Multi-legged Insects: How To Get Rid Of Them
Gutters were originally intended to keep water flow away from a structure’s foundation. They are also great for keeping multi-legged insects, channeling the water away from the sides of the home or structure and preventing erosion and pooling water that can leak into basements or crawl spaces.
They are also nice and convenient for keeping water from pouring directly over doors and windows during rainstorms. However, the gutter wasn’t designed and installed for inhabitants of nature, such as mosquitoes and the many other pests that seem to make their home there.
They feed on rotting vegetables, garbage, and damp organic materials. They thrive and feed inside muddy tunnels you find beside the foundation of the interior or exterior walls indicate their presence.
Cockroaches of several types are common gutter insects, and they may cause health hazards such as food poisoning, dysentery, and diarrhea.
There are some basic rules for preventing mosquitoes. Regularly change outdoor water dishes for pets, water in fountains, kid’s swimming pools and even keeping potted plant dishes empty.
But, most homeowners forget one of the most important methods of mosquito prevention – keeping gutters clear of debris that clogs and creates small pools of water. This is the perfect breeding ground for pesky and disease-carrying mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes are not limited to living in the gutter. Just ask anyone who braves going up the ladder to take a look inside the gutters.
Homeowners, groundskeepers and gutter maintenance people find all kinds of pesky residents inside the gutters. Birds create nests in gutters causing water stoppages and all other kinds of mess.
Wasps and hornets love to build nests in the corners of gutters and even within small gaps between gutters and homes caused by settling or lack of gutter maintenance.
Aside from insect and animal pests, there are all kinds of other living things from nature found in gutters. Flowers, weeds, plants, even trees can start growing inside gutters.
Seeds that are carried by the wind find the moist dirt and debris inside a gutter and will start growing rapidly. Imagine finding a maple tree starting to grow inside a gutter. These types of stories are quite common and can become a real problem if neglected too long.
One solution for homeowners is the regular maintenance of gutters. While some homeowners may decide to take this on themselves, those who don’t have time or don’t want the risk may decide to hire someone.
Gutter maintenance services can be performed by groundskeepers or gutter maintenance companies. Signs of insect infestation in your home from these gutter insects can be done professionally by pest control, though.
Another solution that would help limit the cost and bother of regular maintenance would be to purchase a gutter guard or leaf guard system. This type of gutter system keeps animals, insects, leaves, and debris from entering the gutter in the first place.
While there are various types of gutter guard and leaf guard systems, the ones that only allow water to penetrate a fine mesh are considered the best by many and result in greater customer satisfaction.
