5859 Pest Library

Appearance: Ant species come in a wide range of colors (black, brown, red, yellowish and combinations of these), and sizes (1/16 to 1 inch in length). All species of ants have a larger and wider forewing and a smaller hindwing. This characteristic makes it easy to distinguish an ant from other species such as termites (both the front and hind termite wings are even in length) Ants Bed Bugs Boxelder Bugs Cockroaches House Flies Earwigs Silverfish and Firebrats Ticks Fleas Rodents Spiders Pesticides; Background, How They Work & Examples Of. Habitat: Ants are social insects and live in colonies which may have as many as 100,000 individuals. They live in colonies in underground tunnels or in galleries in dead wood. Food: Adults are unable to digest hard, solid food. They ingest only liquids which are sucked from the food material. Young larvae must feed on liquids. Most species and there colony feed on different types of food during the spring to fall seasons. Generally most species collect carbohydrate rich foods in early spring while changing there diet to protein based foods up to and through the cooler fall months. Life Cycle: Complete metamorphosis (egg; larvae; pupa; adult) 1. Eggs are microscopic and are carried about the colony by the workers. 2. Larvae are usually very soft, pear shaped, legless, and off-white. 3. Pupa are naked or are enclosed in a silken tube, depending on the species. Pupa resemble adults except are white and do not move about or feed. 4. Six to eight weeks to maturity from egg to adult. Ant colonies normally have three distinct adult members: a. Workers-sterile females, all vary in size. b. Queens-generally the largest of a colony. Unmated queens usually retain there wings until mated. c. Males-they do nothing but mate with the queen. The male dies after mating. General Information: Ants communicate by touch and smell. They lay down chemical trails and constantly touch each other to pass on their nest odor. Ants use there antennae to pick up the sent. When some species bite, they are able to squirt formic acid from the end of their abdomen into the wound -- making it even more painful. When ants find food, they lay down a chemical trail, called a pheromone, so that other ants can find their way from the nest to the food source. The scent trail is long lasting and invisible to our sight. Foraging ants pass food by a mouth-to-mouth process called trophallaxis. Management: Colony eradication provides permanent relief, so it is important to remember that the first priority of an ant management job is to locate the nest or nests and treat them with an attractive bait or with granules. top of the page Bed Bugs Order hemiptera Bedb1.jpg (5757 bytes)Bedb2.jpg (6781 bytes) Appearance: 1/5 inches long and 1/8 inches wide. Its reddish-brown colored body is greatly flattened and oval-shaped. After feeding, the bug's body enlarges considerably, becoming longer and much less flattened. Habitat: Bed bugs general hide in cracks and crevices during normal daylight hours. Typical hiding places are in the folds and tufts of mattresses, coils of springs, cracks and hollow posts of bedsteads, and upholstery of chairs and sofas. Food: Blood of warm blooded animals. Life Cycle: Piercing-sucking mouth parts. The nymphs undergo a gradual metamorphosis through five instars before becoming adults. Bed bug eggs are elongated and usually attached to an available surface when laid. Eggs are not known to be placed directly upon the host's body, but are typically found on surfaces nearby to where the host sleeps or nests. Nymphs must have a blood meal during each instar (growth stage) in order to develop to the next instar. Each female will lay about two eggs a day until she has laid approximately two hundred. At normal room temperatures these will hatch in 6 to 17 days, each producing small, almost colorless nymphs which have the general body appearance of the adult. Bed bugs will mate soon after becoming mature, so the time from egg hatch to egg laying will often be 4 to 9 weeks. General Information: Bed bugs are very hardy insects. They can survive prolonged periods without food or under adverse temperature conditions. In laboratory tests, bed bugs have been found to carry the causative agents for several diseases such as anthrax, plage, tularemia, yellow fever, relapsing fever, and typhus. However, there is little evidence that they carry these disease organisms under normal conditions, so they are not considered an important factor in disease transmission. Bed Bug Management: Bed Bugs are usually controlled using insecticide spray or dust applications. Bed linens are not treated, and mattresses are treated only at seams, folds, buttons, or tears, and should be completely dried and covered with clean linens before use. Very small quantities of material is all that is required. All areas which the eggs and adults are hiding must be covered in order to be effective. A thorough application is essential to achieve adequate control. Due to the eggs being protected from the initial treatment, it is highly recommended that a minimum of two to four monthly treatments be made before considering the infestation to be eradicated. top of the page Boxelder Bugs Order Hemiptera Boxelder.jpg (11183 bytes) Appearance: Adults are about inch long. They are bright red or black with narrow reddish lines on the back. Habitat: Primarily around woods, Trees and gardens. When in dry environments, the Boxelder Bug can be found invading any structure which will offer needed moisture. Brick walls, wall voids, decaying plant mater and mulch can often be inspected to find large numbers coexisting. Food: Principally sucking juices from the boxelder tree, but are found on maples, and fallen leaves from fruit trees. Life Cycle: Gradual metamorphoses, with piercing-sucking mouth parts. Eggs are hidden in bark crevices or left on leaves and sometimes on seed pods in spring. Nymphs appear in late spring or early summer and develop rapidly. Adult females overwinter. 1 or 2 generations a year General Information: Although this insect does little damage to trees, it causes deformities and blemishes in fruit. They may stain curtains and other resting sites with fecal spots and produce a foul odor when crushed. In autumn, huge swarms of females can be seen near buildings, looking for a place to overwinter. top of the page . Earwigs Order Dermaptera Earwig.jpg (20317 bytes) Appearance: Earwigs have pinchers or forcep-like appendages at the end of the abdomen. Its size can vary between to 3/4 inch long and can be a dark reddish-brown to jet black in color. Habitat: They are active at night, and some species are attracted to lights in large numbers. During the day, they usually find shelter beneath stones, boards, and debris. Food: Earwigs are primarily scavengers on dead animal and plant material. Plants and ground litter, and perhaps foodstuffs found in homes and grain warehouses are also attractive. Life Cycle: Gradual metamorphosis. Nymphs, which have same appearance except smaller than adults grow to maturity in a few months and can live up to a year. General Information: Earwigs are often transported great distances in potted plants, nursery stock, or other plant material. Earwigs received there common name by early settlers "old wives tail" that an earwig will crawl into your ear and cause a person to go insane. Earwig Management: Habitat removal procedures will greatly aid in suppressing problems with earwigs indoors. Granular insecticide applications in grass can give excellent results. Refer to the standard Service Program outlined under Service Programs. top of the page Fleas Appearance: Size : 1/12 to 1/6 inch long, but can vary from as small as 1/25 to 1/3 inch long. There appearance, When viewed from the front, head on, the flea's body is narrow from side to side. This allows them to move readily between hairs in an animal's fur or in carpeting. Their bodies are covered with spines which project backward, making them well adapted for moving forward between the hairs or feathers of the host's body. These spines make removal of the fleas shaking or scratching dogs rather difficult. Habitat: Adults live in hair and clothing. Larvae are found under rugs and among accumulated lint incorporating organic matter, including the contents of carpet sweepers and vacuum cleaners. Food: Adult feeds on blood from humans, pigs, rodents, dogs, coyotes, cats, mules, and deer. Larva eats organic debris, scavenged from hosts. Life Cycle: Fleas have a complete metamorphosis. Eggs are frequently laid on the host animal, but may be laid by adults which have fallen to the ground. Female fleas scatter about 500 eggs during her lifetime, which may be 18 months if well fed, 4 months if starved. These eggs will hatch in anywhere from 1 day to several weeks, and will feed for 8-32 days. They pupate in cracks for 3-35 days but may wait months to emerge, aroused by vibrations from a passing potential host. Flea larvae are rarely seen due to there size. They frequently become entwined within the carpet, and resist the pull of a vacuum. The mature larva spins a cocoon for pupation, This cocoon becomes covered with grains of sand, lint, dust, or other debris from the substrate, so will be well camouflaged in the substrate. Note: this is why a family may find there new home, or long visited condo infested with fleas, whether they do or do not have pets. General Information: Fleas have powerful legs which permit them to jump as much as 7-8 inches upward and 14-16 inches horizontally. Fleas have piercing-sucking mouthparts to penetrate the skin of the host and suck blood. A parasite is an organism that obtains nourishment during all or part of its life upon another organism, but usually not directly causing the death of the organism upon which it feeds. Fleas are an ectoparasite, which is a parasite which feed from the external surface of the host. Diseases which fleas can carry are bacteria, protozoans, rickettsia or viruses. When parasites, such as fleas carry another disease, they are called a vector of disease. top of the page House Flies Family Muscidae Hfly.jpg (13723 bytes) Appearance: 1/8-1/4 inch. Gray with 4 black lengthwise stripes on thorax. Abdomen is grey or yellowish with dark midline and irregular dark markings on sides. The eyes are reddish. The mouthparts are of the sponging type, suitable for sponging up food. Habitat: Near animal manure, garbage, or exposed food. Food: Adults suck liquids containing sweet or decaying substances. Larva feeds on moist food rich in organic matter. Although they are attracted to a variety of food material, house flies have mouthparts which enable them to ingest only liquid materials. Solid food materials are liquefied by means of regurgitated saliva. This liquefied food is then drawn up by the mouthparts and passed into the digestive tract. Life Cycle: Female lays 5-6 batches of 75-120 oval, white eggs on moist manure or garbage. Eggs hatch in 10-24 hours. Larvae reach full size in 5 days emerging as adults about 5 days latter. They are ready to mate within a few hours after emerging. During warm weather two or more generations may be completed in a month. Males live for 15 days, females up to 26 if they have access to milk, sugar, and water. General Information: 98 percent or more of the flies caught in houses are house flies. Because they can transmit typhoid fever, cholera, dysentery, pinworm, hookworms, and some tapeworms, house flies are regarded as a grater threat to human health than most other insects. Pathogenic organisms are picked up by flies from garbage, sewage and other sources of filth, and then transferred on their mouthparts and other body parts, through their vomitus or through their feces to human and animal food. The larger and darker face fly (M. Autumnalis), 1/4-3/8 inch resembles the house fly but settles on cows rather than manure from other animals. It creeps into the nostrils and eyes of cattle and into horse fly wounds. top of the page House Centipede Class Chilopoda wpe3.jpg (8466 bytes) Appearance: The body is 1 to 1-1/2 inch long, but its legs make it appear to seem much larger. The body is grayish-yellow with 3 dark stripes extending along the full length of the back. The legs are long in proportion to the body size, and they have alternate light and dark bands running around them. Habitat: Unlike most other centipedes, this species generally lives its entire life inside a building. It will prefer to live in damp areas such as cellars, closets, bathrooms, attics (during the warm months) and unexcavated areas under the house. Food: The house centipede forages at night for small insects and their larvae, and for spiders. From a control tool point of view, they can be beneficial in controlling other insects. Life Cycle: They develop by gradual metamorphosis, so immature have a similar appearance to adults but are smaller. Eggs are laid in the damp places that they live in, as well as behind baseboards or beneath bark on firewood. All life stages can be observed running rapidly across floors or accidentally trapped in bathtubs, sinks, and lavatories. General Information: Although this centipede can bite, its jaws are quite weak. There usually is not more than a slight swelling if a bite occurs. top of the page Cockroaches: American Brown Banded German Oriental Appearance: Other than size, the general shape of a cockroach is quite similar among all the species. A pronotum (a shield-like covering) projects forward over the head. Their mouthparts are of the chewing type. They have specialized pads on the end of their legs which allows them to easily scale glass windows or walk on a ceiling. Habitat: Cockroaches ordinarily prefer a moist environment and relatively high degree of warmth. Cockroaches usually choose to live in protected cracks and crevices which provide a warm and humid environment. Unlike wasps, bees and ants, Cockroaches are not social insects. Even though they are often found in groups in their daytime hiding or resting areas (called "harborage"), and can be found feeding in groups at night, they do not share the food with each other. Food: Cockroaches that invade buildings will consume a wide variety of food and nonfood items, such as: starches sweets grease plant materials meat products cheese leather bakery products forms of glue hair dead animals beer flakes of dried skin starch in book bindings Life Cycle: Cockroaches develop by a gradual metamorphosis that consists of three stages: 1. Egg; the female produces a purse shaped egg capsule, called an ootheca. 2. Nymph; nymphs hatch out of the egg capsule by working together to break open the capsule. When the egg capsule is opened, the tiny nymphs emerge to begin their life. The nymphs generally resemble the adults in appearance and behavior, but are smaller, do not have wings or wing pads, and usually have a different color. Newly molted nymphs are white, but will darken to the normal color within a few hours. 3. Adults; depending on the species, the wings of an adult may be long. Some species have very short wings, which appear to be "wingless". The length of time required for the eggs to hatch, for nymphs to develop, and the life span of adults will vary due to temperature, humidity, the quality of their diet, and other environmental conditions. General Information: Cockroaches are among the most common insects. Based on fossil evidence cockroaches are known to have been present on Earth for 300 million years. There are approximately 3500 species of cockroaches worldwide - about 60 species are found in the United States. Cockroaches produce odorous secretions from various points in their bodies which can affect the flavor of various foods. Although disease producing organisms such as bacteria have been found on cockroach bodies, the principal disease transmitted by cockroaches are gastroenteritis diseases. These include food poisoning, dysentery, diarrhea and other illnesses. For the most part, however, cockroaches usually are not associated with severe illnesses or disease outbreaks. Although cockroaches are able to move around quite easily, and some are able to fly, cockroaches are well known for moving to new areas via "hitchhiking". Cockroaches are mostly active at night, during which time they forage for food, water and mates. They may be seen in the daytime, usually when a heavy population is present or when some other stress is placed on them (such as lack of food or water). American Cockroach Brown Banded Cockroach German Cockroach Oriental Cockroach American Cockroach Order: dictyoptera Genus: periplaneta Species: americana Appearance: Up to 1 ½ to 2 inches in length. It is reddish-brown, with a pale brown or yellow border on the upper surface of the pronotum. Both the male and female are fully winged. The wings of the male extend slightly beyond the tip of the abdomen, while those of the female are about the same length as the abdomen. Young nymphs are grayish-brown. After the first few molts, nymphs become more reddish brown in color. The time required to complete the nymphal stage varies from 160-971 days. Habitat: When indoors, the nymphs and adults are usually found in dark, moist areas of basements and crawl spaces as well as in and around bathtubs, clothes hampers, floor drains, pipe chases and sewers. In basements they are usually found in corner areas high on the walls. The American cockroach is also common around the manholes of sewers, and on the underside of metal covers of large sump pumps in boiler rooms. In the south, this roach is abundant outdoors in alleyways, yards, hollow trees and palm trees. They especially prefer moist, shady areas of ground cover, which are often found around foundations and near swimming pools. The presence of automatic sprinkler systems for irrigating these areas of turf and ground cover will provide particularly attractive and favorable living conditions for cockroach populations. When conditions are unfavorable, American cockroaches and other outdoor species may move indoors. Food: American cockroaches feed on a variety of foods, but decaying organic matter seems to be preferred. They also feed upon book bindings, manuscripts, clothing and glossy paper with starch sizing. Syrup and other sweets are also attractive. The adults can survive two or three months without food, but only about a month without water. Life Cycle: The American cockroach adults and young nymphs in all stages of growth have similar appearances, which is referred to as a gradual metamorphosis. The female will drop her egg capsule within a day after it is formed. Egg capsules are formed at the rate of about one per week until from 15 to 90 capsules have been produced. At room temperature, nymphs will hatch out in 40 to 55 days. Young nymphs will molt 0 to 13 times before reaching maturity. General Information: The American cockroach is also known as the water bug, flying water bug and, in some areas of the South, the palmetto bug. The adults have well developed wings, but seldom fly. They are capable of gliding long distances and will cover onsiderable distances if they take off from a tree or roof top. In the South, and as far north as Kentucky, American cockroaches have been reported to fly short distances. top of the page Brown Banded Cockroach Order: dictyoptera Genus: Supella Species: longipalpis Appearance: This is one of the smaller cockroaches, rarely being more than ½ inch long. It is light brown and can be readily distinguished from the German cockroach by the presence of two lighter, transverse bands running from one side to the other across the base of the wings and abdomen in adults, and in the same position on the nymphs. These bands may be somewhat irregular or broken and are more apparent on the young and the females than on the males. The female has a broader body than the male. Habitat: They frequently occur in the same buildings as the German cockroach, but do not require as close an association with moisture sources as the German cockroach. Nymphs and adults are generally found on ceilings, high on walls, behind picture frames and light fixtures, or near motors of refrigerators and other appliances. The are also found in light switches, closets and furniture. These cockroaches are more often found in homes, apartments, hotels and hospital rooms than in stores, restaurants and kitchens. Food: The brown-banded cockroach prefers feeding on starchy materials. However, they can be found feeding on almost anything, and have been known to chew on such non-food materials as nylon stockings (presumably for the residues of body oils and skin flakes). Life Cycle: The brown Banded cockroach adults and young nymphs in all stages of growth have similar appearances, which is referred to as a gradual metamorphosis. A female brown-banded cockroach carries her egg capsule for a day or two, and then attaches it to a protected surface. The egg case is purse-shaped, light brown in color and is cemented in place, usually to the side or under surfaces of infested objects. Females will produce about 14 egg capsules during their adult life, each containing about 18 eggs. These hatch in 50-75 days, depending on temperature. Under room conditions, nymphs mature in about 160 days and may live as adults for up to 10 months. General Information: Both male and female are quite active and the adult males fly readily when disturbed. Both adults and nymphs my jump when attempting to escape. top of the page German Cockroach Order: dictyoptera Genis: Blattella Species: germanica Appearance: Adults are pale to medium brown and about 1 /2 to 5/8 inch long. German cockroaches can be distinguished from other roaches by the two dark stripes a shield like covering over there head called a pronotum. Young German cockroaches (nymphs) resemble the adults except that they are smaller, wingless, and darker in color, often being nearly black. A single light stripe running down the middle of the back is the most prominent marking on the young cockroach. The female carries her egg capsule protruding from the rear of her abdomen until the eggs are ready to hatch. Females which are carrying egg capsules (ootheca) are called "gravid." Habitat: Anywhere that humans dwell. Food: The German cockroach is a general feeder, but is particularly attracted to fermented foods and beverage residues. If water is present, adults can live about a month without food, but young nymphs will die of starvation within 10 days. Without food or water, the adults die in less than two weeks. Life Cycle: Gradual metamorphoses. Adult females will usually produce from 4-8 egg capsules in their lifetime. Each capsule contains 30-48 eggs. It usually takes 28 days from the time of initial formation of the egg capsule until it hatches. There are 6 or 7 growth stages, called instars, before they molt into the adult stage. Completion of the nymphal stage under room conditions requires 40-125 days, depending on environmental conditions and other factors such as favorable diet. Adult German cockroaches can live up to one year, but most will die from various causes long before that time. General Information: The German cockroach is the only common house infesting species which carries the egg capsule for such an extended period. Capsules removed from the female more than a couple of days before the normal hatching time are unlikely to hatch unless they remain under conditions of very high humidity. The embryos in the egg capsule require a reasonably steady flow of water, usually from the adult female, to prevent death from desiccation or drying out. top of the page Oriental Cockroach Order: dictyoptera Genus: Blatta Species: Orientalis Appearance: Total length of this cockroach is about 1 to 1.5 inches. The female has small, functionless rudimentary wings called wing pads. The male's wings cover about 3/4 of the abdomen. Adults are very dark brown or nearly black, and usually have a somewhat greasy sheen to their body. Females are broader and heavier looking than males. Habitat: In many areas oriental cockroaches are generally found outdoors during warm weather. In periods of drought there may be considerable movement into structures, apparently in relation to humidity gradients. The nymphs and adults have similar habits and are found associated with decaying organic matter indoors and out. They can be found in yards, beneath leaves, in dumps, in crawl spaces and in the mulch of flower beds. They are also common in high moisture situations such as sewers, drains and dark, damp basements. As cold weather approaches, or sometimes during unseasonably cool periods, a similar migration indoors may occur. Food: Oriental cockroaches feed on all kinds of filth, rubbish and other decaying organic matter. They seem especially fond of garbage and the contents of discarded tin cans. If water is available, they can live for a month without food, but die within two weeks without water. Life Cycle: The Oriental cockroach adults and young nymphs in all stages of growth have similar appearances, which is refered to as a gradual metamorphosis. An egg capsule is carried by the female for about 30 hours, after which it is either dropped or attached to a protected surface near a food supply. Females will produce an average of 8 capsules, each containing 16 eggs which will hatch in about 60 days under room conditions. Nymphs molt from 7-10 times and the nymphal stages usually take several months to one year to complete. Unlike the other house-infesting species, the oriental cockroach generally has a seasonal developmental cycle. General Information: The oriental cockroach is also referred to as the waterbug, black beetle or shad roach. Neither the male nor the female can fly. top of the page Rodents Norway Rat Roof Rat House Mouse Characteristic Norway Rat Roof Rat House Mouse General appearance large, robust Sleek, graceful small, slender Adult size weight 7-18 oz 5-9 oz ½ - 1 oz length head & body 7-9.5 in 6-8 in 2-3.5 in tail 6-8 in 7-10 in 3-4 in Snout blunt pointed pointed Ears small, covered with short hairs; do not reach eyes large, nearly naked; can be pulled over eyes large, some hair Eyes small large, prominent small Tail dark above, pale beneath uniformly dark uniformly dark Fur brown with scattered black; shaggy grey to black; smooth light brown, light gray; smooth Droppings capsule shaped, 3/4 in spindle shaped, .5 in rod shaped, .5 in Senses Sight poor, color blind poor, color blind poor, color blind Smell, Taste, Hearing excellent excellent excellent Food omnivorous; often preference for meats .8-1 oz per day omnivorous; especially fruits, nuts, grains vegetables; .5-1 oz day omnivorous, prefers cereal grains; .1 oz per day Water 15-30 ml/day 15-30 ml/day 3-9 ml/day; can subsist Without free water Feeding habits shy to new objects; steady eater shy to new objects; steady eater inquisitive; nibbler Climbing readily climbs; limited Agility very agile, active climber good climber Nests usually burrows walls, attics, trees within buildings, stored food Home range radius 98-164 ft 98-164 ft 10-33 ft Age at mating (months) 2-3 2-3 1.5-2 Breeding season spring and fall peaks spring and fall peaks year long Gestation period (days) 22 22 19 Young per litter 8-12 4-8 4-7 Litters per year 4-7 4-6 8 Length of life 1 year 1 year 1 year GENERAL INFORMATION: Rats and mice attack our food in a variety of ways and places. Such places are farm fields, orchards, and livestock facilities, during its processing, storage and transport, and while it is in our supermarkets, restaurants and homes. And what the rats and mice don't eat, they spoil by contaminating it with their urine, feces, or fur. Experts estimate that rats and mice destroy enough food each year to feed 200 million people. In buildings, rodents damage doors, floors, ceilings and walls as a result of their burrowing and gnawing activity. Rodents have been responsible for the spread of various diseases to people and domestic animals. Some of those diseases are the Plague, which killed 25,000,000 people in Europe during the 14th century, Murine typhus, Rickettsial pox, Salmonellosis (food poisoning), Rat-bite fever, Weils disease or leptospirosis. top of the page Silverfish and Firebrats Order Thysanura firebrat.jpg (14465 bytes) silverfi.jpg (9332 bytes) Appearance: These insects of this order have the same characteristic shape. Their bodies are flattened, long and slender, slender appendages are found at the rear of the body. All silverfish and firebrats are wingless. The young look like small adults. Silverfish: 3/8-1/2 inch. Tapering, carrot-shaped. Silver-grey, coated with scales. Threadlike antennae and 3 tail filaments, all shorter than body. Small black eyes. Firebrats: 3/8-1/2 inch. Mottled gray and tan or brown. Threadlike antennae, longer than body, usually swept back parallel to sides. 3 tail filaments. Habitat: Indoors in warm, dry places, including closets, bookcases, behind baseboards, in partitions, or in bathtubs, (Firebrats: near ovens, heating pipes, and furnaces.) Silverfish and firebrats are most active at night and can run very swiftly. Food: Silverfish: Dried cereals, flour, glue, and starch, including stiffeners used in clothing and bound books, and coated papers used in magazines. Firebrats: Crumbs and scraps of dry human food near cooking and heating devices. Life Cycle: Silverfish: No metamorphosis. Oval white eggs are dropped in a few places week after week. Eggs hatch in 2-8 weeks. Nymphs have the same body form as adults. Full size is attained in about 2 years, Firebrats: No metamorphosis. At intervals female lays spherical white eggs with soft shells in clusters of 50 or more. Hatching and subsequent growth take weeks or many months, depending on temperature, humidity, and food supply. Nymphs take up to 2 years and about 40 molts to reach full size. Maximum life-span in warm situations is about 30 months. General Information: Silverfish: due to its scaly covering, it is able to escape from the grip of ants and spiders. Silverfish can survive without food for months. top of the page Spiders Class Arachnida: Order AraneaeBwidow.jpg (10542 bytes) Appearance: Spiders have characteristic appearance which is easily recognizable. They possess eight legs which immediately separate them from insects, which have only six legs. Their bodies have two regions: a cephalothorax (fused head and thorax) and an abdomen. Habitat: Many spiders are associated with moister and, therefore, are found in basements, crawl spaces, and other damp parts of buildings. Others live in warm, dry places so are found in subfloor air-vents, in upper corners of rooms or in attics. Most species hide in cracks, darkened areas, or other retreats which they construct of silk. Food: Small insects. Life Cycle: Young spiders, or spiderlings, resemble the adults except for size and, sometimes, coloration. General Information: All spiders have a pair of jaw-like structures, called chelicerae. At the end of each is a hollow, claw-like fang. Each fang has a small opening in the end through which venom is injected into the prey. Spinnerets, located at the tip end of the abdomen, are silk spinning glands used for web making. Many species of spiders are common household pests. Remember that every "cobweb" was made by a spider. Although all spiders use venom when they bite and kill their prey, the black widow and the brown recluse spiders are the only North American species consistently dangerous to humans. Under most conditions outdoors, spiders are considered beneficial because they feed on insects. Ticks: Brown Dog Tick Order Acarina Tick.jpg (7471 bytes) Appearance: Adult males are flat, about 1/8 inch long, and uniformly red-brown with tiny pits scattered over the back. They do not enlarge as much upon feeding as the females do. Adult females resemble the males in size, shape and color before feeding. As they feed, females become engorged and swell to inch long and 1/4 inch wide. The legs, mouthparts and shield area behind the head remain redish-Brown, but the enlarged portion of the body becomes gray-blue to olive. Immature stage Larvae, sometimes called "seed ticks", have only six legs. Once they attach themselves to a host and get a blood meal, they will drop off, shed there skin and emerge with 8 legs Habitat: Ticks can be found outdoors in southern United States during any time of the year, Ticks spend the bulk of their life on or near the ground. Since they cannot run, hop, fly, or move quickly, they must climb onto objects to wait for a host to pass by. Outdoors, ticks can be found in tall grass, shrubs, weeds, wood piles, brick and rock walls, under skirting of mobile homes, dog houses, as well as any place that a host may sleep and lounge on. Indoors, ticks can be found in and around the area that a host animal may rest and lounge, under corners of rugs and carpet, in folds of sofas, lounge chairs and cushions. Food: Blood Life Cycle: Ticks have four stages in their life cycle: egg, larva, nymph and adult. Adult ticks may require several days of feeding before they are able to reproduce. Male hard ticks usually die soon after mating, and females die soon after laying their eggs. Egg-laying begins about three days after the engorged adult female drops from the host. She may deposit as many as 5000 eggs in places such as between boards, under plaster, or carpeting or in other cracks and crevices. The eggs hatch in three weeks to several months, depending on the weather. They can live up to eight months while waiting for a host. Adults can live up to 11/2 years without feeding, but must feed before mating. After mating, the female will completely engorge herself with blood and then drops off the host to lay eggs. Mating usually occurs while adult ticks are on the body of the host animal. Adult females need only to feed once before laying one large batch of eggs. General Information: A home can become heavily infested if the family dog picks up ticks from an infested residence, boarding kennel, open fields, or similar place where other infested dogs have been located. top of the page Pesticides; Background, How They Work & Examples Of. 1. Botanicals 2. Synthetic Pyrithroids 3. Inorganics 4. Chlorinated Hydrocarbons 5. Organophosphates 6. Carbamates 7. InsectGrowthRegulators 8. Pesticides: Formulation Botanicals Background : Discovered many centuries ago when certain dried and crushed flowers were found to have insecticide properties. They are referred to as the "natural insecticides". How they work : Botanicals interfere with the function of the insect's nervous system, yet have very low toxic effects to dogs, cats and humans. However, they are quite toxic to most fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Examples of botanical insecticides: * pyrethrum: extracted from the flower, chrysanthemum. Pyrethrum is most used today. It is most usually combined with other materials in order to assist in its effectiveness. It is used primarily as a flushing agent (to get the bugs out). * rotenone * ryania * nicotine Synthetic Pyrethroids Background : Chemists have discovered that pyrethrum consists of at least 6 distinct chemical molecules which have similar structures. From there, chemists have produced many different pyrethrin-like materials called synthetic pyrethroids. How they work : SP's interfere with the function of the insect's nervous system, yet have very low toxic effects to dogs, cats and humans. These materials generally have improved action when compared to natural pyrethrins. Examples of synthetic pyrethroids: * Allethrin: principle use is a "knockdown agent." * Syfluthrin (Barthroid, Tempo): fair flushing action, good roach knockdown, and effective residual action. * Cypermethrin (Demon, Cynoff): exceptional flushing action and knockdown and modest residual action. * Deltamethrin (Suspend): some flushing and knockdown action, but Is outstanding for its long residual and toxicity to roaches. * Resmethrin (SBP-1382): slower knockdown and less flushing action. Inorganic Background : These are some of the oldest insecticides, and are often called minerals, because they are generally mined from the earth. How they work : Most inorganics have rather slow killing action, but do offer a long residual. For more information of how they work, see examples of inorganics. Examples of inorganics : * Boric Acid: a stomach poison. * Diatomaceous Earth: made from plants which exist in the ocean. They kill by disrupting the outer layer of the insect, causing it to die by dehydration. * Silica Aerogel: a fine powder made of silicic acid. They kill by disrupting the outer layer of the insect, causing it to die by dehydration Chlorinated Hydrocarbons Background : How they work : They are effective due to there ability to kill by interfering with the pest's nervous system. Examples of CH's : * DDT: banned in 1971 * Chlordane(Cyanogas, A-Dust): when contacted with moist air causes a gas to be released. * Lindane: has a vapor action. Is only allowed for control of wood burrowing beetles Organophosphates Background : These types of pesticides were the first to replace CH's. The first OP's were developed in the early 1950's and were highly toxic to mammals and some such as dichlorvos and parathion remain so. Others such as diazinon, dursban, orthene and safrotin which has a much safer toxic level have allowed these materials to still be used today. How they work : The primary toxic action of OP's involves inhibition of an important enzyme in the nervous system, called cholinesterase. This enzyme is important in the process where nerve impulses bridge the gap between two nerve cells, and when inhibited, the communication of nerve impulses are disrupted, which eventually causes death. Mammals such as cats, dogs and humans also have cholinesterase and could be harmed by these chemicals. Most OP's deteriorate rapidly in the environment. Examples of OP's : * Diazinon(Dzn, Knox Out): Knox Out has good residual action on both porous and non-porous surfaces. Diazinon in other formulas has a short residual and is not effective on porous surfaces(wood, cement, soil). * Chlorpyrifos(Dursban):moderately toxic, good residual action, and a fast knockdown and flushing action. It is not effective on porous surfaces such as wood and concrete * Acephate(Orthene): moderate toxicity to mammals. It is generally effective against German roaches which may be resistant to other Ops such as diazinon and chlorpyrifos * Endrin(Rid-A-Bird): highly toxic and is used for control of pigeons. * Naled (Dibrom): moderate toxicity which is primarily used for outdoor spraying for mosquito and flying insect control. * Trichlorfon(Dipterex):moderately toxic &is readily soluble in water. Because there is no solvent odor, it has been used in sugar baits for fly control. Carbamates Background : The first carbamates were developed in the late-1950's, and through the early 1960's. How they work : The primary toxic action of carbamates involves inhibition of an important enzyme in the nervous system, called cholinesterase. This enzyme is important in the process where nerve impulses bridge the gap between two nerve cells, and when inhibited, the communication of nerve impulses are disrupted, which eventually causes death. Generally, most carbamates have a much lower toxicity to mammals than most Organophosphates. Examples of carbamates : * Carbaryl(Sevin): low toxicity to mammals. Useful against fleas on pets and Highly toxic to honeybees and wasps. * Propoxur(Baygon): fair flushing action against roaches, fast knockdown and moderate residual action on many surfaces. * Bendiocarb(Ficam): has no odor and good residual action when applied as a wettable powder spray of dust. It has low toxicity to mammals. Not to effective against German roaches. In a dust formula, it gives quick kill against bees, wasps, and hornets. Insect Growth Regulators (I G R's) Background : Through research, chemists have determined and are able to syntheticly reproduce the hormones of some insect. IGR's are in a class of there own since they do not cause the targeted pest to die when coming in contact with the chemical. How they work : IGR's disrupt a number of normal processes in the growth and development of insects. They generally no danger to mammals because they effect certain hormones that are insect specific. There are two types of IGR's: 1) "Juvenoids" sterilize the young insects so they are unable to reproduce once they reach adulthood. This sterilization occurs because the adult insects fail to develop necessary sexual organs and they retain other immature, or juvenile, characteristics 2) "Chitin inhibitors" disrupt an enzyme called chitin synthetase. This enzyme is important in the formation of new outer shells (cuticles) after the old cuticle is shed, or molted. Effected insects typically die when they are unable to shed their old cuticle or when the new cuticle cannot provide the strength to allow the insects muscles to work. Examples of I G R's : * Hydroprene(Gentrol): a juvenoid. Very effective against German roaches. * Fenoxycarb: a juvenoid. Very effective against Berman roaches. * Methoprene: a chitin inhibitor. Pesticides; Formulations 1. Liquid Formulations A. Concentrates 1. Emulsifiable Concentrates (EC or E): Many pesticide concentrates in their pure form will not dissolve and mix with water. Emulsifiable concentrates are concentrated oil solutions of insecticides with emulsifiers added to them. Emulsifiers are detergent-like materials that make it possible for the millions of insecticide oil droplets to be suspended (or mixed) in water to form an emulsion. Some insecticides can be emulsified very well and will remain "mixed" in water for a considerable period of time. Others will settle out relatively quickly. EC's will penetrate porous materials. They are non-flammable, but water emulsions are good conductors of electricity and must not be used close to electrical installations. 2. Flowable Microencapsulated (FM): FM's are formed when the insecticide particle is enclosed, or "encapsulated," inside tiny spheres of nylon or some other polymer material. FM's are very effective on porous Surfaces, but may leave a visible residue when used indoors. The polymer coating protects the insecticide from the degrading effects of environmental factors which break down other types of spray residues. The toxicity of FM's to mammals is usually much lower than for other formulations of the same active ingredient. B. Ready-to-use Sprays (may be oil solutions, emulsion, "aerosols," etc.) C. Fumigants (Gaseous Liquids) 2. Dry Formulations A. Dusts (D) Most dusts are dry mixtures of insecticide with some type of inactive powders such as clay, talc, or ash. Some dusts such as boric acid are used as insecticides without other ingredients. Dust can be used on almost any surface without harming it. It is not necessary to leave a visible residue to effectively control insects. Dusts generally leave an effective residual deposit as long as the deposit remains dry. B. Wettable Powders (WP or W) Wettable powders are essentially concentrated dusts impregnated with an insecticide concentrate. While the water from a WP mixture will penetrate porous materials, the powder usually does not. Most of the insecticide is left on the surface where it can be picked up by a passing insect. WP's may leave a visible off-white deposit on some dark, smooth surfaces. For this reason, WP's are usually applied outdoors, which aside from any visible deposits, is safe to apply to most surfaces, including lawns or ornamental plants. WP's can be used indoors in areas where the presence of a visible powder is not objectionable. C. Baits (B) Like granules, the pesticide is impregnated on or in a bait material which acts as a food substance attractive to the pest. Ant baits are effective in dry formulas, but paste baits mixed with food such as peanut butter or some type of jelly, will generally be taken more readily. Most rodent baits are combined with grain materials to make them attractive as food to rodents. Baits for bird control generally use seed or grain as the attractant. D. Granules (G) Pesticides are formulated into such materials as ground corn cobs, crushed walnut or pecan shells. After applied, it is usually necessary to wet the granules with water to release the active ingredient. Which type of formulation to choose ? To choose the best insecticide formulation for any particular job, we must first consider the surface which it will be applied to, the structural and environmental factors as well as determine how the insecticide is to be applied. In making your recommendation, consider the following: * The surface type to be treated (metal, wood, concrete, dirt, etc.) * Application equipment available and best suited for the job. * Hazard of drift and runoff (nearness to sensitive areas, likelihood of wind or rain). * Safety to applicator, helpers, and other humans and pets likely to be exposed. * habits or growth patterns of the pest ( bait vs. Spray, granular vs. foliar spray). * Cost. * Type of environment in which the application must be made ( outdoors, damp areas, dusty areas, dry rooms, etc.)