September 22, 2026 | Makenzie Kellar

From giant irradiated ants and mutated spiders to killer bees and centipedes, horror movies have made a habit of using bugs to terrify their audience. The idea of facing a swarm of vermin supernaturally drawn to attack you, regardless of the specific kind of creature, is just as nauseating as it is unrealistic. 

Although, being unrealistic does not make something impossible.  

Whether it be to seek shelter or find food, creatures that most people would consider pests are often—unfortunately for both parties—drawn to the places they are wanted the least; and anyone who has dealt with an infestation can attest to the fact that a horror movie plot can suddenly become all too real.  

That’s why, for this article, we’ll be shining a spotlight on some of the creatures that make our skin crawl: what they are, what makes them potentially dangerous to employees and damaging to property, and how to prevent them from overwhelming your district. 

Mosquitoes 

Mosquitoes are likely the first creature that comes to mind when you think of a “pest.” Not only are they known for causing itchy red spots from their bloodsucking bites, but they also inhabit every part of the world except for Iceland and the continent of Antarctica. Unfortunately, it's not their pervasiveness that makes mosquitoes such an impressive problem: it’s the fact that they kill more people every year than any other animal on Earth: 725,000 to be exact. 

Unlike a tiger hunting for its next meal, mosquitoes don’t kill purposefully. Rather, through their bites, mosquitoes are capable of transmitting diseases such as Malaria, West Nile Virus, Zika Virus, Dengue Fever, Yellow Fever, and more. While most deaths caused by mosquito-borne illnesses occur outside of the United States, mosquito bites carry a risk of infection and (though rarely) a chance to cause severe allergic reactions. For the average district employee or guest, the most appealing option is to avoid the risk altogether and not be bitten in the first place. 

If there’s a bright side to this, it’s that mosquitoes are so dangerous and widespread that humans have developed several ways to defend against them. In fact, there are some special districts entirely dedicated to managing mosquito populations in and around their communities. 

To keep yourself and your district mosquito-free, remove or clean out any stagnant water at least once a week. These can be crevices that have been filled with rainwater, birdbaths, or trash cans. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing bodies of water, so removing them from your home or district can prevent the next generation of mosquitoes from spawning at your front door. This advice also goes for any spaces indoors that hold water, such as vases or flowerpots. Particular care should be taken to clean out spaces inside that are dark or humid. 

There are also several insecticide options that can be used to get rid of mosquitoes. However, before using these, make sure that you’re following the directions for safe usage and choosing an effective type for the mosquitoes you’re targeting. Some pesticides are meant to kill the larval form of the insect while others are meant to kill adults. For more casual, everyday protection, bug sprays that discourage mosquitoes from biting are easy to find in many stores. 

Ticks 

The animals we commonly refer to as “ticks” are actually comprised of about 970 species of small parasites that feed on blood in order to survive. Unlike mosquitoes, which are insects, ticks are actually a type of arachnid—the same class of animals as spiders and scorpions. 

While ticks may not be closely related to mosquitoes, they are also able to transmit bacteria, viruses, and even other parasites to their host. The most well-known illness among these is probably Lyme Disease—a bacterial infection resulting in symptoms such as fever, rash, and facial paralysis—but the list includes others such as Heartland Virus, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, and the worryingly named Colorado Tick Fever.  

Certain pesticides may be helpful to reduce the number of ticks at your district, although this should not be your only method of tick control and should be used in accordance with any local regulations involving pesticide use. Other methods of control recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) involve clearing leaf litter and tall grass where ticks like to hide, discouraging wild animals from wandering onto property, and separating lawns from wooded areas with wood chip or gravel barriers. 

For personal protection, use insect repellent and tick-protective clothing (such as those that provide good coverage and are treated with permethrin) to protect against bites. After being in an area where ticks may frequent, check yourself, your clothes, and your pets to make sure none hitched a free ride. Shower soon after being outdoors and, if you do find a tick, use trusted sources to guide you through safely removing it and follow up with a doctor if you notice any unusual symptoms afterwards. 

Cockroaches 

Cockroaches are another insect well acquainted with the title of “pest.” Like the previous creatures mentioned, cockroaches are known to carry harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli which can potentially contaminate food and cause illness. Additionally, their droppings and shed exoskeletons are known triggers for allergies and asthma. 

However, the detail that really makes cockroaches special (and especially annoying to get rid of) is how resilient they are. Their chitin shells can defend them against harm while being flexible enough to squeeze through extremely narrow openings. They can eat just about anything, go for prolonged periods of time without food or water, withstand a wide range of temperatures, and have a high tolerance to radiation. They have even developed a major resistance to insecticides. Say what you will about cockroaches, but you can’t deny that their tenacity is impressive. 

To get rid of cockroaches, you’ll want to use a multi-pronged approach since only using one method might just teach them to adapt. Start with tried and tested prevention methods: keeping your home or workplace clean, removing potential sources of food and water, lowering humidity, fixing leaks, and sealing up any gaps they could use to enter the property. From there, you’ll want to find out where exactly they are in your business or home and use pesticides or baited traps to get rid of the ones that have already made it inside. If you’re worried that you’re not up to the task, consider calling a professional. There’s no shame in needing help to deal with a creature that has had millions of years of evolution to refine the art of being an unwanted houseguest.  

Termites 

Compared to the bloodsucking and life-threatening creatures mentioned previously, termites may not seem quite so bad at first glance. Termites don’t have any stingers and their bites (which are rare) don’t carry diseases the way mosquitoes and ticks do.  

However, termites do have a niche that makes them an unwelcome site in any business or home: property damage. Termites will often take shelter in man-made structures and, because termites consume cellulose, any structures made of wood become are as good as an all-in-one hotel and buffet. For this reason, termites cost the U.S. about $5 million in property damage every year, with the average homeowner impacted by termites spending around $3,000 on repairs. 

If you suspect that a building may be infested with termites, first try to identify what kind it is. Of the 2,750 known species of termites, only 10 of them are widely considered to be pests. From there, you’ll want to determine if it’s a dry-wood termite or subterranean termite as the behaviors and population control methods differ greatly between the two. 

For dry-wood termites, prevention is especially important since they become much harder to get rid of once they’ve taken up residence. Wood used in construction can be chemically treated to discourage termites from snacking on it and using paint or some kind of finish to seal cracks and crevices can stop them from getting inside in the first place. If they have already gotten past that point, it may be necessary to pull out the pesticides or even fumigate the premises. 

Subterranean termites, as the name suggests, come from the ground and tend to enter buildings through the foundation. Construction practices such as pressure treating wood used in the building, treated concrete foundation blocks, and reinforced concrete foundations (without cracks) are the best way to keep these types of termites from entering. Additionally, during the construction process, any scrap wood should be kept off the ground and away from the building project. 

Conclusion 

While this list can provide you with a helpful guide to some pest species you may encounter in Colorado, it is by no means a complete one. Only insects (and one arachnid) were described here, but birds making nests in the rafters, squirrels chewing on electrical wires, and gophers digging holes in the backyard make them all potential “pests” to deal with. Even larger species, such as coyotes and the newly reintroduced wolves, can fall into this category as human settlements edge closer and closer to the wilderness that they call home.  

All of this is to say that any species can cause problems once they get too close. Your goal when dealing with pests should not be to eliminate every single one entirely (which, aside from being ecologically inadvisable is also just about impossible), but to protect your immediate surroundings, your colleagues, district guests, and yourself.  

If you need them, plenty of pest control services are available to deal with just these sorts of problems. And, if you’re worried about the cost, the CSD Pool Safety Grant Program funds can be used to help cover it as well as the cost of more preventative measures (sealing cracks in the building, secure food storage containers, mosquito repellant, and more). 

Unlike horror movies, the bugs aren’t out to get you specifically. Dealing with pests should be handled with the same calm, appropriate, and knowledgeable response as any other problem your district may face.