Most species of ants are neutral or non-damaging and some are beneficial predators on other pest. Control programs are necessary because any homeowner does not want ants. Ants will walk on almost anything, and then walk in your home and could contaminate your food. For example, an ant may walk in dog feces and then enter your home and walk on your countertops or on your food. You will never really know what is on your food when you have an ant in your home. The first one or two segments of the abdomen where it attaches to the thorax are much smaller than those that make up the rest of this body region; this is what typically gives ants their thin-waist appearance. When you are trying to identify ants it's important to become familiar with the nodes, which are used to separate ant species and identify ants from other species. The adult male and females of many species are winged. Ants’ antennae's are important organs for tasting and touching. Most structure-infesting ants do not have the ability to sting. There are three types of ants that make up a colony, the workers, which are sterile females, the queen, which is a reproductive female, and reproductive males. When all workers in a colony are the same size it is called monomorphic. When the workers are all different sizes it is called polymorphic. Queens are usually the largest in the colony, after developing the first group of eggs the queen is cleaned, fed, and taken care of by the workers, so the queens only job is to lay eggs. The male dies within a few days of mating. Foraging ants bring food and water back to the colony and pass it to other nest-tending workers by a mouth-to-mouth process called trophallaxis.
Based on fossil evidence, cockroaches have been around for 350 million years. Cockroaches are one of the most adaptable and successful insect groups. Many of their outstanding characteristics that make them so successful in nature also make them one of the most difficult pests to control. Cockroaches are the most commonly found household pests in the United States. Cockroaches are most active at night. Damage or fecal matter generally detects the presence of cockroaches. The most important aspect of cockroach damage is a result of their filthy eating habits and harboring in dirty places, such as sewers, garbage disposals, and dirty areas in kitchens, bathrooms, and storage areas. Cockroaches spread filth from those places onto food supplies, food preparation surfaces, utensils, and dishes. Cockroaches contaminate more food than they eat. Food contamination can result in diseases and food poisoning.
There are four different casts that can develop from larvae: workers, soldiers, winged reproductive termites (swarms), and supplementary reproductive termites. Workers and nymphs perform all of the work of the colony and do all of the damage to structures. The soldier’s only job is to defend the colony against enemies. Workers and soldiers are eyeless, and therefore blind. Winged adults are called swarming termites, although functional workers develop in a few months, it usually requires 12 months of progressive colony growth for swarming termites to occur. Swarms are usually the first visible indication that termites are present. Swarms emerge on warm, sunny days with high humidity. Swarming termites are often mistaken as flying ants. Supplementary reproductive termites of both sexes are wingless or have very short, non-functioning wings. These reproductive termites are developed as needed, and quickly replace a primary queen who has died or is injured. Supplementary reproductive termites with a group of males and workers may become isolated from the main colony and can establish a new colony. Moisture is critical to termite survival because all casts except swarming termites are soft-bodied insects that lose water rapidly.
The acrobat ant ranges in color from yellowish-brown, to red and black, to all black. These Ants hold their abdomen over their head and thorax when they get excited, which is how they got their name. Acrobat ants aren't normally found in houses, but will come in to try and find food. They may be found in decayed or partially decayed wood. They usually are not found in undamaged wood.
The American cockroach is also known as the water bug. The American cockroach is one of the largest of the common species, growing up to 1 1/2 inches or more in length. This cockroach is reddish brown with a pale brown or yellow border on the upper surface of the pronotum. Both sexes of the American cockroach have well-developed wings, but the males wings extend beyond their abdomen. Seldom actually fly, unless the temperature is above 85 degrees F. The American cockroach feeds on a variety of food, but decaying organic matter is preferred. When inside, nymphs and adults are usually found in dark, moist areas of basements and crawlspaces, in and around bathtubs, clothes hampers, floor drains, pipe chases, and sewers. In the south, American cockroaches are abundant in alleyways, yards, hollow trees, and palm trees. In Florida, American cockroaches are generally associated with trees, shrubs, and woodpiles in landscapes. Female American cockroaches drop their egg capsules within a day after it is formed. Egg capsules are formed at a rate of about one per week until 15 to 90 are produced.
The Argentine ant is about 1/12- 1/8 an inch long. The queen is much larger at 1/6 to 1/4 an inch long. These ants are light brown in color. The nests can be found in moist soil next to or around buildings, along sidewalks, or beneath boards and plants. These ants nest in areas near food and water. Sometimes, Argentine ants will nest within a structure or other locations that aren't soil related, such as under a bathtub set above a slab-on- grade foundation, under the cracks or expansion joints of slabs, under insulation in an exterior wall void, and in potted plants or flower boxes. These ants prefer sweet food like sugars, syrup, fruit juices, secretions of plants and honeydew.
Adult armyworms are light reddish-brown moths with wingspans measuring about 4 cm. The forewings appear fairly pointed, and are marked with a dark area that contains one or two small spots. Adult armyworms have grayish hind wings and are nocturnal. Mating usually happens one to three days after the moths emerge from soil. Adult females deposit eggs in clusters, often between leaf blades, especially on dry grass. Armyworm eggs are very difficult to locate in a field. Hatching rates are affected by temperature, cold weather is more favorable for embryonic survival. Armyworm larvae normally will display 6 instars. (Instar is a phase between two periods of molting in development of an insect larva.) An armyworm larva attains body lengths of 4mm, 6mm, 10mm, 15mm, 20mm, and 35mm during each instar. During the first instar the larvae is pale with a dark head, but during every other instar the larvae is marked with longitudinal stripes throughout development. Armyworm usually feeds on weedy grass.
The Australian cockroach is similar in appearance to the American cockroach but is rarely more than 1-1/4 inches long. This cockroach is reddish brown and can be distinguished by yellow striped along the outer front edge of either wing. There are usually 24 eggs per capsule, but only two- thirds usually hatch. The egg capsules are dropped at about 10 day intervals. The Australian cockroach feeds on plant material, but will feed on starchy materials in homes.
Bed bugs are universal pests of humans and animals. An adult bed bug is about 1/5 an inch long and 1/8 an inch wide. After feeding the bed bugs body enlarges becoming a lot less flattened and longer. Bed bugs feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals. Nests of bed bugs are found near or around where the host sleeps. Humans are the preferable host, but bed bugs will feed on poultry, mice, rats, dogs, and cats. Bed bugs feed at night, but will feed during the day in places that aren't used at night.
The soldiers of this ant, which play a defensive role for the colony, have very large heads, which explains where their name came from. The minor workers do not have big heads, but can be recognized by their almost triangle shaped head. Bigheaded ants have very similar habits to fire ants. Nests can be found in exposed soil or under cover, and in rotting wood. Rarely nests will be found indoors, but bigheaded ants may enter a home in search of food.
The billbug is a pest of various types of grass. This bug is 6 to 11mm in length. The billbug is weevil-like in appearance with a short snout. When you see a billbug its body is often coated with soil, which gives it a dirty appearance. The billbug’s color is usually gray to black with reddish or brown areas on it.
The black widow's abdomen is 1/4 an inch in diameter but can be as large as 1/2 an inch when the female is full of eggs. The males are much smaller and lighter than the females, and have streaks on their abdomen. Females are easily identified because of their shiny black abdomen with two reddish or yellowish triangles on the underside. Black widow webs are frequently constructed underneath boards, stones, or outdoor seating, also found along foundation slabs, behind shrubs, and especially where brick or wood siding extends close to ground level. This spider doesn't usually enter homes, but will occasionally. Black widow venom contains toxins that are toxic to the nervous system. A person’s reaction to the bite depends on where it was, the person’s size and sensitivity, the amount of venom injected, the depth of the bite, and temperature.
The brown recluse spider is soft-bodied and a secretive species. This spider varies from 1/3 to 1/2 an inch long, and is yellow to dark brown in color with a distinctive darker brown violin-shaped mark on the top of the cephalothorax, and a distinctive eye pattern. The brown recluse spider is found in homes and other buildings, usually they are found in bathrooms, bedrooms, closets, and garages. This is not an aggressive spider, most bites happen when a person traps or crushes the spider, puts on old clothing that was hanging in the garage, or by rolling on the spider while sleeping. The brown recluse spider can inflict a dangerous bite, the initial pain associated with the bite is not intense, but within 8 to 12 hours the pain becomes quite intense, and over a period of a few days a large sore forms. The sore heals very slow and leaves an ugly and disfiguring scar.
The brown-banded cockroach is one of the smaller cockroaches, rarely being bigger than 1/2 an inch long. This cockroach is light brown and can be distinguished from the German cockroach by the presence of two lighter bands running across the base of the wings and abdomen. Both the male and female brown-banded cockroach is active, adult males will fly when they are disturbed, and all stages will jump when trying to escape. Frequently, these cockroaches appear in the same buildings as German cockroaches. Usually you can find brown-banded cockroaches on ceilings, high on walls, behind picture frames and light fixtures, near motors of appliances, or in light switches, closets, and furniture. Brown-banded cockroaches do not require moisture as much as German cockroaches; also they avoid light and rarely are seen during the day. This cockroach prefers feeding on starchy material.
The Carpenter ant is one of the largest ants at about 1/4 to 3/4 an inch long. The Florida carpenter ant has a red head and thorax, and a black abdomen. These ants have large mandibles and can bite or give a strong pinch. Carpenter ants are found in or around homes. They build their nest in wood, somewhat like a termite, but clean with a sandpaper appearance. These nesting activities can weaken a building, but not as serious as a termite can. Carpenter ants do not use wood for food. These ants travel 100 yards from their nest to find food.
Carpenter bees resemble large bumblebees, but have different nesting behavior. These bees are black in color and are marked with areas of yellow hair. Carpenter bees bore long tunnels into wood and divide these tunnels into cells where individual larvae will be developed. Typical carpenter bee galleries have an entrance hole on the wood surface and continue inward for a short distance, it then turns sharply upward and runs in the same direction as the grain of the wood. Carpenter bees nests are not difficult to locate, the most common spots chosen within buildings include siding, eaves, wooden shakes, porch ceilings, windowsills, and doors. Many types of wood are selected for nesting, but softer wood is preferred.
Adult carpet beetles are shiny black with brown legs and are 1/8 to 3/16 an inch long. Carpet beetles can be found outdoors in flowers and are mostly found in spring and early summer. You can also find carpet beetles on dead animal carcasses. These bugs can cause damage indoors to fur, stuffed animals, carpets, and articles like hair bristle brushes that often have deposits of animal proteins or body oils. Carpet beetles avoid exposed and lighted areas, and are often found in lower parts of closets, at the edge of carpeting, or under baseboards.
Centipedes are brownish in color, have a flattened body, have many body segments, and range from 1 to 6 inches long. Most of the centipedes body segment has a pair of legs. Centipedes living in damp areas, for example under leaves, stones, boards, or tree bark or in mulch around plants. Sometimes centipedes will wander inside at floor level almost anywhere in the house. If provoked, large centipedes will bite, centipede bites only cause slight pain and swelling. Centipedes don't bite by the jaw, but by there front legs, which are modified to look and act like a jaw.
The chinch bug is a pest to St. Augustine grass. Chinch bugs cause millions of dollars of damage per year. An infested lawn has discolored patches that are usually in a circular shape. Adult chinch bugs have black bodies that measure about 6 mm in length. Adult females lay on average 250 eggs in a lifetime. During summer, eggs will hatch anywhere from 6 to 13 days, but may take a month to hatch during winter. Eggs are small and oval shaped. The eggs begin pale white and turn amber, then eventually red before hatching.
The crazy ant is about 1/10 an inch long, and dark brown in color. Their legs and antennae are much larger in proportion to the other parts of their body and compared to normal house-infesting ants. It is called the crazy ant because it will run aimlessly around a room. These ants prefer to feed on animal matter, grease, and other insects, but will eat any type of sweet.
The Cuban cockroach is a bright shade of green with a yellow underbelly. These cockroaches are winged and can fly well. The Cuban cockroach prefers living outdoors and in warm and humid areas, but will wander inside. At night, this cockroach is attracted to lights, plants and palm trees. The Cuban cockroach feeds on plant matter, rotting matter, animal matter, and paper.
The drugstore beetle is also known as the cigarette beetle. The drugstore beetle is 1/8 an inch long, This bug feeds on flour, breakfast cereals, red pepper, or almost any food it can find. The drugstore beetle most commonly infests kibbled dog food. This bug hides in dark places during the day. The adult drugstore beetles are good fliers and are most active in the early evening hours.
Generally, dry wood termites live in non-decayed structural wood that has very low moisture content. Dry-wood termites do not require any contact with soil to live, which means they can damage movable wooden objects like furniture. Where the termites enter the wood they seal the hole with a plug of brown cement-like material. The nymphs that hatch from eggs go through a more complex metamorphosis. The nymphs perform the work of the colony, so there is no distinct worker caste. During swarming season, nymphs make round holes which the reproductive forms leave the wood, after swarming the holes are plugged the same way as the entrance holes. Damage done by dry wood termites is entirely different from damage caused by subterranean termites.
You can recognize an earwig by its pincers at the end of its abdomen. Earwigs will build up to large numbers in warm weather and may invade homes or other structures. These bugs mostly go towards dead animals and plant material. Some earwig species are actually predators; others may feed on living plants. Earwigs are active at night. Some earwig species are attracted in large numbers to light. During the day they usually find shelter beneath stones, boards, and debris.
The fire ant is 1/15 to 1/4 an inch long. The abdomen is brown to black, and usually the head or part of the thorax is yellowish or reddish. They are called fire ants because of their venom injected by a stinger. The venom may cause irritation and can cause a severe reaction and death in especially sensitive people. Fire ants typically nest in soil and make characteristic earthen mounds. There is one queen per colony or there is a polygynous colony mound, which is connected by underground foraging tunnels, and have more than one queen.
Fleas have been pests to humans and their animals all over the world. Fleas are small, wingless insects that are 1/12 to 1/6 an inch long, but can be as small as 1/25 to 1/8 an inch long. Even though fleas prefer non-human hosts many will feed on humans when infestations are heavy. Fleas require warm weather and humid conditions to develop substantial infestations either indoors our outdoors. The eggs are laid on the host animal, but since flea eggs aren't usually attached to the host, those laid will fall off and hatch on the ground.
Flies are most common in the late summer and early fall. Animal waste, garbage, and other decaying organic matter are the preferred host material for flies. Flies live from 7 to 45 days. Some flies suck blood, some flies are scavengers, and others may transmit disease. Exact identification of flies can be quite difficult.
The Formosan termite is the most widely distributed and economically important termite. This species was apparently transported to Japan before the 1600's and to Hawaii in the late 1800's. By the 1950's, it was reported in South Africa and during the 1960's it was found in Texas, Louisiana, and South Carolina, and then was found in Florida during 1980. A single colony may contain several million termites. The presence of one of these colonies is a serious threat to nearby structures because of its population size and foraging range. Formosan termites have never been eradicated from an area. They can cause more damage in a shorter amount of time because of their population size.
The German cockroach is the most economically important urban pest, and is the most common cockroach found in houses, apartments, restaurants, and hotels. Adult German cockroaches are pale to medium brown in color, and about 1/2 to 5/8 an inch long. This cockroach can be distinguished by the two dark stripes on the anterior, dorsal portion of the thorax. Males can be distinguished from females by the slender shape of their abdomen. Adult German cockroaches have well-developed wings, but never fly. German cockroaches are general feeders, but are attracted mostly to fermented foods and beverage residues. Adult females carry the egg capsule protruding from the rear of the abdomen until the eggs are ready to hatch. Capsules that get removed from the female more than a couple days before the normal hatching time will be less likely to hatch, unless they remain in conditions of high humidity. Adult females can produce between 4 to 8 egg capsules in their lifetime; each contains 30 to 48 eggs and takes 20 to 30 days to hatch.
The ghost ant is a very tiny ant with an average size of 1.5 to 2 mm long. This ant has a pale white abdomen, legs, and antennae, but a very dark colored head and thorax. The ghost ant is a very common household pest in Florida. They develop very large colonies with many queens. Colonies can divide through a budding system, similar to the pharaoh ant. This ant nests outdoors under mulch, rocks, or under loose bark.
Harvester ants are large compared to most ants at about 1/4 to 1/2 an inch long. They are red to dark brown, or blackish in color. Harvester ants are often mistaken as carpenter ants, but can be recognized by their long hairs that form a "brush" under their heads. Those hairs are used to clean their legs and antennae, carry water, and remove sand while building their nests. Harvester ants are found climbing walls near plants, so houses with plants will see harvester ants more often. Normally, harvester ants are found in fields or lawns. These ants rarely invade homes. Their stings make them pests in lawns, parks, or athletic fields.
We do not treat for honeys bees. You need to call your local beekeeper.
Honeybees are various shades of yellow, black, brown or orange, with the head, antennae, legs, and a portion of the abdomen being dark. Honeybee’s bodies are covered in light colored hairs. These bees can be a pest when they establish a nest in or around a structure. Honeybees may become a serious problem when they swarm and locate an opening to get into a home. In a colony there is the queen, which is the only one who lays eggs, drones, which are the males, and workers, which are sterile females. Colonies may have 20,000 to 50,000 bees and can survive during winter. Honeybee’s nests have combs where they store eggs, larvae, pupae, and honey. As long as the bees in the nest are active it won't reach its melting point because their wings act as fans. If the bees die, and if the weather is warm or if the interior of the house is kept warm, the wax will become soft enough for the nest to melt. The honey will pour out and create a mess. The presence of honey in the wall void will attract other workers from other colonies. Also, other insects will be attracted to the nest site, and may infest other materials inside the home.
The house mouse was brought here from Asia by trade merchants and immigrates. This mouse is capable of survival in any environment because of its small size, adaptability, and only needing a small amount of food and space. The house mouse weighs between 1/2 to 1 ounces, and has large ears. This rat is dark gray on the back and light gray on the belly. A female house mouse will produce eight litters in her life, and each litter produces anywhere from 4 to 7 pups. Young mice will become sexually mature within 5 to 8 weeks.
The house spider is frequently seen on houses, barns, bridges, and man-made structures. The females are charcoal gray and 13 to 19 mm in length. The males are khaki to amber in color and 9 to 10 mm in length. The male house spider is often mistakes as the brown recluse spider, but house spiders do not have a dangerous bite.
Indian-meal moths are often mistake as clothes moths. The adults have a wingspread of 3/4 an inch. The front wings are tan on the front third and reddish-brown on the back two-thirds. The larva feeds on all types of grains and grain based products, seeds, powdered milk, dog food, crackers, candy, nuts, chocolate, and other dried foods. When larvae wants to reproduce it leaves its food supply and searches for a good place to make their cocoon. During that time you may see the Indian-meal moth. They often make cocoons at the top of the pantry. These moths can be found in almost any stored food product, feeds in or near a tunnel-like case with grass made into it, and leaves extensive webbing material matted over the surface of food products that it then feeds on.
This spider is named the jumping spider because they have a highly coordinated jumping ability, which helps them capture prey and jump from plant to plant. The adult jumping spider can be as small as 1mm in length or as large as 23mm but most are 5 to 10mm. The jumping spider can be found around man-made structures, usually in buildings where they may be numerous around lights at night, where they can catch insects that are attracted to light. This spider is present all year, most mating and reproduction begins in fall and continues till spring.
Millipedes are brownish in color and have two pairs of legs on most of their body segments. These bugs live outdoors in damp areas, such as under decaying leaves and in mulch around outdoor plantings. Millipedes feed on damp decaying vegetable matter, new roots, and green leaves. In dry weather, centipedes may enter buildings in large numbers. Millipedes that invade homes are 1/2- 1 1/2 inches long and coil up when they are resting.
Mole crickets are pests to turf grass. These bugs do the most damage from late August to early October. Mole crickets damage looks like ugly brown patches. Mole crickets are adapted to dig, which allows them to tunnel through soil. Animals that prey on mole crickets might further dig up the grass to try and snack on them.
Moth flies are 1/8 an inch long, and have their body and wings covered in hair. Moth flies are also known as drain flies, filter flies, and sewage flies because they are attracted to decaying organic matter, especially around drains and sewers. Moth flies are most common in warm months. In homes adults are found on walls in the kitchen, bathroom, or the basement. Moth flies do not bite or transmit disease, and have a two to three week life cycle.
The mud dauber wasp constructs its nests from mud. Mud daubers are frequently observed visiting the edges of mud puddles during the summer. Mud nests are often found plastered among the rafters of attics, garages, outbuildings, or on the side of buildings. Typically, the mud dauber wasp preys on spiders. The chances of being stung by a mud dauber are small, but still approach the nest with caution.
The Norway rat is also known as the house rat, brown rat, sewer rat, water rat, and the gray rat. European settlers introduced this rat into the United States and trading ships, now the Norway rat is the most widely distributed rat species in the United States. The Norway rat has a stocky body, weighing from 12 to 16 ounces. This rat is larger, stronger, more aggressive, and better adapted for producing young and surviving in colder climates than other rat species. The Norway rats body fur ranges from reddish- to grayish- brown. The mother rat gives birth to a litter of 8 to 12 pups. The pups reach sexual maturity at the age of 12 weeks, but it may also be as early as 8 weeks. The Norway rat cannot survive for long without water. When necessary, rats will travel 300 feet or more to obtain food and water.
The oriental cockroach is also referred to as water bug, black beetle, or shad roach. The female oriental cockroach is 1-1/4 inches longs, and the male is 1 inch long. They are dark brown, or nearly black and usually have a greasy sheen to the body. The females have small, functionless wings called wing pads. The male’s wings cover three-quarters of the abdomen, but neither the male nor female can fly. The female oriental cockroaches are much broader and heavier than males. These cockroaches are common in high moisture areas and feed on all types of filth and decaying organic matter.
Paper wasps build simple nests. Nests are usually suspended beneath horizontal surfaces, commonly hanging from eaves of houses and beneath window ledges or porch roofs. Paper wasps have very small nests that are rarely more than six to eight inches in diameter. There are barely ever more than 100 to 200 workers on the nest at a time.
The pharaoh ant is 1/15 to 1/12 an inch long. They are light yellowish to reddish brown in color. Pharaoh ants can be distinguished from thief ants by the presence of three segments in the antennal club. Pharaoh ants nest in warm or moist areas. Nests aren’t commonly found, but are placed between walls, under floors, and above ceilings. These ants are difficult to eliminate because of their small size and wide food preference. Attempts to control this ant with spray or dust applications indoors or any stress to the colony will cause the colony to split and make sub-colonies. The process of making sub-colonies is called budding, and is what makes this a hard pest to control. Pharaoh ants get wings but do not fly so swarms are not seen.
Pill bugs are crustaceans, so they are more closely related to shrimp than insects. Pill bugs feed on decaying vegetable matter and are found under mulch, vegetable debris and other objects on damp ground. These bugs will frequently invade the ground floor parts of structures and crawl spaces, and may infest potted plants. Their behavior and feeding habits are very similar to millipedes.
The powder-post termite is of considerable commercial significance in the United States. You can find these termites inside buildings, and furniture being moved to other parts of the country is often infested. The head of the soldier is unusually shaped, which is usually a good way to identify this species. The powder-post termite is especially destructive to woodwork and to furniture; this termite will destroy the interior of the wood and only leaves a paper-thin layer of wood on the outside.
The pyramid ant is about 1/15 to 1/12 an inch long. These ants vary in color from uniformly dark brown to brown with a reddish tint; this ant is commonly found in southern states. Pyramid ants are found in gardens and flowerbeds, but will enter homes along a distinct foraging trail.
The rice weevil is also known as the black weevil. This bug is 1/8 an inch long and has four red or yellow spots on its wing covers and can fly. This bug looks like it has a beak. The rice weevil is widely distributed due to grain and food distribution. This bug feeds on a wide variety of grains. It will infest grain both in the field and in storage. The rice weevil is mostly found in grain or seeds, but can be found in solidified milled products such as macaroni and caked flour. The rice weevil is attracted to light; so infested homes will find them in the pantry or near any light source.
The roof rat is also known as the black rat, ship rat, gray-bellied rat, and white-bellied rat. This rat is names the roof rat because it is good at climbing and commonly lives above the ground in "roof" or aerial areas around structures. The roof rat probably came to the United States with explorers in the early 1500's. Adults weigh 5 to 9 ounces, and have solid black to grayish black fur. The tail of this rat is long and reaches the snout when pulled over the body. The roof rat consumes a wide variety of vegetative foods like berries, nuts, seeds, and fruits; they will also eat insects, slugs and snails.
Most species of scorpions that enter homes are not poisonous. In houses they are mostly found in undisturbed areas, such as closets, seldom used shoes, and folded clothes. Scorpions feed on spiders and other soft-bodied insects. Some scorpion species will actually feed on smaller scorpion species. Scorpions have poor eyesight, so they do not stalk and chase their prey, they will wait until they can get something with their pincers. Small prey is eaten immediately, but large prey is stung and eaten after they struggle.
Adult silverfish bodies are 1/2 an inch long with a uniform silver color. Silverfish prefer temperature that is between 70 and 80 degrees and moist situations. These bugs may be found anywhere in a house, usually they're found living close to their food source. Silverfish eat a variety of foods with protein or carbohydrates. For example, rolled oats, dried beef, flour, starch, paper, cotton, sugar, beef extract, dead insects, give, paste, and linen. Silverfish can live a long period of time without food.
The smoky-brown cockroach is closely related to the American cockroach, but can be distinguished by their slightly smaller size. They are slightly more than one inch long and are mahogany in color. Both the male and females have wings longer than their bodies. Smoky-brown cockroaches normally feed on plant material but will feed on almost anything other cockroaches feed on in a dwelling. These cockroaches are commonly found living in wood shingle roofs and gutters.
Sod webworms are destructive pests of warm season turf grasses. St. Augustine grass may also be affected. Sod webworms are especially destructive on newly established sod, lawn, athletic fields, and golf courses. The first sign of damage is differences in grass height where the larva is feeding.
Thought to be the most common and widely distributed termite in North America. Infestations may be difficult to detect until the damage is severe. Any wood material in your home is a potential food source, but this termite may also damage non-wood in search for food. Usually, you will find these termites dead near windows or in sinks and bathtubs. Most people become aware that their mouse is infested when a swarm happens. Swarming begins as early as February, late fall swarming from September to November may also occur.
The Surinam cockroach hides in soil and ends up in household plants, which is how they enter households. This cockroach is 3/4 an inch long with a shiny black head and pronotum, and light brown, dark brown, or olive green wings. The Surinam cockroach has an oval body with short legs that are adapted for burrowing in soil. Adults may be winged or wingless, females do not fly and males can only fly short distances. This cockroach is active in all seasons except for winter. The Surinam cockroach avoids light and likes moist, dark places. You can find this cockroach living in piles of firewood, leaves, mulch, and lumber piles.
The thief ant is one of the smallest household ants. These ants are 1/25 to 1/15 an inch long. These ants may escape notice around kitchen sinks and cabinet areas because of their small size. Unobservant people may complain about the flavor of food without realizing it is infested with thief ants. They vary from being yellow to a dirty brown in color. These ants are found over most of the United States. They live in nests of larger ants where they feed on larvae, which is how they got their name. In homes they go towards greasy foods, bacon, ham and other prepared meats. Thief ants come from the outdoors, but may nest in cracks in the walls or cabinets.
Ticks have four stages in their life cycle: egg, larvae, nymph, and adult. Depending on weather and humidity, larvae will hatch anywhere from two weeks to several months. Immature-stage larvae, sometimes called seed ticks, have only six legs, and nymphs have eight like the adult tick. Mating occurs while adult ticks are on the body of the host animal; the female drops to the ground and deposits her eggs. Adult female hard ticks feed only once and lay one large batch of eggs containing 10,00 eggs or more. Some female soft ticks will feed several times and lay 20 to 50 eggs after each meal.
Their glistening velvety-black abdomen, red thorax and brownish- black head commonly identify the velvety tree ant. Nests are located in old tree stumps, in cavities in trees, under tree bark, and beneath stones on the ground. These ants will commonly enter a home and contaminate food in the kitchen. And search for other insects to eat. Velvety tree ants often invade picnics or outdoor barbecue, contaminating the food and stinging people. These ants have a very painful sting. When this ant is crushed they produce a foul odor.
The white-footed ant is 2.5 to 3 mm long. This ant is black to dark brown in color, but have yellowish- white feet appearing "white-footed". White-footed ants were introduced in Florida sometime in the mid 1980's. This is a significant pest in the central and southern parts of Florida. White-footed ants do not sting or bite, but are considered a pest because frequent foraging in kitchens, bathrooms, and exteriors of homes or buildings, These ants will nest in soil or mulched areas, or in homes. White-footed ants have very large colonies with two to three million individuals. Usually one half of the colony is fertile, reproductive females.
When white grubs feed on grass roots the grass starts to become thin, turn yellow, and die. Infestation will make the grass feel soft and spongy. Brown patches in grass will appear, and over time the patches will start to become larger. Grass that is heavily infested can be pulled out easily. White grubs will attract predators such as, moles, raccoons, armadillos, and birds.