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Occasional Invaders

Occasional Invaders

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Occasional Invaders
Stink Bug

Stink Bug

Pest Details
Color:
Brown to green, with shield-shaped body.
Size:
1/2" to 3/4" Inch Long.
Legs:
6
Shape:
Shield-shaped body.

Pest Habits & Characteristics

  • Presence of bugs on plants and fruits.
  • Odor when bugs are disturbed or crushed.

    • ‍

    Image Attribute
    Matthew Bellemare, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
    Preparation For Service
  • Seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and foundations to prevent entry.
  • Inform the pest control professional of any specific areas where bugs have been seen.
    • Springtails

    Springtails

    Pest Details
    Color:
    White to light gray or brown.
    Size:
    1/16" to 1/8" Inch Long.
    Legs:
    6
    Shape:
    Small, elongated or round body with a tail-like appendage for jumping.

    Pest Habits & Characteristics

  • Sightings of small, jumping insects in damp areas.
  • Presence of springtails in potted plants and soil.
  • High humidity levels indicating potential springtail activity.
    • Image Attribute
    NY State IPM Program at Cornell University from New York, USA, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons & Alandmanson, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons combined
    Preparation For Service
  • Reduce moisture levels in and around the home.
  • Seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and foundations.
  • Repair leaks and improve ventilation in damp areas.
  • Inform the pest control professional of any specific areas of concern.
    • mayflies

    mayflies

    Pest Details
    Color:
    Brown to green or gray.
    Size:
    1/4" to 1" Inch Long.
    Legs:
    6
    Shape:
    Slender body with large, delicate wings and long tail filaments.

    Pest Habits & Characteristics

  • Presence of adult mayflies around water sources.
  • Large swarms of mayflies near outdoor lights.
  • Shedding of exoskeletons near water sources.
    • Image Attribute
    Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons & User:Stemonitis, CC BY-SA 2.5 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5>, via Wikimedia Commons & Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons & Richard Bartz, Munich aka Makro Freak, CC BY-SA 2.5 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5>, via Wikimedia Commons
    Preparation For Service
  • Reduce outdoor lighting during mayfly swarming periods.
  • Use screens on windows and doors to prevent entry.
  • Inform the pest control professional if there are any specific concerns.
    • Earwigs

    Earwigs

    Pest Details
    Color:
    Dark brown to black.
    Size:
    1/4" to 1" Inch Long.
    Legs:
    6
    Shape:
    Elongated body with pincers at the rear.

    Pest Habits & Characteristics

  • Presence of earwigs in damp, dark areas.
  • Damage to plants and organic matter.
    • Image Attribute
    This image is created by user B. Schoenmakers at Waarneming.nl, a source of nature observations in the Netherlands., CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
    Preparation For Service
  • Reduce moisture levels in and around the home.
  • Seal cracks and gaps around the foundation.
  • Remove clutter and debris from infested areas.
    • Crickets

    Crickets

    Pest Details
    Color:
    Brown to black.
    Size:
    3/4" to 1" Inch Long.
    Legs:
    6 legs
    Shape:
    Cylindrical body with long hind legs for jumping.

    Pest Habits & Characteristics

  • Chirping sounds, especially at night.
  • Sightings of crickets in dark, damp areas.
  • Damage to fabrics, paper, and plants.
    • Image Attribute
    Jeffrey Reed, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
    Preparation For Service
  • Reduce moisture levels in and around the home.
  • Seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and foundations.
  • Remove debris and clutter from around the home.
  • Inform the pest control professional of any specific areas of concern.
    • Centipedes

    Centipedes

    Pest Details
    Color:
    Brown to reddish-orange.
    Size:
    1" to 6" Inches Long.
    Legs:
    One pair of legs per body segment, typically 15-177 pairs.
    Shape:
    Elongated, flattened body with many segments.

    Pest Habits & Characteristics

  • Fast-moving, elongated insects with many legs.
    • Image Attribute
    Yasunori Koide, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
    Preparation For Service
  • Reduce moisture levels in and around the home.
  • Seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and foundations.
  • Remove leaf litter, mulch, and other debris from around the home.
  • Inform the pest control professional of any specific areas of concern.
    • House Centipede

    House Centipede

    Pest Details
    Color:
    Yellowish-gray with dark stripes along the body
    Size:
    Up to 1.5" inches long (body), with legs extending beyond this length
    Legs:
    15 pairs of long, slender legs
    Shape:
    Elongated, flattened body with long antennae and legs

    Pest Habits & Characteristics

    Sightings of fast-moving centipedes, often in bathrooms, basements, or near drains. They do not create visible nests or webs.

    Image Attribute
    Bruce Marlin, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
    Preparation For Service

    Make sure we have access to all affected areas.

    Millipedes

    Millipedes

    Pest Details
    Color:
    Dark brown to black.
    Size:
    1" to 4" Inches Long.
    Legs:
    Two pairs of legs per body segment, typically 30-90 pairs.
    Shape:
    Elongated, cylindrical body with many segments.

    Pest Habits & Characteristics

  • Sightings of millipedes in damp areas.
  • Slow-moving, elongated insects with many legs.
    • Image Attribute
    Bubba73 (Jud McCranie), CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons & John Mather, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons & Vengolis, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
    Preparation For Service
  • Reduce moisture levels in and around the home.
  • Seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and foundations.
  • Remove leaf litter, mulch, and other debris from around the home.
  • Inform the pest control professional of any specific areas of concern.
    • Firebrat

    Firebrat

    Pest Details
    Color:
    Silvery-gray with darker gray and brown mottling
    Size:
    About 1/2" inch long
    Legs:
    6
    Shape:
    Flat, elongated, and carrot-shaped body with three long tail-like appendages (cerci) at the rear

    Pest Habits & Characteristics

    Sightings of adults, damage to starchy materials (such as paper, glue, flour, and other organic materials), and shed skins.

    Image Attribute
    Jscottkelley, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
    Preparation For Service

    Make sure we have access to all affected areas.

    Silverfish

    Silverfish

    Pest Details
    Color:
    Silvery-gray.
    Size:
    1/2" to 3/4" Inch Long.
    Legs:
    6
    Shape:
    ear-drop shaped body with long antennae and three tail-like appendages.

    Pest Habits & Characteristics

  • Sightings of silverfish in dark, damp areas.
  • Damage to paper, books, and fabric materials.
  • Presence of small, silvery insects with quick, darting movements.
    • Image Attribute
    James Johnstone from Ecclefechan, Scotland, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons HTML
    Preparation For Service
  • Reduce moisture levels in and around the home.
  • Inform the pest control professional of any specific areas of concern.
    • Assassin Bug

    Assassin Bug

    Pest Details
    Color:
    Black, brown, or red with various markings.
    Size:
    1/2" to 1-1/2" Inches Long.
    Legs:
    6
    Shape:
    Elongated body with a narrow head and long, curved proboscis.

    Pest Habits & Characteristics

  • Presence of adult bugs on plants and in gardens.
  • Predatory behavior towards other insects.
    • Image Attribute
    gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons & Len Worthington, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons & Insects Unlocked, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons combined
    Preparation For Service

    No preparation needed due to their beneficial nature.

    Box Elder Bug

    Box Elder Bug

    Pest Details
    Color:
    Black with red or orange markings.
    Size:
    1/2" Inch Long.
    Legs:
    6
    Shape:
    Flattened, elongated body with wings that overlap to form an X pattern on the back.

    Pest Habits & Characteristics

  • Presence of bugs on the sunny side of buildings.
  • Masses of bugs congregating on trees and around foundations.
    • Image Attribute
    Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons & RedRue, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
    Preparation For Service
  • Seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and foundations to prevent entry.
  • Clean up leaf litter and other debris around the exterior of the home.
  • Inform the pest control professional of any specific areas where bugs have been seen.