Residential areas can become infested with ants, bed bugs, fleas, hornets, and termites. In fact, most residential homes with yards allow pests to breed in grassy areas and migrate into the house whenever they have a chance. Smaller creatures can enter the home through holes near doors and windows and can quickly build colonies behind walls and underneath floorboards. Termites, for example, can do significant damage to the underbelly of the house, especially if the foundation has been primarily constructed from wood.
Roaches, which typically live in kitchens or bathrooms near water sources, can take over a house in no time. Apartment complexes that have roach issues will need to call an exterminator as soon as possible. Wasps and hornets, on the other hand, which usually build hives in trees, can cause\ physical harm to children and pets. It is best that these hives be eradicated before an incident occurs.
Though residential areas can suffer from pest problems, the real money is likely to be lost through an infestation in a commercial building. Any signs of roaches or ants in a restaurant, for example, will lead to a sharp decline in customers and possibly even a citation from the local health department. Most pest problems can be avoided with careful sanitizing of any surfaces where food has recently been prepared. Because pests can still enter restaurants and other commercial enterprises, however, it is usually a good idea to have a registered pest control professional look over the premises a few times each year.