Having Pest Issues? Concerned about your family’s health and wellness? Read our Pest Library below to find out important information you should know!
A mouse is a small mammal belonging to the order of rodents, characteristically having a pointed snout, small rounded ears, and a long naked or almost hairless tail. They are known to invade homes for food and shelter. Mice can at times be vermin, damaging and eating crops causing structural damage and spreading diseases through their excrement. In North America, breathing dust that has come in contact with mouse excrement has been linked to hantavirus, which may lead to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS).
Rats
Rats are various medium-sized, long-tailed rodents. Rats are typically distinguished from mice by their size; rats are generally large rodents, while mice are generally small rodents. Rats have long been considered deadly pests. Still, the Center for Disease Control does list nearly a dozen diseases directly linked to rats. Most urban areas battle rat infestations. Places to look for rat infestations are around pipes, behind walls and near garbage cans.
Cockroaches live in a wide range of environments around the world. They adapt readily to a variety of environments, but prefer warm conditions found within buildings. Cockroaches are mainly nocturnal and will run away when exposed to light. Cockroaches leave chemical trails in their feces, as well as emitting airborne pheromones for swarming and mating. These chemical trails transmit bacteria onto surfaces. Other cockroaches will follow these trails to discover sources of food and water, and also discover where other cockroaches are hiding.
Termites can cause significant damage to buildings and wood furnishings. It is estimated that they cause $5 billion in damage each year! There are different types of termites but the ones that we deal with in this area are called Subterranean Termites. They need contact with the soil to survive and will tunnel through the ground to reach a food source.
READ MORE INFORMATION ON TERMITES
Stinging insects such as wasps, yellow jackets and hornets are all insects that belong to the order of insects known as hymenoptera. Depending upon the specific species, stinging insect nests are built in trees, shrubs, or in protected places such as inside human-made structures like attics.
Box Elder Bug
The box elder bug is a North American species. It is found primarily on box elder trees, as well as maple and ash trees. The adults are about 12.5 millimeters (0.49 in) long with a dark brown or black coloration, relieved by red wing veins and markings on the abdomen. They are not known to cause significant damage and are not considered to be agricultural pests. They may congregate while sunning themselves in areas near their host plant. However, their congregation habits can annoy people; thus, they are considered nuisance pests. This is especially a problem during the cooler months, when they sometimes invade houses and other man-made structures seeking warmth or a place to overwinter. In the spring, the bugs leave their winter hibernation locations to feed and lay eggs. They are seen during this time and well into summer and early fall, depending on the temperature.
Spiders
Spiders are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs and fangs that inject venom. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species diversity among all other groups of organisms. Spiders are found worldwide on every continent except for Antarctica. While the venom of a few species is dangerous to humans, scientists are now researching the use of spider venom in medicine and as non-polluting pesticides. Spider silk provides a combination of lightness, strength and elasticity that is superior to that of synthetic materials. An abnormal fear of spiders is called arachnophobia.
Asian Lady Beetle
Asian Lady Beetles becomes dormant in cooler months, though it will move around whenever the temperature reaches about 50 °F. Because the beetles will use crevices and other cool, dry, confined spaces to overwinter, significant numbers may congregate inside walls if given a large enough opening. These beetles make some use of pheromones to “call” each other, allowing for the large gatherings often seen in the autumn. They often congregate in sunlit areas because of the heat available, so even on fairly cold winter days, some of the hibernating beetles will “wake up” because of solar heating. These large populations can be problematic because they can form swarms and linger in an area for a long time. These beetles can form groups that tend to stay in upper corners of windows. This beetle has been also found to be attracted to dark screening material for its warmth.
Pantry Pests
Pantry pests are a group of pests, commonly made up of Indian meal moths, saw tooth grain beetles and cigarette beetles, among others. These pests have an appetite for many types of stored food products such as flour, cereal, dry pasta, breads, spices and dry pet food as well as fruit.
Bed bugs are a growing problem world-wide, and they can affect anyone in any area. The weather really has no bearing on bed bug activity. They will hitchhike on coats, bags, clothing even shoes. Bed Bugs will make themselves at home in whatever new spot they are introduced. They can be found almost anywhere from homes, apartments or even 5 star hotels.
READ MORE INFORMATION ON BED BUGS
There are many species of ants. Let’s take a look at a few of the types of ants that you may see.
The most common type of ant in the United States is the Carpenter Ant. These are large and black. The swarming ants will have wings and can look pretty intimidating – they shouldn’t be. Swarming ants or ‘flying ants’ are just regular old ants that are going out to mate.
READ MORE INFORMATION ON ANTS
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are not only a nuisance but can be carriers of many diseases. Some of these diseases include West Nile Virus, Malaria and Yellow Fever. West Nile Virus has become a major concern in the US recently. While there have not been many cases of West Nile in Illinois and Indiana over the last few years, the risk is still there. Only the female mosquitoes bite. A female are attracted to humans by detecting body heat and carbon dioxide. So sitting in one place may prove to be more beneficial than being up and moving around, as movement will make you warmer and cause you to breathe heavier resulting in more carbon dioxide emission. A mosquito’s larva requires moisture and they can breed in any form of stagnant water. This includes standing water, ponds, marshes, storm drains, etc. Hot, humid environments are most amenable to mosquito growth and survival. Adult mosquitoes typically rest and sleep during the hot part of the day in vegetation like tall grass and shrubs.
