When you think of dangerous insects or animals, you may be tempted to think that Maine lucked out, since we don't have any deadly spiders or poisonous snakes to speak of. Sure, there is the Maine black bear, which you probably wouldn't want to run into on a forest trail, but as for creatures found in or around our Maine homes, there aren't any that are particularly dangerous. Or are there?
The 5 Most Dangerous Pests in Maine
Termites: Although these are not directly dangerous to humans, they are very dangerous to our homes and our pocketbooks. Termites are often referred to as "silent destroyers," - and for good reason. These sneaky little insects can invade a home and eat away at the walls and support beams for years without anyone ever knowing they are there! While some talk about their teenagers eating them out of house and home, termites do this, quite literally. In fact, in the United States alone, homeowners pay out over $5 billion every year because of these sneaky little wood eaters.
Carpenter Ants: Though these big black ants don't actually eat the wood of structures, they do burrow through making tunnels and nests, which will weaken and will eventually destroy areas that are infested. If carpenter ants aren't taken seriously, they will, like those termites, eat away at your home's equity for years or decades without anyone knowing.
Rodents: No one likes finding evidence of rodents living in their home. But are you aware of the dangers they pose? Not only do rats and mice have the potential of transmitting diseases such as plague and rat-bite fever, they also bring parasites such as mites, lice, fleas, and ticks into your home. Rodents also tend to destroy insulation, chew holes in walls, and even chew on electrical wires. So not only can they transmit deadly diseases to you or your family, they can also cause your house to be burned to the ground.
Cockroaches: Although more common in southern states, cockroaches are still an issue here in Maine. These disgusting pests can not only be dangerous to your reputation (especially if you own a business) they can be directly responsible for the spread of diseases such as dysentery, typhoid fever, and cholera. They are also known to cause allergies and an increase in asthma symptoms.
Mosquitoes: The dreaded mosquito! While I think we can all agree that these tiny monsters are a major headache in Maine, you may be wondering how they are "dangerous." The fact is mosquitoes are carriers of potentially deadly diseases such as malaria, chikungunya, dog heartworm, dengue, yellow fever, West Nile virus, and most recently, Zika virus.
Help Is On the Way
While it is unlikely you will ever come into contact with a black bear in Southern Maine, you will definitely have to deal with some potentially dangerous insects and animals in and around your home. If you have an issue with any household pest, whether dangerous or just a nuisance, the professionals here at Big Blue Bug Solutions are here to help. With over 75 years of experience and the most advanced equipment and knowledge about Maine pests, you can rest easy. Get peace of mind today by contacting Big Blue Bug Solutions.