While there are plenty of beneficial insects in Tennessee, such as damsel bugs and ground beetles that assist gardening efforts, there are just as many making unwelcome visits to your home and property. Here’s a closer look at four of the most infamous insects in the Volunteer State. Some of the worst of these pose serious health risks, so effective pest control is needed.

4 of the Most Common & Unpleasant Pests In Tennessee

1. American Cockroaches

The largest of its kind, the American cockroach grows up to two inches long and uses thin antennae to forage for food. A fan of moisture, these brownish-red pests routinely appear in damp basements, ductwork, and kitchens. Food crumbs left in kitchens or anywhere else in the home also attracts them. They are one of four cockroaches within Tennessee, as the state also features German, Oriental, and brown-banded varieties.

Cockroaches defecate where they eat and regurgitate their food, spreading bacteria and parasites. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and salmonella bacteria are among the strains roaches pass to humans.

2. Bed Bugs

Bed bugs inject their victims with a numbing agent so they don’t wake up as the insects feed. Another type of brownish-red insect, bed bugs are tiny and have flat, round bodies. They appear between linens, in closets and bags, upholstered furniture, and between bed sheets and mattresses among similar locations. And while they don’t pose immediate health risks, the red welts they leave behind itch horribly without treatment.

3. Termites

Eastern subterranean termites threaten homes and businesses throughout Tennessee and are believed to be most prevalent in Athens, Bartlett, Cookeville, and Memphis, among other cities. These tan, wood-destroying insects rely on cellulose to survive and cause over $5 billion in U.S. property damage annually, signaling the need for quality pest control. Like other pest insects, they’re attracted to moisture and typically enter homes through the foundations.

4. Ticks

Wood ticks are among the most prevalent of the arachnid species in Tennessee. Tick-borne illnesses from bites have increased in the southern state as of 2016 and include Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease. Also known as dog ticks, these pests have mottled gray backs and embed their heads in their hosts to consume blood. They are found in wooded areas with lots of high grass and among livestock.

Work with Central Tennessee Termite & Pest Control in Cookeville to deal with these and other Tennessee pests effectively. The pest control company has served central Tennessee and southern Kentucky for over two decades and offers spider, ant, and roach control as well as termite treatment and moisture control services. Call (931) 526-2033 today to make an appointment or learn more about the exterminators online. Get additional pest control tips on Facebook.