Beaverdale Pest Control

Most Common Pests in Des Moines, IA

Discover which insects, rodents and wildlife are commonly found in your neighborhood and around these popular Des Moines attractions and landmarks: Des Moines Art Center, Blank Park Zoo, Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, the Science Center of Iowa and the gold-domed Iowa State Capitol building.

Understanding the pests that are common in Des Moines, IA can help with your pest prevention efforts and in finding the right pest control provider.

Termites

Subterranean termites are the most destructive and the most common species of termite to infest Iowa homes. With colonies of up to two million members, these wood-destroying pests live in ground soil and build mud tubes along the foundation and walls of buildings to travel from the soil to their food source. Once inside, termites will infest and destroy wood flooring, window frames and structural elements.

Termite swarming season in Des Moines typically occurs in the spring, usually between March and May. During this time, subterranean termites will swarm, or fly in large groups, in search of a new location to establish a colony. Home and business owners in Des Moines should be on the lookout for swarmers, discarded wings and mud tubes.

Cockroaches

The three most common types of cockroaches found in Des Moines, Iowa are the American, German and Oriental cockroach. Cockroaches are attracted to food, water, clutter, warmth and darkness. The best way to keep cockroaches away is to keep your home free of clutter, fix any leaks or moisture problems and store food in airtight containers. It's important to note that cockroaches can easily contaminate food and surfaces, and spread disease-causing bacteria.

Because cockroach infestations can quickly grow out of control, it's important to take action at the first sign of activity. If you see one cockroach, it is likely there are more. If you have a cockroach issue, contact your local Terminix team to set up an inspection.

Mice

There are several species of mice that are found in Des Moines, IA. The two most common to invade homes are house mice and deer mice. Once inside a building or structure, mice can chew through food packaging, or wiring in the walls, which could cause a fire. Because mice are nocturnal and travel along walls, it's not likely that you'll see one crossing your path during the day, but the evidence they will leave behind is a good indicator that you may have a rodent problem. As mice move about, they leave behind droppings and urine. They may also leave oily "rub marks" on the walls as they enter and exit small spaces.

It's important to take preventative measures to keep mice out of your home and/or business, such as sealing up any cracks or openings in walls or foundation, keeping food in sealed containers and using traps or other pest control methods when necessary. If you suspect mice activity, give the Terminix team a call to schedule a pest inspection.

Rats

The Norway rat, also known as the “brown rat," will often nest in burrows underground. Found in urban and suburban areas throughout Des Moines, this species of rat is more aggressive than other rats and will seek out buildings and structures that can provide easy access to food and shelter. It's important to take steps to prevent rat infestations, such as keeping food stored in sealed containers, maintaining a clean and clutter-free environment and sealing up cracks and gaps in the exterior of buildings. Don't risk handling rats on your own, call Terminix today.

Silverfish

Silverfish are small, silver-gray insects that are commonly found in moist, warm locations such as bathroom and kitchen sinks, around plumbing fixtures, and in bathtubs. Silverfish have long, flat bodies allowing them to easily slip through cracks on the exterior of your building. Once inside your Des Moines home, silverfish may feed on starchy materials such as paper, glue and fabric, and can cause damage to books, clothing and other items. To prevent silverfish infestations, it's important to keep indoor environments dry and free of clutter. Using a dehumidifier and fixing leaks or water damage can help reduce the occurrence of silverfish.

House Ants

No matter where you live in the Des Moines area, you have probably had to contend with ants at one point. House ants are attracted to food and water, both of which can be found in and around your home. House ant colonies live outdoors, sending scout ants to find nourishment. Once a scout ant finds a water leak under your bathroom sink or food crumbs on the kitchen floor or counter, they will send a signal. That's when you may see masses of small ants in your kitchen or bathroom. Keeping food in airtight containers, regularly cleaning your kitchen and repairing any leaking appliances and pipes will reduce the chances of an ant infestation in your home. Another important factor for eliminating ants is to identify where the nest is located. Your local Des Moines Terminix pest control team can help keep ants away with innovative and effective solutions.

Spiders

There are several species of spiders in Des Moines, IA. The most frequently encountered are cellar spiders also known as “daddy longlegs," common house spiders, and American house spiders. They live in corners and sheltered areas; and, with the exception of the cellar spider, house spiders will spin webs.

Another common spider you may encounter is the wolf spider. Found indoors and outdoors, the wolf spider can move quickly and will bite if threatened. Most spiders will hide in areas of your home or business with the least amount of foot traffic and air flow. This may include the corners of rooms, your garage, cabinets, closets and attic. To avoid being bitten by any spider, wear gloves when reaching into dark areas. Can't stand the thought of creepy spiders lurking in the dark? Terminix's year-round pest control plan can help.

Fleas

These incredibly small pests can plague Des Moines pet owners, entering homes on pets or on other animals, such as rodents or wildlife. Fleas thrive in temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit, which occurs in late spring and lasts through early fall in Des Moines. Because fleas carry disease-causing pathogens and can put your health and the health of your pets at risk, it's important to implement a professional flea control program early in the year, before an infestation grows out of control. Call Terminix for a free quote.

Ticks

Ticks can be found in all 50 states, Iowa included. The most common ticks in Des Moines are the lone star tick, brown dog tick, American dog tick and the blacklegged tick (deer tick). Ticks require blood-meals to reproduce and grow and will readily feed on animals and humans. Some common tick-borne illnesses include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis, rickettsiosis and tularemia. Ticks typically live in areas with tall grass, dense vegetation and wooded areas. Keeping the vegetation around your property trimmed back and implementing a preventative tick control program can keep ticks away from your home and help keep your family and pets safe from these blood-sucking, disease-causing pathogens.

Mosquitoes

With warm, humid summers and moderate rainfall, Des Moines is a hot spot for mosquitoes, which have the potential to transmit disease-causing pathogens to humans and pets when they bite. Protect yourself, your family and your pets from mosquitoes by hiring a certified mosquito control technician – before the height of mosquito season. Monthly mosquito treatments will reduce overall mosquito populations and treatments will continue to work, eliminating any new visitors that may drop by. Another way to reduce mosquito populations lingering around your property is by eliminating standing water, removing dead/rotting trees and trimming back vegetation – a resting spot for adult mosquitoes.

Earwigs

The high humidity in the Des Moines area creates a perfect environment for moisture-seeking earwigs. Typically found living in garden soil, amongst decaying organic matter, and within moisture-rich areas, earwigs are primarily a nuisance pest; however, they have been known to feed on leaves, flowers, and fruit. To prevent earwigs from entering your home, it's important to seal crevices and gaps around doors and windows, and to keep areas around the foundation of the home free from organic debris such as leaves and mulch.

Stinging Insects

There are several species of stinging insects that are common in Des Moines, IA, including: