Summertime means more fun outdoors for people… and more fun indoors for insects
#PestControl
Insects are an important part of nature and a welcome sight to many small animals. In fact, they are an important part of any ecosystem except one: the homes of people. Outdoors, insects are often funny little critters. Indoors, they can be annoying little pests!
Here are some common insects that make their way into the home:
Carpenter Ant: Worker carpenter ants are polymorphic. They are large (3.5-13mm) but greatly vary in size. The queens are about 13-17mm long. Their color is black, combinations of red and black, or completely red or brown. The antenna is 12-segmented, without a club. Their thorax lacks spines and the profile is evenly rounded on the upper side. Pedicel is 1-segmented. Gaster with anal opening is round, surrounded by circlet of hairs. The stinger is absent. Worker ants are capable of emitting a strong formic acid odor.
Oderous House Ant: Odorous house ants are small ants measuring 2.5 millimetres long. They nest outdoors. The ants construct their nest out of mounds of dirt. The worker ants search far for food. They often enter buildings. Once they have found food, they leave a scent trail for other ants. They feed on a variety of organic material.
Cluster Fly: Medium-sized flies from 1/4- inch to 3/8-inch in length. They are black in color. They fold their wings flat over their abdomen when at rest.
House Fly: Adults are about 1/8-1/4 inches long, with the female being larger than the male. They are dull gray, with the face having 2 velvety stripes, each silver above and gold below. The thorax has 4 narrow black longitudinal stripes on dorsum. Mature lavra about 1/4-3/8 inches long. They are eyeless, legless and taper from the head back. They are a cream color.
Silverfish: Small, elongated, triangular insects, usually between 1/2 and 1 inch in length. Color is typically a shiny gray or silver. They have three characteristic long, thin appendages extending from the rear of the abdomen.
Black Widow: Spider Body may be up to 3/4-inch in length with the abdomen reaching 3/8-inch in diameter. The color is typically glossy black but may also be dark brown to light brown. Related widow spiders may be brown.
House Spider: The body ranges up to 3/8-inch in length, with a spherical abdomen. Typically, brown or tan with various markings. “House” spiders are those web-building spiders common in the corners and garages of most homes and buildings.
Aggressive House Spider: Measures up to 3/4-inch in length and has a leg span measuring more than 1-1/2 inches. Color is usually brownish gray with a number of various markings. It is very difficult to distinguish it from its close relatives, the domestic house spider and the giant house spider (which do not have a dangerous bite).
If a person accidentally traps the spider against his or her skin, the spider bites out of defensive reflex. Unfortunately, the hobo spider’s bite may result in an ulcerating wound similar to that of the brown recluse spider. Allowing the bite to become infected only increases the potential skin damage. Any person receiving any perceived spider bite should consult a physician for treatment.
This story is sponsored by Guaranteed Pest Control family owned and operated in Beaverton since 1949. Call us at 503-646-2119 or visitwww.guaranteedpestcontrol.net. **10% discount to new customers**
