Insect Identification

Odorous House Ant

black antThe Odorous house ant (Tapinoma Sessile) ant is very small, it is only about 1/8th inch long, and dark brown in color. These ants have a disagreeable odor that is given off when the worker ants are crushed. Commonly called Sugar ants, they nest outdoors in the soil under stones, logs, mulch, debris and other items. They will also nest indoors in wall and floor voids, particularly in moist or warm areas. If worker ants are observed in the house it is an indication that they are nesting outdoors and entering the house in search of food. If winged swarmers are found indoors, or if workers are consistently seen in great abundance, it likely indicates they are nesting within the house. At the first sight of evidence of ants immediately call a professional pest exterminator at Country Termite & Pest Control.

Carpenter Ant

wood antCarpenter Ants (Camponotus spp.) are among the largest ants, the range from 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch in size. Carpenter Ants can reside both outdoors and indoors in moist, decaying or hollow wood. They cut galleries into the wood grain to form their nests and provide passageways for movement from section to section of the nest. This activity produces wood shavings mixed with parts of dead ants which give clues to possible nesting locations. Normally carpenter ants are more noticeable when homes are surrounded by wooded areas or have a large tree presence. Carpenter Ants swarm in late spring to early summer and establish new colonies. If you notice a colony of Carpenter Ants you should immediately call a professional pest exterminator at Country Termite & Pest Control.

Cockroach (American)

house bugAmerican Cockroach is one the most common roaches found in the U.S. They can grow to be a length of 1 1/2 inches long. American cockroaches normally live outdoors. They prefer warm, damp areas like flowerbeds, and under mulch. American cockroaches enter homes to find water or food. When American cockroaches enter homes, they often go to bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms and and basements. Food storage and preparation areas, such as restaurants, grocery stores, bakeries, and houses, are often infested. The female roach can produce 6-14 egg capsules in one mating season. At the first sign of roaches you should immediately call a professional pest exterminator at Country Termite & Pest Control.

Cockroach (German)

house pestGerman Cockroach is most commonly found indoors, with a preference for the warmer and more humid areas of a structure. In homes, these insects will typically be found in kitchens and bathrooms, but can move to other areas of a home if food and moisture are available. German cockroaches are introduced into a structure or residence when bags, boxes or cardboard containers are brought into the home. In multiunit apartment buildings, German cockroaches can easily move between units, using the shared plumbing and pipes as a highway. German cockroaches are scavengers, capable of feeding on most any food source available, including toothpaste, soap and the bindings of books. At the first sight of roaches you should immediately call a professional pest exterminator at Country Termite & Pest Control.

Bed Bug

bedroom bugBed bugs (Cimex lectularius L.) are small, brownish, flattened insects that feed solely on the blood of people & animals. Adult bed bugs are about 1/4 inch long and reddish brown, with oval, flattened bodies. Under cool conditions, bed bugs have been able to survive up to a year without a meal. They prefer to be more active at night when the host is asleep. During the daytime, they prefer to hide close to where people sleep. Found in cracks and crevices, along the mattress seam, furniture, behind baseboards, electrical outlet plates and picture frames. Often found in hotels, where they can travel from room to room and in visitors’ luggage or other personal belongings such as purses and briefcases. They are sometimes mistaken for ticks or cockroaches. Symptoms after bites vary with the individual. Many people develop an itchy red welt or localized swelling, which sometimes appears a day or so after the bite. At first sight of any of these symptoms to avoid an infestation immediately call a professional pest exterminator at Country Termite & Pest Control.

Wolf Spider

black spiderWolf Spiders (Family Lycosidae) range from about 1/2 inch to 2 inches in length, hairy, and are typically brown to gray in color with various markings or lines. Wolf spiders are hairy arachnids that are quick moving and relatively large in size. Wolf spiders often inspire fear when they are found within human dwellings as they are sometimes confused for tarantulas. Wolf spiders are not poisonous, though as with all spiders, bites may cause reactions in certain individuals. They are a common household pest in the fall when they are looking for a warm place to survive over winter. They are commonly found around doors, windows, house plants, basements, garages. They do not spin a web but roam at night to hunt for food. At first sight of spiders you should immediately call a professional pest exterminator at Country Termite & Pest Control.

Termites (Subterranean)

termite nestSubterranean Termite (Reticulitermes spp.) workers (pictured) are the most common form of termites. Subterranean termites are present over the entire U.S. but especially in the Southern States. Subterranean Termites live in colonies underground, from which they build tunnels in search of food; able to reach food above the ground level by building mud tubes; dependent on moisture for survival. The termite colony contains primary queens, secondary queens, large headed soldier termites, and worker termites. The colony swarms to initiate new colonies. The flight is short and weak with the wings often breaking off in flight. Termites can cause a great deal of damage to a dwelling, and treatment cost can be high if not detected early on. At the first sight of termites immediately call a professional termite exterminator at Country Termite & Pest Control.

Powderpost Beetle

pesky beetlePowderpost beetle (Lyctoxylon dentatum) is a term used to describe several species of small (1/8-3/4 inches long), wood-boring insects which reduce wood to a fine, flour-like powder. Damage is done by the larvae as they create narrow, meandering tunnels in wood as they feed. Infestations are discovered after noticing small, round “shot-holes” in the wood surface. These are exit holes where adult beetles have chewed out of the wood after completing their development. Homeowners are more likely to see damage than the beetles themselves, because the adults are short-lived and are active mainly at night. At the first sight of evidence immediately call a professional pest exterminator at Country Termite & Pest Control.

Carpenter Bee

driller beeCarpenter bees (Xylocopa) are large, black and yellow bees. They are seen most often in spring flying around eaves on houses and decks or wood porch’s. They often mistaken for bumble bees due to their size and look. The carpenter bee hollows round tunnels about half-inch in the wood with its strong jaws. Unpainted or stained woods are considered targets with Painted and treated woods as less preferred. Carpenter bees tunnel for the sole purpose of using them for nesting. At the first sight of Carpenter Bee evidence immediately call a professional pest exterminator at Country Termite & Pest Control.

Mouse

small mouseThe House Mouse is considered one of the most troublesome rodents in the United States. They are found in and around homes and farms as well as in open fields and agricultural lands. House mice are small rodents with relatively large ears and small black eyes, weighing about 1/2 ounce and usually are light gray in color. An adult is about 5 1/2 to 7 1/2 inches long, including the 3- to 4-inch tail. House mice consume and contaminate food meant for humans,
livestock, or other animals. They cause damage to structures and property as well as transmit diseases. Droppings, fresh gnaw marks and tracks indicate areas where mice are active. Mice are active mostly at night, but can be seen occasionally during daylight hours. At first sight of mice activity immediately call a professional pest exterminator at Country Termite & Pest Control.

Rat

lone ratThe Norway rat (also known as the common, sewer or brown rat) is a destructive pest. These rodents eat and contaminate large amounts of feed, damage structures by their gnawing and burrowing, and spread diseases that affect livestock and humans. Norway rats are robust rodents that usually weigh about 11 ounces. Adults are 13 to 18 inches long, including a 6- to 9-inch tail. Rats can be detected by their droppings or evidence of fresh gnawing. Burrows and runways may be found next to buildings, along fences, and under low vegetation and debris. At the first sight of Rat activity immediately call a professional pest exterminator at Country Termite &
Pest Control.

Flea

tiny fleaFleas are external parasites; the adults can be found crawling on the skin of their hosts. Adult fleas measure approximately 2.5 mm in length. Their bodies are shiny and reddish brown in color. The Cat Flea is the most common flea in North America, although the dog, human and oriental rat fleas can also be found. Fleas commonly prefer to feed on hairy animals such as dogs, cats, rabbits, squirrels, rats, mice and other domesticated or wild animals. Humans are not a preferred food source. The female flea lays her eggs on the surface hair of the host or on the ground. Eggs then drop from the host and can infest carpets, bedding and furniture, hatching into larvae within 12 days. Approximately two weeks later, adult fleas emerge and begin to search for food sources. Fleas establish large populations where pets and other animals, such as livestock, are present. Multiple treatment methods are often employed to eradicate a flea population. At the first sight of flea evidence immediately call a professional pest exterminator at Country Termite & Pest Control.

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