Ants/Carpenter Ants

Ants are a major problem for homeowners and are difficult to control. The most prominent ants in our area are: Argentine, Citronela, Pavement, Odorous, Pharoah and Thief ants. Controlling infestations of these ants may involve different methods of treatment.

Most do-it-yourself applications are ineffective because the treament only kills the ants that are visible at that time, but does not work its way into the nest and eventually the colony.

Carpenter ants are a wood destroying insect (WDI) and should be addressed by a professional pest control company. They are hard to locate and may be in soffits, roof rafters, wall voids, sill plates and anywhere difficult to visually locate.

Bedbugs

Adult bed bugs are about 1/4 inch long and can appear flat when they haven't fed. They become swollen and dark reddish-brown after a blood meal.

They can be found along the seams of mattresses, furniture, behind baseboards, suitcases, among many other areas. A licensed pest control company is the best answer to control/eliminate these determined bugs.

Bees/Carpenter Bees

Adult bumble bees are usually 3/4-inch or larger, densely haired, commonly having a black and yellow coloration. These bees often nest in yards, flower beds, or wood piles. They will occasionally nest in the wall voids of a house.

Carpenter Bees are a wood destroying insect (WDI). They bear a striking resemblance in appearance to bumble bees, with the difference of having brownish hair, instead of yellow. These bees make their nests in wood, often using people's homes as a nesting site. Signs of infestation may include: excretion stains on the exterior walls of a building and/or male carpenter bees swarming within close proximity of a specific side of the building, especially during warm, sunny days.

Fleas

Fleas are about 1/16 of an inch, dark reddish-brown, wingless blood-sucking insects. The female lays her eggs loosely on the hairs, feathers, or habitat of the host. The eggs can easily fall off of the host onto the ground, floors, bedding or furniture. Some fleas can lay up to 500 eggs over the course of several months by laying then in batches of 3-18 eggs at a time. The eggs hatch in 1-12 days after being deposited. Within 7-14 days, the larva spin cocoons and pupate. Usually after a week, the adults emerge and begin their search for blood. Fleas are known to remain in the pupal stage from 5 days to 5 weeks in the absence of hosts. Adult fleas emerge from their pupal casses when vibrations from pets or people let them know a host is near.

Mice

House Mice: House mice are brown to grey in color with the tail as long as the body. The adult mouse weighs about 1/2 ounce. They live about a year and can produce young as quickly as six weeks. They have 5-6 young per litter and up to 8 litters per year.

Roaches

American: The bodies and wings of adult American cockroaches are reddish-brown with light markings on the thorax. Nymphs are similar in appearance to the adults, but are wingless. They usually live in warm moist areas. They can also live in dry areas, if they have access to water.

Brown-Banded: Adult cockroaches are about 5/8-inch long with two light yellow or cream colored bands running across the body, as opposed to lengthwise with the German cockroach. Primarily nocturnal, they can be found in any building, preferring high places, such as ceilings or the upper portions of walls. They can also be found in lower areas, such as near the motors of appliances, light switches, closets and furniture.

German: Adults are about 1/2-inch in length, light brown in color with two dark vertical streaks on the thorax. Nymhps are similar in appearance to the adults, but wingless with two dark bands running halfway down their backs. Nymphs range from 1/8 - 1/2 inch in length. These roaches are often found behind baseboards, various cracks and crevices in kitchens.

Oriental: Adults are about 1-inch in length and dark brown. Commonly found outdoors in damp areas, but can also be found in damp basements/cellars/crawl spaces, near drains and leaky water pipes. If they make their way inside a home, they will mostly be found on the first floor.

Termites

Termites are a wood destroying insect (WDI). Damage due to these insects cause billions of dollars annually. However, they can be eliminated by an experienced and licensed pest control company that service this type of work. Try to eliminate food ie: wood mulch, stumps, wood to earth contact, etc. and moisture ie: leaky water pipes, overflowing gutters, wet crawlspaces, etc.

Ticks

Adults are 1/8 to 5/8 inch in length, depending on the species and whether or not it has fed. Nymphs are usually smaller than 1/16 inch. The color of the tick also varies, depending on the species. Ticks are often found near wooded areas and areas with heavy vegetation. Throughout the tick's life cycle, it is capable of transmitting diseases to people and animals they feed on.