7 Common Household Bugs in Louisiana

There are many wonderful things about living in Louisiana, but the bugs usually aren’t at the top of the list! The warm, semi-tropical climate is favorable to pests, which is why Louisiana is known for its readily available supply of bugs and insects. Some insects are harmless, even though they may look fierce, while others carry disease. Nevertheless, all insects are a nuisance, and no family wants to share their home with them. At Dugas Pest Control, we get many calls for many types of pests. In this blog post, we’re sharing the most common household bugs and pests in the Baton Rouge area. Read on to learn more!

Common Pests in Louisiana

Termites are a common household pest in Louisiana - Dugas Pest Control

1. Termites >>

There are two types of termites in Louisiana: subterranean and drywood. Subterranean termites like to chew through the interior part of a wood structure. They then cover their tracks by filling holes with dirt or mud. By the time the damage is discovered, it’s too late. There is probably hundreds to thousands of dollars of damage. Drywood termites feast on dry wood and leave feces behind, but they don’t fill holes with dirt.

Carpet beetles are a common household pest in Louisiana - Dugas Pest Control

2. Beetles >>

There are many species of beetles, but the most common in the Baton Rouge area include carpet beetles and powderpost beetles. Interestingly, carpet beetles in their adult stage aren’t much of a problem, but as larvae, they are quite the nuisance. They feed on household items such as clothes, linens, and food.

Powderpost beetles can be just as severe as termites as the larvae create tunnels on the inside of wood structures. It won’t be until these beetles chew their way out as adult beetles that you will see signs of damage.

Mosquitoes are a common household pest in Louisiana - Dugas Pest Control

3. Mosquitoes >>

The wet, humid summers create the perfect environment for mosquitoes. Although mosquitoes are synonymous with Southern living, these insects can carry deadly diseases that can be transmitted to humans. With the recent threat of West Nile, it’s crucial to have professional mosquito repellents applied to your yard before mosquito season, which starts early Spring here in Louisiana.

Cockroaches are a common household pest in Louisiana - Dugas Pest Control

4. Roaches >>

Between flying roaches and cockroaches, the roach population certainly shows its face in Louisiana. Roaches thrive off warm, moist environments, and some, such as cockroaches, are found in high-filth areas. They can also carry diseases such as E.coli and salmonella. Baton Rouge is home to many types of roach, including the Smokybrown cockroach, American cockroach, and German cockroach.

Spiders are a common household pest in Louisiana - Dugas Pest Control

5. Spiders >>

Spiders are versatile insects that can be found in just about any climate, but the fact that Louisiana is warm and sub-tropical makes it a great location for all breeds of spiders. They especially prefer dark, moist places like underneath flowerpots or garbage can handles. Some of the most common spiders found in Baton Rouge include your typical garden spiders, fishing spiders, and bold jumping spiders. However, some have poisonous venom that can cause serious reactions in humans, including the brown widow spider, black widow spider, and brown recluse spider.

Fire ants are a common household pest in Louisiana - Dugas Pest Control

6. Fire Ants >>

With a warm climate and close proximity to Central America and Mexico, Louisiana is known for its colonies of ants, more specifically, red fire ants. Fire ants can have up to 700 colonies per acre that can include up to 250,000 crawling members. Fire ants are also fierce predators, carry disease and destroy property. If you are noticing an excess of fire ant mounds, be very cautious and reach out to your local ant control experts.

Silverfish are a common household pest in Louisiana - Dugas Pest Control

7. Silverfish >>

Silverfish have small pinchers, and although they are not poisonous, their pinchers will hurt. They have a fish-like shape and are a gray or silver color. They prefer dark, moist areas and are most commonly seen at nighttime when they leave their nest. Homeowners are accustomed to seeing these tiny bugs in kitchens and bathrooms, where there is excess moisture.

Need Help With Louisiana Insects & Pests?

Pests are a fact of life in Baton Rouge and all of Louisiana—all year long. To keep you, your family, and/or your business safe from Louisiana bugs and insects, the experts at Dugas can help. Contact our licensed pest control experts today to see how we can ensure you stay pest-free.

Can You Kill Mosquito Larvae in Standing Water?

Mosquito larvae in Baton Rouge LA yard - Dugas Pest ControlMosquitoes are known to linger around areas with standing water. This is because mosquitoes have to lay their eggs in stagnant water in order for them to develop and hatch properly. The key to preventing a mosquito problem in your yard is by stopping mosquitoes from laying eggs in the first place. This required knowing how to look for potential mosquito breeding grounds around your property. But if, in doing so, you notice mosquito larvae in water, what are you supposed to do? The experts at Dugas Pest Control are here to share their top tips to safely kill mosquito larvae to prevent an infestation—read on to learn more!

Where is Mosquito Larvae Found?

There’s a reason why mosquitoes are so frequently found near ponds and marshes—they need a source of standing water in order to reproduce. After a female mosquito bites someone, she is able to lay her eggs in water. It is from there that mosquito eggs will hatch and develop into larvae. The larvae can be found in a number of areas in your yard. Some of the most common mosquito breeding sites include:

  • Ponds
  • Birdbaths
  • Pools and spas
  • Gutters and puddles
  • Garden planters 
  • Childrens’ playsets
  • Tarps
  • Buckets

How to Safely Kill Mosquito Larvae

A “raft” of mosquito eggs can look as small as a speck in the water. This makes it important to cover any source of standing water in your yard or to regularly tip out water that pools up. There are also a few all-natural ways you can discourage mosquito larvae from developing properly. Some of the things you can add to water to kill mosquito larvae includes:

  1. Dish soap or shampoo: Liquid soap is known to effectively kill mosquito larvae. Just a millimeter of dish soap in a gallon of standing water will kill off the larvae.
  2. Oil: Olive oil and vegetable oil will get rid of mosquito eggs and larvae almost immediately. However, you should not put any oils in a pond where fish live or a birdbath.
  3. Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar works to get rid of mosquito larvae in small amounts of water. Add enough apple cider vinegar so that it makes up about 15% of the total liquid.

Outdoor Mosquito Prevention

If you’ve done all you can to put an end to the mosquito life cycle in your backyard to no avail, it’s time to get in touch with your local mosquito control experts. At Dugas Pest Control, our specialists will pinpoint and target all mosquito breeding grounds around your home. We will work hard to prevent mosquitoes before they hatch. Contact us today to learn more!