Pests are never lucky, but they aren’t uncommon either. There are some more unlucky of pests and so we have categorized our list by the top 13 unlucky pests, starting with number 13 and working our way down to the number 1 most unlucky pest. We also explain how we treat each pest listed here.
For a free quote on pest control services in the Twin Cities metro are MN, give Done Right Pest Solutions a call: 651-342-989.
Table of Contents
Top 13 Unlucky Pests
Honorable Mentions.
First we will start with some honorable mentions. We list a tie for carpet beetles and flour beetles. These pests did not make our Top 13 Unlucky Pests list, but they can be a nuisance of increased vacuuming and cleaning. The flour beetles typically are only attracted to older stored products like flours and sugars. Still, they can cause a bit of an increase in your food bill as you will need to throw out and replace those pantry items.
Carpet beetles and flour beetles made our honorable mentions, not quite making it onto our list of Top 13 Unlucky Pests.
- Clothing Moths & Pantry Moths.
Clothing moths and pantry moths tied for last place on our list of Top 13 Unlucky Pests. These pests can become devastating as you’ll have to patch holes or purchase new clothing items. They can also increase your food bill a bit, just like flour beetles, from throwing out food that has been contaminating and purchasing new.
These pests are simply not that common, and that’s why they made last place on our list of Top 13 Unlucky Pests.
- Japanese Beetles.
Japanese beetles can be quite the nuisance to trees and bushes in your yard and neighborhood. While they don’t spread any illness or disease to humans, these beetles can easily damage trees. And while they don’t eat enough of the leaves to kill the trees or bushes, they create an unsightly yard.
Because of their nuisance level to yards and neighborhoods as a whole, Japanese beetles made the number 12 pest on our list of Top 13 Unlucky Pests.
- Boxelder Bugs.
Fall invading pests like boxelder bugs, lady bugs, and stink bugs pose no threat to humans other than nuisance and stirring up minor allergens. But they certainly can cause some distress and surprise when homeowners or tenants find them in the middle of winter. If this has happened to you, you have fall pests because they got in during the fall.
Homeowners and tenants will have to vacuum these pests up, live or dead, throughout the season as they come out from the wall voids. Because of their nuisance and frustration level, boxelder bugs made the number 11 pest on our list of Top 13 Unlucky Pests. 
- Ticks.
Ticks aren’t always present in backyards, but they certainly can be. Did you know 75% of Lyme’s disease outbreaks happen in backyards? Ticks freak most people out, there’s just something creepy about pests that are after your blood.
Because they carry and transmit diseases, like Lyme’s and more, ticks made the number 10 pest on our list of Top 13 Unlucky Pests.
- Mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes are often more of a concern to homeowners than ticks, perhaps because they seem more prevalent and can easily fly to and land on their prey for their blood meal. Mosquitoes also carry and transmit a number of diseases and pose a great risk to the health of the population as a whole.
For these reasons listed, mosquitoes made the number 9 pest on our list of Top 13 Unlucky Pests.
- Mice.
These are normal, typical, seasonal pests in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Because they are common, mice aren’t super unlucky, but they aren’t fun to deal with. Mice pose a closer threat to homeowners because they invade dwellings. Mice also carry and transmit diseases because they have no bladder control, and generally leave pathogens and bacteria on everything they touch.
Because they invade homes and carry and transmit diseases, mice made the number 8 pest on our list of Top 13 Unlucky Pests.
If you encounter any of these unlucky pests at your home and you aren’t sure what to do, give our experts a call to learn some helpful tips and tricks: 651-342-9489.
- Rats.
Depending on where you live, rats are not as common of pests as mice. Rats often invade homes in larger, older cities, like Saint Paul, Minneapolis, Chicago, and New York. Rats, like mice, carry and transmit diseases. They are often more common to be infested by fleas, which carry bubonic plague.
Rats can enter through the foundation, through cracks and crevices of ½ inch in diameter, but will often enter through other means, like through drains or toilets.
Because they aren’t as common of pests, because of the way in which they enter homes, and because they carry and transmit diseases, rats made the number 7 pest on our list of Top 13 Unlucky Pests.
- Wasps.
Wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, and bees all fall within the stinging insect category. These pests are pretty common, especially specific features of houses like soffits, fascia, and gutters. These pests will even make nests in the ground, or inhabit inside exterior walls or foundations of homes.
Depending on the species, wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets are often territorial insects and will sting repeatedly if they feel threatened. These stings often cause swelling, pain, and discomfort, in the least. Sometimes allergic reactions occur, even severely at times.
Because they pose health threats, because they can be aggressive and territorial, and because they commonly affect millions of homes and businesses, wasps made the number 6 pest on our list of Top 13 Unlucky Pests.
- Brown Recluse Spiders.
Brown recluse spiders are not super common in Minnesota and Wisconsin, but they can hide out in garages and basements on occasion. While they don’t carry or transmit diseases like other pests within this list, their venom can be very toxic to people. If bitten some will not have adverse reactions, but the more severe reactions include fever, chills, joint pain, nausea, and more. The reactions are typically worse for immune compromised folks. Doctor visits are recommended upon any bite incidences.
Because they aren’t as common of pests and can be a threat to health brown recluse spiders made the number 5 pest on our list of Top 13 Unlucky Pests.
- Squirrels.
Squirrels, as pests, are less common than mice, but are often exceedingly more destructive and obnoxious than mice. If a squirrel makes a nest in your attic or soffit area, you can expect loud noises, scurrying, chattering, and at times screeching. Squirrels are often territorial and male squirrels have been known to attack their young, so you may even hear fights.
Squirrels also cause damage to homes and businesses. They will create openings in which to fit. It is because of these reasons that squirrels made the number 4 pest on our list of Top 13 Unlucky Pests.
If you encounter any of these unlucky pests at your home and you aren’t sure what to do, give our experts a call to learn some helpful tips and tricks: 651-342-9489.
- Cockroaches.
With the increase of travel in the 21st century and as of late, invasive insects like cockroaches and bed bugs can easily spread via luggage hopping. Cockroaches reproduce quickly and can invade kitchens and bathrooms. They carry and transmit diseases and pose risk to health and sanitation.
For these reasons cockroaches made the number 3 pest on our list of Top 13 Unlucky Pests.
- Fleas.
Fleas typically only infest homes with pets present, but not always. At times they can infest homes because of a wild animal living under a deck or next to a home. Fleas do carry the bubonic plague.
If treated only by vacuuming up the various life stages of fleas, it can take several weeks to months to eliminate from a home. Pets will always need to be treated by a veterinarian, which can add to the cost of the infestation.
Overall, fleas affect one’s home life greatly and because of the reasons stated and their nuisance level fleas made the number 2 pest on our list of Top 13 Unlucky Pests.
- Bed bugs.
Bed bugs can cause PTSD and other psychological issues as a result of having experienced these pests in your home. Plus they are usually more expensive to treat, especially if you use heat treatments.
Bed bugs reproduce quickly and in secret, with numbers unknown to the homeowner or tenant. These pests are considered an extreme nuisance because they spread so easily. You can get them from a number of areas, not limited to: hotels, bed and breakfasts, Airbnbs, a friend or family member’s home, consignment shops, thrift stores, Uber/Lyft/taxis, etc. Basically anywhere people have belongings that have come from a place with bed bugs, the bed bugs can hide and travel to find new homes with new hosts.
For these reasons and more bed bugs made the number 1 pest on our list of Top 13 Unlucky Pests!
How We Treat Each Pest
Clothing & Pantry Moths.
Clothing moths and pantry moths take special consideration when it comes to treatment of these pests. Our technicians thoroughly inspect the affected areas to make sure these are, in fact, the targeted pests. Once they are determined the pests that need eradicating, our technicians use a variety of methods including, but not limited to, liquid application, pheromone traps, bait, monitoring devices, and more.
Done Right Pest Solutions’ expert technicians are skilled in clothing moth control and pantry moth control.
Japanese Beetles.
It is often easier to prevent Japanese beetles than to treat once they are out in full force, but unfortunately not everyone knows they have Japanese beetles before they can see them.
We offer treatment of trees and around trees that have been or are affected by Japanese beetles or June bugs. Because these beetles lay eggs and spend most of their lives in the ground, usually at the base of trees, it makes it easier to treat them.
For the best Japanese beetle control, our technicians will treat the base of the trees with a product that will sink down to the 2 to 4 inches where the grubs are located and kill them off so you can have a healthier and bug free yard the next year.
The product is not harmful to any trees or plants that we treat, but we strive to not treat anywhere near food-bearing plants and edible plants.
If you encounter any of these unlucky pests at your home and you aren’t sure what to do, give our experts a call to learn some helpful tips and tricks: 651-342-9489.
Boxelder bugs.
Done Right Pest Solutions is up-to-date on preventative pest control measures to ensure that these fall invaders, like Boxelder bugs, don’t sneak in your home.
Our technicians use their power sprayers from the backs of their trucks to apply an exterior spray to your home. Their hose reaches 300 feet, to ensure full treatment of larger apartment buildings as well as larger houses. The power sprayer can reach 3 stories tall, and our pricing is based on square footage because each house is different and each pest situation is different.
Boxelder bugs, Asian lady beetles, lady bugs, stink bugs, hornets, and wasps won’t die after immediately touching it, but they will die after 8 to 12 hours of touching your siding. So, if it is a sunny day and you see a lot of these fall invading pests sunning themselves on your home, check the foundation the next couple of days. You should begin to see a lot of dead ones. That is how you know it’s working!
The best boxelder bug control is prevention! Check out our Peak Seasons Plan for the best coverage for these pests.
Mosquitoes & Ticks.
Our technicians treat ticks and mosquitoes with
- A perimeter barrier spray around your yard, adorning any ornamentation like fences, trees, etc. to separate your yard from your neighbors’ (and your neighbors’ mosquitoes)
- Treatment of all harborage areas, these are areas where mosquitoes and ticks like to hang out and breed: trees, bushes, shrubs, tall grasses, etc.
- Another barrier application around any of your prime activity spots of your yard (decks, patios, fire pits, swing sets, trampolines, etc.
- The technician will also inspect your yard for any surprising areas that mosquitoes and ticks could be breeding (like cracks in the patio)
- The product is a pet- and child-friendly product once it dries (in about an hour, give or take with weather or wind speed)
Mice & Rats.
Mice and rats are treated similarly. The technicians first start with an inspection of the property. Once the inspection is completed we close any points of entry where the mice could be getting in from. Our technicians will place rodent control devices in the basement, furnace room, laundry room, or other areas as they see fit for your needs.
A 2 week follow-up is critical to determine the success of any mouse or rat extermination service. Rat services usually include some additional inspection around drains and toilets since they can come up from the sewers.
Wasps.
Wasps and other stinging insect services are pretty simply treated. The technician will inspect the whole property and treat the visible nest or area where there appears to be a hidden nest. The technician will remove any visible nests. A 2 month warranty is given for these services. Done Right Pest Solutions performs the best mouse control services.
Brown Recluse Spiders.
While there are different types of spiders, brown recluse spiders are solitary, hunter spiders. Done Right Pest Solutions technicians inspect, identify, and treat spiders well. By using appropriate products for either type of web-building spider or hunting spider, and knowing where to treat for each are two most important keys.
It is often important to treat the interior areas affected by brown recluse spiders as well as the exterior, to prevent any future spiders from coming inside. Seasonal spider control is the most proactive option. We offer these seasonal spider control services with our Peak Seasons Plan.
If you encounter any of these unlucky pests at your home and you aren’t sure what to do, give our experts a call to learn some helpful tips and tricks: 651-342-9489.
Squirrels.
First the technicians will place the traps and add some bait. Usually within a few hours to a day or so, depending on your situation, the trap will catch a live squirrel. And they drive 10 miles or more away to relocate the squirrels. Simple but not always easy for squirrel removal and relocation.
Cockroaches.
Prior to any treatment, full inspection of kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas in the house or restaurant is important. Proper inspection increases the likelihood of successful cockroach extermination within 2 weeks to 1 month.
We don’t require any prep work for cockroach treatments. Done Right Pest Solutions’ expert technicians use a direct-kill product to the backs of appliances like refrigerators, stoves, microwaves, etc. This product also has a residual component that kills cockroaches for weeks to come.
Our technicians also use a bait inside cabinets and may remove all visible evidence of cockroach activity and live cockroaches to give our clients a type of instant gratification. A 2 week follow-up is given, and more if needed, within the 3 month warranty.
Fleas.
We first inspect the home’s interior, looking for signs of live bugs, eggs, larvae, or pupae. Once activity is determined, our technicians treat with a liquid product along the baseboards of all carpeted areas. The reason for this is because pupae like to hide under the carpet or in wall voids.
Depending on the circumstances, our technicians may treat sections or entire carpet spaces as they see fit. Our technicians may also use an insect vacuum if the deem it necessary for treatment.
After the interior treatment, our technicians inspect the exterior of your home. Fleas can live in tall grasses or other plant habitats. He may treat those areas with a liquid product, which will also dry in about an hour.
No prep work is required for this treatment and it comes with a 1st visit, a 2 week follow-up, and a 3 month warranty. It is important to have a qualified pest control professional treat homes for flea control.
Bed Bugs.
Our technicians first inspect, remove any visible activity, treat thoroughly, and depending on the situation may give tips of how to monitor for activity. We ensure a 2 week follow-up is provided, and a 3 month warranty from the first date of service is a company standard.
Our technicians use a liquid product applied to baseboards, head boards, bed frames, box springs, and other areas the technician sees fit. Our product typically dries within 45 minutes to an hour, and then is safe to the touch. Keep in mind that it is a chemical and is designed to kill pests and is therefore recommended not to be touched when wet.
No prep work is required for this treatment and it comes with a 1st visit, a 2 week follow-up, and a 3 month warranty. For the best bed bug extermination service, contact Done Right Pest Solutions for a free quote: 651-342-9489.
Conclusion & Next Steps
We gave a lot of information in this article about many unlucky pests and how we treat for them. We hope you’ll consider using us should your home or yard ever be infested by any of these pests.
For the most thorough treatment and educational information, look to the experts at Done Right Pest Solutions. Give us a call or send a text to 651-342-9489 for a free quote. Start the conversation via email at donerightpestsolutions@gmail.com.
We can’t wait to hear from you,
Done Right Team
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