Ants

The worker ants are only about 3 mm (1/8th inch) long and can easily squeeze through cracks and holes no more than 1 mm (0.040 inch) in size. Queens are two to four times the length of workers. These tiny ants will set up quarters in the ground, in cracks in concrete walls, in spaces between boards and timbers, even among belongings in human dwellings.Argentine ants are a common household pest, often entering structures in search of food or water (particularly during dry or hot weather), or to escape flooded nests during periods of heavy rainfall. Argentine ant colonies almost invariably have many reproductive queens, as many as eight for every 1,000 workers, so eliminating a single queen does not stop the colony's ability to breed. When they invade a kitchen, it is not uncommon to see two or three queens foraging along with the workers. Argentine ants are a common household pest, often entering structures in search of food or water (particularly during dry or hot weather), or to escape flooded nests during periods of heavy rainfall. Argentine ant colonies almost invariably have many reproductive queens, as many as eight for every 1,000 workers, so eliminating a single queen does not stop the colony's ability to breed. When they invade a kitchen, it is not uncommon to see two or three queens foraging along with the workers. They prefer sweet foods such as the honeydew produced by aphids and mealybugs.
An effective homemade recipe[3] consists of a solution of granulated white table sugar and boric acid, placed in a shallow dish in the area being invaded: 1/4 teaspoon boric acid powder,3 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon sugar.

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Most carpenter ants can be easily distinguished from other species of ants by their large size, up to 1/2 inch long. Common species are dark, often black. Carpenter ants cannot sting but if handled can inflict a painful bite with their powerful jaws. They emit a noxious excretion of formic acid when disturbed. Winged ants, which leave the nest to mate and establish new colonies, are sometimes confused with termites.Carpenter ants feed on both dead and living insects, aphid and scale honeydew, and juices of ripe fruit.Although ants do not eat wood, they bore into wood to make their nests, which consist of extensive networks of galleries usually begun in areas soft from decay.Exclude carpenter ants from buildings by caulking cracks and blocking other entrances whenever possible.

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Fire ants, sometimes referred to as simply red ants, are stinging ants with over 280 species worldwide. They have several common names including Ginger Ants and Tropical Fire Ants (English), aka-kami-ari (Japanese), and Feuerameise (German). Fire ants can be distinguished from other ants by their copper brown head and body with a darker abdomen. The worker ants are blackish to reddish, and their size varies from 2mm to 6 mm (0.12 in to 0.24 in).Fire ants nest in the soil, often near moist areas, such as river banks, pond edges, watered lawns and highway edges. Usually the nest will not be visible as it will be built under objects such as timber, logs, rocks, pavers, bricks, etc.

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Odorous house ants are tiny, about 3 mm in length, and are dark brown to black in color.However, odorous house ants are most easily identified by the coconut odor that is produced when their bodies are crushed. It is from this odor that they get their name, odorous house ants.These ants are almost always seen foraging in large numbers. When alarmed, the workers will run about in an erratic fashion with their abdomens raised in the air. They eat live and dead insects but are also very attracted to sweet foods. They especially like the honeydew that is produced by aphids and mealybugs.The best way to control odorous house ants is prevention. Good sanitation is a vital part of an effective ant prevention program.

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Pavement Ants are small pests (ranging from 1/10 to 1/16 inches in length) that can be found in many parts of the United States. The pavement ant earns its name well, building nests beneath and along the sides of pavement: patios, driveways, sidewalks, foundations of homes. These pests can also be found inside of homes (and other structures) in wall voids, beneath toilets and water heaters. The small ants feed on a variety of foods, including grease, sweets, seeds and dead insects. Pet foods or any food dropped on the floor will quickly covered with pavement ants. They also feed on the honeydew produced by aphids and are an occasional pest of vegetable gardens. Outdoors, you will see pavement ants nesting beneath mulch, landscaping, stones and logs, and also along curbs.

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Pharaoh workers are very small (about 1/16-inch long), light yellow to reddish brown in color with the abdomen (hind portion of body) somewhat darker.Unlike most ants, they breed continuously throughout the year in heated buildings and mating occurs in the nest. A single queen can produce many hundreds of workers in a few months. Pharaoh ants have become a serious nuisance pest in hospitals, rest homes, apartment dwellings, hotels, grocery stores, food establishments and other buildings. They feed on a wide variety of foods including jellies, honey, shortening, peanut butter, corn syrup, fruit juices, baked goods, soft drinks, greases, dead insects and even shoe polish. Also, these ants gnaw holes in silk, rayon and rubber goods. In hospitals, foraging ants have been found in surgical wounds, I.V. glucose solutions, sealed packs of sterile dressing, soft drinks, water in flower displays and water pitchers. These ants are capable of mechanically transmitting diseases and contaminating sterile materials.

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Thief ants belong to a complex group of very small, related species that have not been studied in detail. The most studied species in this group is S. molesta. Workers are all the same size, tiny, 1/32-inch long.Yellow to light brown with very small eyes. They Feed on grease and greasy foods, proteins, dead insects, and even dead rodents; may sometimes feed on sweets. They Often steal food and ant larvae from nests of other ants. This is a frequent house-invading ant and may nest indoors in cracks and cupboards. Thief ants are more likely to have an indoor nest than the Pharoah ant.

Flies

Moth flies (Drain fly) are small flies, about 1/8th inch. They are usually black, but may be brown. The key identifying trait for this fly is the unique pattern of veins in its wings.Moth flies (Drain Flies) develop by complete metamorphosis. The entire life cycle ranges from 8 to 24 days.The moth fly (drain fly) is a poor flyer and may be commonly seen ealking or running on walls and other resting surfaces. When they fly in short jerky lines, they fly for only a few feet.In homes, moth flies are generally found breeding in bathroom drains, particularly those in showers. Shower pans are prone to leaking and the area under the shower pan becomes a prime moth fly breeding source. Drain flies,or moth flies, can be found in moist, highly organic debris areas such as sink drains,moist mops, sewage treatment facilities, storm drains, dung and rotten vegetation. In natural settings, moth fly larvae feed on decaying plants and animals.

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Fruit flies are small about 1/8-inch in length including the wings.A key identifying character is its bright red eyes. The Fruit fly is about one third the size of the filth or house fly. Fruit Flies can be spotted around fresh fruits/vegtables, rotting fruits and vegetables, drains, garbage and damp organic materials.# The fruit fly is among the smallest flies found in homes. Like all flies, the fruit fly develops by complete metamorphosis. Eggs are laid near or on top of attractants (fermenting materials) such as beverages, decaying fruit and vegetable matter, garbage or slime in drains. Sanitation is the first measure of defense, even though there are various traps and sprays that are used to kill fruit flies, it is necessary to eliminate the source in order to eliminate them.

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The housefly, Musca domestica, is the most common of all flies fluttering in homes, and indeed one of the most widely distributed insects; it is often considered a pest that can carry serious diseases. The adults are 6-9 mm long. Houseflies can take in only liquid foods. They spit out saliva on solid foods to predigest it, and then suck it back inside. They also regurgitate partly digested matter and pass it again to the abdomen.The flies depend on warm temperatures; generally, the warmer the temperature the faster the flies will develop. In winter, most of them survive in the larval or the pupa stage in some protected warm location.The average lifespan of an adult housefly is approximately 15 to 25 days. Since they can complete their lifecycle in as little as seven to ten days, flies typically live between 22 and 25 days from egg to death.

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Both the Phorid Fly and the Fruit Fly are small flies. They come from two different fly families and are often are mistaken for each other. They are about 1/8 in long and somewhat similar looking, but their biology and management are very different.Phorid Flies are found in sewage contaminated soil, garbage, drains, human cadavers, rotting vegetables and fruit, garbage as well as damp organic materials.Phorid flies have also been found to breed in poorly stored meats, damaged containers of moist foods, and organic-based glues and paints. The most prominent feature of this fly is the humpbacked shape of its thorax.

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American cockroach adults are 1 and 1/2 inches long (38mm).American cockroaches are reddish brown and have a yellowish margin on the body region behind the head. When disturbed, may run rapidly and adults may fly. Immature cockroaches resemble adults except that they are wingless. American cockroaches generally live in moist areas, but can survive in dry areas if they have access to water. They prefer warm temperatures around 84 degrees Fahrenheit and do not tolerate cold temperatures. In residential areas, these cockroaches live in basements and sewers, and may move outdoors into yards during warm weather. These cockroaches are common in basements, crawl spaces, cracks and crevices of porches, foundations, and walkways adjacent to buildings. They feed on a wide variety of plant and animal material. American cockroaches are the largest of the common roaches.

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Brown banded cockroaches are about 5/8 inch long (17mm). Light brown to glossy dark brown in color.These insects feed on starchy materials and even non-food materials such as nylon stockings. These roaches are active at night, and nymphs and adults jump rapidly when disturbed. These pests do not require as much moisture as German cockroaches and tend to avoid light. They prefer to hide in warm, elevated areas near the ceiling, behind wall decorations and loose wallpaper, in closets, beneath or inside upholstered furniture, and in electrical appliances such as TV sets, stereos, radios, and toasters. They develop and live throughout the building, making control difficult. No room or furniture is immune to infestations, and one may find tiny, dark droppings and cast skins on cabinets and shelves. The roaches are commonly transported in furniture, luggage, and other items in houses and soon develop into annoying infestations under warm, humid conditions.

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The German cockroach is the cockroach of concern, the species that gives all other cockroaches a bad name.While these cockroaches are very similar, there are some differences that a practiced eye can discern. The German cockroach is found throughout the world in association with humans. They are unable to survive in locations away from humans or human activity.Studies have shown that German cockroaches were unable to colonize inactive ships during cool temperatures and could not survive in homes without central heating in northern climates. The availability of water, food, and harborage also govern the ability of German cockroaches to establish populations, and limit growth.The adult is 10 to 15 mm long, brown to dark brown in color with two distinct parallel bands running the length of the pronotum. The German cockroach has three life stages typical of insects with incomplete metamorphosis: the egg, nymph, and adult. The entire life cycle is completed in about 100 days.

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The oriental Cocroach is 1 & 1/4 inches long (31mm).Dark reddish brown to black in color.When disturbed, may run rapidly and adults may fly. Females are wingless, and males have wings.Oriental cockroaches generally live in moist areas, but can survive in dry areas if they have access to water. They prefer cooler temperatures around 75 degrees Fahrenheit and can overwinter in protected areas outdoors where temperatures average 40 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. These cockroaches are common in basements, crawl spaces, cracks and crevices of porches, foundations, and walkways adjacent to buildings. They feed on a wide variety of plant and animal material.Due to their large size and slow development, large infestations of these insects are not common within houses. However, during certain times of the year, they may move inside a house from outside sources.

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The Pennsylvania wood cockroach lives in wooded areas in rotting logs and under loose bark. It can accidentally invade homes, cabins, cottages, and other buildings in or near wooded areas. This cockroach is not a persistent household pest and it doesn’t reproduce indoors. Because of its association with wood, a Pennsylvania wood cockroach can be brought indoors on firewood. It may enter buildings if suitable harborage (trees and logs) is close to open doors and windows. The males are strong fliers. The adult male is one inch long, dark brown, with light-colored bands on the edge of the body near the head (fig. 5). Males also have long, well-developed wings. The adult female is similar, but with very short wings (fig. 5), measuring about 1/2 inch long. Adult females and immature nymphs can be confused with the Oriental cockroach. However, the Oriental cockroach lacks the light bands on the edge of its body near the head. If there is any doubt, submit a sample to an insect specialist or a pest management expert for identification. Manage Pennsylvania wood cockroaches by reducing their breeding places. Remove decayed and fallen logs within a few hundred feet of a building. Physically remove an occasional Pennsylvania wood cockroach that you find indoors. If larger numbers are entering the home, you may wish to treat the exterior of the building, particularly around doors and windows, with a residual insecticide. Common products include permethrin, bifenthrin, or cyfluthrin.

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Adults are 1 to 1-1/4 in. and are brownish-black in color, have wings, can fly and are attracted to light. Instars (juveniles) have distinctive colors, shapes and bear limited resemblance to the adults.Common habitats are loose mulch, ground ivy, woodpiles, and the soffits/eaves of attics. They can be carried into homes, but usually enter at night via small cracks and crevices where light penetrates to the outside. Once inside, they tend to prefer warm and humid areas that are not exposed to air currents.They feed on any kind of organic matter and can do minor damage to indoor plants. Primarily a night feeder, it is not uncommon for the homeowner to find them in the kitchen or pet feeding areas in the middle of the night. They can be very prosperous and flourish in huge numbers by feeding on dog droppings left in the yard.

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House mice have an adult body length (nose to base of tail) of 7.5–10 cm (3.0–3.9 in) and a tail length of 5–10 cm (2.0–3.9 in); the weight is typically 10–25 g (0.35–0.88 oz). They vary from light brown to black, with short hair and a light belly.House mice usually walk, run or stand on all fours, but when eating, fighting or orienting themselves, they stand only on the hind legs, supported by the tail.Mice are mostly active during dusk or night; they do not like bright lights. They live in a wide variety of hidden places that are near food sources and construct nests from various soft materials.As primarily nocturnal animals, house mice have little or no colour vision.

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The Brown Rat is usually active at night and is a good swimmer, both on the surface and underwater, but unlike the related Black rat (Rattus rattus) they are poor climbers. Brown rats dig well, and often excavate extensive burrow systems. The brown rat is a true omnivore and will consume almost anything, but cereals form a substantial part of its diet.It lives wherever humans live, particularly in urban areas. It is a brown or grey rodent, with a body up to 25 cm (10 in) long, with the tail a similar length; the male weighs on average 350 g (12 oz) and the female 250 g (9 oz).

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The roof rat's scientific name is Rattus rattus. Historically, they are associated with having spread the plague or black death during the Middle Ages. The roof rat is also known as the black rat, even though it is not necessarily black in color, but rather is usually dark brown. Your typical roof rat is between 13 to 18 inches long, including its tail. In fact, it is distinguished from other rats by that tail, which is longer than the rest of its body. Roof rats are sleek, slender, and agile. Their have large ears.Roof rats will enter homes and buildings. They only need a hole the size of a quarter to gain entry. Roof rats eat fruits, vegetables, nuts, pet food and invertebrates (spiders and worms, for example). They will also eat paper. If you have citrus trees, and you notice hollowed-out fruit on the ground or in the trees, this is an indicator that roof rats are present. If you hear gnawing or scratching sounds in the attic or in the walls, you may have roof rats. Pay attention to any droppings in attics and storage areas. If you notice oily rubmarks on the house, or small holes in the screens, you could have roof rats.

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Deer mice are the prototype for "field mice" with large, bulging eyes, big ears, a bicolored pattern and a long tail. They are larger than the harvest mice (Reithrodontomys), but noticeably smaller than woodrats (Neotoma) and cotton rats (Sigmodon). The deer mouse is about 148-200 mm (seven in.) long, including the tail. The bicolored tail is less than 90% of the head and body length; this distinguishes the deer mouse from the high desert piñon mouse (P. truei), which has a tail over 90% of the head and body length.Deer mice live up to five years, longer than any other species of small rodent (most mice live for only a year). A nocturnal species, they are very energy efficient, reducing their body temperature when in their burrows.Food selection is dependent on both habitat and season. Deer mice feed heavily on larvae from lepidopterans (includes moths and butterflies) and other insects in the spring. They can eat large volumes and are capable of ridding an area of many insects that may be detrimental to trees. In the fall, seeds become a major food source and are stored in caches for use during the winter.

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In nature, subterranean termites are beneficial. They break down many dead trees and other wood materials that would otherwise accumulate. The biomass of this breakdown process is recycled to the soil as humus.Subterranean termites are social insects that live in nests or colonies in the soil, hence their name “subterranean.” These colonies contain three forms or castes: reproductives, workers and soldiers. Reproductive males and females can be winged (primary) or wingless (secondary or tertiary). Each can produce new offspring. The bodies of primary reproductives, also called swarmers or alates, vary by species from coal black to pale yellow-brown. Wings may be pale or smoky gray to brown and have few distinct veins. Swarmer termites are about 1/4 to 3/8 inch long. Termites are very attracted to odors of wood-decaying fungi that, through the decay process, make the wood easier to penetrate. In some instances, the fungi provide a source of nitrogen in the termite diet. Moisture is important to subterranean termites, which have very little resistance to dehydration. To survive, they must maintain contact with the soil (their primary moisture source) or other above-ground moisture sources, such as in structures with defective plumbing or guttering.

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Drywood termites generally live (feed and nest) in undecayed wood which has a very low moisture content. Unlike subterranean termites, they do not require any contact with the soil in order to live. Thus, they can seriously damage movable wooden objects such as furniture.A male and female pair work their way into the wood chosen for the nest. The opening through which they enter the wood is sealed with a plug of brown cement-like material about 1/8-inch in diameter. During the swarming season, nymphs make round holes 1/16- to 1/8-inch in diameter through which the reproductive forms leave the wood. When swarming is completed, these holes are plugged in the same way as the entrance holes. Damage done by drywood termites is entirely different from that caused by subterranean termites. These termites cut across the grain of the wood, excavating large chambers which are connected by small tunnels. Because of their ability to live in wood without soil contact, drywood termites are frequently carried in infested furniture and other wooden objects into geographical areas where they are not normally found. For this reason, you should be aware of their habits so as to recognize them when they appear.

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Other

Adult fleas are very small insects (up to 1/8 inch), so it is difficult to see a number of the characteristics used to describe them. These reddish brown to black, wingless insects are compressed from side to side so that they look like they are walking "on edge." They have piercing-sucking mouthparts through which they obtain blood meals from their hosts. Flea larvae are tiny (up to 3/16 inch long), hairy, and wormlike with a distinct, brownish head, but no eyes or legs. Common household fleas don't usually transmit diseases to pets and people. The tiny insects are mainly just a nuisance.Adult fleas must feed on blood in order to reproduce; however, adults can live for long periods without feeding. Fleas usually live and breed most heavily where pets rest. Persons coming near these resting places are also subject to attack. If fleas are established in a home, they will feed on man as well as on the pets. The usual places of attack are the ankles and lower portions of the legs. Hot, wet, summer months favor egg laying. Hot, dry periods give maximum adult production, so greatest adult flea populations are produced in August to September.Fleas often breed in large numbers where pets and other animals live. Pets infested with fleas bite and scratch themselves constantly. Their coats become roughened and the skin can become infected. Symptoms of sensitized hosts are often mistaken for mange. Cat fleas and dog fleas may be intermediate hosts for the dog tapeworm.

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Bed bugs are small wingless insects that feed solely upon the blood of warm-blooded animals. Bed bugs and their relatives have evolved as nest parasites. Certain kinds inhabit bird nests and bat roosts and await the return of their hosts; others have adapted well to living in the ‘nests’ (homes) of people.Hatchling bed bugs are about the size of a poppy seed, and adults are about 1/4 of an inch in length. From above they are oval in shape, but are flattened from top to bottom.Bed bugs seek out people and animals, generally at night while these hosts are asleep, and painlessly sip a few drops of blood. While several weeks or more causes people to become sensitized to the saliva of these bugs; additional bites may then result in mild to intense allergic responses. The skin lesion produced by the bite of a bed bug resembles those caused by many other kinds of blood feeding insects, such as mosquitoes and fleas. Because bed bugs readily hide in small crevices, they may accompany (as stowaways) luggage, furniture, clothing, pillows, boxes, and other such objects when these are moved between apartments, homes and hotels. Used furniture, particularly bed frames and mattresses, are of greatest risk of harboring bed bugs and their eggs.Managing bed bugs requires a multi-faceted approach that generally includes cleaning, room modifications, and insecticidal treatments to the residence. Carefully inspect the bed frame, mattress, and other furniture for signs of bed bugs and their eggs. Although dead bed bugs, cast bug skins and blood spots may indicate an infestation occurred previously; they do not confirm that an infestation is still active. Search for live (crawling) bugs and ensure they are bed bugs before considering treating.Although bed bugs can be annoying, they can be battled safely and successfully if you adopt a well-considered strategy. Do not apply pesticides unless you fully understand what you are applying and the risks involved.

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Crickets are omnivores and scavengers feeding on organic materials, as well as decaying plant material, fungi, and seedling plants.Crickets live under rocks and logs in meadows, pastures and along roadsides. Many are nocturnal.Crickets mate in late summer and lay their eggs in the fall. The eggs hatch in the spring and have been estimated to number as high as 2,000 per fertile female. Crickets are popular as a live food source for carnivorous pets like frogs, lizards, tortoises, salamanders, and spiders. Feeding crickets with nutritious food in order to pass the nutrition onto animals that eat them is known as gut loading.

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Spiders

There are several genera of Wolf spider, ranging in size from 1 cm to 8 cm. They have eight eyes arranged in three rows. The bottom row consists of four small eyes, the middle row has two very large eyes (which distinguishes them from the Pisauridae), and the top row has two medium-sized eyes. They depend on their eyesight, which is quite good, to hunt. Their sense of touch is also acute.Because they depend on camouflage for protection, they do not have the flashy appearance of some other kinds of spiders. In general their coloration is appropriate to their favorite habitat. They may wander from place to place, and are therefore more likely to be the ones attracted into human habitation when the weather starts to turn colder in autumn.Wolf spiders are not aggressive but will inject venom freely if continually provoked. Symptoms of their venomous bite include swelling, mild pain and itching.

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The brown recluse spider, Loxosceles reclusa, is a well-known member of the family Sicariidae (formerly placed in a family "Loxoscelidae"). It is usually between 6–20 mm (¼ in and ¾ in), but may grow larger. Brown recluse spiders are most commonly identified by their brown color and the distinctive violin shape on their carapace (their back just above their legs), however to be sure one should verify the location and number of their eyes. The recluse spider has three sets of eyes in a semicircle arrangement. (Please see photo.) This eye configuration can be hard to see with the naked eye; if you are not certain if the spider in question is a recluse, Contact us, we'll identify it for you for free.

Brown recluse spiders are by their nature, reclusive. Many people think of this spider as being agressive, but in reality does not want confrontation. It would be much happier if it could go unnoticed and undisturbed.

Most people, that are bitten, encounter the spider when putting on old clothing that has been in some sort of storage (closet, etc.), or rolling over onto the spider in bed. Although non-agressive, if you are bitten by this spider, you could have a very unpleasant experience.

Recluse spiders prefer sheltered areas but,unlike many other insects, recluse spiders prefer low moisture levels. In homes and other structures, their primary location is in the attic and wall void areas. As you might imagine these are pretty good reclusive places to hide and reproduce. While in our experience,recluse spiders are primarily a problem for customers indoors, they can also be found around structures under rocks, under stacked lumber,behind loose bark on trees,in decaying logs, around firewood, behind siding or cedar shakes, and in and around general clutter around the home.

Once bitten,while there is a chance of minimal complications, the outcome could be quite devastating. Usually, brown recluse bites are not painful at first, many report not even feeling the spider bite them, but a small, white blister will usually appear, burst, and then become surrounded by a red welt. Sometimes an hour or more may pass, then there may be intense pain. The concave center of the red welt usually turns dark within a day. The area is typically dime to quarter size at this point.This is the beginning of necrosis(a process that results in dead tissue) caused by the injection of venom by the spider. The dead tissue will continue to decompose, and the bite area usually scars over in one to eight weeks. Recluse bites are not usually life threatening, but the bite can cause quite a physical scar and be psychologically traumatic for the victim. The area of dead tissue can sometimes be fairly large, especially if no action is taken to treat the bite.

If you suspect that you have been bitten by a brown recluse spider, get medical attention as soon as reasonably possible. If you can capture the suspected spider, dead or alive, without putting yourself at additional risk of being bitten, take the specimen with you to the treating facility. If you would like us to come and identify the spider for you, free of charge, please call 424-9154.

Click here to view our Brown Recluse Services.

SPIDER BITE OR STAFF INFECTION

Some people who think they have been bitten have a MRSA staph infection. Both of these can cause necrosis, and look similar in appearance. If you haven't seen recluse spiders in your home, but you suspect you may have them, we can place insect monitors in your home to help determine if they are present, free of charge. If you don't feel you have recluse spiders, or if more than one person has developed areas of necrosis in the same household, You may want to ask your physician for a culture test to rule out staff infection (Staphylococcus aureus).

AVOIDING BITES*

These tips will may assist you in avoiding bites from the brown recluse:

1. Store clothing in plastic bags or plastic storage boxes

2. Store shoes in plastic shoe boxes

3. Shake out clothing and shoes before wearing

4. Move beds away from walls and / or curtains

5. Do not use bed skirts

6. Be sure blankets or bedspreads do not touch floor

7. Pull back bed sheets nad inspect area before climbing into bed

8. Place glueboards under each bed post

Remember, most bites occur when either in bed or when pressing against the spider in clothing. While other encounters are definately possible, these suggestions will help to reduce the likelihood of encounter.

*Please understand that following these suggestions cannot guarantee the absence of brown recluse spider encounters or bites.

Click here for our Brown Recluse Services

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Mosquitoes are insects in the family Culicidae. They have a pair of scaled wings, a pair of halteres, a slender body, and long legs. The females of most mosquito species suck blood (hematophagy) from other animals, which has made them the most deadly disease vector known, killing millions of people over thousands of years and continuing to kill millions per year by the spread of diseases.During the heat of the day most mosquitoes rest in a cool place and wait for the evenings. They may still bite if disturbed. Mosquitos are adept at infiltration and have been known to find their way into homes via deactivated air conditioning units.

Each summer, hordes of these insects descend on backyards, parks and campgrounds. While most mosquitoes are merely nuisances, some can transmit serious diseases such as encephalitis and malaria in humans and heartworm disease in dogs.Two different kinds of mosquitoes plague Illinoisans. Floodwater (temporary pool) mosquitoes deposit their eggs singly in low-lying areas that will be flooded later. Under normal summer temperatures, large numbers of biting mosquitoes will emerge about two weeks after heavy rains and can be a major nuisance problem for several weeks.

The most common of these in Illinois is the inland floodwater mosquito. A vicious biter, this mosquito will commonly fly 10 or more miles from where they hatch, particularly along prevailing winds. Floodwater mosquitoes have not been significant disease carriers in Illinois.

Vector mosquitoes carry diseases and lay their eggs in stagnant ditches and sewage treatment ponds or water in treeholes, old tires, clogged gutters, old tin cans and anything else that will hold water. Eggs are laid on or just above the water surface, where they usually hatch within two to three days. Two of the more common vector mosquitoes in Illinois are the Culex, or house mosquito, and the tree-hole mosquito. Neither migrates long distances.

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Tick is the common name for the small arachnids in superfamily Ixodoidea that, along with other mites, constitute the Acarina. Ticks are ectoparasites (external parasites), living by hematophagy on the blood of mammals, birds, and occasionally reptiles and amphibians. Ticks are important vectors of a number of diseases, including Lyme disease and Tick-borne meningoencephalitis.Ticks are blood-feeding parasites that are often found in tall grass and shrubs where they will wait to attach to a passing host. Physical contact is the only method of transportation for ticks. Ticks do not jump or fly, although they may drop from their perch and fall onto a host. Some species actively stalk the host by foot.

Changes in temperature and day length are some of the factors signaling a tick to seek a host. Ticks can detect heat emitted or carbon dioxide respired from a nearby host. They will generally drop off the animal when full, but this may take several days. In some cases, ticks will live for some time on the blood of an animal. Ticks have a harpoon-like structure in their mouth area, known as a hypostome, that allows them to anchor themselves firmly in place while feeding. The hypostome has a series of barbs angled back, which is why they are so difficult to remove once they have penetrated a host. Ticks can be found in most wooded or forested areas throughout the world. They are especially common in areas where
there are deer trails or horse paths.

The American dog tick, is perhaps the most well-known of the North American hard ticks. This tick does not carry Lyme disease, but can carry Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

The black-legged tick or deer tick, is common to the eastern part of North America and is known for spreading Lyme disease.

The Western black-legged tick, lives in the western part of North America and is responsible for spreading Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. It tends to prefer livestock as its adult host.

The Lone star tick is part of the Ioxdidae family, classifying it as a hard tick. The adult females are distinguished by a white dot or "lone star" on its back. The adult males can also be seen with dots and white streaks on the edge of their bodies.

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