Pest Library

Cockroaches, Belonging to the family Blattida and order Blottodea, are one of the oldest and most resilient insects, known for their adaptability in various environments but typically thriving in warm, moist conditions typical of human habitats. They have flat ovular bodies, small heads, six legs, compound eyes, and long antennae. Cockroaches can spread diseases such as salmonella and dysentery by carrying pathogens on their bodies, and their droppings, skin shedding, and saliva can trigger allergies and asthma.

Remarkably, Cockroaches can survive up to a week without their head, run up to 3 miles per hour, and handle 10 times the radiation humans can.

Scorpions, part of the class Arachnida and order Scorpiones, are predatory arachnids known for their venomous sting. Recognizable by their segmented tails with a stinger and grasping pincers, scorpions vary in size from about 1 to over 7 inches.

These nocturnal creatures usually inhabit dry, arid, or tropical environments, hiding under rocks or inside homes during the day.

They primarily feed on insects, spiders, and sometimes small mammals, using their venom to immobilize their prey. While most scorpions’ venom causes only midland symptoms in humans, like pain and irritation, some species can inflict more severe effects.

The Black Widow Spider, scientifically known as Latrodectus mactans, is a highly venomous species found predominantly in the temperate regions of the United States. Recognizable by the glossy black color and the distinctive red hourglass marking on the underside of its abdomen, Blackwidows are small, with females measuring about 1.5 inches including leg span, and males significantly smaller.

Black Widow spiders are notorious for their potent venom, which is considered more dangerous than that of a rattlesnake, gram for gram. The venom can cause severe pain and muscle cramps in humans, and while bites are rarely fatal, they can pose serious health risks, especially to young children and the elderly.

These spiders are solitary except during mating, often residing in dark, undisturbed areas such as sheds, garages, and beneath stones and woodpiles. Females can be aggressive if they perceive a threat, especially after laying eggs.

Wolf spiders, belonging to the family Lycosidae, are robust and agile hunters known for their excellent eyesight and fast movements. These spiders do not spin webs to catch prey; instead, they chase down or ambush their victims. Wolf spiders can vary greatly in size, with species measuring up to 1.5 inches in body length, not including leg span.

Characterized by their hairy bodies and a pattern of stripes or markings that usually includes a Union Jack impression on their back, Wolf spiders are predominantly brown or gray with camouflaging markings. These spiders are generally found on the ground in garden areas and under stones, leaves, and wood logs, but can venture into homes in search of prey.

Despite their fearsome appearance and name, wolf Spiders are not aggressive toward humans and will only bite if threatened or handled. The bite of a Wolf Spider is venomous but not lethal to humans, typically resulting in mind swelling, pain, and itching.

Termites, belonging to the infraorder Isoptera, are social insects known for their wood-consuming habits, which can cause significant structural damage to homes and buildings. These insects are small, typically ranging from 0.25 to 0.5 inches in length, and are usually pale in color.

Termites are organized into castes with distinct roles: workers, soldiers, and reproductive individuals, including queens and kings. Termites feed on cellulose, primarily found in wood, but also in paper, cardboard, and other plant materials. This feeding can go unnoticed for long periods, allowing structural damage to become extensive before discovered. There are several species of termites, with the most common in the United States including the subterranean, drywood, and dampwood termites.

Subterranean termites, which build their nests underground, are the most destructive. They construct mud tubes to provide moisture while they travel between their colony and food sources. Drywood termites, on the other hand, live directly inside the wood they consume and do not require contact with the soil.

Wasps, belonging to the order Hymenoptera and family Vespidae, are known for their slender bodies and narrow waists. They range in size from about 0.5 to 1.5 inches in length and are typically yellow and black, although some species may have red, brown, or metallic blue colorations.

Wasps are beneficial as they prey on many pest insects, but they can become a nuisance or hazard when they nest near human activity. Wasps are social insects, with colonies that start anew each spring, initiated by a fertilized queen that survived the winter. These colonies can grow significantly through the summer and early autumn, often building paper-like nests out of chewed wood fibers mixed with saliva.

They are found in a variety of environments, from gardens and woodlands to human structures like eaves, attics, and the undersides of balconies. Unlike bees, wasps can be more aggressive and are capable of stinging multiple times. Their stings are painful and can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, ranging from mild irritation to severe anaphylactic shock.

Boxelder bugs, scientifically known as Boisea Trivittata, are part of the Rhopalidae family. These bugs are most recognizable by their distinctive black and red or orange markings, Adults are about 0.5 inches long, with elongated, oval bodies that become more noticeable when they congregate in large numbers.

Primarily, boxelder bugs feed on the seeds and leaves of boxelder trees, as well as other maple and ash trees, from which they derive both their name and sustenance. They use their piercing mouthparts to suck nutrients from the tree, generally without causing significant damage.

However, their presence can become quite a nuisance, especially when they invade homes in search of a warm place to overwinter. During the fall, boxelder bugs start to cluster on the warm exteriors of buildings exposed to the sun and can enter homes through cracks and crevices in windows, doors, and foundations. While they are not harmful to humans and do not bite, their drippings can stain fabrics, walls, and floors.