Learning Center
Education is our best weapon against pests. Learn more below!
Meet the Pests
Welcome to our learning center! We have helpful information on a wide variety of pests that may be plaguing your home. Feel free and to browse, and please don't hesitate to call our offices with any questions - we would love to hear from you!
The common bed bug (Cimex lectularius Linnaeus 1758) is an ectoparasite insect (a parasite which lives on the outside of the body of the host) of the family Cimicidae. Bed bugs feed only on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded hosts. Although they have a cryptic behavior and can conceal themselves in tight cracks and crevices, bed bugs are often found in bed parts, such as mattresses and box springs, hence the common name.
Carpenter ants get their name because they excavate wood in order to build their nests. Their excavation results in smooth tunnels inside the wood. Carpenter ants range in size from one-quarter inch for a worker ant to up to three-quarters inch for a queen.
German Cockroach
The German cockroach is by far the most important and usually the most common of the cockroaches. In addition to being a nuisance, the German cockroach has been implicated in outbreaks of illness and allergic reactions in many people. This species has worldwide distribution.
American Cockroach
The American cockroach is the largest cockroach found in houses. Females can hatch up to 150 offspring per year. Cockroaches don’t get their wings until they become adults. American cockroaches are also known as "waterbugs" because they are so commonly found near rich water resources, like puddles and water pipes. American cockroaches are nocturnal. They rest by day and forage for food at night.
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.
House Spiders
This is usually the spider most often encountered indoors. It is a nuisance pest, probably more because of its webs than the spider itself. This spider is found worldwide and is common throughout the United States and Canada.
Silverfish
This insect gets its name from its silvery, metallic appearance and fish-like shape and movements. Silverfish have no wings but are able to run very fast. They tend to hide their presence from humans which means any damage they cause could go unnoticed as well.
Subterranean Termites
Subterranean termites live in underground colonies or in moist secluded areas above ground that can contain up to 2 million members. They build distinctive "mud tubes" to gain access to food sources and protect themselves from open air. Termite colonies are organized into castes depending on tasks - workers, soldiers and reproductive. The characteristics of a subterranean termite are dependent on the termite's role in the colony. Cream-colored worker subterranean termites are 1/8 to 3/8's of an inch in length. Soldier subterranean termites are of a similar body length but are distinguished by their powerful mandibles. Soldier termites have cream-colored bodies and brown heads. Reproductive subterranean termites are approximately one inch long.
DID YOU
KNOW?
More homes are destroyed by pests and termites than fires, hurricanes and tornados.