While the warmer climate does not encourage fleas to hatch faster, it does cause the pests to become more active and infest new animals and homes more readily. According to Hiser, fleas do not hibernate, but rather allow their eggs to hatch when the conditions are humid and favorable. Once they have hatched they tend to move to a new host and continue to reproduce.

Warning signs of a flea infestation on a domesticated pet include itchy, red skin near the base of the tail and intense scratching or biting. The fleas will appear as tiny pepper-like specks on the coat of the pet, and professional pest control services should be called at the first sign of an infestation, the source reported.

A recent study by Cornell University found that the mild winter is also increasing the populations of mosquitoes and ticks. Thus more pets and wildlife may become infested with the insects, making homes more vulnerable to an invasion. Pennsylvania gaming officials expect there to be an increased number of deer ticks this winter as well, CBS Local Pittsburgh reported.

Pest Control Technology reported one way to reduce pest infestations is to keep living areas dry, as many pests thrive in moist, dark environments. For example, homeowners with crawlspaces should make sure the area is clean of debris and kept at a cool, dry climate. If a house has a leak that allows rain water to gather and create a moist environment, it should be repaired immediately.

In addition, maintaining a sanitary living space is equally important in the prevention of pest infestations. Keeping a home or office clean includes clearing out all nooks and crannies of any garbage, debris or food particles that could attract and support a pest population. Specific areas of homes that should be monitored include areas near door or window openings, spaces behind furniture or appliances and dark storage sections, the source reported. When these measures aren't enough to prevent an infestation, homeowners should contact a pest control company to learn about other potential options.

The director of the library feels that eradicating the pests from the library is not enough, as school officials have yet to identify where the bed bugs were coming from when they were returned in the books. Over the past 12 months, several students on campus have voiced their displeasure about the pests, NBC news affiliate KRIS-TV reported.

Bed bugs are hard to treat and eradicate due to their resilient chemical makeup that has evolved over time. The pests are now immune to several do-it-yourself pest control treatments, and require professional pest control services to be efficiently treated. However, studies being conducted at the University of Kentucky are looking to find the biological weaknesses of the bugs to help professionals develop more effective ways to treat infestations, Pest Control Technology reported.

So far, school researchers have discovered bed bugs depend on a specific bacteria to reproduce, and feeding bed bugs a certain antibiotic could significantly reduce egg production. While these discoveries are still experimental, it is important for consumers to contact professionals when dealing with a bed bug infestation, the source reported.

Termites have been around for 180 million years and typically feed on wood, leaf litter, dead grass or soil. North American termites prefer dead or decaying wood, but will also eat materials containing cellulose, including paper, carpet and drywall. There are four different types of termites, based on nesting habits: subterranean, dampwood, drywood and mound-building – which are not found in the United States.

Subterranean termites live in soil or moist wood, and construct mud tubes to gain access to food and protect themselves from predators. Drywood termites do not require contact with soil and can thrive in dryer environments. Dampwood termites live in decayed wood with a high level of moisture, but do not require contact with soil.

To prevent a termite infestation, homeowners should regularly have their homes checked for the pests. Homeowners should also proactively address and remedy any environments conducive to a termite population, such as loose soil or damp interiors. If an infestation is found, professional pest control services should be contacted immediately.

The common cat flea will not only take residence in the fur of a pet cat, but also attack dogs and other animals. These fleas tend to remain on the host body rather than jump from animal to animal, and continue to feed on blood and produce flea eggs, at a rate of nearly one egg per hour. The fecal matter discarded by the fleas is mostly undigested blood and is consumed by the hatched larvae. Cat fleas tend to lay their eggs in carpet and other soft materials containing grains and skin particles for the larvae to eat.

When fleas bite they leave behind itchy, red bumps, and some people have had allergic reactions to the bites. The cat flea can also transmit diseases, viruses or parasites to its host animal when it bites. Even a dog tape worm can be transmitted from a flea to a host body. Therefore pet owners should immediately contact pest control professionals at the first sign of a flea infestation.

This is especially important for families expecting to bring a new baby into the home. USA Today reported that expecting parents should not only baby proof their homes but also make sure their pets are free of harmful fleas before introducing a new baby. Infants are extremely vulnerable to bacteria and viruses, and a flea infestation poses numerous health hazards to a newborn.

Robert Zummallen, the building and grounds director at the high school, said when the press box was built the lumber used was not treated, and has since started to deteriorate.

"The main structure itself, it's been eaten by termites, it's rotting," said Zummallen. "People shouldn't be in there and that's why we said we need to do this this summer."

According to the National Pest Management Association, termites cause an estimated $5 billion in property damage every year in the United States, causing more damage than fires, storms or earthquakes. Termites spend every waking minute looking for food, and they tend to feed on wood and cellulose products, which are abundant in homes. Subterranean termites build colonies underground in moist areas that can contain about 2 million termites.

If a termite is spotted in a home, the NPMA recommends calling professional pest control services right away, before significant damage is done to the home's foundation. One way to spot a termite infestation is to look for mud tubes, which are left behind by termites as they search for food. The tubes would be found along the outside of the home and are about one eighth of an inch long.

The Park Ridge Sun Times reported Jade House was closed by the department three times in 2011, due to cockroach infestations and food sanitation violations. The Original House of Pancakes was closed in the summer of 2011 when a faulty refrigerator posed a health hazard and a fruit fly infestation filled the kitchen. Both establishments said they would take care of their violations and attempted to reopen to the public.

However, both restaurants failed to maintain sanitary conditions after being forced to close and receiving fines. Therefore, the health department seized their business licenses until they contact pest control services and have their infestations properly eradicated, and fix their other sanitary violations, the source reported.

Similar to businesses, homes are also vulnerable to infestations, particularly during the cold winter months. To prevent a rodent infestation in the home, the National Pest Management Association recommends homeowners seal off all cracks and holes outside the home where rodents could squeeze through trying to find a warm shelter. It is also suggested that homeowners remove all clutter, firewood or other forms of shelter away from the home so if rodents are nesting there they will not be tempted to scurry into the house. If a rodent or droppings are found in the home, residents should call pest control services immediately.

Heather Turner said she has found the roaches everywhere and believes her landlord should call pest control services to eradicate the bugs. The landlord, however, believes the tenants brought the roaches into the rental home and should take care of it themselves. Under Georgia law, the landlord is not required to get rid of pests unless it is specifically stated in the lease, which it is not for the Turners, NBC affiliate WRCB reported.

Dr. Susan Raschal told the source that roaches can not only be a nuisances to residents, but also a health hazard. They've been known to cause asthma and other health problems.

"Because of where the cockroaches hangout, in moist conditions essentially, they actually carry organisms that can lead to conditions that can lead to diseases, like salmonella or typhoid for an example," Raschal told the source.

These favorable, moist conditions can be found in schools, homes and restaurants. Hong Kong Buffet in Hialeah, Florida, was recently closed after a health inspector cited 19 critical sanitation violations including 20 live roaches in the kitchen and more than 15 live roaches under the dining room steam table. The restaurant will need to call pest control services and undergo a second inspection before it can reopen to the public, the Sun-Sentinel reported.

The tenants started to complain about the bugs to Spychalski in July. Since then 14 apartments have been found with bed bugs and 60 have been treated by professional pest control services. The remaining apartments in the 176-unit building were inspected by officials but not treated, as no bugs were found. The housing authority purchased steamers to take care of the bed bugs themselves, but tenants argue professionals should be taking care of the situation, the Saratoga Times Union reported.

The bed bug situation escalated in December, when a tenant told the Saratoga Springs City Council that the housing authority did not adequately get rid of the pests. Spychalski said the authority started to address the infestation in late August.

"We haven't dropped the ball," he said, the Times Union reported. "I am no expert in bed bugs. I've learned a lot in the last four to five months."

One tenant told Fox affiliate WJBK that professional pest control services were called to take care of the infestation, but the bed bugs were not eradicated, and the population kept coming back. The bed bugs are hidden within unsanitary apartments that are almost unlivable. Bed bugs are very resilient and can easily be transported from one apartment to the next, allowing the problems to reoccur. Therefore, entire complexes should be treated to eliminate the bed bugs and ensure they do not spread to new homes after treatment.

According to Kenneth Haynes of the University of Kentucky, there are a number of things residents and homeowners can do if they become victims of a bed bug infestation. For example, tenants should avoid taking care of a bed bug problem themselves. Rather, they should contact pest control services who will inspect the property and determine the best treatment.

Once a home has been treated for bed bugs, it is important homeowners take precautions to prevent the problem from reoccurring. Residents should check their clothes, beds, sheets and furnishings regularly for bed bug droppings or the bugs themselves.