Pest Library

Ants are a very common pest problem and have replaced cockroaches as the number 1 pest in the U.S. There are many types of ants and treatment will vary depending on the ant species. Ants, including carpenter ants and pavement ants are social insects; like bees and termites they live in large colonies where a queen ant is the only fertile female and is tended to and fed by worker ants. Ant identification plays an important role in controlling this pest.

Carpenter Ants get their common name from their habit of hollowing out galleries in pieces of wood for nesting purposes. This nesting habit can result in structural damage. Carpenter ant workers vary greatly in size, measuring 1/8 to 1/2 inch long. Queen ants measure 1/2 to 3/4 inch long. Depending on the species, these ants may be totally black; combinations of red, orange, yellow and black; or completely red or brown. The only external indication of infestation other than the presence of workers and/or swarmers (winged queens and males) is the appearance of small openings or windows on the surface of wood. Through these, the workers expel debris which consists of sawdust-like shavings, fragments of insulation and insect body parts. The accumulation of such debris (frass) below such holes is a good indication of an infestation.

These ants prefer to attack wood softened by moisture and fungal rot; therefore, they are often associated with long-term moisture problems in structures. Most carpenter ant species establish their first nest in decayed wood and later expand or enlarge this into sound wood. Indoors, nests may be located in wood, in insulation (including rigid foam board) and in wall voids. Workers are a nuisance when out searching for food but are destructive to woodwork utilized for nesting activities. Outside, nests are typically located in rotting fence posts, stumps, fallen trees, old firewood, dead portions of standing trees, and under stones and rotting logs.

Carpenter Ant	Pavement Ant	Odorous House Ant	Acrobat Ant	Pharaoh Ant

Bedbugs are small (3/16") reddish-brown insects that can be seen with the human eye. This flat insect hides in sleeping areas and feeds primarily on humans.

• Bedbugs are a VERY elusive, transient, and nocturnal pest.
• Each bedbug stage requires a blood meal.
• The first sign of bedbug infestation is the appearance of small brownish dots which are fecal spots or droppings on the surface of bed linens.
• There have been no reports of disease transmission.
• They can live for a year or more without eating.
• Bites are often undetected on most people when they are bitten. Welt-like swelling in a straight line may occur in some sensitive people.

• Strip all beds down to the bare surfaces.
• Empty closets, dressers, nightstands, and bookshelves.
• Luggage needs to be empty and available for inspection.
• Rooms should be free of clutter to allow for thorough inspection.
• Launder bedding separately from other items.
• Launder all other items.
• High heat in a dryer for over 10 minutes will kill bedbugs and eggs.
• Vacuum carpeted areas thoroughly on a daily basis, seal and dispose of bag immediately.
• Treated areas should not be entered for at least (4) hours after the treatment.

• Wall outlets, baseboards, door and window frames
• Headboard, mattress, and bed frames
• Upholstered furniture
• Behind wall hanging items
• Nightstands and furniture

We will return in 2-3 weeks after treatment for a follow up inspection/treatment. Customer/tenant must understand that bedbugs can again be brought into the account at any time and the problem can then reoccur. For more information or to schedule an estimate for your home, call toll free 800.291.5712.

German Cockroach

German Cockroaches are the most abundant roach in the U.S. They are 1/2" to 5/8" long. They are tan with 2 parallel dark stripes on the back of the head.

German Cockroaches search for food at night and reproduce very quickly. Their small size and flat body allows them to exist in the smallest of secluded cracks and crevices that are near heat, moisture, and a wide variety of food. They are rarely found outdoors, and gain access through grocery bags, used furniture or equipment, and cardboard boxes. They are responsible for transmitting food-borne illnesses, but most importantly are responsible for severe asthmatic reactions.

Oriental Cockroach

Oriental Cockroaches are 1" to 1-3/4" long. They are relatively large and reddish-brown to black.

Oriental Cockroaches can be present in both commercial facilities and residential homes. Indoors, these "waterbugs" become very abundant in damp, secluded places such as crawlspaces, basements, and sump pumps. They prefer to feed on starchy foods and decaying organic matter.

Crickets can be up to 1 inch long. Males rub wings to make distinctive chirping sound.

Crickets are found in moist environments such as mulch, woodpiles, or stones. They are attracted to light, feed on vegetable crops and do not survive long indoors.

Fleas bite both people and pets which in some cases create severe allergic reactions. Fleas account for over half of all dermatological conditions requiring a veterinarian. Often times the customer complains about being bit, generally around the ankles. Finding and identifying fleas on the pet or in the home is very important.

Flea infestations generally occur when a dog or cat becomes infested and brings fleas into the home. Occasionally, infestations may occur when a wild animal lives in the attic, crawlspace or under the deck. Most wild animals carry fleas.

Adult fleas spend most of their time on the pet (dog or cat). The adult must feed on blood to produce eggs, laying about 450 during their lifetime. Their eggs fall off the pet and onto the pet bedding, couch or carpeting. These eggs develop into maggot-like larvae which will feed on the dried blood of pets at the base of the carpet fibers. The length of the chemical-resistant pupae stage is variable ranging from 1 day to 1 year depending on pressure, carbon dioxide, and warmth. Under ideal conditions, thousands of fleas will result from one flea over the course of several months without proper treatment.

• The pet should be treated by a veterinarian in conjunction with the home, preferably on the same day.
• Remove all stored items from floors, under beds, and closets to make treatment accessible. Comforters and sheets should be washed and dried.
• Remove pet food and water dishes. Cover and disconnect fish tanks and remove other pets.
• Wash, dry-clean, or destroy all pet bedding.
• Vacuum Daily- Vacuuming before and up to 10 days after treatment removes eggs, larvae, and stimulates adults to leave their chemical resistant cocoons. Seal and discard of vacuum bag outside.
• People and pets should be out of the house for at least 4 hours after treatment.

Mick's Exterminating will treat pet-frequented areas including: Carpeted areas of home, area rugs and concrete floors of unfinished basements. It is important to know that the material will take approximately 2 weeks to work in conjunction with daily vacuuming. A follow-up visit in 21-30 days may also be required.

Overview:
Rats and mice are among the most destructive pests in the world. They contaminate our food, cause structural damage, and negatively impact our general health. If they aren't controlled by effective pest control, rodents can cause severe economic loss and human suffering.

Our Solution
Your Mick's Exterminating technician will:

• Conduct a full property inspection that includes the interior and exterior of your home or business.
• Safely place rodent control stations to eliminate active rodent infestation.
• Safely place traps and monitoring stations to rid rodents and monitor further activity.
• Seal small common entry points if they are contributing to the infestation.

Silverfish are about 1/2 inch long and are teardrop shaped with a silver sheen.

Silverfish prefer room temperature and high humidity. They feed on pastes, paper, protein and may harbor in mulch, cedar shake roofs, attics, crawlspace and wall voids.

Brown Recluse

Appearance:
Eight legs, 2 body parts, no wings, no antennae.

Diet:
Spiders are predators that feed primarily on insects. Depending on the species, some spiders rely on their webs to capture their prey, while others actively hunt their prey.

Medical Importance:
Spider bites usually result only with great provocation such as squeezing or handling. Many spiders cannot penetrate skin and the bite of those that can, usually results in no more than slight swelling. The primary exceptions are brown recluse and black widow spiders.

Wolf Spider

Our Solution
Your Mick's Exterminating technician will:

• Determine the type of spider.
• Conduct a full property inspection.
• Apply EPA-registered materials outside your foundation to protect your home during the warmer months and reduce spiders along with their food source (other insects).
• Safely apply material inside all levels of the home and the garage.

Our quarterly program will ensure your property and home is protected from basic spiders throughout the entire year.

Springtails are tiny wingless insects with distinctive heads and hump-backed appearance. Their name comes from a forked structure to the underside of the abdomen which acts as a spring to flip them into the air. This behavior gives them the appearance of tiny fleas. Other than being a nuisance, these unique little creatures pose no threat.

Most springtails live in rich soil or leaf litter, under bark or decaying wood, or associated with fungi. Many are scavengers, feeding on decaying plants, fungi, molds, or algae. Springtails become abundant among wet leaves, soil, and plant material along a homes foundation or sidewalks where they can be a temporary annoyance. They also can occur around floor drains, in damp basements, and crawl spaces.

Plants grown in homes sometimes become infested as a result of heaving breeding in the moist soil. Allowing the soil to dry out will usually eliminate them. Most common springtails do not survive in dry conditions. Any steps to improve ventilation and promote drying are the best long term solutions. Removal of accumulations of wet leaves or organic matter will eliminate breeding sites.

Stinging insects pose a safety and health concern for people and their pets. Though they are predominately active in the summer months, they can be a problem all year long.

Mick's Exterminating can eliminate your stinging insect problem by identifying, locating and removing any hives or nests in a safe and careful manner. Below are some pictures of the most common stinging insects.

			Bumble Bee	Carpenter Bee	Cicada Killer	Mud Dauber
Bald-faced Hornet	Honey Bee	Paper Wasp	Yellow Jacket

In homes, Stored Product pests attack grains such as nuts, flour, cereal, birdseed, and dry dog food. The female adults are egg-laying machines looking for conducive areas to place their eggs while the larvae continue to feed on grains and in some cases create disturbing webbing as they eat.

• Identify the species.
• Determine and remove the source.
• Treat all areas of infestation.

Voles are small, mouse-like rodents that occur throughout most of North America. Though they commonly are called meadow mice or field mice, they are distinguished from true mice by their short tails (about one inch long), stocky build and small eyes.

Voles can cause problems by damaging lawns, gardens, tree plantings and other plants.