Fall Leaves & the Dangers that Hide Beneath Them

This is my favorite time of year…. You can walk outside and feel that fall is in the air with the light cool air settling on your skin. Of course, you also start think about opening your windows to let the cool breeze drift through the house AND lower that summer power bill into a more reasonable price.

But there is one part of fall that I’m not a big fan of, and that’s leaves and the dreaded task of who must rake them. There is something else that few of us even think about during this time of year, what kind of pests do leaves and piles of leaves harbor? As a parent, I’ve even let my children play in leaf piles without full comprehension of the hidden danger that may be hidden beneath the mesmerizing array of colors. Stirring up these pests not only poses risks to children who are playing or walking through them, but it is possible for these insects and critters to find their way into a home when they have nowhere else to go.

So what pests do leaves attract?

• Black widow spiders live in dark & hidden places like piles of leaves, rocks, or wood. Do not move or disturb these piles without wearing gloves, as you might accidentally touch a black widow spider and get bitten.
• Fire Ants can hide a nest beneath the pile of leaves and surprise your children when they play in them or go to pick them up. Have you ever seen what happens to a child when ants are covering their arms? Don’t let this happen to your kids or loved ones.
• Asian Roaches can be very mobile during the fall and will use a variety of habitats such as mulch, log piles, leaf piles, thick vegetation, and gutters around roofs to nest. If you rake the leaves into piles, make sure to dispose of them in a short time span. I’m sure you’ve gone to finally dispose of an old leaf pile and see these guys scurry everywhere as you pile the leaves into bags?
• Termites like the smell of leaves that have started to dry out and decay. These pests may be drawn to leaf piles, but they need wood to burrow into in order to make a nest. Unfortunately, leaf piles that are close to a home can encourage termites to build a nest deep within the wooden structures of a home.
• Beetles are also common leaf pile pests. These insects generally pose no health risk, but living with a beetle infestation is an annoyance.
• Snakes and mice may be attracted by beetles, so just imagine what a minor pest control problem can become if you let a chain reaction begin?

If you are worried these pests might be on your property in Crestview, Defuniak Springs, Ft. Walton Beach, Destin, or Niceville, FL, please notify an exterminator you trust. These pests pose a threat to children & your loves ones. We will provide you with a free estimate or call us at 850-682-5354 to control any dangerous pests that you may have and prevent their future offspring from growing up with your family.