|
Ants
Tips to Reduce Pests:
- Minimize food sources with good sanitation
habits.
- Empty garbage
- Keep kitchen free of food on counters
- Minimize moist conditions.
- Keep fruit that falls to the ground picked
up.
- Cut back any tree branches touching house
and dead limbs.
- Minimize decayed wood and bark chips and
remove railroad ties.
- Do not spray ants with pesticides. It
creates satellite colonies.
- Use soapy water to wipe them away.
- Keep
hummingbird feeders away from house.
- Call Lady Bug at 480-833-1111.
Carpenter Ants
 They
infest wood damaged by water and are found inside and outside of the
home. They thrive in the same environment as humans. They are among
the largest ants found in the US. A queen lives up to 15 years and
the workers live up to 7 years. They usually come out at night
(nocturnal pests). They feed on other insects and anything humans
eat. A pile of sawdust can be evidence of carpenter ant activity.
They are often ½" black and ½" red in color.
Southern Fire Ants
They are yellow to a dark, reddish brown color. They have a stinger
at the tip of the abdomen. These ants inflict painful stings. There
can be up to 250,000 ants in each mound. They nest in the soil at
base of trees, shrubs, and grass or in homes. The fire ant species
that have killed animals are not typically found in Arizona. Fire
ants feed on practically everything.
Pharaoh Ants
They spread a variety of bacteria. Their colonies contain several
reproductive females and hundreds of thousands of workers. Workers
are about 1/16th" long, and are light in color - yellow to
light brown. They usually eat sweets, such as fruit as well as
greases and meats. These ants often invade the home. Females mate in
the nest and new colonies form and move. This is called budding.
Crazy Ants
These are found scattered in all states. They create colonies in
small cracks and crevices and are a common outdoor ant in southern
climates. They feed on animal matter, greases and sweets. The crazy
ant derives its name from its movement, appearing to run about
aimlessly with no specific trail.
Acrobat Ants
This is normally an outside pest that may invade homes in search of
food. These ants raise their abdomens over their heads when excited
and are often found in decayed wood and bark chips. They feed on
other pests such as aphids and mealy bugs and termites. They will
nest in areas hollowed out by other insect such as termites and they
may actually tunnel and nest in wood.
Argentine Ants
This ant is a severe pest in southern states and in California.
There are multiple queens in each nest. Colonies develop in moist
soil next to or under buildings. They feed on sweets and are well
adapted to urban environments. They are 1/8" -1/4" long,
brown and covered with fine hair. They are very aggressive insects,
completely eliminating other types of ants and pests.
Harvester Ants
They are very large ants that are reddish brown in color. They occur
in the warmer regions of the Southwest. They are famous for
collecting seeds, which are stored during the fall months. The nest
is usually a circular area, vegetation free around the entrance
holes to the colony and consists of many tunnels and chambers where
their food is stored. The depth of the chambers can be 15 feet deep
or more. Should the colony be disturbed for some reason, the hole
may be closed up and they will have a food supply that will last for
months. They have a very powerful set of jaws and have a vicious
sting. The venom they inject can be very painful.
top
General Pests
Tips to Reduce Pests:
- Minimize excessive moisture conditions (over watering, pipe leaks
and standing water).
- Minimize vegetation growing on your house and the block walls.
- Keep palm trees trimmed and shrubs trimmed.
- Minimize river rock and railroad ties in your landscape designs.
- Keep fruit that falls from trees picked up and pooper-scooper after
your pet regularly.
- Also keep tree branches from touching the house to keep pests from
entering under the roof tiles or through roof vents.
- Keep wood piles and storage items off the ground.
- Use cement blocks and 2x4 planks to store items off the ground.
Crickets
Females have an appendage off their abdomen called an ovipositor.
They come out at night (nocturnal) and live outdoors, but enter
homes and can be a nuisance. They feed mainly on plants, clothing,
carpet, paper, cotton and linen. Only the males chirp and their
chirps per minute directly correlate to the humidity. They have a
stout body with large jumping hind legs. They are usually tan to
black in color.
Silverfish and Firebrats
They have a flattened body, ½" - ¾" long and are found
almost everywhere. They will be in attics and cardboard boxes. They
feed on starch found in paper and wallpaper glue, and are very
common in new homes. They have 3 appendages projecting from the
abdomen, looking like a bristletail.
Earwigs
Earwigs are a dark, long thin pest, about 5/8", with a pincher
at the end of the body called a forcep. Earwigs can give off an
odor. They seek shelter under stones, boards and debris, and feed on
plants and vegetation during daylight hours. Earwigs protect their
eggs and young while they develop in the nest.
Millipedes
They normally live outdoors, feed on damp decaying vegetation and
are often found nesting in mulch. They commonly invade homes, and
are not toxic. They are typically long, cylindrical, many-segmented
worm-like creatures, usually brown to black in color.
Pill Bugs and Sow Bugs
They are more closely related to shrimp or crayfish than insects.
They feed on decaying vegetable matter and are found in damp places
and in mulch. Sow bugs roll up and are sometimes called "Rollie
Pollies". They are dark gray, 1/2" long oval crustaceans,
which appear to be covered in segmented armor.
House Flies
They are found all over the world. Maggots are fly larva. They lay
eggs in a warm moist environment. Houseflies can only eat liquids.
Solid foods are liquefied with regurgitated saliva. They carry
disease and are a major nuisance. They lay their eggs in moist,
rotting organic matter. Sanitation is crucial to fly control.
Mosquitoes
They breed in standing, stagnant water and spread disease. The
females need a blood meal to lay eggs, and they nest in a moist,
warm environment. They are slender, long-legged, two winged insect
1/8"-1/4" long. They have long, narrow wings that lie flat
on their back when they are at rest. They are vicious biters and can
fly long distances.
Spring Tails
They are very small insects 1-2 mm in length, that occasionally
invade the home. Infestation is usually associated with moisture and
dampness. They often invade bathroom areas and look like tiny pepper
specks on the tile or counter tops. They do no damage, yet they
typically are large in numbers. They can jump. They have an
appendage called a furcula that propels the insect through the air.
They range in color from light gray to dark gray.
top
Pantry Pests
Tips to Reduce Pests:
- Inspect dry goods for evidence of pests.
- Use individually sealed containers for each dry good product, like
Tupperware.
- Throw out all infested food.
- Wipe down corners of cupboards with soapy water to remove eggs.
- Go through cupboards regularly and dispose of old dry goods.
- Call the environmentally responsible professional. Contact Lady Bug
at 480-833-1111.
Indian Meal Moths
They are one of the most common pantry pests. When they are not
flying they look long, thin and beige. When they open their wings
they have copper colors and dark markings on their wings. The larva
feeds on all kinds of grains and grain-based products. They are
found in stored product goods, such as rice, flour, dog food and
cereal, birdseed, cake mix, spices, and dried flower arrangements.
The larva produce silk webbing over the surface of whatever they are
feeding upon.
Saw Toothed Grain Beetles
 The adults are small, brown and have segments. If left undisturbed
large populations can develop rapidly. These beetles live and breed
as long as 3 years. They feed on cereals, dried fruits, flour,
pasta, dog food, and most dry goods.
Angoumois Grain Moths
They are small light brown insects ½"-3/4" long, their
wings are fringed with long hairs. They are distributed throughout
the U.S. and have significant economic impact on U.S. grain
supplies. They usually feed on kernels of corn. They are often
mistaken for a clothes moth.
Grain Weevils
They closely resembles the rice weevil. It breeds only on grain in
storage and both larva and adult feed on grain. Females can lay up
to 250 eggs. They are a red to black beetle with a snout about
1/8"to 3/16" long. Larva are small, legless grubs found
within the kernels of grain. They can ingest whole kernels of grain.
top
Poisonous Pests
Tips to Reduce Pests:
- Get medical attention or
call poison control at 1-800-362-0101 immediately.
- DO NOT WAIT,
ESPECIALLY IF YOU EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY BREATHING.
- Minimize debris
in yard and wear gloves to protect yourself from pest bites.
- Reduce
landscape conditions such as railroad ties, river rock, vines and
debris.
- Get your house sealed to reduce up to 80% of pest
entryways.
- Have regular pest control to minimize the poisonous and
general pest population.
- Call Lady Bug for a free seal job estimate
at 480-833-1111.
Black Widows
They paralyze their prey with venom and are found outdoors in
cracks, woodpiles, debris, and lawn furniture. Females are black
with a red hourglass marking and are aggressive when protecting and
guarding the egg sac. They usually come out at night (nocturnal) and
feed mainly on insects. A fly is very dangerous to the black widow.
They lay their eggs in the black widows egg sacs, which feed on the
underdeveloped spider lings. The black widow spider bite is very
painful. Get medical attention if you are bitten. The males are much
smaller and are beige with dark and white markings, and do not have
the same toxic bite.
Brown Recluses
They paralyze their prey with venom and are usually found in cooler,
wooded climates. They are ½" long and are brown with a violin
shape on their head and back. They are called fiddle backs or violin
spiders. They hide in undisturbed areas indoors and outdoors, and
can be found indoors in cellars and attic spaces. Ulcerated sores
and skin decay occurs in affected area after being bitten. Get
medical attention immediately.
Scorpions
They are a close relative of the spider and have thicker legs. They
live outdoors under rocks, in cracks, woodpiles, railroad ties and
on the block wall. They feed on other insects and come out at night
to hunt their prey. They are most easily identified by their two
pincher like appendages at the front of their bodies. The young are
carried on their mother's back until the 1st molt. A sting can be
extremely painful from a bark scorpion, which is typically a small,
clear to peach colored scorpion with straight and thin tail
segments. The desert scorpion usually grows to be much larger, has
round bulb segments on the tail, and is usually not toxic. If you
are stung, call poison control at 1-800-362-0101. If you experience
difficulty breathing, or have a reaction you will require medical
attention immediately.
top
Rodents
Tips to Reduce Pests:
- Block access to your yard using wire mesh.
- Reduce entry into your home using screening to cover pipe openings,
holes and vents.
- Also minimize accessible food sources (bird feeders, compost, open
garbage pails).
- If you must do a rodent clean up, do a wet clean using rags and
disinfectant, not a broom.
- Wearing gloves, and a dust mask, clean the area with disinfectant
& water.
- Minimize exposure to diseases passed in the dust particles in the
droppings.
- Put all the clean up materials in a sealed bag and dispose in
trash.
- Call a professional. Call Lady Bug at 480-833-1111.
Roof Rats
Also known as black rats, they can spread disease through droppings
and urine. They are very common in seaports. Adults weigh between
5-9 ounces. They are known as vegetarians because they prefer seeds,
fruits & vegetables.
Norway Rats
They are also known as the house rat and is the most widely
distributed rat in the U.S. It also spreads disease through
droppings and urine. They weigh between 12-16 ounces. They have
adapted to cool climates better than other species, but are found in
cool and warm climates. Norway rats prefer meats and proteins to
vegetables and fruits.
Pack Rats and Ground Squirrels
They live in the Southwestern states and desert areas. They build
nests in rocky crevices and make underground chambers. They feed on
cactus, mesquite and various leafy plants and often make nests of
cactus under BBQ's and near pool filters.
House Mice
They can contaminate food and carry disease. They can get through a
hole the size of a dime. Mice build nests out of insulation material
and shredded paper. They are found in all states in the U.S. and
North America. They have a heightened sense of smell, taste, hearing
and touch but poor vision. They feed on many foods we eat, dog food
and birdseed.
top
Roaches
Tips to Reduce Pests:
- Minimize exposed food on counter tops and clean dirty dishes
frequently.
- Keep kitchen free from grease.
- Empty garbage frequently.
- Pull stoppers in drains up at night.
- Minimize excessive moisture conditions.
- Minimize bark chips, dense vegetation, and leaf piles outdoors.
- Minimize excess debris in yard. Store items off the ground on 2x4's
and cement blocks.
- Keep plastic containers and tarps off the ground outside.
- Flush toilets and run water in all bathrooms regularly.
- Call a professional at Lady Bug at 480-833-1111
German Roaches
Carries egg sac until it is ready to be hatched. They can cause
infection and disease. They grow up to 5/8" long and have two
dark stripes on the head. One female produces 35,000 offspring in
one year. They feed on practically anything and are usually found
inside kitchens and bathrooms in restaurants and homes, where they
have daily access to water. The evidence is their feces being
attached to a surface, looking like pepper, as well as dead roaches
and body parts and egg sacs.
American Roaches
Also known as palmetto bug, water bug or sewer roach, it is the
largest of the species - up to 1.5" long and reddish brown in
color. They are attracted to sweets, grain, and decaying matter.
These roaches are found under wood, near pools, dense vegetation,
railroad ties, meter boxes and river rocks. They will invade both
inside and outside the house. They are known to come up through the
drains and toilets and get into peoples homes from the sewer.
Oriental Roaches
Also referred to as the water bug, it grows up to 1" long. They
are found indoors and outdoors. They don't fly. They just have
little stubby wings. They are dark brown to black in color. They are
also found in vegetation, meter boxes, and under debris. They eat
most human and pet food. They are referred to as the "black
beetle". They are most common in dark, damp places.
Smokey Brown Roaches
Related to American roaches, but smaller. They feed on plant
material and decaying matter. They are found outside, and also
invade the home. They have a solid mahogany brown coloration, and
are 1" - 1.5" long.
top
Ticks and Fleas
Tips to Reduce Pests:
- Make sure pets are flea and tick free -
consult your vet.
- Cut grass and remove excessive debris in yard.
- Vacuum thoroughly inside along cracks, baseboards, under furniture,
and pet bedding.
- Be especially thorough where pets hang out using the edger tool.
- Dispose of vacuum bag in the trash outside. Seal the bag with tape.
- Reduce moisture and humid conditions.
- Call a professional at Lady Bug for treatment, 480-833-1111.
Cat Fleas
They have dark bodies with well-developed legs, which allows them to
be great jumpers. They are more common then dog fleas. They may be
found on dogs or cats. Fleas nest in areas where dust or organic
debris accumulates, for example behind dressers where dust balls,
hair, fingernails and dried skin accumulate. They are usually found
in a humid environment, such as in a home with an
evaporative-cooler. They are fairly uncommon in desert climates.
Flea larva are small, active, maggot like creatures and they feed on
organic debris. A mature larva is 1/8 " long.
Brown Dog Ticks
These ticks are reddish-brown in color when not engorged. They are
1/8" long. The male and female look alike, before she feeds.
Once engorged she enlarges to look like a gray raisin size pest.
Brown Dog Ticks are one of the most widely distributed ticks in the
world. The most common host is the domestic dog. They are not
typically found on people. The females lay 500+ eggs at one time, so
left unattended they multiply rapidly. They are often found on the
dog or in cracks and crevices near where the pets hang out.
American Dog Ticks
Although dogs are the preferred host, these ticks readily feed on
other animals, including humans. They spread Rocky Mountain spotted
fever. They are the most distributed species in U.S., and are not
particularly common in desert climates. They cannot complete their
life cycle indoors, so they seldom infest inside the house.
top
Bees and Wasps
Tips to Reduce Pests:
- Make an inspection around your property weekly during swarming
season (springtime).
- Listen for sound of bees being present.
- Persistent buzzing may mean a hive.
- Look where you have animals, especially in barns, stables or dense
tree areas.
- If you discover a Bee colony, DO NOT DISTURB it, call Lady Bug
480-833-1111.
Bees
The domestic honeybee has lived in harmony with humans for hundreds
of years. They are known for their gentleness and good honey
production. They will defend their hive when they feel threatened.
Each bee stings only once and dies. Bees have a caste order in the
colony. The queen is the only fertile female and she produces the
eggs. The drones serve only to fertilize the queen, and the workers
do all the work in the colony. They collect nectar and pollen and
make the honeycomb. Although it is difficult to distinguish
honeybees from Africanized bees without a microscope, they have
different behaviors.
Africanized bees, known as killer bees are
migrating into the Southern States into the U.S. from South America.
They are much more aggressive than honeybees. They fly longer and
faster, become upset with less reason, sting in great numbers and
are poor honey producers because they are more involved with
protecting the hive.
Wasps
Social wasps nests are located in ground cover, cracks in buildings
and walls. They will aggressively attack when disturbed, and can
sting repeatedly. The stings can be very painful. Social wasps, such
as yellow jackets, hornets and paper wasps are generally yellow with
black patterns, ½" - 1½" long. They have large nests
with a caste system of queens, workers and males. They can produce
colonies with up to 30,000 wasps.
There is also another group of wasps called
solitary wasps. One kind is a mud dauber. They share the same wasp
shape body and vary in size to ¼"-2" long. They vary in
color from black, yellow,
red or blue. Many have a metallic sheen on their wings. They are
predators that capture other insects to be used for their nests, for
themselves and their off spring. They do not make large colonies.
Carpenter Bees
They are large insects, looking much like huge honeybees. Male
carpenter bees are typically black with a yellow spot on their head.
They are aggressive, but do not have a stinger. They bore holes into
wood to create a tunnel to raise their young. They do not make hives
and have a social caste system like other bees.
top
Spiders
Tips to Reduce Pests:
- Minimize spider food sources (other pests)
with pest control.
- Always wear gloves when handling debris outside the home.
- Remove heavy ground cover and vegetation.
- Seal cracks on the exterior of the building and install tight
fitting screens on vents.
- Remove webs to limit spiders and change exterior light bulbs to
yellow bulbs.
- The yellow bulbs attract fewer flying insects on which spiders
feed.
- Call Lady Bug for treatment at 480-833-1111.
Spiders are considered a beneficial insect
because their prey is other insects.
However there are two North American species that are dangerous to
humans: The Black Widow and the Brown Recluse. Most spiders are
harmless, so look at our Pest ID and prevention tips to identify and
minimize spider activity.
Black Widow
The female has a shiny black, globular abdomen with red markings,
which looks like an hourglass. Males are smaller, lighter in color,
with light streaks on the abdomen. The web is very sticky and
irregular, many times found along exterior foundations on slabs,
under stones and rocks, behind shrubs and woodpiles and debris. They
usually don't go into structures. They will bite if provoked
especially when guarding the egg sac. Females have a toxic bite,
males do not. The bite feels like a sharp pain, like a needle
puncture. After 15 minutes to an hour there will be muscular cramps.
You should seek medical attention if bitten.
Brown Recluse
The body is yellow to dark brown, with the body size of
1/3"-1/2" long. Combined with the legs it could be about 1
inch or longer in diameter .The dorsal has a dark brown violin
shaped marking, that is very distinctive. They can be found outside,
under rocks, debris and woodpiles, usually in cooler climates. They
can be found in storage areas like closets, basements, attics,
garages and cellars. Be careful when putting your hands or feet in
something that has been in storage. After 8-12 hours, the pain is
more intense, and over the next few days large sores form. You
should seek immediate medical treatment after the bite.
House Spiders or Funnel web Spiders
They are 1/2" in length. They are brown to gray in color with
darker stripes on head region. They spin a flat web and create a
silken funnel at the end. These spiders are found in grass, ground
cover and mostly outdoors, yet they get inside. They are not toxic.
They rely on catching prey in the web. If the site does not yield
prey, they abandon the web and relocate or die.
Ground Spider
This spider is small, usually less then 1/2" and grayish brown
to black with various markings. They are hunter spiders and chase
down their prey. They do not spin webs. They usually live outside in
ground cover, and leaves, and can be found scurrying inside. They
are nocturnal hunters. They are often mistaken for wolf spiders.
Wolf Spider
This spider is ¼" to 1/2" in length or larger and brown
with black markings and with a hairy appearance. These spiders are
found mostly outdoors and occasionally are indoor invaders. Young
spiderlings ride on their mother's back for a few days after
hatching. Bites are rare and not dangerous.
Tarantulas
This is the largest spider in the U.S., and up to a 4" leg
span. Their color varies from brown to black and they are very
hairy. They are passive hunters and wait by their burrow for other
insects. They are not dangerous and are slow moving. If captured,
release them into areas away from homes.
Sun Spiders (Solpugids)
They are commonly known as Sun Spiders. They are light beige to
peach in color and they have a large pincher looking mandible and
are often mistaken for a scorpion. They have no tail with a stinger
and are not toxic. They feed on other pests.
Jumping Spiders
They are compact in shape with relatively short legs. They can jump
6 inches in one leap. They have excellent eyesight. They prefer to
hunt during the day. They spin a safety strand of silk to help them
jump from one place to another.
top
Termites
Tips to Reduce Pests:
- Reduce earth to wood contact around your home.
- Reduce excessive moisture, especially within a few feet of your
home.
- Move firewood away from your house.
- Keep termite contracts and warrantees current.
- Call a professional at Lady Bug 480-833-1111 for advice.
Flying Ants or Termites ?
There are several visible differences between the termite and the
flying ant. The swarming termite has a broad waist. It could look
like a piece of rice with wings. Its front and back wings are the
same size, and its antennae are straight. By contrast, the swarming
ant has a narrow waist, its front wings are larger than its back
ones and there are not as many veins. Its antennae have a bent elbow
shape. There will appear to be 3 segments of the body that make up
the ant - the head, the mid section, called the abdomen, and the
end, or thorax.
Termites
Termites are known to find a way into your home, whether it is made
of wood or concrete. They can swarm in spring and fall when
environmental conditions are right. When the temperature and
humidity is high they fly or swarm. They are poor flyers and 97% of
the population will die. The pretreatment on your home is what
protects it from invasion. Usually, the evidence of termites is a
mud tube at the base of your house going up the foundation or a
straw like tube hanging off the wall or ceiling inside your home.
Subterranean Termites
This invader lives underground, in the soil, and multiplies by the
thousands, always in search for wood to feed their colonies. Left
undetected, they will attack a home, causing structural damage.
Subterranean termites enjoy warmth and like to eat cellulose, a
material found in all plant cells. This nourishment enables them to
tunnel their way through solid wood such as your house timber. As a
rule, they travel above ground for food (wood) and underground for
moisture. A termite mud tunnel found around the foundation or wood
construction in your home is a sign of infestation.
If you find termites and your home is less
then five years old you can call the pretreatment company to retreat
at no charge. If your home is older and has no warrantee call a
professional.
Drywood Termites
The drywood termite not only eats the wood structure, but lives
inside the wood structure. They can enter the home by flying in or
being carried on previously infested wood, such as furniture or
construction materials. Each year they swarm as a way of starting
new colonies. Attic and eave areas are prime targets for new
colonies, along with windowsills, baseboards, beams and doorframes.
They can even infest furniture, paper, cloth, wallboard or any other
cellulose material. Look for visible signs of infestation. They do
not make mud tubes or leave sawdust as evidence. The drywood termite
evidence is usually little pellet like droppings in a pile, or
possible evidence of damaged wood. They are much less common in
Arizona than subterranean termites.
top
Beetles
Infestations of most ground beetles originate as outside pests and
find entry into the house. They typically harbor in leaf debris, and
in dense ground cover. They are also found near excessive moisture.
Many beetles are hard shelled, dark in color, slightly flat and
elongated. Beetle larva can be found in the ground and are usually
called grubs.
|
