4 Springtime Pests in Las Vegas

Springtime is here and with it come a host of pests you should watch out for. In this blog post, we’ll look at four common springtime pests and the damage they can cause to your home.

Starlings

Starlings are originally from Europe. They were introduced to the US in the late 1800s by a group of Shakespeare fans. These birds are known for being loud and obnoxious in addition to the millions of dollars of crop destruction they cause yearly. Starlings can also cause damage to homes. They will use their beaks to break through air vents around your home and once inside, they’ll build nests and roost in your home. These birds can spread diseases like Salmonella and blastomycosis which can be harmful to people and livestock.

Rats

Here in the Las Vegas area, we commonly have Norway rats and roof rats. Norway rats, also known as brown rats, are larger, about 11 inches in size with colors varying between grayish brown to reddish-brown. Norway rats prefer to stay low, making their nests within or around the ground, unlike roof rats who prefer to nest in high areas like attics and trees. Both rat species are nocturnal creatures who are very well adapted to urban life. And they both are known to be huge sources of bacteria and disease. In fact, they’re responsible for spreading the Bubonic plague in Europe.

Cockroaches

Las Vegas is home to 4 different types of cockroach species. They are the American cockroach, the brown-banded cockroach, the German cockroach, and the oriental cockroach. These pests range in size from 1.1 cm to 4 cm and are typically black or brown in color. These nocturnal pests are some of the fastest insects and because of their flat bodies, they’re able to fit into the smallest of crevices. Cockroaches are attracted to poorly cleaned areas and damp areas. These pests also pose significant health concerns. They’re known to carry Salmonella and E. Coli.

Scorpions

Here in Las Vegas, we have two types of scorpions the bark scorpion and the desert hairy scorpion. These pests range in size from 9 mm to .3 inches and can be identified by their grasping pedipalps and curvy tail. Scorpions are nocturnal, they’ll take shelter in debris or rocks during the day, only coming out at night to hunt. These pests will not hesitate to sting you if they are provoked and they’re highly resilient.

If you believe your home is infested by any of these pests, contact your local pest control company. They can properly eliminate the pest and prevent it from coming back.