Though it does not feel like it, our Minnesota winter is coming to an end. As we approach summer, our crawly friends will be coming out to make their presence known.
Or some of us may have some winter visitors holed up in our homes to escape the cold outdoors. It is important to know if your house guest is a friendly flyer or a harmful home invader.
Take a look at these common Minnesota bugs that you are likely to find all year round.
If you find any of these pests in your home and want them to vacate the premises, call Environmental Pest Management. We will send your pests packing!
1. The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
These guys were unintentionally brought to North America from South-East Asia. You will find these common Minnesota bugs hiding out in your home during the wintertime to escape the low temperatures.
The stink bug will sneak through cracks and crevices in your home’s siding or door and window frames. Though they are not harmful, these guys do stink (both literally and figuratively).
2. Ticks
I think it’s safe to say we all know about these pests. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, there are roughly twelve different kinds of ticks.
The three main types you might encounter are the American dog tick (or wood tick), the black-legged tick (or deer tick), and the lone star tick. Each of these carries the possibility of a tick-borne disease.
Ticks are crawlies you do not want to have around. If you do experience a tick bite, be careful with removal.
3. Silverfish
These pests have a suitable name for these flightless bugs with fish-like movements. Although they are very otherworldly looking, they are more of a nuisance than anything.
Their destructive tendencies can make them a major annoyance. The silverfish’s discarded exoskeleton can also trigger allergies in some cases.
4. Ants
Ants are a common pest found in and around Minnesota homes. The best way to control an ant infestation is to identify them correctly.
Most ants are more of a home-owner headache than disease-carrying and destructive. The University of Minnesota has a lot of great information on ant identification.
5. Cockroaches
Yes, of course, these guys made the list. Four types of cockroaches can infest Minnesota homes: the brown-banded cockroach, oriental cockroach, American cockroach, and the German cockroach.
The best way to avoid these guys is to keep your kitchen and pantry clean. Store pantry foods in air-tight containers and clean dirty dishes frequently.
They can carry diseases and can trigger allergies and asthma.
6. Earwigs
These guys are mostly a problem during Minnesota summers (July and August). They can come in large numbers.
They do not cause any harm to humans or property damage but can give off an awful odor. One earwig will not live long inside the home. If you’re unprepared, earwigs will continue to enter the home through the summer months.
7. Weevils
These insects are a small, pear-shaped beetle with a noticeable snout. Weevils will seek shelter in your home from unfavorable weather conditions, especially dry, hot weather.
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These guys are classified as pantry pests and may try and find a home in your rice or grains. Store your grains and other weevil-loving food in air-tight glass or plastic storage containers.
8. Boxelder Bug
These common Minnesota bugs are black with orange or red markings. You can identify them by the three stripes on their back right behind their head.
These bugs like warmth and are unlikely to cause you a problem during the summer months. They can become an issue in the fall and winter months when they are seeking warmth and shelter.
They are primarily a nuisance as they often enter homes or buildings in large numbers.
9. Wasps
Yellowjackets (including baldfaced hornets) and paper wasps are two common wasps you can find in Minnesota.
Wasps will construct their nests on the inside or outside of buildings, inside trees, and in the ground. Usually, wasps do not cause a problem if they are not near human activity.
If you find a wasps nest inside or outside your home, it should be eliminated to reduce the risk of stings.
10. Carpet Beetles
These small guys can be found indoors throughout the year. They are commonly spotted during the spring and summer.
Carpet beetles can be tricky because adults feed on pollen and are not pests alone. However, their larvae are destructive because they feed on natural fibers of animal origin.
They are not so much a concern for your carpet as they are your closet and items containing materials such as feather, wool, fur, or silk.
11. Larder Beetles
These oval-shaped dark brown beetle can be identified by the cream or yellow-colored band with six dark spots that run across the top of their wings.
These guys were fittingly named larder beetles (think lard) because of their attraction to food pantries and animal by-products. Both the adults and the larvae feed on high-protein materials or products.
They will eat furs, feathers, wool, dead animals and insects, cured meats, dry pet food, and cheese.
12. Indianmeal Moths
Indianmeal moths have light gray wings that darken near the hind with no distinguishing markings. They may have a reddish-brown or coppery color on the outer portion of their wings.
These pantry predators get their names from their diet of “Indian corn” or maize. They can be found in homes living in stored food products including, grains, dried fruit, seeds, spices, or pet foods.
To help prevent these common Minnesota bugs, it is important to keep your pantry clean and store dry food products in glass or plastic air-tight containers.
Environmental Pest Management Battles Minnesota Bugs
All year long is a bug battle. Pests enter and exit homes depending on weather, life cycles, or other habits.
If you find yourself with one or any of these common Minnesota bugs, Environmental Pest Management can help. We are proud to service Burnsville, MN, and surrounding cities.
Contact us today for safe and effective pest management.