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Beautiful beaches, lush jungles, and a wide variety of species all thrive and coexist in Hawaii. While there’s plenty of natural beauty around this island, there are still bugs in Hawaii like ants, roaches, mosquitoes, and fruit flies. While not trying for all species, some of these insects pose a threat to human health which is why we’re discussing them in this article. You’ll learn about the different pests that can get on your clothes, crawl on your skin, invade your bed, or kitchen, and how to get rid of them.
Identification
To efficiently manage and control pest populations, you need to identify the specific species you’re dealing with. The common bugs in Hawaii include:
- Bed bugs: tiny, red-brown bugs that feed on animal and human blood. Bed bugs on the couch, mattress, bed, and other furniture are common in hotels, apartments, condominiums, and other lodgings.
- Furniture beetles: known to infest wooden structures like furniture or paneling, these small, tiny brown bugs in your house can also be found in apartments.
- Cockroaches: usually black or brown, these insects are found in kitchens or bathrooms.
- Ants: ants are small, crawling, or sometimes flying pests that are attracted to sugar and water.
- Mosquitos: known to leave itchy bites after drinking blood, mosquitoes buzz around and can carry diseases like dengue or the Zika virus.
- Fruit flies: small, pesky bugs, fruit flies, or gnats are attracted to moist environments and various food sources.
Prevention
Bugs in Hawaii are prevalent but there are ways to prevent tiny bugs in the house from becoming a reality:
- Regularly clean up bathrooms and kitchens wiping up spills, getting rid of crumbs, and routinely emptying and cleaning trash cans.
- Store food in airtight containers in the pantry or refrigerator.
- Learn how to caulk like a pro and seal potential entrances with weather stripping, screens, or door sweeps.
- Routinely check your mattress, box spring, carpet, clothes, and personal belongings for signs of an infestation.
- Be mindful of used or secondhand things in your house.
- Use hot water to clean garments and surfaces around the house to sanitize these things.
We also recommend taking to a professional pest control specialist for a customized plan to prevent infestations.
How to Get Rid of Bugs in Hawaii
Whether you’re in Kauai, Oahu, Honolulu, or other areas on the island you can get rid of bugs in Hawaii with natural remedies, chemical treatments, or expert pest control services.
Natural Remedies
Many homeowners and renters prefer non-toxic or organic repellents or eradication techniques which include:
- Regular vacuuming and sweeping
- Using hot water to clean bedding, linens, pillowcases, clothes, and other fabrics
- Caulking holes, cracks, and crevices
- Using essential oils like tea tree, peppermint, or eucalyptus oil
- Using diatomaceous earth to dry out bugs and kill them
- Mixing boric acid with flour or sugar to poison insects and sprinkling the mix near entryways or leaving it in a little dish
- Keeping your pets clean and well-groomed
- Regularly checking for signs of infestation
- Companion planting using lavender, mint, or chrysanthemums to repel pests
- Encasing your mattress and box spring with bug-proof coverings
Natural alternatives can take more time and reapplication before working to get rid of bugs in Hawaii. Use these methods with the help of a professional exterminator or in combination with chemical products to get rid of adult bugs, larvae, and eggs.
Chemical Remedies
Chemical solutions to deal with pest infestations can be effective but should be used as a last resort. There are the following chemical products available:
- Baits are used to draw bugs in and kill them after they’re ingested
- Residual sprays are also used to kill insects because they continue to kill pests after application
- Insecticides are available in spray, liquid, or dust form as well
Do your research on whether to use an insecticide or pesticide and contact a professional pest control expert if you’re unsure how to proceed with chemical remedies.
How to Safely Use Chemicals in Hawaii
To take care of yourself, your home, and the environment, you need to learn how to use chemicals safely to kill bugs in Hawaii:
- Use natural alternatives first before turning to chemical solutions.
- Read the product label and follow the instructions.
- Keep the safety precautions outlined by manufacturers in mind before using any chemicals.
- Use pesticides sparingly and as needed. This way, you can protect other species from accidentally being affected by the chemicals.
- Do not use pesticides in areas where animals live, feed, or reproduce. These can be places where they sleep or build their nests.
- Insecticides and pesticides should never be used near water sources or carelessly on the soil to prevent contamination
- Keep these products away from pets and children
Professional Treatment
Professional pest control experts have years of experience dealing with the different insects on the island. These specialists also have the best equipment and products to eradicate pests and prevent infestations.
When looking for a qualified exterminator, you will want to make sure that they have successfully dealt with the insects that are bothering you before, they’re licensed, and they use methods or products that are effective but not harmful to the environment.
When to Call a Professional Exterminator
Here are some instances where consulting an expert may be required:
- If you have a serious pest infestation
- You have a health condition or sensitivity to bugs, pesticides, or insecticides
- You’ve tried to get rid of the bugs in Hawaii on your own but nothing worked
- You have difficult-to-treat goods like furniture
A professional exterminator with knowledge of specific bugs in Hawaii will have a greater chance of managing pests because this is a highly specialized subject.
Bottom Line: Bugs in Hawaii
Due to its warm, humid, tropical climate, bugs in Hawaii are an everyday reality. Like other places in the United States, Hawaii deals with fruit flies, mosquitoes, furniture beetles, ants, cockroaches, and bed bugs. Luckily, you can prevent an infestation by keeping your house clean, practicing companion planting, and sealing off entryways.
There are also various chemical remedies on the market but these should be used as a last resort or only used to eradicate pests with the expertise of a pest control specialist. Expert exterminators will have specific equipment, methods, and products to eliminate current infestations and prevent future ones. You can also reach out to the Hawaii State Department of Health and Hawaii Pest Control Association for more information on treating and preventing insect invasions.
Bugs in Hawaii FAQs
What types of insects are prevalent in Hawaii?
Ants, roaches, mosquitoes, furniture beetles, and fruit flies are among the most prevalent insects in Hawaii.
What effect do people have on Hawaii’s bug population?
Travel into Hawaii has contributed to its bug problem. People have brought in invasive species and now use insecticides and pesticides which affect native bug populations as well.
How can bed bugs be avoided and managed in Hawaii?
Regularly check for bed bugs in your bed, the floor, luggage bags, or other areas of the house, vacuum, wash your clothes and bedding in hot water, and use protective covers for your mattress and box spring.
How can furniture beetles be avoided and managed in Hawaii?
Keep furniture and timber structures dry to avoid furniture beetles.
In Hawaii, what are some home remedies for roaches?
Boric acid, essential oils, diatomaceous earth, and a clean living environment can work against roaches.
How can bed bugs be organically controlled in Hawaii?
Encasing mattresses and box springs, companion planting, hot water treatment, cleaning and patching cracks.
What factors need to be taken into account when utilizing pesticides in Hawaii?
You need to think about the effect that pesticides can have on other life in the area.
What do I need to consider when looking for a qualified exterminator in Hawaii?
When you’re looking for a qualified exterminator, look for one that has experience dealing with the pest you’re worried about. Ask for information about their inspection, eradication, and aftercare methods as well as the products they use to get rid of bugs in Hawaii.
The post Most Common Bugs in Hawaii | Identification & Extermination appeared first on Kitchen Infinity.
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