Occasional Invaders

What are occasional invaders?

Occasional invaders are those insects that spend most of their time living outdoors, but will occasionally find their way inside your home or business. Occasional invaders typically don’t cause any problems for people when living outside but they can become an annoyance once they've invaded your property. Some are even considered dangerous.

The most common species of occasional invaders living throughout our area of Ventura County are the following:

Centipedes
‍The centipede has an elongated, worm-like body with one pair of legs per body segment. Centipedes are yellow to dark brown in color and some species also have darker colored markings. Centipedes have large, claw-like appendages containing venom that they use to paralyze their prey.

Flies
‍Flies have a single pair of wings and compound eyes. One of the most common species of flies to invade homes throughout the Ventura and Santa Barbara area is the house fly. House flies are dark gray in color and have four black stripes on their thoraxes. They have specialized sponging mouthparts that they use to feed on liquids.

Ground beetles
‍Ground beetles make up one of the largest groups of beetles. They have hard, flattened bodies with vertical ridges on their wings; despite having wings, ground beetles are unable to fly. Their heads are the narrowest parts of their bodies. Most species are black but some are metallic blue or green, and may even have red or gold markings.

Millipedes
‍Millipedes are worm-like in appearance. They have cylindrical bodies that are dark brown or black in color and may have orange or red mottling. Millipedes curl into a tight ball when threatened. Depending on the size and species, they can have anywhere from 30 to well over 90 pairs of legs.

Powderpost beetles
‍Female powderpost beetles lay their eggs in the cracks of wood. The larvae tunnel through wood, leaving behind fine, powder-like dust. Adults are reddish-brown to black, in color and have elongated, flattened, and narrow bodies.

Are occasional invaders dangerous?

Most occasional invaders, including centipedes, millipedes, and ground beetles, are thought of as merely nuisance pests and pose no real danger to people or property. Flies are considered to be dangerous because they contaminate food and transmit diseases. Powderpost beetles aren’t dangerous to people but can cause damage to wooden structures. Powderpost beetles are second only to termites in the amount of damage they cause to wooden structures in or around your home or business.

Why do I have an occasional invader problem?

Centipedes and millipedes often become a problem for homeowners when the weather outside becomes too hot and dry for them to live comfortably. They find their way inside by entering under doors and through spaces around windows. Outdoor lighting attracts ground beetles and powder post beetles to the exterior of your home or business, where they will then find their way inside through small gaps in the foundation. Flies typically find their way inside while foraging for food, taking advantage of structural openings. Powderpost beetles are often accidentally introduced into your property in antique furniture, hardwood floors, and wooden beams.

Where will I find occasional invaders?

Where occasional invaders live and nest depends on the species. Millipedes and centipedes live outside in damp, dark areas like under landscaping ties, mulch, rocks, and woodpiles. Inside, they are usually found in humid areas of a home or business such as basements or crawlspaces. Flies are generally found outside around compost bins and trash cans, gardens, outdoor eating areas, and on animal excrement. Indoors, they are seen flying around bathrooms, kitchens, and pantry areas. Powderpost beetles are wood-destroying insects that are commonly found inside antique furniture, barn wood, hardwood floors, and building timbers. Ground beetles live outside under fallen trees, piles of leaves, stones, and woodpiles; those that have made their way inside through spaces under doors are most often found in basements or rooms on the ground level.

How do I get rid of occasional invaders?

The best way to eliminate occasional invaders from your Ventura and Santa Barbara property is to partner with a local pest control expert. At Mayan Pest Control,
we are committed to providing each of our customers with superior pest control services to meet their individual needs. Our experienced and knowledgeable technicians always perform the most advanced, effective services. To learn more about working together to rid your home or business of occasional invaders, contact Mayan Pest Controltoday!

How can I prevent occasional invaders in the future?

The following tips can help you to protect your Ventura County home or business from becoming overrun with occasional invaders.

• Cut tree branches, shrubs, and bushes away from the exterior of your home.
• Seal openings in the foundation and exterior walls.
• Place weather stripping around windows and doors.

• Place door sweeps on doors.
• Keep tight-fitting or locking lids on outdoor trash cans and compost bins.
• Reduce moisture levels by using dehumidifiers and fixing leaky pipes.

• Pick up fallen fruits and vegetables in garden areas.
• Keep food in the refrigerator or air-tight containers.
• Regularly remove trash from your home.

• Avoid using unfinished or bare wood in your home.