Learn more about common pests, their habits and habitats.
Generally, ants outnumber all other species on Earth, yet they do more good than harm. Ants are nature’s cleaning crew as they contribute to the process of decomposition by feeding on organic waste, dead animals, and other insects. They also work to aerate the ground and till the soil, fertilizing and creating fertile topsoil.
When in their natural habitat, the work they do is of the utmost importance, but it’s when they invade your property or home that they become a pest that needs to be controlled.
The most common ant species you may encounter here in the East Coast are:
a. Carpenter Ant: Carpenter Ants are large and usually reddish to black. Carpenter ants prefer wet or damaged wood to establish their colonies.
b. Odorous House Ant: The odorous ants are also known as stink ants. When you crush this type of ant, it emits a smelly odor that reeks of rotten coconut. They look like carpenter ants in appearance, but odorous house ants have only one node.
c. Pavement Ant: Pavement ants get their name from the places where they establish colonies – in cracks in pavement, driveways, and sidewalks. The pavement ant is black with two spines on their backs.
Beetles are a group of insects that form the order Coleoptera, in the superorder Endopterygota. They are amazing creatures that are easily recognized by their shell-like exteriors.
Different materials attract specific types of beetles into homes or properties. Many species seek out stored grains and packaged foods, while others feed on garden plants, wood, or fabric. Homeowners may accidentally bring the pests into the house along with infested products.
The search for shelter may also bring beetles indoors. Some of these pests overwinter in homes to avoid cold weather. They may enter the house through cracks in the foundation or gaps around door and window frames.
Bedbugs are parasites that feed on human blood and are found all over the world. They are small, reddish-brown in color, and oval-shaped. They’re about 1/4 inch long. After feeding, they will appear larger with a reddish tinge. Nymphs are less than five millimeters in length and almost colorless, making them extremely difficult to identify.
One of the more reliable ways to identify bed bugs is to look for evidence of the infestation on your mattress or sheets. These insects will leave red or rust-tinged stains in these areas. You may also see feces from these bugs, which appear as small dark dots about the size of a pencil point.
Their habitat is in warm houses and near or inside beds. Bedbugs are not exclusively nocturnal creatures but function highly at night. Bedbugs can cause skin rashes and other allergic symptoms. Houses become infected from infested items and wild animals. Signs of bed bug infestations include fecal spots, blood smears on bedsheets and empty exoskeletons on the bedsheets. They reside in furniture, luggage, and inside vehicles. Bedbugs live also on cats and dogs. They smell like rotten strawberries. Various methods are used to eradicate bedbugs.
How to get prepared for bedbug treatment:
AFTER 1ST TREATMENT:
AFTER 2ND TREATMENT:
It is pertinent to state that it is not uncommon to be bitten following treatment. You need to give the treatment time to work; at least 1 to 2 weeks. If the guidelines are not strictly adhered to, you will significantly reduce the chances of eliminating the problem, so we highly recommend a thorough prep.
Rodents are gnawing mammal of an order that includes rats, mice, squirrels, hamsters, porcupines, and their relatives, distinguished by strong constantly growing incisors and no canine teeth. They constitute the largest order of mammals.
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