Ecosafe Pest Management LLC.

Pest Library

Learn more about common pests, their habits and habitats.

Read more on the pests above:

Ants

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

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.

Bed Bugs

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:

  • Remove clutter from floors and away from walls.
  • Launder bed linens, bedspread, etc. in “hot” water. Leave the bed unmade.
  • Wash clothes in “hot” water or have them dry-cleaned if required. After cleaned, store in sealed garbage bags or zip lock bags.
  • Remove all items from furniture (nightstands, dressers, desks, etc.). All drawers must be treated. Clean each piece, place in a plastic bag, and then seal it tightly.
  • Closets must be completely emptied. All clothing, shoes, boxes, suitcases, etc., must be removed.
  • Remove and/or loosen all switch plates from outlets and light switches.
  • Remove any items that are mounted to the walls (i.e. – pictures, mirrors, but do not remove these items from the room). Clean each piece, place in a plastic bag, and then seal it tightly.
  • Furniture should be removed at least 2 feet from the wall.
  • Bags, hats, shoes, books, magazines, papers, etc., must be thoroughly inspected and vacuumed, if possible, before being stored away.
  • All books should be removed from shelves. Books should be inspected and vacuumed, if possible, before storing them away.
  • (Every day) Vacuum bag must be discarded outside, immediately after use.
  • Purchase Bedbug Protective Mattress Covers or pre-order from us.
  • Arrangements must be made to have pets out of the building or apartment before treatment. Water filters on fish tanks must be turned off and the fish tank covered properly.
  • Please remember to safeguard all valuables and remove all breakables from all treatable areas.
  • Make sure the technician has access to all rooms and closets to be sure that inspection and treatment can be done properly.

 AFTER 1ST TREATMENT:

  1. Open as many windows as possible (weather permitting).
  2. Leave your home for 4 – 5 hours,
  3. Allow mattresses to dry completely before putting mattress covers on.
  4. Do not mop the floor for 2-3 weeks

AFTER 2ND TREATMENT:

  1. Leave your home for 4 -5 hours.
  2. You may start to put your belongings back in place. Your clothing can go back into the closets and drawers. You can return books to the bookshelves.

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.

Cockroaches
There are over 4000 species of cockroaches. German cockroaches are the most common variety of cockroach in New York. Cockroaches are nocturnal and sensitive to light. They generally nest in dark secluded areas of your home, apartment, or business.

German, American, Oriental, Brown-banded, and Woods roach are the most common house pests. The German roach is by far the most common in houses while oriental and American roaches are found in dark and damp areas. A lot of people are allergic to cockroaches and it can sometimes cause asthma in individuals. Dysentery, diarrhea, and other illnesses may be transmitted by roaches.
Rodents

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.

 

  • House Mice: House mice often find and eat food meant for people or their pets. They particularly enjoy sweets and nuts, but will also eat grains, such as bags of rice or dry dog food.
  • Norway Rats: Norway rats have many names, including sewer rat, brown rat, street rat, common rat, water rat, Parisian rat, Norwegian rat, wharf rat, and Hanover rat.
  • Roof Rats: Roof rats are rightly named for their affinity for heights. They can be noticed running along tree branches or power lines as a means to reach the roof of your house.
  • Squirrels: are members of the family Sciuridae, a family that includes small or medium-size rodents. The squirrel family includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots (including groundhogs), flying squirrels, and prairie dogs amongst other rodents. Squirrels may not sound like a common household pest, but they can be a major threat to both outdoor areas like gardens and your home itself.
Termites
Any of various pale-colored insects of the order Isoptera that live in large colonies and feed on wood. Termites resemble ants in their appearance, manner of living, and social organization, but are not closely related. Termites can be very destructive to wooden buildings and structures.

There are over 2,000 species of termites in the world, with over 40 species in the United States alone. They are economically significant, as they cause structural damage to buildings. Termites live in social communities.

Termites can spread quickly. A queen can produce roughly 1,000 eggs per day by her fourth year of life. Termites gain access into properties/buildings through cracks, mud tubes, or spaces around plumbing and electrical openings.

Ready to get started?

Book an inspection today

Contact us today to find out how we can help you.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update — We're operating as normal whilst complying with current government guidelines.
Hello. Add your message here.