Deer mice and house mice are the two most-common species of mouse in homes and businesses in Brighton.

Hantavirus is an extremely dangerous virus carried by mice, and transmittable to humans, with a 38% mortality rate.* It is one of the known respiratory viruses caused by a rodent infestation in a home that can lead to cough, fever, muscle aches among other issues. They may also cary leptospirosis, a blood disease, lymphocytic choriomeningitis, a type of aseptic meningitis and salmonellosis, a known cause of food poisoning. Mice transmit these diseases by contact with urine, feces, saliva and, in rare instances, by bite.*

* Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Hanatvirus

Mice and rats are notorious for multiplying in Brighton and across Colorado – and extremely quickly. A common household mouse can have 3-14 pups (babies) in a single litter. A common rat can have even more – on average, 5-18 pups. Even worse, mice and rats both can have a new litter every 3-4 weeks. That can mean that, within just two to three months, a single female mouse or rat in your home or business could become up to 20 or more, capable of also producing young.

There are a number of different species of spider that are native to Brighton and Colorado. Most commonly found are the wolf spider, hobo spider, black widow, brown widow, woodlouse spider, funnel spider, yellow sac spider and orb-weaver spider.

On a relatively good note, most species of spiders in Brighton and across Colorado are not dangerous to humans, despite being considered “venomous”. There are a few to be on the lookout for, however – most notably in Colorado is the black widow. These black-colored invaders can be easily identified by the females large red hourglass shape on their back and bottom. Not as well known is the brown widow (sometimes referred to as the grey widow). These are less toxic to humans, but can cause muscle pain, vomiting and sweating. With OBEX’s highly-trained technicians, we can help protect your family from spiders throughout the year.

Spiders are found throughout Brighton, CO in homes, trees, grassy areas, wet or damp locations or near light sources. Inside residential homes or buildings, you can often find them hiding in wall corners, furniture, garages, crawl spaces and basements – in other words, usually in areas away from human interaction, but high in other pest activity. Spiders are notoriously found in damp locations where other pests will visit as a food or water source (fast food, anyone?).

While there are over 50 species of cockroach in the U.S., there are only a few common found in Brighton. The American cockroach, oriental cockroach, German cockroach and brown-banded cockroach.

Roaches in and of themselves are not considered dangerous to humans. They can, however, cause a number of health hazards that can be mild to severe, dependent on the person. They are known to carry salmonella, can cause staph infections and can carry the virus that causes polio. Those that suffer from asthma, or allergies, can also be affected by severe allergic reactions to a protein that they excrete in their saliva and droppings, which can become airborne easily.

As gross as it may seem, cockroaches are known to be incredible hitchhikers. Unknowingly, you may bring cockroaches into your home in Brighton, Colorado on clothing, luggage, or even your groceries. They are also highly attracted to clutter, leftover trash, debris or crumbs within a home and will enter through cracks, drains, or even air vents (especially true of attached townhomes, condos, apartments, and the like). Working hand-in-hand with OBEX and sanitation techniques can help you live free of cockroaches, and get populations under control

Most residents of Brighton are familiar with the annual reemergence of wasps and bees each year around their home. These can be multiple types from regular honey bees, to yellow jackets, mud daubers, hornets (also known as ground hornets or bold-faced hornets) and paper wasps. Each present their own unique challenge of population control that OBEX’s highly-skilled technicians can help you and your family with – get a quick quote now.

On their own, wasps are not a threat to humans, and their nesting sites do not cause major structural concerns. They are, however, an aggressive species of pest that will attack when they feel threatened, or if they feel their colony or nest is under threat. When provoked, a wasp, hornet, or mud dauber may sting, bite or swarm a human or pet. As a primary defense, a wasp will sting, releasing a venom into skin using a sharp barb attached to their abdomen that can cause allergic reactions, or even anaphylaxis shock (a severe, life-threatening reaction), in some individuals. In most sting cases, a small red sore may develop on the skin, and will go away after a few days.

Wasps, like honey bees, and other bee species, are instrumental to the success of Earth’s ecosystem. Despite a lack of social knowledge of their roles, most people would be happy to hear they also are important to keeping other pests, like spiders, and small insects at bay. They’re incredible hunters of aphids, caterpillars, flies and other insects that can damage the ecosystem when left overpopulated. Unless they are of a cause of concern for allergic reactions or stings, it is best to leave wasps and other bee species alone – even if they’re on your home. When the concern is there, OBEX can help your family stay safe with our SMARTZONE technology℠ that surrounds your home to keep pests away*, year round.