What Bugs And Insects Can Cause The Most Damage?

Despite their non-threatening appearance, bugs are capable of great destruction. What they lack in size, they make up for in numbers. Troves of insects have been known to take over gardens and invade homes, even causing damage to phone lines and structures. Through their feeding habits, they accelerate the decay process and consume crops essential for human life. And unfortunately, California is no exception to their influence, with over 769 species of established insects. Though most critters have the potential to be disruptive, some harbor considerable destructive power that homeowners should be aware of.

Destructive Pests In California Homes

When most people think of ants, they envision a conga line of tiny black specs trailing through their kitchen. While domestic ants are certainly a nuisance, their presence is preferable to other species capable of causing real damage. For example, like termites, Carpenter Ants burrow through wooden structures and compromise their integrity. While they do not eat wood, they do excavate it to make their nests. Entering through sections damaged by moisture or other natural elements, they begin tunneling into a solid material.

Also on the wood hit list is the Powderpost Beetle. This little nightmare lays its eggs in the cracks in wooden objects. The larvae then tunnel into the wood, eating it as they go, until they emerge as adults. Then the process begins again. Some species can even bore through materials that cover wood, such as plastic and plaster.

Bees are similarly capable of causing structural damage. When they build their nests inside walls, the weight can cause them to collapse. And while moths are not likely to harm your home, they eat through clothing and other textiles you hold dear to your heart.

In the Southern California climate, silverfish can thrive. At first glance, this tiny bug may seem like nothing more than a nuisance. However, they feast on our books, food, clothes, and other items that contain cellulose. They have weak jaws, so instead of biting, they scrape away their meals, which leads to staining and fungi growth.

They are one of the most hated creatures worldwide, and their mere mention can make our skin crawl, and the damage caused by roaches is like adding injury to insult. The feces and shed skins left by a large infestation can ruin carpets, clothing, insulation, and furniture. They do not eat wood but can feast on the adhesives that hold it together

California’s Catastrophic Agricultural Dilemma

California’s most devastating critters are of the garden variety. Farmers are locked into a ceaseless battle with local pests that feast relentlessly on crops, diminishing yield substantially. Annually, the Department of Food and Agriculture spends over a billion dollar defending the farm industry from plant-destroying pests. Additionally, some insects pose a physical threat to the people that work the fields. For instance, the Red Imported Fire Ant’s nasty sting produces dreadful pustules. After long hours of arduous labor, the sores become infected and leave noticeable scars. As if that were not bad enough, they can clog irrigation lines and short-circuit electrical systems. To someone who is allergic to their sting the consequences can be severe. 

In addition to a list of pests already destroying California’s crops, entomologists warn that the sunshine state may be susceptible to insects spreading from neighboring regions. One example includes the brown citrus aphid, which infests stems and new leaves of citrus trees. In addition to feeding damage, they pass along a vector of the citrus Tristeza virus, which kills the tree in one to five years.

But, perhaps the most problematic invader is the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, which has already been spotted in Southern California. The stink bug is uniquely situated to cause harm to California crops. Unlike most insects, they do not discriminate among types of vegetation. They have reportedly feasted on upwards of 60 plant species, including vegetables and fruits. And unlike most crop pests, stink bugs also like to invade human residences where they gather in overwhelming numbers for overwintering. One biologist counted over twenty-six thousand stinkbugs in a house over six months before giving up on recordkeeping.

Gopher & Pest Control In Ventura, CA

Bugs and insects are prolific breeders, and populations can quickly get out of control when left alone. If you have an infestation on your hands, contact a reliable pest control professional to eradicate the problem. 101 Gopher & Pest Control’s technicians are highly experienced in handling indoor and outdoor pests, including nuisance wildlife. Contact us today to learn more about avoiding the most destructive bugs and insects with our expert pest control services.