Kendallville Pest Control

Most Common Pests in Fort Wayne,IN

Discover which insects, rodents, and wildlife are commonly found in your neighborhood and around popular Fort Wayne attractions such as the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, Promenade Park at Riverfront Fort Wayne, and Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.

Understanding the types of pests that are common in Fort Wayne, IN can help with your pest prevention efforts and in finding the right pest control provider.

Common pests in Fort Wayne, Indiana include:

Termites

Subterranean termites are the most destructive and the most common species of termite to infest Indiana homes. With colonies of up to 2 million members, these wood-destroying pests live in ground soil and can build mud tubes along the foundation and walls of buildings to travel from the soil to their food source. Once inside, termites can infest and damage wood flooring, window frames, and structural elements.

Termite swarming season in Fort Wayne 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 Fort Wayne should be on the lookout for the presence of swarmers, discarded wings, and mud tubes.

Cockroaches

The four most common types of cockroaches that are found in Fort Wayne homes are American, German, brownbanded, and Oriental. Because an infestation can get out of control quickly, be sure to take action at the first sign of activity. Cockroaches are attracted to structures with moisture problems, such as bathrooms without proper ventilation and leaky plumbing and air conditioner units. They can also be problematic when food is left out, food containers are left open, and crumbs or food scraps are not cleaned up. It's important to note that cockroaches can contaminate food and spread disease-causing bacteria.

Mice

There are several species of mice that are found in Fort Wayne, IN. The most common to invade urban and suburban areas is the house mouse. Found in homes, buildings, and other indoor areas, the house mouse can cause damage to property, spread disease-causing pathogens, and contaminate food. It's important to take measures to prevent mice from entering your home or business, such as sealing up any cracks or openings in walls or foundations, keeping food in sealed containers, and using traps or other pest control methods if necessary.

Once indoors, mice may chew through food packaging, or wiring in the walls, which could result in a fire hazard. As mice move about your home, they leave behind droppings and urine. They may also leave oily "rub marks" on the walls as they enter and exit small spaces. 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. If you suspect mice activity, give the Terminix team a call to schedule a pest inspection.

Rats

There are two types of rats that are a common issue for home and business owners in Fort Wayne – the roof rat also known as the “black rat" and the Norway rat also known as the “brown rat." Roof rats, as their name suggests, are skilled climbers, making their nests in higher areas like attics and drop ceilings. The Norway rat prefers to stay lower to the ground and will often nest in burrows underground. Both species of rat can be found in urban and suburban areas throughout Fort Wayne, particularly in areas that offer a variety of food and shelter options. 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 a Terminix pest control professional for help with rodent issues.

Silverfish 

Silverfish are small, silver-gray, fish-shaped 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 Fort Wayne 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.

Ants

No matter where you live in the Fort Wayne 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 usually 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 help 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 Fort Wayne Terminix pest control team can help keep ants away with innovative and effective solutions.

Moths 

There are two types of clothes moths in Fort Wayne, IN: the webbing clothes moth and the casemaking clothes moth. Clothes moths are small, winged insects that are beige or light brown in color. They feed on natural fibers (wool, silk, cotton) that are found in carpets, upholstered furniture, clothing, and rugs. If you find holes in your favorite wool sweater, you may have a clothes moth infestation. To prevent clothes moth infestations, it's important to store clothing and other textiles in airtight containers or bags, and to regularly clean and vacuum closets and other storage areas. If you suspect you have clothes moths in your home, contact your local Fort Wayne Terminix branch for a pest inspection.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are a common nuisance in the Boston area, especially during the spring, summer, and early fall months when the weather is warm and wet. These pests breed in standing water, so properties near bodies of water or with poor drainage may be at higher risk for infestations. Mosquito activity typically increases following periods of heavy rainfall.

Spiders

There are several species of spiders that plague homeowners and businesses in Fort Wayne, IN. The most frequently encountered are: cellar and common house spiders (harmless webmakers) live indoors in sheltered areas and build webs in corners; wolf spiders (hairy and scary) are found indoors and outdoors, they can move quickly and will bite if provoked; and jumping spiders (small and colorful) are found indoors and outdoors, and are known for their ability to jump long distances. 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, attic, and basement. To help 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? The Terminix year-round pest control plan can help.

Fleas

These incredibly small pests can plague Fort Wayne pet owners. Fleas can enter homes on pets or on other animals, such as rodents or wildlife, and can quickly reproduce and infest a home. Fleas thrive in temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes early prevention efforts key for controlling populations. In order to reproduce, fleas rely on blood meals and will feed on animals and humans to ensure their survival. When bitten, humans and animals can have an allergic reaction resulting in itchy welts. Additionally, fleas can carry disease-causing pathogens, potentially putting your health and the health of your pets at risk. Help reduce flea infestations with professional flea control services from Terminix.

Ticks

Ticks can be found in all 50 states, Indiana included. However, different types of ticks live in different areas and carry different disease-causing pathogens. The most common ticks in Fort Wayne 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, or wooded areas. Keeping the vegetation around your property trimmed back and implementing a preventative tick control program can help keep ticks away from your home and help keep your family and pets safe from these blood-sucking, disease-carrying pests.

Mosquitoes

With hot, humid summers and moderate rainfall, Fort Wayne is a hot spot for several species of mosquitoes, which have the potential to transmit disease-causing pathogens to humans and pets when they bite. Help 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 in your yard and keep them from coming back. And, treatments will continue to work, eliminating any new visitors that may drop by. Another way to help 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 Fort Wayne 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 Fort Wayne, IN, including: