|
|
Pest Type: Ants
Description: 3 distinct body sections, six legs with a hooked claw.
Key Facts: 12,500 classified species, social colonies.
Pest Control: The following ants are classified as pests: pavement ant, yellow crazy ant, sugar ants, the Pharaoh ant, carpenter ants, Argentine ant, odorous house ants, red imported fire ants and European fire ants. Populations are controlled using insecticide baits.
|
Pest Type: Aquatic Insects
Description: Vary – ex: water beetle, mayfly, canddisflies.
Key Facts: They live some portion of their lifecycle in water. These insects receive oxygen through spiracles on the sides of their bodies. Some have primitive gills.
Pest Control: Outdoor lighting modifications; chemical control.
|
Pest Type: Bed Bugs
Description: Reddish-brown, flattened oval-shaped.
Key Facts: Live in mattresses, bedding and furniture; feed at night. Recent resurgence in US.
Pest Control: Professional assistance required. Prepare area for treatment – wash all bedding and clothing, vacuum entire apartment and furniture, store cleaned objects in sealed, plastic containers throughout treatment. Treat apartment and surrounding units and revisit for follow-up in three weeks.
|
Pest Type: Bees
Description: Long proboscis, or tongue; antennae; 2 sets of wings.
Key Facts: Some sting; play a role in pollination; 20,000 known species of bees.
Pest Control: Dust and wet powder pesticides tend to be more hazardous to bees than solutions or emulsifiable concentrates.
|
Pest Type: Beetles
Description: Body is made up of three parts: the head, thorax, and abdomen. Three pairs of legs and both pairs of wings are attached to the thorax.
Key Facts: 350,000 species, including agricultural pests, carpet beetles, longhorn beetles and lady bugs. Some beetles can camouflage themselves.
Pest Control: Pesticides kill beetles. Store clothing with moth balls in cedar chests to prevent carpet beetles.
|
Pest Type: Cockroaches
Description: From the size of a thumbnail to nine centimeters in length. Four wings with branching veins – outer wings are hard.
Key Facts: 4,000 species, 4 are well-known as pests. Communal - engage in group decision-making.
Pest Control: Hardy insects which can survive on limited resources; Bait stations and gels with hydramethylnon and fipronil.
|
Pest Type: Crickets
Description: Flattened bodies; long antennas.
Key Facts: Nocturnal; male crickets chirp.
Pest Control: Crickets can spread disease. Combine residual spray and professional bait.
|
Pest Type: Fleas
Description: Wingless, mouth is adapted for piercing the skin; agile; dark, reddish-brown.
Key Facts: Cause itching and rashes.
Pest Control: Pets can be professionally bathed in flea dip and should wear flea collars. The home can be treated with fogger or spray insecticide. Frequent vacuuming helps to control them.
|
Pest Type: Mites
Description: Most are microscopic and cannot be seen by the human eye. They live on dead skin cells shed by humans and animals.
Key Facts: 45,000 known species; scientists believe there are more.
Pest Control: Dust mites are an allergen; frequent washing of bedding helps to limit them.
|
Pest Type: Mosquitos
Description: Mouth is adapted for piercing the skin; 16mm long; weigh 2.5 mg.
Key Facts: Only live 1-2 weeks in nature; enough time to reproduce.
Pest Control: Pesticides treat stagnant water and breeding areas; humans can wear repellant when they are outdoors, especially in the summers.
|
Pest Type: Moths
Description: Two sets of wings; six legs; often white or beige in appearance.
Key Facts: 150,000 to 250,000 species.
Pest Control: Moth caterpillars are an outdoor pest in the suburbs, feeding on trees. Trees can be treated with sticky strips to prevent this. Moth larvae feed on natural fibers. Store clothing in cedar chests and freeze infected items.
|
Pest Type: Opossums
Description: Marsupials, range in size from a large rat to a small cat; long tails.
Key Facts: Will get into garbage cans; might threaten pets.
Pest Control: Cover garbage carefully. Can be trapped if necessary; fencing is typically not successful.
|
Pest Type: Raccoons
Description: Length of 16.1–28.0 in; dexterous front paws; facial mask.
Key Facts: Thought to be intelligent; will tip garbage pails at night.
Pest Control: Cover garbage pails with tight-fitting lids; do not leave food around; professionals can trap them if necessary.
|
Pest Type: Rodents
Description: Rodents have two continually growing incisor teeth in the upper and lower jaws. They vary in appearance, with mice, rats and squirrels being different types.
Key Facts: 2,277 species of rodents; some are kept as pets.
Pest Control: Trapping is often best, using a sticky bait like peanut butter.
Chemical treatments are often not used, as dying rats will go into wall voids and produce an odor.
|
Pest Type: Squirrels
Description: Puffy tail; very agile; will run from people and animals; can climb trees quickly.
Key Facts: Will chew on wiring and can cause damage; do not cause health hazard.
Pest Control: Tightly seal entrances to basements to prevent entry into the home. Coat items being chewed with an undesirable item; can be trapped by professionals if necessary.
|
Pest Type: Termites
Description: Small bugs; sometimes confused with ants. They have straight antennas and wings that break easily.
Key Facts: 4,000 species, economically significant as they create structural damage to buildings. Social communities; division of labor.
Pest Control: Professionals can arrange liquid termite barriers, in-ground termite baits, foam applications and structural modifications to eliminate and prevent future infestations.
|
Pest Type: Ticks
Description: Young ticks have 6 legs; adult ticks have 8 legs.
Key Facts: Often found in tall grass; wooded areas.
Pest Control: Liquid spray, or duster can be used to control populations. Humans who have been walking in wooded areas should inspect their ankles, legs and hair for ticks after. Pets should wear collars.
|
