Insects such as ants, moths, cockroaches, and bedbugs often lead to assumptions of poor hygiene, yet they usually seek shelter from cold or food sources inside homes. While individuals tend to react aggressively to these pests using various extermination methods, such actions can inadvertently harm beneficial species. Effective pest control options are available, but caution is advised, as many chemical solutions pose health risks. Sustainable practices, like using pheromone traps, are increasingly favored by professionals for effective pest management.
Ants, moths, cockroaches, or bedbugs—those who have such unwelcome housemates often face accusations of poor hygiene. However, insects and other crawling creatures like spiders usually enter homes seeking refuge from the cold or looking for food. A fruit bowl on the table or a trash can filled with organic waste can attract them like a magnet. If they find suitable conditions, they tend to settle in for the long term.
Many individuals feel discomfort when small four-, six-, or eight-legged creatures invade their homes. The impulse to eliminate them quickly can lead to harsh measures. Flies, sticky tapes, insect sprays, traps, and baits are employed against them. The outcome: some insects are killed, but more will surely return if they can access the premises.
‘Also, it can happen that not only pests are eliminated, but also harmless creatures or even beneficial ones that are actually desired,’ says Kerstin Effers from the North Rhine-Westphalia consumer association. For instance, ladybugs that feast on pesky aphids in plants.
Below, we present effective methods to get rid of those bothersome creepers:
Effective Solutions for Unwanted Crawlers
Ants
Silverfish & Cockroaches
Food Moths
Clothing Moths
Aeroxon Ant Bait Station
Ardap Silverfish Bait Station
Legona Parasitic Wasps
Poison
Poison
Natural Enemies
Natural Enemies
From €17
(Amazon)
From €13
(Amazon)
From €34
(Amazon)
From €56
(Amazon)
Unwanted Souvenirs: Bedbugs from Hotels
Bedbugs are a significant concern—blood-sucking insects that bite humans. Markus Puschmann states, ‘They are often brought in from outside or hitch a ride home in luggage from vacations.’ If one has a bedbug issue, they should not hesitate to promptly hire a professional pest controller. Successfully eradicating them is challenging and requires a solid understanding of the insects’ biology.
Finding a suitable pest control service can be tricky. Many providers found online operate unprofessionally and charge exorbitant fees, warns Kerstin Effers from the consumer advisory service.
It’s crucial that the hired company has the certification ‘Certified Pest Control Technician.’ Customers should also insist that as few harmful substances as possible are used, recommends Effers: ‘For instance, prefer bait stations, gels, and traps over sprays and foggers.’
Caution: Many Products Can Harm You Too
She advises first determining which type of crawling creature it is. A list from the Federal Environment Agency can help, detailing many common pests, nuisances, and beneficial organisms that occur in our region, along with suggestions on how they may be controlled.
The market offers a variety of products for combating household pests. The range includes sprays, aerosols, baits, electric vaporizers, strips, granules, and light traps.
‘Exercise caution when using these products, as some pose significant health hazards,’ warns Kerstin Effers. ‘Most insect sprays contain pyrethroids as active ingredients. These substances can cause severe poisoning in cats, potentially leading to death. In humans, they may act as neurotoxins.’
Opt for Sustainable Pest Control Instead of Chemicals
However, there are gentler methods than harsh chemicals to repel pests. ‘For instance, pheromone traps work well as a supportive measure to control infestations,’ Effers explains. Pheromones are synthetic attractants that lure male insects, causing them to stick to the trap. This interrupts their reproductive cycle, preventing further multiplication.
Ecological approaches are increasingly important even among professional pest controllers. ‘Many environmentally friendly products have long been known and are gaining more attention from businesses now,’ says Markus Puschmann from the Association for the Promotion of Ecological Pest Control in Essen: ‘Almost every pest infestation can be managed without resorting to harsh chemicals.’
Effectively Control Aphids and More
Take silverfish, for example. ‘They thrive in humid environments like bathrooms and kitchens,’ notes the expert. It’s nearly impossible to stop them from entering homes. Many people hardly notice them, as they tend to hide and seek darkness. Others don’t even perceive them as