Centipedes:These insects hunt for other insects and prefer to be near water but can be found in basements bathrooms but also ares of clutter. Though venomous to other insects, it is difficult for their jaws to penetrate our skin. We have found them to be in homes in which insects like silverfish are a problem. Millipedes: They have 2 pairs of legs per body segment and likely to be seen on the floor especially basements, migrating in from mulch under a doorway many times dead curled up. Defined by having 1 pair of legs per body segment not by having 100 legs.
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At first these resemble a flour beetle or weevil but thet are seen more away from upper cabinets and on floors. They eat mold and fungus spores and are common in new construction, byproducts of the lumber yard and fed by the moisture still present in walls from drywall. In most cases they will go away when things eventually dry out but make sure no moisture problem exists and general pest control can hasten their departure. Always check for moisture and plumbing leaks when seeing these
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There are a variety of stored grain pests from moths to beetles to weevils but the one we encounter the most is the Indian Meal Moth. It is critical for the customer to find what product they are coming from and to eliminate that product. After doing that, vacuuming all the crevices in that pantry area and some light pesticides would be appropriate. It can take a time for control since some cocoons are probably hidden and away from the original source and will continue to hatch out and be seen flying around. This is an Indian Meal Moth. Weevils are like beetles but have a snout.
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We can go for years and not see boxelder bugs and then conditions will be right for population explosions of these guys. They will be around the boxelder trees but will migrate to warm ares like on siding and eaves of homes especially areas with the sun on them. With the massive numbers sometimes, they can eventually find their way inside and be a nuisance but the main treatment area would be the siding and tree if accessible. Boxelders are a species of maples and many maples are attacked.
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This is another pest that has been increasing. Having 2 large pinches at the back, they get their name from the superstition that they enter peoples ears. Nocturnal, they are mostly in damp shady areas. They are scavangers, feeding mostly on decaying plant material but can be predaceous. They can on some occasions build up large numbers that end up spilling over to the insides of homes. Though scary looking they are not aggressive but can pinch if handled.
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These are funky looking crickets that can develop in areas of dampness. Also none as Camel crickets they eat a variey of plant and animal material and sometimes fabrics. When numerous or when things dry out they sometimes come in homes. Though they are in crawl spaces, perimeters also need treated since they typically exit the crawls at night to forage. If crawl spaces are consistantly damp, that should be corrected for lasting control. There is liitle study of these insects by Entomologists.
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These are mostly harmless critters that thrive on vegetation and are especially prolific in lawns that are fertilized. In the fall they will attempt to overwinter in protected areas like behind siding and brick. In the spring when it begins too warm on the sunny side of homes, they will begin to emerge on the inside of homes around window sills where it is most favorable for them. Homes with regular problems benefit from fall perimeter treatments to prevent them from building up in the walls to begin with. Most noticeable on white or light colored surfaces
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Found on all continents except Antartica, these are one of the most feared pests, due in part to great exaggerations of the toxicity of the stings. They usually only enter homes when disrupted outiside by new construction, flooding or severe droughts. The best management is to seal openings that allow entry, reduce harborage outside for them and other pests that they would hunt, and reduce populations of crickets and other prey that they would be hunting for. Scorpions will fluoresce in ultraviolet light to a brilliant yellow green.
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Virtually everyone is afraid of the stinging pests but most of these pests are not as aggressive as people believe. Many times when finding Bees it is best to call a beekeeper to gather the hive for transport because they are so benefitual. Nobody wants to save wasps and hornets so we get several calls when these are found especially late in the year when the nests have built to a large and visbile size. Most times outside bee swarms are temporary and they will move on.
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At times people experience problems with gnat like pests and each has different characteristics. Fruit flies flies tend to be sourced around decaying food, fungus gnats like to breed in potting soil of house plants, Moth flies will breed in floor drains especially and Phorid flies are typically associated with moist organic waste like sewage. Knowing what you have is important to finding and treating them at their source. Phorid flies and fruit flies are similar but fruit flies have red eyes.
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Generally considered a beneficial insect as they consume aphids and scale insects that eat our crops, these insects have built up larger numbers in recent years. In much the same way as boxelder bugs do, with fall and winter approaching, they are attracted to warmer areas like siding that faces the sun. With the large numbers many can find their way inside. Much of their increased numbers have been a result of gov't and farming concerns releasing them on purpose to control other pests. They have few natural enemies limited only by food supply
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We frequently get calls from people thinking they have fleas when investigation determines springtails the culprit. They jump with a spring-like appendage in their tail. They eat dead plants, fungi and algae and will not show up inside unless there is moisture enough to allow them to thrive. When inside you usually see them in bath rooms and kitchens. Actually beneficial outside, making sure things remain dry inside will go along way to making sure you don't have to put up with them Springtails, also known as Snow Fleas, can be seen in piles of snow.
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