CENTIPEDES

Centipedes usually live outside, but the House Centipede you can find inside. The regular Centipede is flattened, with many different body segments. They are between 1-6 inches while the House Centipede is 1-1/2 inches long. The "outside Centipede" lives in damp areas. If they are around the foundation of the house, they wander inside. The larger Centipede can bite if it is injured, causing a light swelling. A physician should be consulted if the bite has penetrated the skin. The centipede is beneficial, eating other insects. Repeated problems with the Centipede should be treated by eliminating the damp habitats with caulking any entry points to the home.

CRICKETS

There are three types of crickets most common: HOUSE CRICKET, CAMEL CRICKET, AND FIELD CRICKET. These can be very annoying with their loud chirping, but unless there are large numbers, they do very little damage.

HOUSE CRICKET

They live outdoors, but may come inside in great numbers. Adults are 3/4 to 1 inch long, light yellowish-brown with 3 dark bands on the head. They will eat almost anything and will chew on damaged silk and woolens. This cricket is nocturnal, staying hidden during the day. They have a distinctive chirping sound. They can be found in warm places like kitchens, basements, fireplaces, also in cracks and crevices and behind baseboards.

FIELD CRICKET

This cricket is slightly longer than the House Cricket and is dark brown to gray or black. They prefer to live outside, feeding on plants, but will come inside if food sources dry up or there are unfavorable extremes in temperatures.

CAMEL CRICKET

This cricket is also known as a Hump Back Cricket due to its hump-back appearance. They are light to dark brown, about 1/2 -1 1/2 inches long. Their diet is almost anything but will feed on clothes. They are most often are found in crawl spaces and basements, but also like any cool and damp area like under logs or stones.

EARWIGS

Earwigs are easily recognizable by their pinchers (forceps-no harm to humans) at the end of their abdomen. They are dark reddish-brown, with light brown legs, about 5/8 inch long. They are primarily nocturnal, with some species attracted to lights. They are considered scavengers, eating almost anything, but some are predatory. They also eat live plants. They can be found in the homes, but prefer cracks and crevices. Their populations will build up around foundations. They can produce large populations rather quickly and are often a major problem in new subdivisions. Earwigs live in habitats that also harbor centipedes, sow bugs, (rolly pollies) and millipedes. Their habitats are environments like mulch, pine straw, leaf litter, etc. The removal of their habitats is very important to the control of all insects, including earwigs.

MILLIPEDES
Millipedes are oval, 1 to 1/2" inches long, segmented with many legs, coiling up when resting or dead. Their diet consists of damp and decaying wood and plant materials. It has been our experience that they invade the house during extremely wet seasons.

SILVERFISH

They have bodies that are flattened, long and slender, broad then tapered at the end, with three long appendages on the rear. The shape is like a carrot. They are 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch long, and are gray or silver in color. They are usually found close to their food source. They can eat a variety of products, but will prefer starch, glue, paste, glue behind wallpaper and paper. They have been known to do serious damage to books. They thrive on hot humid conditions.

PANTRY PESTS - BEETLES & MOTHS

These truly can be a "pest". There are several pantry pests: Rice Weevils, Granary Weevils, Grain Moths, Grain Bores, Drugstore Beetles, Tobacco Beetles, Indian Meal Moths, Confused Flour Beetles, etc. The first necessary action is the elimination of the source of infestation. In private residences, the Pantry Pest is usually brought in by products from the grocery stores. It is usually just in one area, but can spill over into other areas. They can also be found in boxes that are "sealed". Residents should also look into cracks and crevices and any void area where food may have accumulated. Look into your cereals, grains, dried beans, sprouting seeds, dried fruits, and spices. Don't forget to check any bird seed or pet food. Bird seed is sometimes a major problematic source. Indian Meal Moths can take from 25-135 days for the moths’ development cycle to occur. One moth can lay 100-400 eggs over a 1-18 day period. Anything in your pantry that is not in a can is "suspect”. You will need to do your best to eliminate all possible sources. Moths and Beetles go through metamorphosis...from an egg to larva to pupa, then to adulthood. The eggs turn to larva, and then the adults lay their eggs in foodstuff. After complete elimination, thoroughly vacuum the area paying attention to cracks and crevices.

TICKS

There are several species that vary in appearance, but all of the adults are small, round with eight legs. They have four stages in their life: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. When they are at the larvae stage, they are called "seed ticks" with six legs. They attach themselves to a host. After receiving a blood meal, they drop to the ground and emerge as eight-legged nymphs. Ticks can carry serious diseases. One of the more common ticks is the Brown Dog Tick. They commonly attach to the animal's body; after feeding, they drop to the ground in search of protective areas.Feel confident that your Pest-X technician is trained to control any tick issues you might have

CLOTHES MOTH

Clothes moths go through a complete metamorphosis. It is the larva that does the damage. Larvae are 1/2 inch white worms. Adults are yellow-brown, with narrow wings, about 1/2 inch long. They eat protein-based material; they have an unusual ability to digest keratin. Keratin is found in woolens, furs, hair, leathers, hides, feathers, horns, stored meat, and dairy products. Clothes moths hardly ever damage synthetic materials. Keratin is also found in hair, skin and nail tissues. Clothes moths will damage silk, linens, and synthetics, but it will be incidental, while the larvae are eating their preferred foods. They particularly damage fabrics stained with oil from human hair, human sweat, urine, beer, milk, soft drinks, and juices.

The first order of business is to wash or dry clean your clothes. It is important to identify the source of infestation. Look in your closet and around your baseboards for lint using a small spatula and flashlight. Also look at any storage items, in collections of animal hair and air ducts. At times, they can be found in your pantry and in bird nests.