5 Most Dangerous Insects in New Hampshire

New Hampshire is a beautiful state known for its stunning White Mountains, picturesque lakes, charming small towns, and vibrant fall foliage that attracts visitors year-round. Unfortunately, this great state is not free of some of the pests that afflict residents in other states. Despite its rather cold climate, New Hampshire is home to many varieties of insect species, many of which are damaging to the environment. Others are damaging to human health as well.

These insects are dangerous for many reasons ranging from causing painful allergic reactions to being disease carriers or simply causing psychological harm to those impacted by them. Some of them can also cause damage to your home as well. Here are five of the most dangerous insects in New Hampshire.

Carpenter Ant

Carpenter ants are larger than the normal ant, usually measuring between ¼ to ½ inch. They earn their name for their ability to chew through wood. They do not eat wood like termites, but rather they will chew through trees or wooden structures to create a nest. They will often build multiple nests in an area after they have established an initial primary nest.

Due to carpenter ant's large jaws, they are able to bite humans and may do so if they feel threatened. The bite is known for being painful and causes irritation to the skin. Thankfully, these ants are not known for carrying diseases, so the bite won't cause any health issues.

However, carpenter ants can cause extensive property damage to homes, especially in cracks or crevices. They will make their nest in moist or decayed wood and by chewing through it, they can create dangerous circumstances by weakening structures in homes. In order to prevent infestation, residents repair damaged wood, leaks and keep attics and basements well ventilated.

Yellowjacket Hornet

Most commonly known as the Yellowjacket or a wasp, these flying insects are identifiable by their black and yellow markings on their abdomens and head, and their black antenna. They are social wasps, so they can travel in groups and they are known for being very aggressive.

They typically build their nests in tree stumps, logs or between walls, which makes it easy to stumble upon them. They do not die after stinging like bees, so they can attack the same victim repeatedly. In fact, yellowjackets stings are the most common cause of stings in the US.

Typically, yellowjacket stings can cause pain, redness, itchiness, tenderness at the site and burning. Although none of these are life threatening, those who are allergic to stings can have worse reactions. They could have an anaphylactic allergic reaction that leads to hives, wheezing, difficult breathing, tightness in throat, coughing and difficulty swallowing. In the event of an allergic reaction, victims should be given an EpiPen injection and seek medical attention.

Bald-faced Hornets

Bald-faced hornets look similar to yellowjackets but rather than the traditional yellow, it has white markings on its face and three white stripes on the end of its body. The rest of it is black. It gains the name bald-face due to the white coloring on its face. They live in colonies of hundreds of workers and will attack anyone disturbing their home aggressively and repeatedly.

Although these hornets are more common in the Southeastern United States, they can be found in New Hampshire as well. They make nests of wood fiber and saliva that resembles paper and these nests are often located in trees. They are known for defending their nests with tenacity.

Typically their stings do not cause major pain, but much like yellowjackets, they can cause a major allergic reaction. In order to treat a sting, one should remove the stinger with a credit card or fingernail from the skin, then wash the area with soap and water. Ibuprofen or anti inching cream can help reduce pain or discomfort.

Much like the yellowjacket, an allergic reaction to these stings may cause symptoms like hives, wheezing, difficult breathing, or nausea.

Cockroach

Cockroaches are some of the most durable insects in the world, able to thrive in almost any climate. These pests often find their way into homes and can cause allergies and health issues.

There are three types of cockroaches that make themselves at home in New Hampshire homes. The first one is the American cockroach, a reddish-brown inset with wings that are fast runners but bad at flying. They are the largest species of cockroach one will find in New Hampshire. The next is the German cockroach, which are a half-inch long, light brown insect that are active at night. They are harder to detect than American cockroaches. The last is the Oriental cockroach, a smooth black insect that tend to hide in dark areas. All of these roaches love moist places.

Cockroaches do not bite or attack people, but they can cause allergies. For example, they shed body parts and leave excrement around, which can cause allergies or asthma when those particles dissolve and get into the air or your home. In addition, cockroaches can carry diseases including cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery, poliomyelitis and E. coli. They can also cause diarrhea.

Those who are dealing with a cockroach infestation should lay traps, kill any they see or contact a professional to help get rid of these pests.

Mosquitos

Last, but certainly not least is the mosquito, one of the biggest carriers of disease in the world. Also known as the Culicidea, they are a family of flies that have 3,600 species. They typically have a skinny body with one pair of wings and a sucking mouthpart that it uses to suck blood from unsuspecting victims.

Mosquitos can gain diseases while biting one victim and spread it to another. In fact, they cause the deaths of more than 725,000 people annually.

There are many different types of diseases these pests can spread, including Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus. Both of these illnesses can cause inflammation of the brain or inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord.

In order to prevent mosquito bites, one should invest in a good bug spray when going outside or cover exposed skin.

Conclusion

Although some insects are irritating, others can cause a danger to human health. New Hampshire residents can protect themselves from these creatures by being aware of their surroundings, such as checking for hornets nest or checking their house for carpenter ants or cockroaches. They can keep an EpiPen on hand in case they or someone they know is allergic to hornet stings. And of course, a good can of bug spray can help keep mosquitos off exposed skin.