California is the state of sunshine, great weather, and a perfect place to settle down, right? For the most part this is true, but the sunny climate also makes a great home for pests to infest homes and destroy properties from the inside out. Although pests are usually known for chewing away the structure of homes or getting into food, there are some dangerous bugs in California that can put you at risk of deadly viruses, muscle cramping, and severe pain.
Identifying these potentially deadly insects is essential to keep yourself and those you care about safe. Without proper education, it’s hard to identify the difference between annoying bugs and insects that are a threat to your well-being. That’s why we’re here to give you the knowledge needed to move forward in protecting yourself and your property from high-risk pests.
The Top 4 Most Dangerous Insects In California
We’ve put together a list of the most dangerous, or even deadly bugs in California. If you happen to spot one of these, your pest infestation situation has become very serious, and immediate action needs to be taken with a local pest control company.
1. Mosquitos
Mosquitos may seem harmless at first since their bites usually appear to be an itchy annoyance. However, mosquitos are known for carrying potentially deadly viruses such as the West Nile and the Zika viruses, making them very dangerous insects to encounter. Not only can mosquitoes be dangerous insects, but also their tendency to reproduce rapidly and stay within a large swarm makes controlling these pests quite challenging.
What’s the solution to keep these deadly bugs at bay? Fortunately, there are several measures you can employ to effectively keep mosquitoes out of your space and guarantee your safety. Here are three ways you can rid your property of these insects:
- Drain every bit of stagnant water around your house. How is this effective? Mosquitoes usually deposit their eggs into stagnant water, and their larvae grow in it. Getting rid of their breeding points will massively reduce the mosquito population around your property.
- Try out bug repellents. Over-the-counter bug repellents are quite effective measures for clearing out mosquitoes in your environment. Keep in mind that these chemicals can have harmful effects, so hiring pest control professionals may be the best option.
- Grow plants that repel mosquitoes. Did you know that flowers like lavender and chrysanthemums repulse these insects? If you’re looking to spruce up your garden and ward off mosquitoes, planting these flowers in your garden may be the trick.
2. Black Widow
Arguably the most infamous of all spiders, the black widow is easily identifiable with its pitch-black skin and bright red hourglass marking. It’s common for black widows to be more active in the late night hours staying in secluded areas like garages, tucked away corners, or dingy basements. The black widow’s painful and potentially deadly bite makes it one of California’s most dangerous insects. Its venom is filled with neurotoxins that can cause muscle cramping, raise blood pressure, and even disrupt your breathing.
Black widow bites are nothing to take lightly. It’s important to seek medical attention immediately. If you find a black widow in your home, reach out to a trusted pest control company to quickly dispose of it.
3. Bark Scorpion
Scorpions are among the most dangerous insects in California because of their venomous and painful bite. Within the scorpion family is the bark scorpion: one of the most infamous of the lot.
The bark scorpion is a light brown scorpion with eight legs and can reach up to 8 centimeters in length. When threatened, this scorpion spreads its pincers and raises its tail, ready to sting its victim at any moment. If your door has just 1/16th of an inch clearance, the bark scorpion can squeeze their way into your home.
If the way they look isn’t enough to get you calling for pest control, they also have a nasty sting that can quickly turn your life into a nightmare. Common symptoms that follow a bark scorpion sting include the following:
- Vomiting
- Numbness
- Twitching muscles
- Blurry vision
- Numbness
- Hyperactivity or erratic eye movement in children
It’s important to prevent these insects from ever setting foot in your property, so you know you’re safe and able to live without potential danger knocking at your door. If you want to protect your property from these dangerous bugs, contact our pest control in Southern California and we’ll come straight to your door.
4. Ants
Although very small in size, an ant infestation can become a severe and threatening situation in your home. These risky pests multiply quickly and are persistent in taking over spaces, so you want to avoid letting them in your home. It’s also important to note that some species of ants can get big enough to be more than just a minor inconvenience. Ants have the ability to bite and, according to the pain index, some ant species like fire ants have bites that cause excruciating pain. Before your ant problem becomes a dangerous situation, it’s important to hand over your property to pest professionals.
Contact Us
After reading this list, you may be worried that you are a host to some of the most dangerous insects in California. Rest assured because our expert pest control team has two decades of experience dealing with nasty and dangerous pests. Get in touch with Preventive Pest Control today and see for yourself why we have become one of the most trusted names in Southern California.