Cockroaches, bedbugs, mice, and mosquitoes were discussed as pests of concern in South Dakota. Cockroaches multiply rapidly, prefer grains but will eat anything, and hide in kitchens and cracks. Bedbugs hide in furniture and spread quickly, laying 5 eggs per day. Mice can have 50-60 babies and feed on human/pet food, causing damage. Mosquitoes breed in standing water and 12 types can spread disease. Prevention for all includes reducing food/shelter sources, sealing cracks, cleaning, and using pest control methods.

1. Pest of Concern in SD
Denise VanRoekel, M.S.
Health Program Coordinator
Sioux Falls Health Department

2. Cockroaches
• Cockroaches are very difficult to get rid of once
populations are established.
• They can have up to 20 babies at a time
• Multiply rapidly
• Very resistant

3. Where are they?
• They are nocturnal (active at night) and will hide
inside and behind things.
• Found primarily in the kitchen or around food
• They prefer grains, however will eat about
anything.
• Can be found around pipes and in walls.

4. Prevention/Control
• Put food in sealed containers
• Make sure pipes/faucets don’t drip
• Seal any cracks in walls
• Make sure garbage is out
• Use a combination of control methods;
powders, pesticide sprays, and traps/baits

5. Bedbugs
• Can attach themselves to clothing and
belongings and be transported from place to
place
• Females can lay 5 eggs a day – an infestation can
grow rapidly

6. Where are they?
• Bedbugs prefer to hide in furniture such as the
bed or chairs and couches where their host is not
moving.
• They will hide in hard to find spots
• They can also be found in clothing, in
carpets, pillows, stuffed animals and
books....almost anywhere.
• Bites are often the 1st sign

7. Prevention/Control
• When travelling put baggage in bathtub or on
tile.
• Wash everything possible when you return from
staying elsewhere
• Do a visual inspection of clothing when you have
been somewhere that might have bedbugs.
• Reduce clutter around your home
• Clean and vacuum regularly
• Wash bedding often

8. How to get rid of Bedbugs
• Vacuum
• Clean up clutter around the home, especially on
the floors
• Wash everything you can – especially bedding
• Buy encasements for your mattresses/box
springs
• Pesticides and control methods

9. Mice
• Mice can multiply quickly (50-60 babies in a
lifetime!
• Feed on food meant for humans and pets
• Their feces/waste can introduce bacteria into
areas causing disease and sickness
• Can cause damage from chewing

10. Where are they?
• Good climbers and runners
• Can be found in very small spaces
• Wires in walls
• Around food
• Can be found by looking for fecal droppings,
nests made of paper etc...

11. Prevention/Control
• Population reduction (trapping/poisoning)
• Good sanitation - reduce food and shelter
• Store food in sealed containers
• Seal cracks
• Cats/Dogs – may help, but can also make the
problem worse

12. Mosquitoes
• There are 43 different types of mosquitoes in SD
• About 12 of them can spread disease

13. Where are they?
• Mosquitoes breed in standing water
• Some species can also lay their eggs on muddy
banks beside areas that will flood from time to
time.
• Birdbaths, flower pots, pet dishes, gutters,
ornamental ponds, toys/play
equipment....anything that can hold water!

14. Prevention/control
• Not all mosquitoes bite humans
• To prevent being bit, where DEET or other
insect repellent
• Wear long sleeves
• Avoid being outdoors after dark if possible
• Eliminate or reduce breeding sites on your
property