Ants
A Sizeable Enemy: An ant colony can range from 300,000 to 500,000 in size. With the capability of lasting over 10 years—these insects will pop up unexpectedly and won’t go away.
Size and Shape: The ant has six legs like all insects and their abdomen is oval in shape. They range in color from jet black, to browns and even red.
Environment: Ants live in a colony that is dominated by the queen. Different types of ants live all over the world depending on the weather and habitat. Most are found in hot climates.
Activity: Ants are all about building and sustaining their colony and queen. They are always searching for food and supplies. They are separated into groups of workers and depending on the stage in their life they will care for the queen, forage for food and supplies, or protect the colony.
Interesting Information about Ants:
- The queen ant lays the eggs and the worker ants take care of the eggs
- Ants can lift 20 times their own body weight
- If an ant finds a food source they will leave a scent so other ants can follow
- Ant brains are the largest among all insects with an average of 250,000 brain cells
Box Elder Bugs
Appearance: The box elder is a small, oval shaped bug with wings. They are identifiable by the red stripes along their bodies.
Habitat: In the warmer spring, summer months and warmers fall months; box elders will infest maple trees, box elder trees, and ash trees. During the cold winter months they will nest in homes and offices and hibernate unless the rooms are heated.
Food: Plant including flowers and leaves are a box elder bug’s food source. These critters also destroy the trees that they live in by drinking the nutrients in the tree.
Reproduction: Box elder bugs will lay their rust colored eggs in their host tree or on the leaves of the tree. They hatch in a couple of days and grow completely in a few, short months.
Signs of infestation: Plant life will begin to die and dissipate and the trees in your yard will slowly fade and lose leaves. If box elders enter your home you will notice them next to the warm areas within your home.
Cockroaches
Size and Shape: Cockroaches range from 1/8 inch to over 1 inch long. They have two antennae, six legs, and wings. Their bodies are long and oval with a small head.
Environment: These pests can live in a wide variety of conditions but they like an environment that is warm with an abundance of food and water. Homes are the perfect breeding ground for them because they are able to maintain their nests all year round.
Activity: Roaches are night insects and like to stay hidden in dark, moist places. A lot will hide under furniture, behind appliances, or in cupboards. During the night they will come out to find food. Most cockroaches enter hibernation during the winter months and live in a large group to survive.
Food: Cockroaches prefer sweets and a variety of meats. However, they pretty much consume anything to stay alive.
Reproduction: Just one cockroach is surefire indication that more are hiding just a few inches away. Cockroaches reproduce very fast. The female American cockroach lives up to 2 years and produces 1 egg sack a week.
Disease: What cockroaches feed on and live around are dangerous to our health and can be spread by them.
Spiders
Shape and Size: Most spiders are in the range of one to two inches long and typically round in shape. Their bodies are divided into the head and abdomen and they have 8 legs. This classifies them as arachnids.
Environment: Spiders are particular on their environment. Some like it warm and humid while others prefer dry and hot areas. One thing that most indoor spiders have in common is that they like to hide in dark areas.
Activity: Many spiders are able to remain hidden during the day. If it wasn't for their web spinning they might go unnoticed. They wait patiently for other insects to fall into their well-placed traps and then feed.
Food: Spiders prefer to eat other insects that are found in and around their environment.
Reproduction: Most female spiders produce small egg sacks that hold around 150-250 eggs. They can produce up to 17 egg sacks in a lifetime which can lead to a large infestation.
Venom: Most spiders in North America are not venomous and usually don't bite unless they are provoked. Some spiders however, like the Black Widow, Brown Recluse, and Hobo Spider have very poisonous bites and they tend to be aggressive.
Bed Bugs
Bed Bug Bite Symptoms:
- Large red bumps and welts
- Multiple red marks in line formation
- Extreme irritation and itch
- Slight burning sensation
- Dramatic swelling
- Blistered inflammations
Identifying Bed Bugs:
Identifying bed bugs can be very tricky because of the fact that they are nocturnal and very small. A few tips will help you determine whether or not your problem is bed bugs.
- Check bedding, mattresses, and other fabrics in the home for small brownish bugs
- Tiny bloodstains may appear and may be on sheets and clothing
- Dark spots may be found in corners and crevices
- Look out for what seems like a severe allergic reaction
Wasps
Wasp Facts:
- Wasps are picked out by their black and yellow stripes
- Most wasps are social and live in nests of up to 10,000
- There are 4,000 types of wasps in the United States
- Some wasps only live for one year
- The queen wasp can live for several years
- Wasps are attracted to sweets and various meats
What to do if a wasp stings you:
- Apply extremely cold water or ice to the injection site
- Lie down and relax
- Drink plenty of fluids but do not drink alcoholic beverages
- Lower the area of the body that was stung
Termites
Termite Categories:
Drywood Termites: These type termites will nest in a place in which they are feeding. They will live behind walls, in furniture, firewood, and in floors. They create systems of tunnels and can remain hidden for years. It is typical not to become aware of drywood termites until severe damage is done.
Subterranean Termites: Subterranean termites nest in loose soil and damp, wet ground. They create a network of tunnels that can extend over an extremely long distance and may have above-ground food sources that these tunnels lead to. The presence of these tunnels is a sign of termites.
Ways to Prevent In-Home Termite Infestation:
- Eliminate extra sources of moisture such as leaking faucets and pipes
- Keep water away from home foundations
- Keep all vents open and clear
- Get rid of food sources such rotting trees, fire wood, and paper waste
- Check any outdoor furniture and decks for damage
- Seal cracks and other entry points around your home
Mice and Rats
Rat Facts:
- Household rats are aggressive when confronted and will bite you
- Rats are alarmed by traps and are almost impossible to catch with one
- They live in walls, under porches, and other hard to reach areas
- These pests can carry various diseases into your household
Mice Facts:
- House mice will invade your home for food and warmth
- Just 2 mice can produce a family up to 200 in size within a couple of months
- They contaminate all food that they come in contact with
- Mice spread disease rapidly and their urine is toxic to humans
Prevention:
The number 1 reason to eliminate a rodent infestation is because of the serious diseases that they carry. In fact, Hantavirus is a life-threatening syndrome that can cause death. 36 percent of all reported cases result in death according to the CDC.
Preventing diseases from affecting your family all starts with rodent control. These suggestions will help you avoid any serious problems.
- Keep your home clean and all food stored in containers
- Seal any large gaps, cracks, or holes that are outside of your home
- Remove any piles of trash and debris that may be around your house
- Trim and prune any overgrown plants and trees in your yard
- Make sure all windows and doors are properly sealed
Have us come to your home or business and get the quickest and safest methods to get rid of your pest problem. Call TNT Pest Control today at 801-982-7378.
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