An invasive species is a plant, animal, insect or other species that aren’t native, but that has been introduced by non-natural means. In addition, it would be a species that has been shown to have a tendency to spread in a way that may harm the environment or native creatures, plants, etc. Sadly, the movement of humans around the country and the world have made it much more common for species to move and become invasive. Look at these four examples from the state of California and see how even a small insect or pest can have a big, and negative, impact on the California ecosystem–and in turn why pest and rat control is so important.
- Brown Rat – As common as this pest is, it would be natural to assume that the brown rat is a native to California. In reality, it is simply an invasive species that has flourished nearly everywhere it has arrived. It is thought that the brown rat actually originated in China, but the rise of boat transportation allowed it to easily move around the world and in fact thrive on every continent except Antarctica. The brown rat is often spotted in homes and businesses due to its nesting and burrowing instincts which can be messy at times. Like most rats, the brown rat can be a health hazard.
- Africanized Bees (Killer Bees) – One of the invasive species which gets a lot of attention is the killer bee. Rather than being a species in itself, the killer bee actually includes a number of bees with origins in Africa. These “killer” bees are no more venomous than any other kind of bee, but they “swarm” in a way that makes them quite dangerous when disturbed. In addition, these bees are less productive in their creation of honey.
- Argentine Ant – California is home to likely the largest North American population of the Argentine Ant. While the species was first discovered in South America, it has spread around the world, most notably in Europe and California. The unfortunate side effect of the Argentine Ant is that it displaces many if not all native ant species when introduced, causing a major impact on the insect ecosystem. Displacing or eradicating a colony of these pests is a major undertaking, even for a qualified exterminator.
- American Bullfrog – The American Bullfrog was native to eastern and southern areas in the United States. However, over time it has spread including to California. The introduction of the American Bullfrog in California has had a significant impact on the survivability of other native frog and toad species–including the California red-legged frog.
Whether the California pests wreaking havoc on your home or business is one of the invasive species mentioned above or it is native to the area, you shouldn’t have to deal with it alone. Contact us at American Pest Control today for a pest evaluation and we can work with you to develop a plan of action to help make your property pest-free. We look forward to working with you!
