Pest Library
Utilize our pest library resource to learn more about the most common household and commercial pests.
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What's Bugging You
Pest Library
Ants
How to Identify
Look for 3 distinct body parts and sections. The head, the thorax and the abdomen. They also have elbow-bent antennas as shown in the illustration
What attracts this pest
Ants are attracted to most human foods, but even more so to jellies, syrups, honey and other sources of rich sugar
How to prevent this pest
Some of the best tips for preventing ants are nurturing a clean home, ensure that garbage is sealed and try to keep all garden areas well maintained and free of weeds.
Ants enter a home in search of food and water, feeding on sweets, starches and greasy substances found inside your home. Ants are usually found indoors, along walls, or hiding under baseboards and carpets. Outdoors they are found under decorative landscaping, wood piles, or rocks.
Spiders
How to Identify
Spiders have 2 main body parts, the head and the abdomen. They also have 8 legs, which are often their most identifiable attribute. Spiders have between 6-8 eyes.
What attracts this pest
Spiders find their way into houses through cracks and crevices on exterior walls to find a safe place to hide and lay eggs.
How to prevent this pest
Some ways to deter spiders is to keep the exterior foundation clean and clear of shrubs and debris, remove spider webs outside and inside the home. Some plants such as mint and citronella will deter spiders as well.
Most house spiders are nocturnal. In general, they will scurry off if frightened unless they are protecting their eggs or young. During the day, they tend to hide in their web or in cracks or crevices. While most spiders can bite, they usually don’t unless provoked.
Termites
How to Identify
Termites have straight antennae, straight bodies, and four equal-length wings that are relatively long in nature.
What attracts this pest
Termites are known for their attraction to wood and moisture.
How to prevent this pest
To prevent the infestation of termites, it is important to keep moisture away from the foundation of your home. Ensure gutter downspouts are diverted away from your home.
The average termite colony consists of 60,000 – 250,000 termites and is located in the ground. They can enter structures through cracks as small as 1/16 inch
Cockroaches
How to Identify
Cockroaches have an oval shaped body that appears flattened and can range in size from ¾ inch to 3 inches. They are easily distinguished due to their red-brown color
What attracts this pest
Cockroaches are attracted to kitchen trash and stove top grease, along with decaying organic matter and pet litter boxes.
How to prevent this pest
To avoid cockroach infestations, keep food off the ground and in sealed containers, making it difficult for pests to reach. Clean the kitchen and stove thoroughly to ensure there are no grease and food remnants left out.
Your home is the perfect environment for roaches to live and breed due to its numerous nesting sites. Roaches enter your home through small cracks and crevices, drain and sewer pipes, vents, and electrical ingress points to name a few. Once inside, roaches can be a pervasive pest, multiplying quickly. They can remain active all year long, feeding on starchy foods, paper, fabric and decaying organic material. It is important to remember that cockroaches are nocturnal. Therefore, witnessing a cockroach in your home during the day may be a sign of serious infestation.
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Bed Bugs
How to Identify
Adult bed bugs are reddish-brown in color, wingless, and about the size of an apple seed.
What attracts this pest
Bed bugs are attracted to warmth, blood and carbon dioxide. Beds, couches and clutter are ideal breeding environments for them.
How to prevent this pest
To avoid cockroach infestations, keep food off the ground and in sealed containers, making it difficult for pests to reach. Clean the kitchen and stove thoroughly to ensure there are no grease and food remnants left out.
Bed bugs generally hide during the day, coming out at night to feed on hosts such as humans, birds, and family pets. Feeding only takes about 10 minutes and is usually unnoticed by the host. Afterward, the bite may become inflamed and itch, but many people never react. If no food source is available, bed bugs can wait for over 500 days.
Rodents
(mice/rats)
How to Identify
Mice are small and are around 3 inches from nose to base of their narrow tail, whereas rats can be from 7-9 inches long and have a thick tail shorter than their body.
What attracts this pest
Rodents often find their way into homes because they can find food and shelter easily. Most mice problems occur in Kitchens and Bathrooms.
How to prevent this pest
It can be quite difficult to keep rodents out of structures. Mice can squeeze through spaces as small as a dime and rats can fit through holes the size of a quarter. For proper rodent pest control, seal any cracks and voids.
mouse
rat
Your home is the perfect environment for roaches to live and breed due to its numerous nesting sites. Roaches enter your home through small cracks and crevices, drain and sewer pipes, vents, and electrical ingress points to name a few. Once inside, roaches can be a pervasive pest, multiplying quickly. They can remain active all year long, feeding on starchy foods, paper, fabric and decaying organic material. It is important to remember that cockroaches are nocturnal. Therefore, witnessing a cockroach in your home during the day may be a sign of serious infestation.
Stingers & Biters
How to Identify
There are many different kinds of flying insects in our region ranging from the house fly to wasps. Each comes with their own problems and identifying the pest is crucial to how you are going to treat it.
What attracts this pest
Many stinging and biting insects are attracted to sweet or floral scents which include perfumes and lotions. They are also attracted to easily accessible food sources, such as uncovered trash or gardens.
How to prevent this pest
If you have a bee or wasp nest on your property, it's important to avoid trying to remove it yourself. Disturbing a nest can provoke the insects and lead to multiple stings, which can be dangerous or even life-threatening for some people
Keep outdoor trash cans tightly closed, avoid wearing brightly colored clothing or floral fragrances, and keep food and drinks covered when eating outside.
Mosquitos
How to Identify
Mosquitos have small slender bodies with 2 wings, long legs and usually gray or brown in color.
What attracts this pest
Mosquitos are found near standing water and damp wooded areas. They feed on flower nectar and fruit juices. Only female mosquitos feed on the blood of humans and animals for egg production.
How to prevent this pest
Mosquitos can lay eggs in as little as half an inch of water so it's important to take steps to prevent mosquito breeding grounds around your home. Divert water away from the house and be sure to cover all trash can lids tightly/
Mosquitoes are most active during dawn and dusk, and are more prevalent during the summer months. Preventing mosquito bites and eliminating standing water around your home are important steps in reducing the mosquito population and minimizing the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses.
Ticks
How to Identify
Ticks are small arachnid types of creatures with 8 legs and an oval shaped body. They range in size from a poppy seed to a small pencil eraser. Ticks are commonly reddish brown, brown or black in color.
What attracts this pest
Ticks are attracted to warm, moist environments. They like shade and places to hide. They are also attracted to the carbon dioxide that humans and animals exhale.
How to prevent this pest
To prevent and avoid ticks, clear all tall grass and brush around your home. Also, be sure to keep the perimeter of your home and wooded areas clear from these tall grass areas. Maintain a trimmed lawn and rake leaves tidily to limit tick hiding areas. Lastly, put a 3 ft wide barrier of gravel around patios and play equipment to avoid tick infestations.
Ticks can be difficult to spot as they are small and often attach themselves in hard-to-see areas such as the scalp and armpits. Wearing protective clothing, using tick repellents, and performing tick checks after spending time outdoors are important steps in preventing tick bites and reducing the risk of tick-borne illnesses.