stack of papers or a cup lying around.
Stink Bugs: The Western Coniferous Seed Bug, often called the Stink Bug, is a bug that seems to make its way up bedroom walls. You are more likely to see stink bugs in the winter months because they will come in for shelter. When you kill them, they give off a foul odor. The only way to prevent them is to seal entry points from the outside, such as windows and doors.
Lady Bugs: If you see a little dot on the wall, don’t be surprised if it’s a ladybug! Ladybugs are about 1/4″ long and red or yellow with black spots. Like the stink bug, ladybugs will come indoors to find shelter. The best way to keep them out is to seal all entry points .
Flies: Flies and gnats are a major nuisance in bedrooms. You will find a significant number of mosquitoes in the bathrooms. Flies and midges love moisture and swarm around condensing pipes. If a fly does get into your room, the best thing to do is keep a fly swatter handy. The flies are very fast and hard to kill! Flies are attracted to decaying organisms or food. Hopefully a fly will be in your room only from crumbs and not from a dead mouse!
Silverfish: Silverfish look like furry centipedes. They are typically 1/2″ to 3/4″ long and appear silver to brown in color from their scales. They are flat and oval in shape, with three long tails and two antennae. Silverfish are attracted to humidity and will thrive in rooms that are 70 to 80 degrees. Silverfish are nocturnal but can be found during the day.
By following these tips, you’ll make sure your bedroom stays bug-free:
– Make sure your window screens are free of tears and holes.
– Frequently dusty. By dusting the areas you rarely use, you will significantly reduce the number of pests you see.
– Try to make sure there is not a big gap between your door and the floor. Often there will be a small gap that is large enough for pests to crawl under.
– Do not leave wet clothes or towels around. Hang up all wet clothes before tossing them in your hamper.
– Make sure all food is safely stored. Most people will eat a bag of chips and then leave the room for a while. You’d be surprised how quickly insects can detect food!
– Place furniture right against a wall or in an area where you can move it. If there’s an inch between a cabinet and the wall, pests are likely to hang out there.
– If you see pests, try not to kill them. Some insects, like the stink bug, will emit an odor that will attract others to the area. Catch the pest and throw it outside.
– Do not leave clothes lying on the floor. Even if the clothing is not damp, a shirt can create a warm environment for a pest to live in!