Studies Show Your Creep Crawly Roomates Are Permanent Residents

A recent study performed by Michelle Trautwein of the California Academy of Science has found that despite your best efforts you are most likely living with many species of creepy crawly roommates in your home. The study encompassed 50 homes from five continents to find out what factors in the home may reduce your risk of bugs, or be an inviting home for particular species. The team took samplings from carpets, baseboards, walls, and windowsills on a variety of homes with factors including:

• Varying degrees of cleanliness
• Varying degrees of clutter
• The presence or absence of pets in the home
• Use or lack of pesticide use
• The number of windows and doors the home has

The Cold Hard Truth About Bugs in Your Home

The study produced results that shocked many people. Most people strongly believe that the use of household pesticides and regular cleaning would reduce the bug population and that their home pest control strategy will get them all. In fact the researchers found that all houses have bugs and in most cases more than 100 species!

The study also found that certain species did prefer specific areas of the home. Some examples were the fact that insects, spiders, and millipedes preferred the ground level of homes and had a higher presence in rooms with carpets, high traffic, and lots of windows and doors. They also found that darker, cave-like basements or cellars produced higher levels of pests that like dark and damp conditions such as sow bugs, pill bugs and camel crickets.

The Living System is Not Temporary

The researchers also found that the presence of pests in the home was not just due to them invading from outside, but instead they have set up a full food web system inside with permanent populations. For example, there are many insects that can feed on our dead skin cells and hair, which we normally shed and are found throughout the home. Those bugs will, in turn, have their own predators and the cycle will continue from there.

When Your Pesky Bug Roommates Become a Problem

While we can live amicably with many species of bugs when their numbers are low, the population levels should not be allowed to get out of hand. This is when regular cleaning comes into play – if clutter builds up and cleaning drops off, insect (and rodent) problems will take advantage and their numbers will grow quickly. If you are unsure if your creepy crawly roommates have hit a dangerous level, give us a call at 604-463-0007 or contact us via our form and we will be happy to help you out!