Spiders can be scary, and so can stink bugs. House centipedes, ants, even a stray beetle that finds its way into your home. No one likes to wake up to the sound of buzzing in their ear or a determined moth trying desperately to fly into their lamp. I’m sure you have the heebie-jeebies right now imagining the lone insect you saw one second and was gone the next.
Many bugs have a greater purpose than haunting your nightmares and would benefit from the catch and release method. While some you can grab with your hands, others can be caught with a cup and a piece of paper underneath. Change the stigma on the bugs in your house. They aren’t scary, they’re doing their best.
1. Spiders
The sneaky, sneaky spider can get in easily and without being noticed. An open window, open door, cracked screen, or even a small hole can bring them inside. What spiders prefer is as diverse as they are and they can be found anywhere. They feed on other insects making for a great working partnership if they’re left to exist peacefully. If disturbed though, they can leave a venomous bite.
2. Beetles
Beetles are less of an issue and more of a nuisance. They can most likely be found around food, clothes, and wood (so the whole house, right?). They’re easy to handle by staying clean and can be moved outside if one is found. Most don’t bite and they don’t carry disease. Beetles feed on plants, small insects, and animal fibers. Some even kill harmful animals proving to be more helpful than harmful.
3. Stink Bugs
Invasive species have never been so cute. Stink bugs move towards the light and seem to have a natural ability to get inside homes. They don’t carry disease, and they won’t eat at your woodwork, but they can smell bad. They’re an agricultural pest and can do harm to your fruits and veggies, but are calm enough to be picked up and placed back outside.
4. House Centipedes
Check your basement, sinks, and bathroom as house centipedes prefer areas that are dark and damp. Keeping your living area well ventilated should keep them at bay, but sometimes one sneaks in. They dine on other bugs around them making for one less bug you have to release. Biting is rare and while gross to look at, they’ve been found to be beneficial.
5. Bees
If you see bees it could mean that they are nesting somewhere in the home. Don’t call an exterminator, call a local beekeeper to get professional advice on where to go from there. If they find a hive they can remove it safely without killing any of the bees. They’re harmless minus the possibility of a sting. Be polite to avoid a sting and get a professional in to get them out quickly.
6. Moths
Are you noticing holes in your fabrics? It may be moths. While a hassle to catch, a moth is harmless to people and they are often a food source for other insects. Moths can also be found in a pantry; what they eat depends on the type. One or two isn’t an issue, but it can become costly if they add up.
Bug facts found on Orkin’s website.