All About Bugs

For additional Bug Information visit: Buginfo.com

 

Carpenter Ants    
Characteristics: Inside this structural pest nests in sound wood but prefers fungus or moisture-damaged wood. Outside, it nests in dead trees, rotting stumps and beneath rocks and logs.   Look for coarse sawdust piles that will also contain insect body parts. Another indicator is the sound produced as workers chew to remove wood to enlarge the nest.

 

Crazy Ants
Characteristics: crazy ants are noted for their erratic movements. They appear lost and confused.   Colonies tend to be small and the presence of numerous interconnected colonies may result in larger infestations. Inside, crazy ants usually nest under floors and in wall voids, frequently near hot-water pipes and heaters. Outside, nests are shallow and in soil under objects or in plant cavities, trees, trash, refuse, mulch, and potted plants. Crazy ants enter homes in the fall or after rain when honeydew supplies are reduced.

 

Acrobat ant   
Characteristics: Inside, nests may be located where water damage has occurred, in decayed or damp wood or inside insulating wall panels and wall voids.
Outdoors, acrobat ants nest under rocks or in logs, firewood, or trees where decay allows them to tunnel under bark or into wood. Acrobat ants are aggressive when disturbed and give off a strong odor.

 

Pharaoh Ant  
Characteristics: Pharaoh ant colonies range in size from several hundred thousand workers and several hundred reproductive females to very small colonies with 100 workers and one or two females. These ants nest almost anywhere, but prefer warm humid areas near sources of food and water – in wall voids, behind baseboards, in furniture, under floors, and between linens.

 

 

Red Fire Ant   
Characteristics: These ants can cause serious medical, agricultural, and property damage. They are very aggressive and will sting repeatedly, especially when their colony/mound is disturbed. Fire ants normally nest outdoors in sunny areas of exposed soil or lawns. Fire ants are attracted to electrical junction boxes and air conditioners. They also nest in gas and water meter boxes and follow pipes into the building.

 

Fleas   
Characteristics: Wingless, external parasites of warm-blooded animals. They can be found in dark, moist, cool, dirty areas, and on dogs, cats, and other animals. A female flea can lay over 1,000 eggs during her lifetime. A pair of fleas can produce 20,000 fleas in a matter of three months. During the cocoon stage they are invulnerable to most pesticides. Flea control requires a comprehensive program to thoroughly reduce the infestation.

 

Tarantula   
Characteristics: These spiders are nocturnal, and eat insects, lizards, and other small animals. They are beneficial and nonaggressive. The tarantula's bite is no worse than a wasp or bee sting, but they seldom bite.

 

 

Rodents     
Characteristics: Young rats can squeeze through an opening as small as ½ inch wide. Mice will enter an opening slightly larger than ¼ inch wide. They may burrow in the ground or climb your trees. They will invade your garden and other areas they can find food. If you tolerate their presence outdoors, it will only be a matter of time until you find them in your home. They can pose a serous health hazard by contaminating food with fecal droppings and urine and destroy property by gnawing. Squirrels will also invade your home, but will more likely set up shop in the attic rather than the kitchen.

 

Roaches

Characteristics: Brown, oval and flat-bodied. Antennae are long and slender. They are very fast and active at night, and may occasionally fly.  The larger of the most common roach is the American roach (sometimes called a water bug). The smaller, normally found in the kitchen and bathroom area, or found hiding in boxes, are the German roaches.

 

German & American Roaches