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Carpenter
ant (Camponotus spp)
Found throughout the United States in a variety of species.
The tunnels they excavate in wood are clean, almost sandpapered
in appearance, unlike termite tunnels.
Distinguishing characteristics:
These are among the largest of ants and are vicious biters.
Workers vary from 1/4" to 3/8" in length. Usually they are
black, but may have some brown coloration. They're long-legged
and move swiftly.
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House
ant (Family formicidae)
A
wide variety of species are found throughout North America.
Most feed on organic matter and are especially attracted by
sweet foods. Colonies hibernate in the soil or in garden trash.
Distinguishing characteristics:
Although there are many different species of common house
ants, most are black, brown, or reddish in color. They range
from 1/6" to 1/4" in length with an enlarged abdomen. May
be winged or wingless.
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Carpet
beetle (Anthrenus scrophulariae)
Most common in northern states. This beetle infests carpets
and feeds on the fabric. It also feeds on animal products
that are left undisturbed such as wool, leather, furs, etc.
Distinguishing characteristics:
These beetles are small and oval in shape. They're grayish
black in color with a varied pattern of white and orange scales
on the back. An orange-red band of scales runs down the middle
of the back.
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Powder
post beetle (Family lyctidae)
Second only to termites in destroying wood. They leave small,
round holes in wooden articles along with a residue of fine,
powder-like dust.
Distinguishing characteristics:
The various species of these beetles range from 1/12" to 1/3"
in length, and from reddish-brown to black in color. The basal
segment of the abdomen is as long as the second and third combined.
The body is flattened and the head is visible from above. |
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Centipede
(Class chilopoda)
Found throughout the country. House centipedes live in damp
areas such as cellars, closets, and bathrooms. Outdoors they
can be found in damp locations, under leaves and stones, etc.
Distinguishing characteristics:
A flat, worm-like body, 1" or more in length with one pair of
long legs for almost each body segment. The house centipede
is grayish-yellow with three dark stripes running the length
of the body. It has 15 pairs of legs with hind legs more than
twice its body length. |
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American
cockroach (Periplaneta americana)
Found in dark, moist areas such as around bathtubs, clothes
hampers, sewers and basement corners. Also, wherever food is
prepared and stored.
Distinguishing characteristics:
The largest of the common species, growing to a length of 1
1/2" or more. Reddish-brown with a yellow border on the back
of the pronotum. The wings of the male extend beyond the tip
of the abdomen, while the female's wings are about the same
length as
the abdomen. |
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Brown-banded
cockroach (Supella longipalpa)
Most prominent in the south. Since they need less moisture,
they can be found anywhere in the house. Especially high on
walls, behind pictures, in furniture and closets.
Distinguishing characteristics:
One of the smaller roaches, rarely over 1/2" long. It is light
brown with two light bands running across the base of the wings
and abdomen. The female is much broader in the body than the
male. The adult male is quick to fly when disturbed. |
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German
cockroach (Blatella germanica)
The most common roach in United States homes. Breeds throughout
the year. Favors humid atmosphere and an average temperature
of 70o.
Distinguishing characteristics:
Adults are about 1/2" long, brown with two dark streaks on the
thorax. The female is darker in color with a broader, more rounded
posterior. Both sexes have wings as long as their bodies. |
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Oriental
cockroach (Blatta orientalis)
Found in all parts of the United States. They're most common
in high moisture situations, especially around decaying organic
matter. Most common in late spring or early summer.
Distinguishing characteristics:
Very dark brown or black. Male is about 1 1/4" long while the
female reaches only 1" in length. The female has functionless
wing stubs. The male's wings cover about 3/4 of the abdomen.
Neither sex flies. Females are broader and heavier. |
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Smokybrown
cockroach (Periplaneta fuliginosa)
Most common in central Texas and extreme south. Equally at home
indoors or outdoors. They move and fly individually, going in
and out of buildings to feed.
Distinguishing characteristics:
Closely related to the American cockroach, but only about 1"
long and uniform mahogany in color. Both males and females have
wings longer than their bodies and are excellent fliers. |
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Earwig
(Order dermaptera)
Earwigs are active at night and hide in cracks or underneath
objects during the day. Most species scavenge on dead animal
and plant material. Eggs are laid in underground burrows.
Distinguishing characteristics:
Earwigs are most readily recognized by the forceps at the end
of the abdomen. Species range from 1/2" to 1" in length, and
from light reddish-brown to jet black in color. Some species
are marked with stripe or bands on the body and legs. |
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Cat
flea (Ctenocephalides felis)
Most common during the summer, especially when homes are reoccupied
after vacation. Most common hosts are cats, dogs, man and a
wide variety of animals.
Distinguishing characteristics:
Fleas are extremely small, averaging 2 to 4mm in length. The
body is flattened vertically and is covered with spines which
project backward. They are wingless but have long, powerful
legs for jumping great distances. |
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House
fly (Musca domestica)
Eggs are laid in almost any moist and warm material such as
manure, decaying vegetable material and garbage. They rest on
floors, walls, ceilings, on electrical cords, etc.
Distinguishing characteristics:
The common species are about 1/6" to 1/4" in length. The adult
has a sharply angled fourth wing vein and four lengthwise dark
stripes on the thorax. The space between the eyes of the female
is almost twice as broad as of the male. |
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Millipede
(Class diplopoda)
Normally found outdoors in damp places such as under leaves
and in mulch. At times they swarm into building basements and
first floor rooms.
Distinguishing characteristics:
Unlike centipedes, millipedes have round bodies, not flattened.
Plus, they have two pairs of legs for almost each body
segment. They're brownish in color and are usually between 1/2"
and 1 1/2" long. They coil up when resting. |
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Sowbug
& Pillbug (Class crustacea)
They
prefer moist locations and can be found under vegetable debris
or any object on damp ground. Frequently invade damp basements,
crawl spaces and may infest potted plants.
Distinguishing characteristics:
Oval bodies, convex above and flat or hollow underneath. Never
over 3/4" long. Both have seven pairs of legs. The sowbug
has two tail-like appendages that prevent it from rolling
up in a ball. The pillbug, however, lacks these appendages
and rolls itself into a tight ball.
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Spider
(Class arachnida) (Order Araneae)
Depending on the species, spiders can be found in both damp
and warm, dry parts of buildings. Most hide in cracks, darkened
areas or in shelter they make from silk.
Distinguishing characteristics:
Eight legs with no wings or antennae. Their bodies have only
two sections-- a fused head and thorax, and an abdomen. All
spiders have a pair of jaw-like structures with a hollow, claw-like
fang at the end. |
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Brown
dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus)
Found most often in the ears, between the toes and on the
backs of dogs. After feeding they retire to baseboards, molding,
around window-cord pulleys, any protected openings.
Distinguishing characteristics:
Adults are flat, about 1/8" long and uniformly red-brown with
tiny pits scattered over the back. Unlike the male, the female
enlarges after feeding to about 1/2" long and 1/4" wide. The
enlarged portion of the body becomes gray-blue to olive in
color.
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Silverfish
& Firebrat (Order Thysanura) (Family Lepismatidae)
Among the most common insects in the home. They eat paper,
fabrics, and get into cereals. Firebrats prefer temperatures
over 90o and are usually not found together with
silverfish.
Distinguishing characteristics:
Bodies are long, slender and flattened; broad at the front
and tapering to the rear. Antennae are long and slender. Three
long, slender appendages protrude from the rear. They're wingless
and the body is about 1/2" long.
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