|
Bed Bugs
A bed bug has 6 legs. Its antennae point forward and are about half as long as the body—not longer. Its head is broadly attached to its body and it has no wings. Eight legs indicate a tick or mite. Six legs and long antennae with two spikes coming off the back (cerci) might be a roach nymph. Carpet beetle larvae have hairs all over their bodies. Carpet beetle adults have two hard wings. A “drop of blood with legs” is probably a recently fed bed bug. It will be red, plump, and oval. After it digests its meal, it’ll be mahogany-colored, round, and flat. Unfed nymphs are tan. Eggs are oval, white, and stick to whatever they’re laid on. Bed bugs crawl—scurrying into dark, tight spaces to hide—they move as fast as an ant. They can’t jump or fly and you’ll never find them burrowing into your skin. If the insect you have came out on its own accord at night when the lights were out near the bed or a couch, it was probably a bed bug looking for a meal. Bed bugs aren’t social insects like ants, so they don’t need a colony. But while they group together in good hiding spots, loners could be hiding elsewhere Cockroaches American cockroaches are one of the most common insect pests found in urban areas throughout the world. This species of cockroach prefers to live in humid environments, similar to the conditions created by humans. When this pest appears in our homes, schools, and offices, we can use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques to exclude and eliminate cockroaches. Scientists have found cockroach fossils that date as far back as 300 million years, making cockroaches about 300 times older than humans. Beetles Beetles of several species infest packages of whole grain and grain products. The infestation may begin at the time of manufacture or processing, in the warehouses of food distributors, in transit, on the grocers' shelves, or in the home. Most food processors and handlers make every effort to avoid insect infestations, but occasionally the efforts fail. Infestations are usually discovered when an infested package is opened for use, or when small brown beetles are found in the kitchen near containers of stored grain products. A wide variety of foods may be infested, including flour, cereal, dried fruits, dehydrated vegetables, shelled nuts, chocolate, spices, candies, pet foods, and bird seed. Eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults of the beetles may occur in infested foods. House Fly High populations of the little house fly may occur on poultry farms, and it may become the predominant fly pest in some areas. The little house fly resembles the house fly but is smaller (about 3/16 inch) and has three brown stripes on the thorax. This fly is normally associated with housing that has litter-covered floors and open window ventilation. Like the house fly, the little house fly may invade homes in nearby residential areas, but it tends to be less annoying since it does not settle as readily on food or people. Both sexes can be found resting on weeds, branches, or sides of buildings. Mosquitoes Mosquitoes are very common insects of the family Culicidae. There are about 3,500 different species of mosquitoes throughout the world, of which approximately 230 species can be found in the United States. The three most common mosquitoes found in the United States are Aedes albopictus, Culex pipens, and Anopheles quadrimaculatus. Ants Carpenter ants are the most common ant pest found in the Northeastern United States. They cause structural damage when they excavate wood for nest sites. Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not eat wood, but rather scavenge on dead insects and collect sugary secretions (“honeydew”) produced by other insects such as aphids. Carpenter ants are a nuisance pest when workers are spotted inside foraging for food and when winged swarmers are found inside. |
Wasps & Bees
Bees are essential to the environment because they pollinate plants, flowers and trees. But all bees and wasps have stinging potential. Honeybees are our top pollinators and usually won’t sting if you leave them alone. However, non-pollinating wasps, such as hornets and yellow jackets, are typically more aggressive and invasive.
Earwigs
Virtually harmless to humans, earwigs do not spread diseases and their mouths are too small to bite. Some species will use their rear pincher-like appendages to protect themselves, giving them a fierce reputation exaggerated beyond their actual threat. Most earwig species live in moist areas outdoors where they feed on decaying vegetation and other arthropods. These common insects are found worldwide, with the greatest diversity located in the tropics.
Spiders
The spiders are a large, distinct and widespread group of Arachnids occurring in many types of habitats. Many people think that all spiders are very poisonous; however, although all spiders have venom glands, they very seldom bite people. Most spiders are beneficial because they feed on insects. A spider’s body is divided into two sections: the cephalothorax, which bears the eyes, mouthparts, and legs; and the abdomen, which bears the genital structures, spiracles and anus. Unlike insects, spiders have eight legs and no antennae.
Mice/Rats
The house mouse (Mus musculus) is one of the most frequently encountered rodent pests found near people and buildings. Unchecked, it can become a long-term inhabitant of your home. Less common rodent house guests include the Norway rat (Rattus norwegicus), deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), and white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus). Together, mice, rats, and their parasites transmit dozens of diseases to humans; several pose serious health risks and some are potentially epidemic. House mice may also cause fires and incapacitate appliances by chewing on electrical wires. Their urine, musky odor, and gnawing can ruin food, clothing, papers, woodwork, insulation, and plumbing.
Squirrels
This bushy-tailed rodent is a common resident in New York State. Although the usual color phase is gray, melanistic (black) squirrels are found in some localities. True albinos (white fur, pink eyes) occur rarely. There are four other species of arboreal (tree climbing) squirrels in New York: fox squirrel (Sciurus niger), red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans) and northern flying squirrel (G. sabrinus).
Apollo Pest Management is here to help with any and all pests, not just what is listed above. Please give us a call or click on the button below for a free estimate.
Bees are essential to the environment because they pollinate plants, flowers and trees. But all bees and wasps have stinging potential. Honeybees are our top pollinators and usually won’t sting if you leave them alone. However, non-pollinating wasps, such as hornets and yellow jackets, are typically more aggressive and invasive.
Earwigs
Virtually harmless to humans, earwigs do not spread diseases and their mouths are too small to bite. Some species will use their rear pincher-like appendages to protect themselves, giving them a fierce reputation exaggerated beyond their actual threat. Most earwig species live in moist areas outdoors where they feed on decaying vegetation and other arthropods. These common insects are found worldwide, with the greatest diversity located in the tropics.
Spiders
The spiders are a large, distinct and widespread group of Arachnids occurring in many types of habitats. Many people think that all spiders are very poisonous; however, although all spiders have venom glands, they very seldom bite people. Most spiders are beneficial because they feed on insects. A spider’s body is divided into two sections: the cephalothorax, which bears the eyes, mouthparts, and legs; and the abdomen, which bears the genital structures, spiracles and anus. Unlike insects, spiders have eight legs and no antennae.
Mice/Rats
The house mouse (Mus musculus) is one of the most frequently encountered rodent pests found near people and buildings. Unchecked, it can become a long-term inhabitant of your home. Less common rodent house guests include the Norway rat (Rattus norwegicus), deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), and white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus). Together, mice, rats, and their parasites transmit dozens of diseases to humans; several pose serious health risks and some are potentially epidemic. House mice may also cause fires and incapacitate appliances by chewing on electrical wires. Their urine, musky odor, and gnawing can ruin food, clothing, papers, woodwork, insulation, and plumbing.
Squirrels
This bushy-tailed rodent is a common resident in New York State. Although the usual color phase is gray, melanistic (black) squirrels are found in some localities. True albinos (white fur, pink eyes) occur rarely. There are four other species of arboreal (tree climbing) squirrels in New York: fox squirrel (Sciurus niger), red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans) and northern flying squirrel (G. sabrinus).
Apollo Pest Management is here to help with any and all pests, not just what is listed above. Please give us a call or click on the button below for a free estimate.