The little monsters in your home

Which pests can occur in my house?

Homes can harbour a wide variety of pests that are not only annoying but can also pose health risks. Among the most familiar nuisances are lice and fleas. Head lice, often brought in by children, feed on human blood and cause itchy bites. Human fleas, which can jump up to a metre, infest both pets and people and can cause inflamed bites and transmit diseases.

Equally problematic are rodents such as rats and mice, attracted to food and waste. These animals are not just unwanted visitors but can also spread serious illnesses like hantaviruses and typhoid.

Another common issue is bed bugs, which take refuge in our bedrooms and whose bites can be intensely itchy. These small, agile insects are hard to detect and often difficult to eradicate because they hide in furniture cracks and wall joints.

Cockroaches and roaches are also widespread and can transmit pathogens such as salmonella and hepatitis viruses. They thrive in warm, humid environments and are very resilient, which complicates control efforts.

Less dangerous but still bothersome insects include fruit flies, blowflies and ants, mainly attracted by food scraps. Silverfish, found in damp rooms like bathrooms and kitchens, can also indicate structural defects and mould. Cereal beetles in damp grain storage areas can likewise signal moisture and mould problems.

Not all pest insects, however, are hazardous to health. Some, such as moths and woodworms, primarily cause material damage. Moths can damage textiles and food stocks, while woodworms infest furniture and wooden structures.

How can pests be identified?

Accurate pest identification is crucial to selecting appropriate control measures. There are, however, several signs that can help detect an infestation early and respond accordingly.

Bed bugs are particularly sneaky insects that hide during the day in mattress seams, slatted bed bases and even behind wallpaper. At night they come out to feed on human blood. Signs of a bed bug infestation include small blood spots on bedding, dark faecal streaks on mattresses or slats, and a sweet, unpleasant odour near the sleeping area. Their presence may also be noticed by small, itchy bites on the skin, often appearing in lines or clusters.

Silverfish, on the other hand, prefer moist, dark locations like bathrooms and kitchens. They are nocturnal and feed on starchy substances such as wallpaper paste and bookbinding glue. Typical signs of a silverfish infestation include damage to wallpaper, individuals seen at night on the floor, or small scaly shed skins.

Rats and mice leave clear traces such as gnaw marks on food packaging, furniture or even electrical wiring. Droppings—small, dark and elongated—are typical. Rats and mice are primarily nocturnal, so scratching and scurrying noises in walls and ceilings are common indicators of their presence.

Cockroaches often leave droppings that look like tiny black specks and are found in kitchens or other damp areas. They can also produce an unpleasant, oily odour detectable in heavily infested zones. Cockroaches avoid light and hide during the day in cracks and crevices, especially near heat sources like refrigerators or stoves.

Moths, particularly clothes moths and pantry moths, often leave feeding damage on garments and dry foodstuffs. Clothes moths attack wool, silk and other natural fibres. Pantry moths are found in grain products, nuts and dried fruit, where larvae and their webbing are often visible in the food.

Signs of a woodworm infestation can include small round holes in furniture or wooden structures, often with fine wood dust falling out. This indicates that woodworm larvae are eating through the wood from the inside.

What health damage do pests cause?

Pests in our homes are not only annoying but can also cause significant health damage. Moths, cockroaches, rats and bed bugs are particularly problematic as they can act as disease carriers.

A moth infestation can cause substantial material losses when, for example, clothing or supplies are destroyed. Less well known is that moth droppings can trigger allergies and skin reactions, especially if they come into contact with the skin or respiratory tract.

Cockroaches and rats are notorious carriers of numerous pathogens. Cockroaches can spread salmonella, E. coli and other bacteria that lead to serious gastrointestinal illnesses.

Rats carry even more dangerous diseases such as hantaviruses, leptospirosis and even plague. Their presence in residential areas poses a significant health risk, particularly in kitchens and places where food is stored.

Although bed bugs do not transmit diseases, their bites are problematic and can cause allergic reactions. These range from mild to severe skin irritations that lead to intense itching and inflammation. Chronic itching can cause further skin damage from scratching, which may promote secondary infections.

Which home remedies help combat pests?

When it comes to natural pest control, home remedies offer an effective and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides. These natural methods are not only safe for people and pets but are often readily available and easy to use.

Lavender is known not only for its calming properties but also for its repellent effect on many insects such as moths and ants. Dried lavender can be placed in small sachets around the house or lavender oil used as a natural deterrent.

The strong scent of lemon is disliked by many pests. Fresh peels can be laid near entrances or in kitchen areas to keep ants and flies away. Lemon juice or essential lemon oil can also be used in cleaning products to disinfect and protect surfaces.

Mint is particularly effective against mice and spiders. The strong mint scent overwhelms these animals' sense of smell and keeps them away. Mint leaves can be placed at entry points or mint oil added to water and used as a spray.

Basil is not only popular in the kitchen but also effective in repelling flies and mosquitoes. Basil pots can be placed on windowsills or near doors to deter insects.

A mixture of vinegar and water is an excellent cleaning solution that also works as a natural repellent. It can be sprayed around the house to keep fruit flies and other insects away.

Cloves are known to repel insects such as ants and flies. They can be used whole or as an oil. They can be placed in bowls around the house or combined with other oils to make an effective natural insect repellent.

Is cleaning a miracle weapon against pests?

Cleaning is not only about appearances but is also an effective weapon in the fight against pests in our living spaces, especially in the kitchen. This central room, with damp cloths, dirty dishes and food scraps, provides ideal conditions for pests and microorganisms. Especially in warmer months, when many pests reproduce faster, lack of cleanliness can quickly lead to an infestation.

Thorough cleaning can help. Disposing of organic waste regularly and correctly, storing it in airtight containers and ensuring that worktops and the sink are free of food residues prevents fruit flies and pantry moths from being attracted. It is particularly important to store dry goods such as cereal and flour in well-sealed containers to deny pantry moths access.

It is also advisable to wash fresh fruit thoroughly immediately after purchase to avoid fruit flies by removing any eggs and larvae already present. Be careful with leftover drinks as well. Remnants of lemonade, juice and wine attract fruit flies if left open, so containers should be rinsed and well sealed after use.

Regular and careful cleaning can minimise the use of chemical pest control agents, which is especially advantageous in households with children and pets. Cleaning is thus a basic strategy for a healthy and pleasant home.

Pest-free living: methods for effective control of household pests

• Protect your living spaces from moisture and ventilate damp areas regularly. There are a variety of small dehumidifiers that work well and are inexpensive to buy.
• Check all corners and crevices regularly, including under the sink and in the trap, and empty your bins frequently. This can greatly reduce pest populations. 
• Vacuum dust with a device fitted with a HEPA filter and use air purifiers. Bedding and blankets should be cleaned at higher temperatures to get rid of dust mites.
• Dispose of overripe and rotten fruit as soon as possible and wash the rest thoroughly. This helps get rid of fruit flies. You can also use sticky traps or make a mixture of apple cider vinegar and dish soap. Fruit flies are attracted to the vinegar smell and then drown in the dish soap. 
• If your house is infested with ants, you can use specialised ant traps. They lure ants with a scent and contain insecticide inside. You can block ant trails with chalk or plaster dust. Note that ants love sugary and protein-rich foods.
• There are specialised pheromone traps for moths that attract male moths with a sexual attractant. They stick to the trap and females cannot be fertilised, preventing larvae from developing. It is also important to inspect all food for small white worms (larvae) and discard infested products. 
• For cockroaches and bed bugs, it is best to use insecticides, as they can survive a long time without food and are hard to get rid of.
• Dried herbs are a time-tested home remedy against ants and moths. Mint is the best choice against ants, which dislike the scent. Lavender is a good weapon against moths. You can simply keep sachets of dried lavender in the wardrobe.
• Seal all potential entry points for pests such as cracks or holes to prevent their ingress.
• Regularly check your home for signs of infestation, especially in hidden and rarely used areas. The earlier a problem is detected, the easier it is to treat.
• Once you have identified the pests, you can choose the appropriate insecticide. There is a range of insect control products in the form of liquids, sprays, gels and powders.
• Contact a professional pest controller if you cannot get the infestation under control yourself.

Household pests are not only annoying; they can also cause significant damage and endanger health. Preventive measures and swift action are key to effectively preventing and combating infestations. Regular cleaning and careful food storage are simple but effective measures to keep pests at bay.