It’s easy to see why people choose to make Bakersfield their home. There are plenty of things to do, great weather and it’s centrally located, so neither Southern or Northern California is too far away. However, no matter how perfect a city might seem, every area deals with pest problems. If you’re a homeowner in the area, it’s important to know what kind of pests you might be have to deal with, so that you can do all you can to stop them from making their way into your home. Here is a list of some of the most common pest problems you might run into during your time in Bakersfield, and a few tips on how to avoid them.

Spiders

Spiders are pretty hard to avoid, especially in this area. They’re small and sneaky and tend to hide whenever people are around, so you might not even notice that you have a problem when you do. If you’ve seen more than a couple spiders in your home, you likely already have an infestation. The easiest way to get rid of them is to call your local pest control company. The most common spider in the Bakersfield region are Black Widows, Orb Weavers, Wolf Spiders and Cellar Spiders.

Roaches

One of the pest problems that people dread dealing with most is roaches. Roaches aren’t dangerous in that they won’t bite you if you run into one. However, they can damage the structure of your home, and they spread disease like crazy. It can also be extremely difficult to get rid of. The absolutely best way to keep roaches out is to keep your house as clean and clutter-free as possible. Never leave food out, and don’t let water sit in your dishes or sink for very long. Wipe down any surfaces that you use with antibacterial wipes, even if they don’t look dirty. Vacuum or sweep often, and mop floors once a week.

Rodents

Although most rodents won’t try to harm you, their presence in your home is probably not a welcome one. They can spread disease to your family or pets, so keeping them around is just not a good idea. Check around your house for entryways that rodents might be able to use to get inside. Keep in mind that rodents are extremely flexible, and can fit through tiny spaces. Fill any gaps in your walls with caulking, even if it looks too small for a mouse to fit through. Make sure your door and windows fit securely in their frames, and patch any holes in screens right away.

Termites

Another dreaded pest problem is termites. Since they’re so small and usually stay undetected for quite a while, dealing with an infestation can be a nightmare. If you see signs of water damage in areas of your home, without there being actual water damage, this could be a sign of an infestation. Another sign is mud tubes or discarded wings left around the foundation of your home. If you see any of these, the best thing to do is call your pest control company. Termites is not an issue best dealt with on your own.