Strange Facts About Common Household Pests

Many common household pests exhibit behaviors that can be used to manage them more effectively.

• Ants use pheromone trails to coordinate foraging, creating persistent “highways” to food sources. Disrupting or removing these trails with soapy water and thorough cleaning can reduce repeated visits.
• Cockroaches can survive for a period without their heads because of their open circulatory system and spiracles for breathing; however, they ultimately die from dehydration or inability to eat.
• A small amount of dish soap in water can break surface tension and disrupt the waxy protective layer on some insects, aiding in control of small infestations (e.g., certain ants or soft-bodied insects). It is not a substitute for comprehensive treatment.
• Pantry moths (Indianmeal moths) are attracted to pheromone traps that target males, reducing mating and helping monitor activity. Traps should be combined with removal of infested food and sealing of dry goods.
• Continuous monitoring systems, including smart traps and professional services, can detect pest activity and trends over time, enabling quicker and more targeted interventions.

Applying sanitation, exclusion (sealing entry points and food containers), targeted trapping, and, when needed, professional control measures generally yields the best results.

Understanding Ant Trail Pheromones

Ant trail pheromones function as chemical signals that guide foragers between resources and the nest. A trail typically begins when a scout locates food and deposits a pheromone mark on the return route. Subsequent ants follow this gradient and add more pheromone, creating positive feedback that strengthens well-used paths.

When the resource is depleted or alternative routes become more efficient, pheromone deposition declines and the trail dissipates through evaporation and degradation.

Different ant species use distinct pheromone compounds or blends, which helps prevent interference between neighboring colonies. Within a species, multiple pheromones can serve different purposes, including recruitment to food, alarm or defense mobilization, and territorial marking.

Ants detect these cues with antennae and adjust their movement based on signal intensity, leading to path selection that reflects the strongest, most recently reinforced trails. This process produces the coordinated appearance of ant lines and allows flexible rerouting when conditions change.

Faster Nest Detection

Chemical trails used by foraging ants and other pests can help locate nesting sites. Tracing pheromone paths along cracks, baseboards, and utility lines often leads to entry points and transit corridors.

Combine this with visual evidence—such as droppings, shed exoskeletons, gnaw marks, or frass—to prioritize inspection areas. Infrared or thermal imaging can identify warm voids behind walls that may indicate clustered colonies, especially for social insects and rodents. Bait stations can be used to map movement patterns; tracking the return paths of marked or observed individuals helps identify primary hubs and secondary nests.

Conduct routine inspections in common harborage areas, including under sinks, behind appliances, attic eaves, crawl spaces, and other low-light or undisturbed locations.

When activity increases or when nests aren't readily located, consider professional assessment. Licensed pest control providers typically use calibrated monitoring devices, thermal imaging, and systematic inspection protocols that can improve nest detection and reduce time to control.

Dish Soap Barrier Tactics

Dish soap can function as a low-toxicity contact insecticide and limited barrier for some household pests. A diluted solution (commonly 1–2% dish soap in water) can be sprayed directly on soft-bodied insects such as aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies; it disrupts cell membranes and the protective waxy cuticle, leading to desiccation.

Effectiveness depends on thorough coverage and direct contact; residues provide little ongoing control and may harm some plants if concentrations are too high. Spot-testing plants before broad application is advisable.

A thin soap film along trails and entry points may temporarily deter ants and cockroaches by removing chemical trails and reducing cuticular protection, but it isn't a durable barrier and must be reapplied frequently.

Dish soap solutions reduce water surface tension, which can improve wetting and coverage on insects and in crevices, but they're unlikely to penetrate or control established nests or colonies on their own.

Within an integrated pest management approach, dish soap can be one tool among others, including sanitation, exclusion, mechanical removal, and, when necessary, targeted insecticides. This can reduce dependence on broad-spectrum chemicals and limit non-target impacts.

Hawx’s 24/7 Monitoring

Hawx provides continuous monitoring for pest activity in and around the home. Sensors and diagnostics track movement and environmental changes that may indicate pests. When activity is detected, alerts are sent promptly to help address issues before they develop into larger infestations.

The system supports a proactive approach to pest management. Technicians review trend data, conduct scheduled inspections, and adjust treatments as needed.

If an urgent issue arises outside normal hours, Hawx can respond to limit damage and potential health risks. By combining real-time detection with professional follow-up, the service helps maintain consistent control of pest pressures and reduces the likelihood of recurring problems.

Continuous monitoring keeps homeowners informed and prepared to act.

Effectiveness Against Pantry Moths

Pantry moths (Indian meal moths) readily infest grains, flour, nuts, seeds, pet food, and dried fruit. Effective control relies on prevention, prompt removal of infested items, and ongoing monitoring.

• Storage: Use airtight, hard-sided containers (glass, metal, or thick plastic) to block access and prevent larvae from chewing through packaging. Practice first-in, first-out rotation.
• Inspection and removal: Check package seams, box flaps, and container lids for webbing, larvae, or frass. Discard visibly infested products in sealed bags. Examine nearby items, as infestations often spread.
• Freezing/heat: To treat questionable but salvageable dry goods, freeze at 0°F (-18°C) for 3–7 days or heat in an oven at 130–140°F (54–60°C) for 30–60 minutes to kill all life stages. Allow items to return to room temperature before opening to avoid condensation.
• Cleaning: Vacuum pantry shelves, corners, and crevices, then dispose of the vacuum bag promptly. Wash shelves and surfaces with soapy water. Avoid bleach or pesticides on food-contact surfaces.
• Monitoring: Place pheromone traps labeled for Indian meal moths to detect and reduce male populations, aiding in disruption of mating. Replace traps per label directions and use them as indicators rather than sole control.
• Structural checks: Seal cracks, shelf gaps, and wall voids where larvae may pupate. Inspect adjacent areas (e.g., pet food storage, birdseed, bulk bins).
• Follow-up: Reinspect weekly for several weeks. Continue until traps show no activity and no new signs of webbing or larvae appear.

Chemical sprays are generally unnecessary indoors for pantry moths and aren't recommended on or near food.

Persistent infestations often indicate an overlooked food source; recheck all dry goods, including seldom-used items.