Local Pests

Formosan Termites

• Often referred to as the “super termites.”
• The most aggressive species of termites.
• Can cause severe structural damage in as little as 6 months.

Subterranean

• Known to cause the most damage to homes and other structures.
• Can cause the total collapse of a building if not treated.
• Found in every state in the U.S. except Alaska.
• Their colonies grow quickly.

Fire Ants

• Inflict painful stings.
• Single queen mounds can number 30-100 per acre with up to 250,000 ants each.
• Nest in soil at base of trees, shrubs, grass or in homes.
• Known to kill cattle and other animals.

Pharaoh Ants

• Can spread a variety of bacteria.
• Colonies contain several reproductive females and hundreds of thousands of workers.
• Workers are about 1/16” long.
• Nest in wall voids, behind baseboards, and between liners.

Carpenter Ants

• A silent menace that destroys wood; damage to home can be worse than that produced by termites.
• Thrives in same environment as humans.
• Queen lives as long as 15 years.
• Workers live as long as seven years.
• Can forage up to 300 feet from colony.
• Carpenter ants bite people when disturbed.

Ghost Ants

• Workers are extremely small.
• Colonies can occupy several different nesting sites.
• Can spread a variety of bacteria.

Adult Flea

• Fleas are pests of humans and domestic animals all over the world.
• Flea larvae feed on organic debris and fecal blood.
• Adult fleas and ticks feed on human or other animal blood.
• Fleas transmit several diseases such as plague and Murine Typhus.
• Fleas were responsible for the black plague that killed over 100 million people in the 14th century.

Brown Dog Tick

• Brown Dog Ticks are one of the most widely distributed ticks in the world.
• The most common host is the domestic dog and is virtually restricted to this host in the United States.
• Ticks can transmit Lyme disease.

German Roaches

• The most troublesome domestic species.
• They can cause infection and disease.
• One female produces 35,000 offspring in one year.
• Found in moist areas.
• Up to 5/8” long.

American Roaches

• Includes largest of species; up to 1-1/2” long.
• Also known as Palmetto or Flying Water Bug.
• Attracted to sweets, grains, hair, soap.
• Found in home foundations, under wood and near pools.

Oriental Roaches

• Also referred to as the waterbug.
• Up to 1.25 inches long.
• Oriental roaches feed on all kinds of filth.
• Generally found outdoors and migrate indoors during cold weather.

Smoky Brown Roaches

• Closely related to the American Roach.
• Feeds on plant material.
• Commonly found living in wood, shingle roofs and in gutters.
• Feeds on decaying matter.

• More than 3,000 species found in North America.
• Most poisonous species are the Black Widow and Brown Recluse.
• Predators who paralyze or kill their prey with venom.
• Feed mainly on insects.
• Most are nocturnal.
• Bites may occur when cleaning neglected areas or putting on seldom-worn clothes.

Roof Rat

• Also known as the black rat or ship rat.
• Roof rats are smaller and sleeker than the Norway Rat.
• Primarily occupies coastal areas and are very common in seaports.
• Adults weigh between 5 and 9 ounces.
• Roof rats are thought of as vegetarians because they prefer fruits, seeds and vegetables.

Norway Rat

• Also known as the house rat.
• Are the most widely distributed rat in the United States and are found in all states.
• Are stronger and more aggressive than roof rats.
• Can adapt to cool climates better than any other species.
• Its stocky body weighs between 12 and 16 ounces
• Prefers meats and proteins for food.
• Largest of the rats.

House Mouse

• House Mice came to the United States on boats from Asia in the 1500’s.
• House Mice can be found all over North America.
• House Mice are nocturnal and use shredded paper, insulation material, and string to form their nests.
• They cause damage in residential and commercial structures.
• They contaminate food and carry diseases.
• Unlike rats, mice like to explore new objects.
• House Mice have poor vision, which is compensated by other senses, such as taste, smell, hearing and touching.

Crickets

• Generally nocturnal.
• Live outside.
• Enter homes seeking moisture.
• Feed mainly on clothing and carpet.
• Also eat papers, cotton, linen and proteins.
• Usually 3/4″ to 7/8″ long.

Silverfish

• Feed primarily on starch found in paper.
• Cause damage to clothing by feeding on cotton and linen.
• Wingless with flattened body.
• Usually 1/2″ to 3/4″ long.
• Found almost everywhere.

Earwigs

• Earwigs are primarily scavengers and feed on dead plant and animal material.
• Most active at night.
• During the day they seek shelter under stones, boards and debris.
• Readily recognizable by the forceps-like appendages at the end of the abdomen.

Sow Bugs

• Sow bugs are closely related to shrimp and crawfish.
• They feed on decaying vegetable matter.
• They frequently invade damp basement and crawlspace areas.
• They are found under mulch and vegetable debris and may infest potted plants.