|
                
  
Tips
Want to control
Ant
infestation?
To control ant infestation, keep all your food containers tightly sealed,
keep your kitchen area clean, always examine firewood for ant inhabitants,
and never store your garbage can under the sink or in any other
moisture-heavy location.
Want to avoid
Rodent
infestation? Avoid rodent infestation by keeping your garbage on a stand
several inches above the ground (and make sure it is equipped with a
tight-sealing lid).
Want to control
Cockroaches? The foundation of cockroach control lies in sealing cracks
and holes that allow them entry Into your home.
Unsure about
Termite
infestation?
To determine if termite infestation has occurred, check the wood structure
around your home for holes and other unexplained damage. Also, check your
stone foundation and see if termites have begun work on "tunnels" into your
home.
Want to protect your pets and
house from Fleas?
Because flea eggs can be laid on your pet (and then fall off), give your pet
regular flea baths or medicine and thoroughly vacuum and clean the areas
where your pets spends the most time or sleeps.
Common
Name: Cicada killer
Latin Name: Sphecius speciosus (Drury)
Common Family Name: Sphecid wasps
Latin Family Name: Sphecidae
Other Names: Giant ground hornet
Origin: There are several species of these giant hornets in the United
States, occurring commonly in states east of the Rocky Mountains and south into
Mexico.
Biology: This is an enormous wasp, fully 1.5 inches long. It is a
solitary wasp which burrows into the soil to create a cavity or its larvae, and
then provisions this cavity with a paralyzed cicada which the adult has captured
and stung. The burrows can be up to 4 feet deep with several side branches and
cells for a number of larvae. Piles of soil are left at the surface around the
entrance hole. The fully developed larva then spends the winter in the soil,
pupates in the spring and emerges as an adult wasp. The females can sting but
are unlikely to do so as solitary wasps. The males can be very pugnacious and
curious about intruders, but they are harmless. Control may be needed when large
populations occur around playgrounds or when the activity is in well kept turf
and causes unsightly piles of soil.
Identification: Adult wasps are as long as 1.5 inches, with a black
abdomen that has yellow and orange markings on the sides of the last 3 segments.
The thorax is brown, with a covering of fine yellowish hairs over much of it.
The wings have a bright orange color to them.
Characteristics Important in Control: Prevention may be accomplished by
covering the soil with a thick layer of mulch that discourages digging. Holes
may be dusted with an insecticide dust that can penetrate into the subterranean
cells, killing adults and developing larvae.
Carpet Beetles
Adult carpet beetles are small, oval, hard-shelled insects
with dark brown or black bodies, sometimes mottled
with yellow or white. The larvae are hairy and 1/4 to 1/2
inch long. The tufts of hair are black or reddish brown.
The adults are often found crawling slowly along
baseboards, closet corners, heating vents, and are also
attracted to sunlight and can be found around windows.
Adults and larvae may be carried into homes on clothing
or furnishings, especially secondhand items.
Carpet beetles feed on wool, felt, fur, feathers, bristles,
down, horsehair, mohair, or any fabric made from animal
fibers. They also feed on grain and cereal products,
spices, pollen and nectar.
Non chemical: Good housekeeping practices helps
reduce the number of these insects. Prevent lint and hair
from accumulating under radiators, heating vents, in
closets and beneath furniture. Dry cleaning, washing, or
the heated cycle of a clothes dryer for woolens will kill all
stages of carpet beetles. Store insect-free fabrics in
plastic bags or other air-tight containers. Cedar chests
used for storage or woolens should be air-tight. Cedar oil
vapors destroy small larvae, but do not kill the larger
ones.
Millipedes,
Centipedes, Sowbugs
Millipedes are hard-shelled, worm-like
animals with many
segments. Their legs are uniformly spaced along their
body. Most segments bear 2 pairs of legs. The adults are
1-2 inches long and are brown, tan or gray. When
disturbed, millipedes curl up.
Centipedes are flattened, elongate animals with numerous
segments. Each segment bears 1 pair of long legs.
Sowbugs and pillbugs are gray, hard-shelled,
oval-shaped segmented animals with 7 pairs of legs.
When disturbed, pillbugs roll up into a tight little ball.
Most millipedes, sowbugs and pillbugs
are scavengers,
feeding on decaying organic matter. Often they are found
in groups under leaf litter, mulch, tree bark, flower pots,
damp cracks and crevices and refuse piles. Sometimes
they may feed on roots and plant parts. Centipedes are
predators that feed on small insects and spiders.
Millipedes, sowbug and pillbugs are slow
moving animals
that may enter buildings and cause annoyance. Because
they need high humidity, they often die quickly indoors.
They do not bite humans or damage articles in the home.
Centipedes are fast moving animals and may be annoying
indoors . If threatened, they may bite. Stored food and
other items in the home are not damaged.
Non chemical: If found indoors, remove
by vacuuming.
Discourage these animals by changing their habitat and
removing their food source. Keep planting beds free of
mulch along building foundations. Prevent accumulations
of leaves and other organic waste. Remove potential
moist resting sites, such as loose boards, stones and
pots. Caulking cracks and crevices can keep most of
these animals from entering the house.
Earwigs
Earwigs are dark, reddish-brown insects
which are easily
identified by the pincer-like projections on the tip of the
abdomen, called forceps. Both males and females have
forceps. The most common species in Texas, the
European earwig, is 5/8 of an inch long.
Earwigs prefer moist, dark areas. They
are most active at
night and seek shelter during day. They are commonly
found in mulch, organic debris, cracks and crevices,
under flower pots and boards. They frequently enter the
house and are often found in the basement or
crawlspace. Earwigs feed on living or dead plant material
and some insects.
Generally, earwigs are not destructive.
They are not
poisonous and generally will not bite or sting humans.
They may pinch the skin with their forceps. With large
numbers, they may feed on tender plants and may
damage lettuce, strawberries, dahlias, marigolds, zinnias
and roses.
Non chemical: If found indoors, remove
by vacuuming.
Discourage earwigs by eliminating their desired habitat.
Remove leaf litter, stones, and mulches near foundations;
keep shrubs trimmed, Discourage and reduce entry into
buildings by caulking and repairing cracks and crevices
and checking door thresholds, windows and screens for
a tight fit.
Carpenter Ants
Most carpenter ants that enter the home
are black and
can vary in length from 1/4 to 3/4 inch. Unlike termites,
all carpenter ants have narrow (or constricted) waists and
elbowed (bent) antennae.
Carpenter ants are social insects which
form large
colonies. A mature carpenter ant colony may contain up
to 3,000 individuals, but usually only one queen.
Carpenter ants form nests in wood by tunneling against
the grain. These galleries are free of mud and sawdust.
Coarse sawdust is present below the entrance of an
active nest.
Carpenter ants are drawn to areas with high moisture
levels. Indoors they are typically seen in bathrooms,
basement/sump pump areas, laundry areas, along
sweating/leaking pipes and crawl spaces. Outdoors, they
may be found in rotting wood of tree stumps and roots,
and in moist areas such as under roof shingles, gutters,
window sills, near chimneys, firewood, or in untreated
wood products on or in the soil. Nests in buildings are
frequently located in wood associated with current or old
roof leaks and leaky pipes.
Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not
feed on wood
products but are economically important because of the
damage they cause by forming nests and because of the
foods they contaminate. Generally, the ants do not
weaken a building structurally.
Non chemical: Inspect the structure and
nearby grounds
for nests. Once the problem areas have been identified,
areas with high moisture levels should be ventilated or
drained. Replace wood damaged by carpenter ants, other
insects, or decay organisms.
Keep firewood away from the house and off the ground.
Caulk and repair cracks and crevices in the structure.
Repair leaky pipes and unclog gutters to prevent
rainwater from backing up, and repair chimney flashing.
Annual White
Grub
The adults of the annual white grub are
tan, 1/2 inch long
beetles that emerge from the pupae in June. The larvae
are white with a brown head. When found feeding on
roots in the soil, they have a characteristic "C" shaped
body.
In the summer, adult beetles are drawn
to well-watered
lawns for egg laying. The adults are nocturnal and do not
feed. Larvae hatch and feed on turfgrass roots, with
damage usually appearing in mid August and possibly
continuing through the fall. Larvae overwinter in the soil
and resume some feeding the following spring until they
pupate in late spring/early summer.
Annual White Grub is the most serious
turfgrass pest in
Illinois. Grubs feed on turfgrass roots, that will damage
and can kill the grass. Grub damage appears as brown
areas and when enough feeding damage has occurred,
lawns may be rolled up like carpeting. Moles, skunks,
and birds often dig for the larvae and also damage the
lawn.
Grub damage can vary from year to year. During dry
summers, grubs may be more concentrated in
well-watered lawns. During wet summers, grub damage
may not appear at all. It is important to check for the
presence of grubs before deciding if treatment is
warranted.
Non-chemical: During a dry summer,
allowing the lawn
to go dormant may help reduce egg-laying activity.
Aphids
Aphids may be green, black, brown, red,
pink, or some
other color. These pear-shaped insects are slow moving
and range in size from 1/16 to 1/8 inch long. They have
conspicuous slender antennae and near the rear end of
the abdomen there are two tubes called cornicles. Some
may have transparent wings.
Dense colonies of aphids may be found
along stems or
on the underside of a leaf. They are drawn to succulent
new growth. Several generations may occur and
populations can build up quickly.
Aphids are sucking insects which draw
great quantities of
sap, causing leaves and stems to become distorted. This
distorted growth may be mistaken as herbicide injury.
Some plant sap is excreted as honeydew, which makes
the plant sticky. Sidewalks, cars, and patio furniture may
become wet with honeydew. A sooty mold often grows
in the honeydew and blackens stems, leaves and any
other surface. Aphids may transmit plant pathogens.
Non chemical: Wash off aphids with a steady stream of
water. Avoid heavy applications of nitrogen fertilizer
which can encourage succulent plant growth. Natural
predators such as lady beetles and aphis lions feed on
aphids but may not always provide adequate control.
Chemical: Contact your local Extension
office for
current pesticide controls.
Pantry
Pests
   
Confused Flour Beetle
Indian Meal moth
Saw-toothed Grain Beetle
Granary Weevil
Many species of grain, flour and
dermestid beetles and
weevils can be found in Texas. The adults range in size
from 1/10 inch to 1/4 inch and may be various shades of
brown, red-brown , or black . The Indianmeal Moth adult
is about 3/8 inch long with a wing span of about 3/4 inch.
The base of the front wings is grayish-white, and the
outer half is a deep copper. These insects complete one
generation in 1-2 months.
These insects may fly into the house or
be carried into
the home in infested food packages. They are found
primarily in the kitchen or food storage area, including
dry pet food and birdseed. These insects feed on grain
products. The adult beetles and moths are frequently
seen in cabinets, on counters and around windows.
The larvae and some adults of these
insects feed on
grains (rice, barley, corn, wheat, bird seed), grain
products(oatmeal, cornmeal, pasta, cereals, flour, cake
mixes, pancake flour, granola, dry pet food), nuts, dried
fruits, and other dried plant material (dried flower
arrangements, ornamental corn, seed displays). All life
stages can be found in these products, often
simultaneously.
Dermestid beetles also feed on spices, tobacco, and
animal products.
Non chemical: When infestations are
discovered,
remove and inspect opened and unopened food
packages from the cabinets. Discard infested packages.
Vacuum shelves and cracks around shelves to remove
spilled food and insects and dispose of the vacuumed
material. Wash shelves with soapy water. Place food
products in airtight containers. If no insects are found
after 6 -12 months, they have probably been eliminated
from the home.
 Horntail Wasps in New Homes
An unusual pest problem of large wasps chewing
holes through plaster board and emerging within recently constructed homes came to our
attention in the summer of 1991. These 1 and 1/4 inch long, black or dark blue wasps have
been identified as horntails or horntail wasps. The name comes from the spearlike
projection on the tail end of both male and female horntails.
Horntails tunnel as larvae in dead, dying or
recently-felled trees. The female wasp lays her eggs in the wood and the larvae create
sawdust packed burrows 1/4 inch in diameter by 1 to 2 feet long. The larvae take 2 to 3
years to develop before the new adult wasps chew out of the wood through 1/4 inch holes.
Horntail wasps emerging into houses through
plaster board (sheetrock) come from larvae living in the studs behind the plaster board.
Studs that were cut from infested logs can contain horntail larvae that survived the
processing. The larvae survived, in part, because the studs were not kiln dried or were
inadequately dried. The adult wasps chewing their way out of infested studs also chew
through almost any building material used to cover the wood (plaster board or paneling).
Swatting or spraying individual wasps as they
emerge, and patching and repainting the emergence holes is the only advised management for
this problem. There is no practical way to treat lumber within walls to control horntails
that have not yet emerged. Wasps and emergence holes are usually few in number and
scattered within the house and the chances of structural damage to the walls are very
slim. It has been suggested that if 5 or more horntails emerge from a single stud, there
will probably be enough damage to the stud to justify replacing it.
Horntail wasps do not bite or sting. Also, they
cannot infest lumber after it has been cut so there is no risk of additional generations
of horntails in the studs or household furniture. Most horntail wasps will emerge within
the first year of construction, though a few may linger and emerge as long as 2 or 3 years
after construction.
Scorpions are venomous arthropods of the class
Arachnida and are considered relatives of the spiders,
mites, ticks and harvestmen. There are approximately
1,300 species of scorpions worldwide, characterized
by an elongated body and a segmented tail that is
tipped with a venomous stinger.
Scorpions are commonly thought of as desert animals,
but in fact, they occur in many other habitats as well,
including grasslands and savannahs, deciduous
forests, montane pine forests, rain forest and caves.
Scorpions have even been found under snow-covered
rocks at elevations of over 12,000 feet in the Andes
Mountains of South America and the Himalayas of
Asia. About 90 species occur in the U.S., and all but
four of these naturally occur west of the Mississippi
River.
As arachnids, scorpions have mouthparts called
chelicerae, a pair of pedipalps, and four pairs of legs.
The pincerlike pedipalps are used primarily for prey
capture and defense, but are also covered with various
types of sensory hairs. The body is divided into two
main regions, a cephalothorax and an abdomen. The
cephalothorax is covered above by a carapace (or
head shield) that usually bears a pair of median eyes
and 2 to 5 pairs of lateral eyes at its front corners (a
few cave and litter-dwelling scorpions are eyeless).
The abdomen consists of 12 distinct segments, with
the last five forming what most people refer to as the
"tail". At the end of the abdomen is the telson, which
bears a bulb-shaped structure containing the venom
glands and a sharp, curved aculeus to deliver the
venom.
On its underside, the scorpion bears a pair of unique
sense organs called pectines; these are usually larger
and bear more "teeth" in the male and presumably
sense textures of surfaces they walk across and serve
as chemoreceptors to detect pheromo own species of
scorpions, found mainly in the warmer parts of the
world.
The "long-tailed" South African Scorpion (Hadogenes
troglodytes) reaches a length of over 8 inches, and is
probably the longest scorpion in the world. Some of
the African and Asian Emperor Scorpions routinely
reach (and probably exceed) 7 inches. The largest
scorpions in the US are members of the genus
Hadrurus (giant desert hairy scorpions), obtaining a
length of about 5 inches.
Scorpions are nocturnal, predatory animals that feed
on a variety of insects, spiders, centipedes, and other
scorpions. The larger scorpions occasionally feed on
vertebrates, such as smaller lizards, snakes, and mice.
Prey are located primarily by sensing vibrations. The
pedipalps have an array of fine sensory hairs called
trichobothria that sense air-borne vibrations; the tips of
the legs have small organs that detect vibrations in the
ground.
The surfaces of the legs, pedipalps, and body are also
covered with thicker hairs (setae) that are sensitive to
direct touch. Although they are equipped with venom to
defend themselves, scorpions fall prey to many types
of creatures, such as centipedes, tarantulas,
insectivorous lizards, birds (especially owls), and
mammals (including shrews, grasshopper mice, bats).
Scorpions have a complex mating ritual in which the
male uses his pedipalps to grasp the female's
pedipalps in order to lead her on a "courtship dance".
The details of courtship vary from species to species,
with some even exhibiting a deliberate and prolonged
"sexual sting" by the male. The g sperm from the male
spermatophore, a structure deposited by the male on
the surface over which the female is pulled. The male
sweeps his pectines over the ground surface to help
locate a suitable place to deposit his spermatophore,
usually a rock or stick. The female draws the sperm
into her genital pore, which is located near the front on
the underside of her abdomen.
Scorpions have a long gestation period (from several
months to a year and a half, depending on species) in
which the young develop as embryos in the female's
ovariuterus. During this time, nutrients are transferred
from the mother's digestive gland to the embryos. The
young are born live and ascend their mother's back.
She assists them by making a "birth basket" with her
folded legs to catch them as they are born and to
provide them with a means to climb to her back.
On the average, a female gives birth to about 25-35
young. They remain on her back until they molt for the
first time, usually within a week or two after birth.
Once they climb down, they assume an independent
existence, and periodically molt to reach adulthood.
Typically five or six molts over two to six years are
required for the scorpion to reach maturity.
The average scorpion probably lives three to five
years, but some species undoubtedly live at least
10-15 years. A few scorpions exhibit social behaviors
beyond the mother-young association, such as forming
overwintering aggregations, colonial burrowing, and
perhaps even living in extended familygroups that
share burrows and food.
The venom of scorpions is used for both prey capture
and defense. Scorpion venoms are complex mixtures
of neurotoxins (toxins which affect the victim's nervous
system) and other substances; each species has a
unique mixture. Despite their bad reputation, only one
species in the U.S. and about 20 others worldwide
have venom potent enough to be considered
dangerous to humans.
The US species, Centruroides exilicauda (formerly
called C. sculpturatus), is found over much of Arizona.
A small population occurs in extreme southeastern
California, and a few records exist for southern Utah.
The venom of this scorpion may produce severe pain
and swelling at the site of the sting, numbness, frothing
at the mouth, difficulties in breathing (including
respiratory paralysis), muscle twitching, and
convulsions. Death is rare, especially in more recent
times. An antivenin is available for severe cases.
The world's most dangerous scorpions live in North
Africa and the Middle East (species of Androctonus,
Buthus, Hottentotta, Leiurus), South America
(Tityus), India (Mesobuthus), and Mexico
(Centruroides). In some of these areas, scorpion
stings may be a significant cause of death, but reliable
data on human mortality are not readily available.
Some available statistics suggest typical mortality
rates up to about 4% in hospital cases, with children
and the aged being most susceptible. Death by
scorpion sting, if it occurs, is the result of heart or
respiratory failure some hours after the incident.
Treat the front and back yard with granules to
eliminate all
pest infestation. Treat and seal all cracks and crevices. Kill all weed
infestation to eliminate all pest harboring places. Place a six foot chemical
barrier around the foundation and spray eves Treat under all planter boxes, Treat rooftop
and place exterior monitoring systems, Replace worn or torn window screens (if requested)
NON-CHEMICAL CONTROL: Keep wood piles away from
walls, check all wood carefully before bringing into your home,
remove heavy shrubbery that is growing close to the structure,
remove medium to large rocks that are situated next to the
structure, inspect all rocks before moving them! Seal/caulk all
pipes, wiring outlets, or cracks located around the outside of the
structure. Stop any water from dripping (i.e. Evaporative
coolers) if at all possible as they will gather around moisture
sources. Keep chimney flumes closed when not in use. Keep
outside lights to a minimum. Keep doors closed after dusk and
until dawn. Pay particular attention to "doggie" doors as this a
very, very easy way to obtain entry. Keep sealed when animals
are in the home.
Do NOT walk around the home during the nighttime hours with
BAREFEET! Check all shoes, folded towels, dresser drawers,
closets on a periodic basis for scorpions. Check molding
around all in door piping and repair if any holes are present.
Keep all drains (tub, shower, sinks, etc) closed or sealed when
not in use as scorpions have been known to come up through
the drains on rare occasions.
Screen (with a tight mesh screen) ALL floor level return air or
heater ducts. Remove face plate, insert pre-measured screen
and replace face plate.
ALL IT TAKES IS AN OPENING OR CRACK NO LARGER
THAN 1/16TH OF AN INCH FOR A SCORPION TO GET
ACCESS TO YOUR HOME!
This page was last edited
02/17/08 11:27:30 AM
|
