MosquitoNix Pest Library
Welcome to the MosquitoNix® Pest Library!
In the U.S. alone, there are 91,000 species of insects, in addition to other kinds of pests that can invade your home or business. The first step in getting rid of pests is to know what they are. Identifying the creepy crawlies will allow you to figure out how they operate so you know how to get them out of your home. Our Pest Library helps you identify and learn about your unwanted guests so you can start the process of evicting them from your home or business. The pest control specialists at MosquitoNix® can help you keep them away with our exclusive Integrated Pest Management System, but for your peace of mind, look through this guide to know what bug you have in your home.
Popular Pests
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Beetles (order Coleoptera): There are more than 25,00 beetle species. Some are beneficial, but others will eat wool, other fabrics, grains and even wood. To get these out of your home, you would require an indoor treatment that addresses the specific beetle type. -
Bed Bugs (genus Cimex): Bed bugs are found not only in bedding, but on fabrics, curtains, furniture, carpeting, wallpaper, electronics, appliances, luggage and anywhere there's a crack or crevice. They require a combination eviction plan of inspection, prevention, treatment and monitoring to keep them away. -
Cockroaches (order Blattaria): Some cockroaches are beneficial, but those that invade your property are pests that can carry diseases. Typically found in kitchens and around food, they also enter through cracks, vents, pipes and bags, and hide in boxes awaiting to be carried into your home. Adults and eggs can't be eradicated without special equipment and professional services. -
Earwigs (order Dermaptera): Earwigs are active at night and hide in cracks in damp locations by day. They're attracted to light and hide underneath damp items. They go into buildings to find food or to get to safety when there's a change in the weather. Removing hiding places is a key part of earwig control. -
Fleas (order Siphonaptera): Fleas are parasites that feed on blood from a host. They prefer hairy animals, but might be in a home looking for a new host after a pet or other animal host is gone. Treatment includes exclusion tactics, eliminating flea habitats outdoors and using chemicals and flea control products for pets. -
Fruit Flies (order Diptera): Fruit flies are found around ripened fruit and vegetables, as well as anything else that ferments. They develop in moist areas where there's standing water and organic material. Keep counters clean, store food in the refrigerator and keep garbage secure to minimize the risk of these insects moving in your home. -
Gnats (class Diptera): Some gnats bite and others don't, but they are all annoying for humans and animals. They feed on insects, plants and blood. They carry parasites and spread diseases to people and livestock. To minimize gnats, eliminate standing water and let plants dry out before re-watering, and don't leave fruit exposed on counters. Contact a professional for outbreaks inside your home. -
Millipedes (class Diplopoda): Millipedes are found in damp areas, gardens, mulch and grass clippings. They might enter homes in the fall through basement windows and doors, crawlspace vents and garages. Clear decaying wood, dead leaves and damp boxes to prevent an outbreak. You can vacuum them up or call for pest control services to help take care of these insects. -
Mites (class Arachnida): Mites have four pairs of legs and certain species are parasitic. These attack animal hosts and cause skin irritation and possibly mange, while some others can transfer diseases. There are preventatives and treatments for pets, and a pest control service can handle a large infestation. -
Rodents (order Rodentia): Mice and rats contaminate food sources and spread serious diseases. Mice seek food, water and warmth, and rats are found in attics, under porches and in spaces in walls. Sealing holes can keep rodents from coming into homes and businesses and a pest control professional can help remove them. -
Silverfish (order Thysanura): Teardrop-shaped silverfish live in damp, dark areas in attics, basements, bathrooms and kitchens. They feed on starches and sugars, silk, linen, book glue, shampoos and can even be found in unopened food. If you discover a large population of these insects, you should hire a professional pest control company. -
Stinging pests: Stinging pests include bees, hornets, scorpions, wasps and yellow jackets. Warm weather increases their population, and the stings may cause series health issues like infections, swelling and nausea. For some with allergic reactions, they may be fatal. A pest control expert can remove the pests and their nest. -
Stink bugs (order Hemipetera): Most stink bugs are shaped like a shield. They’re agricultural pests that eat fruit and vegetables. In winter, they can move into homes through openings and hide in walls, crawl spaces or attics. In spring, they move out into the open and are seen on windows and walls. They have an unpleasant odor. -
Ticks (order Acari): Ticks are found around vegetation and wooded areas. Certain species need moisture. These parasites feed on blood from mammals, reptiles and birds. Ticks will commonly bite dogs, cats, humans, deer and livestock. They can transmit diseases, and there are various prevention measures to reduce the risk. -
Weevils (order Coleoptera): Weevils are a form of beetle. They eat plants and may be destructive to food crops. They also feed on stored grain and seeds. Some enter homes in the fall and are seen on windowsills and walls. They can be vacuumed and there are control methods, though you may need help from a professional. -
Wildlife: Wildlife pests can include bats, birds, moles, opossums, pocket gophers, rabbits, raccoons, skunks, snakes, squirrels, woodchucks and voles. A humane form of wildlife control is the best way to remove wildlife from your home or business.
There are other pests that might invade your environment; however, these are the most common pests found in residential homes and commercial facilities. Call MosquitoNix, the pest control experts, for more information about our comprehensive pest control services.
FAQs:
Does the size of the pest determine the level of danger they pose in your home or garden?
The size of the pest does not necessarily determine the level of danger they pose in your home or garden. However, larger insects tend to leave behind more waste, which increases the risk of transmission of disease-causing pathogens. But bites from the smallest insects can carry harmful diseases.
Can you prevent an infestation from occurring in your home or garden?
Yes - preventive measures include sealing off entry points into buildings (such as cracks around windows or doors), eliminating water sources around the home (like leaky pipes), removing debris piles near exterior walls, and regularly cleaning kitchen surfaces where crumbs are often left behind as an attractant for certain species like ants or roaches.
What measures can you take to ensure a thorough elimination of these pests?
Measures taken should involve both physical removal practices and chemical treatments aimed at killing any remaining eggs or larvae so that no further generations will hatch out after treatment has been completed.
Keeping your home clean, sealing cracks and holes around windows and doors, checking for holes or tears in screens, dumping standing water outside and keeping your yard mowed and yard tidy are all ways to keep a lot of insects, pests and critters out of your yard and home.
Are there any medical implications associated with an infestation of these pests?
An infestation of these pests could potentially transmit diseases through their saliva or fecal matter if proper sanitation is not followed. A lot of pests can transfer illnesses and diseases with their bites, and humans and pets have the potential to become infected.
No one wants to find any insect, pest or creature in their home or business, but there is no way to keep them all out all of the time. Prevention is important, but if you find yourself battling with bugs and can't get a handle on the situation yourself with alternative measures, call a pest control service like MosquitoNix for a free quote on how to best handle your specific situation.