pest librarygetting to know them
Mosquitoes
Because of the expanding concerns for mosquito control, LPS will do a complete IPM inspection of your property giving recommendations and treatment specifics. Treatment includes using larvicides, IGR’s and adulticides after found moisture issues have been secured. A maintenance program is required.
Ants
They can nest about anywhere in and around your house; in lawns, walls, stumps, even under foundations. Colony size: Can number up to 300,000 to 500,000 and whole colonies can uproot and relocate quickly when threatened. Colony Lifetime: A colony can live a relatively long lifetime. Worker ants may live seven years and the queen may live as long as 15 years.
Ants can enter through even the tiniest cracks, seeking water and sweet or greasy food substances in the kitchen pantry or storeroom areas.
They can nest about anywhere in and around your house; in lawns, walls, stumps, even under foundations. Colony size: Can number up to 300,000 to 500,000 and whole colonies can uproot and relocate quickly when threatened. Colony Lifetime: A colony can live a relatively long lifetime. Worker ants may live seven years and the queen may live as long as 15 years.
Bed Bugs
They are not easily detected, as they are hardly visible during the day and also just too tiny, about half a centimeter. They are called so due to the fact that they are often found in unsanitary mattresses and bedding, sometimes even in carpets and cracks in the walls. An eerie thing about these bed bugs is that they are capable of traveling in a person’s clothing or luggage to other locations and infecting the new place within a few moments if not careful.
These bugs are capable of surviving for many months without feeding and can wander between adjoining apartments through cracks and holes from where wires and pipes pass. Therefore carefully inspect the bed frames, mattresses and other furniture for signs of the bugs. Remember with good sanitation and proper cleaning, bed bugs infestation can be prevented.
Bed bugs are a concern not only for their annoying bites, but in some cases they are carriers of disease. Bed bugs are small wingless, smelly insects that feed upon the blood of warm-blooded species.
They are not easily detected, as they are hardly visible during the day and also just too tiny, about half a centimeter. They are called so due to the fact that they are often found in unsanitary mattresses and bedding, sometimes even in carpets and cracks in the walls. An eerie thing about these bed bugs is that they are capable of traveling in a person’s clothing or luggage to other locations and infecting the new place within a few moments if not careful.
These bugs are capable of surviving for many months without feeding and can wander between adjoining apartments through cracks and holes from where wires and pipes pass. Therefore carefully inspect the bed frames, mattresses and other furniture for signs of the bugs. Remember with good sanitation and proper cleaning, bed bugs infestation can be prevented.
Fleas
photo: Wellcome Library, London
Fleas can live for about 100 days during which time the females produce 400-500 offspring. Fleas transport themselves on rodents and other mammals, and usually remain on their hosts at all times. These pests use their powerful legs to jump as high as 8" vertically, which is 150 times their own height. If humans could do this, we would be able to leap over skyscrapers.
Fleas are the most common transmitter of the rare bubonic plague. They also transmit the bacterial disease murine typhus to humans through infected rats. Their saliva can cause serious flea allergy dermatitis in pets and their debris has been reported to cause similar allergic reactions in humans. Fleas can also transfer tapeworms and cause anemia in pets, which is why active flea management is an important component of pet care. Flea bites commonly cause painful, itchy red bumps.
photo: Wellcome Library, London
Fleas are parasites that feed on the blood of any warm-blooded body. The most common species is the cat flea, which often feasts on cats, dogs and humans.
Fleas can live for about 100 days during which time the females produce 400-500 offspring. Fleas transport themselves on rodents and other mammals, and usually remain on their hosts at all times. These pests use their powerful legs to jump as high as 8" vertically, which is 150 times their own height. If humans could do this, we would be able to leap over skyscrapers.
Fleas are the most common transmitter of the rare bubonic plague. They also transmit the bacterial disease murine typhus to humans through infected rats. Their saliva can cause serious flea allergy dermatitis in pets and their debris has been reported to cause similar allergic reactions in humans. Fleas can also transfer tapeworms and cause anemia in pets, which is why active flea management is an important component of pet care. Flea bites commonly cause painful, itchy red bumps.
Roaches
Cockroaches are known to transfer disease pathogens, such as the various bacteria that produce “food poisoning” in humans, by contaminating food, food preparation surfaces, dishes and eating utensils. How many human gastrointestinal disorders are attributed to the mechanical transmission of pathogens by cockroaches has not been fully assessed, but remains a valid health concern.
Several species of cockroaches live inside structures. Most domestic cockroaches are of tropical origin and the German cockroach, for one, cannot survive temperate winters outdoors. All are primarily nocturnal. All prefer warm, moist places where they can feed on human and pet foods, decaying and fermenting matter, and a variety of other items.
Cockroaches are not only undesirable pests but a threat to human health by consuming our food and contaminating the indoor environment.
Cockroaches are known to transfer disease pathogens, such as the various bacteria that produce “food poisoning” in humans, by contaminating food, food preparation surfaces, dishes and eating utensils. How many human gastrointestinal disorders are attributed to the mechanical transmission of pathogens by cockroaches has not been fully assessed, but remains a valid health concern.
Several species of cockroaches live inside structures. Most domestic cockroaches are of tropical origin and the German cockroach, for one, cannot survive temperate winters outdoors. All are primarily nocturnal. All prefer warm, moist places where they can feed on human and pet foods, decaying and fermenting matter, and a variety of other items.
Spiders
Spiders pose certain health risks to humans. They invoke fear, create allergic reactions, and envenomation. Fear of spiders is called arachnophobia. Some people simply dislike or strongly dislike spiders, but some people have an intense fear of spiders and will alter their lifestyle to not come into contact with them.
Inhalation of spider hairs and scales can cause allergic reactions in people similarly to those found with cockroach allergies. Lastly, spiders are predators and use venom to incapacitate their prey. Spiders rarely bite unprovoked but will bite when trapped against skin of they feel threatened.
Most spiders are shy and harmless to humans. Although all spiders have venom, most cannot bite through human skin. However, a few can deliver very painful, poisonous bites.
Spiders pose certain health risks to humans. They invoke fear, create allergic reactions, and envenomation. Fear of spiders is called arachnophobia. Some people simply dislike or strongly dislike spiders, but some people have an intense fear of spiders and will alter their lifestyle to not come into contact with them.
Inhalation of spider hairs and scales can cause allergic reactions in people similarly to those found with cockroach allergies. Lastly, spiders are predators and use venom to incapacitate their prey. Spiders rarely bite unprovoked but will bite when trapped against skin of they feel threatened.
Rodents
Rodents can be difficult to keep out of structures. Mice can squeeze through spaces as small as a dime and rats can fit through holes the size of a quarter. They are also very successful because they require little or no water to survive. They contaminate our food, cause structural damage, and negatively impact our general health.
If you do find signs of a rodent infestation, contact a pest professional promptly. After the mice enter the home, the two main forms of control are traps and rodenticides.
Rats and mice are among the most significant and destructive pests in the world. If they aren’t controlled by effective pest control, rodents can cause severe economic loss and human suffering.
Rodents can be difficult to keep out of structures. Mice can squeeze through spaces as small as a dime and rats can fit through holes the size of a quarter. They are also very successful because they require little or no water to survive. They contaminate our food, cause structural damage, and negatively impact our general health.
If you do find signs of a rodent infestation, contact a pest professional promptly. After the mice enter the home, the two main forms of control are traps and rodenticides.
Bees
Wasps and bees are beneficial insects, although they are generally considered to be pests because of their ability to sting. During spring the spring hives form and colonies emerge as the season continues. Before fall bees and wasps are numerous and can become easily agitated as they seek pollen, water or shelter.
They prefer weathered or bare wood to painted wood. People often mistakenly call all stinging insects “bees.” While both social wasps and bees live in colonies ruled by queens and maintained by workers, they look and behave differently. While they do not pose a public health threat, their nest building does damage wood.
Although stinging insects such as bees and wasps are environmentally beneficial, they should not be near your home and family. They can be dangerous to people and often destructive to structures.
Wasps and bees are beneficial insects, although they are generally considered to be pests because of their ability to sting. During spring the spring hives form and colonies emerge as the season continues. Before fall bees and wasps are numerous and can become easily agitated as they seek pollen, water or shelter.
They prefer weathered or bare wood to painted wood. People often mistakenly call all stinging insects “bees.” While both social wasps and bees live in colonies ruled by queens and maintained by workers, they look and behave differently. While they do not pose a public health threat, their nest building does damage wood.
Termites
Termites cause an estimated $1 billion worth of property damage each year, doing more damage than all fires, hurricanes and tornadoes combined.
An inspection by pest management professionals is undoubtedly the best way to head off termite problems before they cause extensive and expensive damage to your building. Even if these inspections are not done annually, you should make it a point to conduct your own inspections during routine maintenance chores. A good inspection includes looking not only for termites, but also for conditions conducive to their activity.
Termites gain entry into buildings through cracks in the foundations and wall floor interface. They are known as "silent destroyers" because of their ability to chew through wood, flooring and even wallpaper undetected.
Termites cause an estimated $1 billion worth of property damage each year, doing more damage than all fires, hurricanes and tornadoes combined.
An inspection by pest management professionals is undoubtedly the best way to head off termite problems before they cause extensive and expensive damage to your building. Even if these inspections are not done annually, you should make it a point to conduct your own inspections during routine maintenance chores. A good inspection includes looking not only for termites, but also for conditions conducive to their activity.
Snakes
Snakes inside homes and offices can create an intense fear for some people, these snake should not be harmed, and may be there because of an unknown rodent problem. Homes with snakes present should be checked for the presents of rodents. Once snakes are removed, entry point(s) should be located and sealed, as not to allow snakes and rodents to enter into the building.
A rat or mouse problem (if present) must also be addressed. It is recommended that non-venomous snakes outside, should be left alone. Venomous snakes can be removed and snake pleasing habitats can be modified, which will make your property less attractive to snakes. Examples: Removal of wood and rock piles, ivy, reduce food (typically rodents) sources. In addition, a specially designed repellent can be applied that helps keep snakes out of the area.
Snakes can be a real terror to those who are truly afraid of them. Often times they mean no harm, but the presence of venomous snakes is extremely dangerous.
Snakes inside homes and offices can create an intense fear for some people, these snake should not be harmed, and may be there because of an unknown rodent problem. Homes with snakes present should be checked for the presents of rodents. Once snakes are removed, entry point(s) should be located and sealed, as not to allow snakes and rodents to enter into the building.
A rat or mouse problem (if present) must also be addressed. It is recommended that non-venomous snakes outside, should be left alone. Venomous snakes can be removed and snake pleasing habitats can be modified, which will make your property less attractive to snakes. Examples: Removal of wood and rock piles, ivy, reduce food (typically rodents) sources. In addition, a specially designed repellent can be applied that helps keep snakes out of the area.