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October 18, 2022Bed Bugs, Cockroaches, Pests, Wildlife

5 Creepiest Halloween Pests

5 Creepiest Halloween Pests

Halloween decorations come complete with their own spooky set of fake pests. But what if suddenly your home becomes a real haunted house with creepy crawlies running rampant? When the chill of autumn arrives, so do some of the season’s scariest overwintering pests. Here’s Bug House’s annual list of eerie intruders to look out for this spooky season:

1. Bats
   A Halloween staple, bats are skittish, flying mammals often associated with vampires and haunted houses. Though they rarely attack people, they have caused enormous fear for centuries. Bats are nocturnal mammals that roost in dark areas of buildings, like in attics and under fascia boards, or in other sheltered areas like caves. As a typical routine, they fly from their secluded nests at dusk to get food and return just before daylight. Bats tend to get a bad rap because they are frequent carriers of rabies, which can be fatal if left untreated. If bats bite people, it usually occurs during attempts to capture the animals. However, their behavior can change significantly if they are sick with rabies. There are rare reports of attacks on people while coming and going from their homes, placing bats at the top of the list of rabies-spreading pests–which is pretty scary.
2. Spiders
   The sight of a spider crawling on the wall can frighten just about anyone, especially around Halloween. Most spiders are harmless to humans. Typically, their bites leave an itchy, red welt. The existence of a few rare but dangerous species of spiders has many people frightened by their presence, especially inside our homes. Although spiders often get a bad rap, only a few species found in the United States are actually dangerous. Homeowners should be particularly aware of the brown recluse spider, the black widow spider and the hobo spider, as these types of spiders are known to administer a painful bite when disturbed or threatened. Homeowners can avoid spiders by keeping garages, attics and basements clean and clutter-free. Make sure to wear heavy gloves when moving items that have been stored for an extended period of time, like Halloween decorations.
3. Rats
   Rats are inextricably linked to both Halloween and to death. This idea dates back to the days of the plague when mice and rats carried the deadly illness from house to house before pest control and modern medicine was available. A particularly violent outbreak known as the Black Death killed millions of people in Europe and the Mediterranean, solidifying the rat’s historical association with death. Rats are primarily nocturnal and live in places like piles of garbage or undisturbed areas of basements. Rats can fit through an opening the size of a quarter, making it easy for them to find access to our homes. Once inside, they can spread diseases by contaminating food. They put homes at risk for electrical fires by gnawing through wires. Rats are still known to spread disease and destroy property today. So, while plastic rats are popular Halloween decor, no one wants real live rats in their house. Fortunately, rats in Georgia can be easily and quickly eliminated with the help of our certified pest control experts at Bug House!
4. Bed Bugs
   Bed bugs are similar to vampires because they feed off human blood, typically at night. Although bed bugs are often found in beds, they can also conceal themselves behind baseboards, underneath electrical switch plates, and in furniture crevices. Bed bugs will hide in luggage, purses, laptop cases and other personal belongings in an effort to find a human food supply. Luckily, these elusive pests do not transmit diseases, but they can leave red, itchy welts on the skin
5. Roaches
   You’ll find tons of bags of plastic cockroaches to use as spooky Halloween decor, and you can even find recipes for Halloween treats that look like the pest. Cockroaches have probably won this Halloween honor because of their association with the dead. Their grotesque image comes primarily from their connection to disease and unsanitary conditions, though they can live anywhere. There are several types of cockroaches in Georgia. If real cockroaches are invading your home instead of fake ones, make sure to give Bug House a call for a little Halloween pest control treatment!

Quality year-round pest control in Georgia can keep your home free of spooky spiders, roaches, rats, bed bugs, and bats throughout the year. Contact Bug House Pest Control for all your pest control needs–Halloween or not, we’re not afraid of your dark attic, musty basement, or creepy crawlspaces. And have a happy, pest-free Halloween!