Carpenter Ants, found throughout New England and the rest of the United States, can be one of the toughest pests that we encounter each year. Carpenter Ant nests usually house 3,000 to 10,000 workers, so immediate action is needed upon spotting these little creatures. After all, Carpenter Ants ARE WOOD DESTROYERS!
Spiders
Spiders on House Siding: Although spiders are quite beneficial, there have been increasing complaints about their webs and fecal specks dirtying home vinyl and aluminum siding. Many insects rest on white colored siding and spiders sit there, waiting for an easy meal not needing to spin a web to help catch and trap its prey. Waiting spiders defecate on the siding, leaving undesirable specks on the paint or other finish. Lighter colors appear to increase spider problems, whereas the insect prey are less attracted to red and black finishes.
Bed Bugs
Identification: Adult bed bugs are reddish-brown to mahogany, oval-shaped, flattened and about 1/4 to 5/8 inch long. The upper body surface has a flimsy, crinkly appearance. Mouthparts are piercing-sucking, with the three-segmented proboscis (beak) fitting into a groove beneath the head extending between the front legs. The antennae have four segments, three long, thin segments and one short segment next to the head. The wings are small, oval and stubby-not equipped for flight. The body becomes more elongate, swollen and dull red after a blood meal. Young bugs (nymphs) are nearly colorless, becoming brownish as they mature. Eggs are white, pear-shaped, with a cap at one end and about 1/32 inch long. Adult bat bugs have longer hairs (as long or longer than the eye width) on the pronotum (top platelike covering of thorax) and the wing pads are broader. Adult swallow bugs are yellowish with long body hairs. The adult chimney swift bug is about 1/8 inch long, and the beak does not reach the hind coxae (leg base).
Fleas
The most common flea in the United States is the Cat Flea. Besides being a pest with their sometimes-painful bite, fleas also serve as disease vectors and can serve as hosts for parasites such as the tapeworm.
Cockroaches
Although there are a lot of different species of Cockroaches around the world, the one you are most likely to see in our service area is going to be the German Cockroach. The German Cockroach, which has worldwide distribution, is by far the most important and the most common cockroach. In addition to being a nuisance, it is associated with outbreaks of illness, allergic reactions in many people, and transmission of a variety of pathogenic organisms including at least one parasitic protozoan.
Silverfish
Sometimes referred to as brisletails, Silverfish can pretty much be found in most areas of the United States. Silverfish are primitive, wingless insects, without metamorphosis. Which means that the young look pretty much like the adults, except for their size. As they get older, they will develop distinguishing coloration. Their bodies are slender with a tapering abdomen. The common Silverfish is the most slender and delicate of this insect family and can easily be identified by its silvery scales that cover its entire body, giving it a silvery appearance.
Bees
The smaller bumblebees seen foraging on flowers through most of the summer are workers. The queen rears the first brood of workers herself, but then the worker bees take over the duties of collecting food, rearing the young and building and maintaining the nest, whilst the queen devotes herself to egg-laying.
Wasps
These large wasps live in large nests made of mottled gray paper, usually in trees. These wasps are quite aggressive and put a whopper of a sting on you. Tread lightly around these wasps. The bald-faced, or white-faced, hornet, widely distributed throughout North America, is about 3 cm (about 1.2 in) long and is black with white markings on most of its segments and on its face. Its gray nest is usually suspended from a tree limb. Yellow jacket is a name applied to a number of species that have extensive yellow markings.
Ticks
Deer ticks spread several diseases with Lyme Disease being the most common vector borne disease in the United States. Symptoms of Lyme Disease include fever, headache, bulls eye skin rash, fatigue and joint pain. If untreated Lyme Disease can affect the heart and nervous system.
Crickets
Myths and a few fatal poisonings have made many persons afraid of spiders. Unpopular as they are, most spiders are shy and harmless to humans. Most have fangs too small or weak to puncture human skin. They usually will not attempt to bite unless accidentally trapped or held. Most are quite beneficial by feeding on harmful insects (flies, crickets, etc.) and mites in and around the home, yard, garden and field. Wholesale destruction of spiders should be avoided, if possible. Some southern states not only tolerate spiders but encourage them to inhabit the house as an aid in nuisance insect control.
Earwigs
Earwigs may cause alarm to homeowners when discovered indoors. They have a frightful appearance, move rapidly around baseboards at the ground level, and may emit a foul-smelling, yellowish-brown liquid from their scent glands. These creatures, active at night while hiding during the daytime, normally live outdoors and do not establish themselves indoors. They are harmless to humans and animals, although if handled carelessly, the earwig can give a slight pinch with the forceps. Serious feeding damage may occur on flowers, vegetables, fruits and other plants, giving the leaves a ragged appearance with the numerous, small, irregular holes. Also, decomposing organic matter is consumed. They are considered temporary pests in spite of the fact that they sometimes occur in large populations.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are one of the best known summer pests because of their annoying biting habit. They are found throughout the United States with more than 170 different varieties in North America alone. Mosquitoes are vectors of numerous diseases such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever, encephalitis and West Nile Virus. West Nile virus has become a serious concern in recent years. There have been numerous deaths associated with West Nile Virus. Symptoms of this virus include fever, body aches, weakness, confusion, tremors and numbness. However, about 8 out of 10 people who are infected with West Nile do not develop any symptoms.
Flies
We don't think anyone needs to be told what these little creatures are, especially if you or your house has fallen victim to them! Cluster Flies are slightly larger than a housefly, the dark gray to black flies you see hanging around your windows in the Fall. The most common question we get as PCO's is, "What are these things doing in my house, breeding?" Well, no. Actually cluster flies are not breeding in your home; they are simply seeking Winter shelter in your closets, attics, and unused rooms. In the Spring, when the temperature reaches about 50 degrees they will be seen once again in the windows and lights and wherever you're serving your company dinner. Cluster Flies will lay their eggs singly in the soil; it only takes 3-5 days for the future pests to hatch. Larvae will seek earthworms for their feast until the flies pupate.
Beetles
Powderpost beetles (ppb) can cause more confusion than any other structure-infesting pest. Homeowners often receive conflicting opinions as to whether the "damage" they are seeing is indeed ppb. Mistakes also are made in determining if the infestation is active and if so, how it should be managed. Incorrect information results in unnecessary treatment and expense, or a failure to protect the client's property.
Hornets
Hornets belong to the family Vespidae, of the order Hymenoptera. The bald-faced, or white-faced, hornet is classified as Vespula maculata. The European hornet is classified as Vespula crabro.
Yellowjackets
For the most part, an encounter with one of these stinging insects, especially if they are alone, will not result in a sting. Here, the old axiom "leave them alone and they will leave you alone" holds largely true. The bees listed above (bumble bees and honey bees) are mostly gentle creatures who sting in defense of their homes. So unless you stumble across a bee hive, you are highly unlikely to get stung. Just let them go about their business. The same goes for the paper wasps. The hornets and especially the yellow jackets can be more persistent and aggressive...and yellow jackets are notorious scavengers for our sweet human foods and drinks. Swatting at them won't help. Keeping your food sealed and limiting their exposure will.
Pantry Pests
As its name implies, the cigarette beetle is a pest of dried tobacco either in the stored, bundled form or in cigars, cigarettes, and chewing tobacco. This particular species infests tobacco wherever it is stored but is also found infesting many homes. It also feeds on the bindings and leaves of books. The larval stages of the cigarette beetle can feed on a variety of stored products including grain, cereal products, pet foods, rat and mouse baits, pasta, ginger, raisins, rice, dates, pepper, dried fish, drugs, belladonna, dried flower arrangements and seeds. The larvae have been known to feed on upholstered furniture, particularly stuffing. The adult Cigarette Beetle can also feed on pyrethrum powder that is strong enough to kill cockroaches! A serious pantry pest, their range of food makes them difficult to control. There have been larval infestations in dried flower arrangements, causing the flowers to drop or all the petals to fall.
Stinging Insects
Mites
All spiders produce venom that is poisonous to their normal prey of insects, mites and other small arthropods. Venom is injected through the hollow fangs to immobilize the prey. Since spiders can only ingest liquids, digestive fluids are either injected or regurgitated into the prey.
Aphids
A common North American species of ladybird beetle, the nine-spotted ladybug beetle, is orange above, spotted with black. Adults of the two-spotted ladybug beetle often hibernate in houses during winter. This beetle is orange above, with a single large black spot on each elytron (protective outer wing). The convergent ladybug beetle is a western American species, the adults of which commonly swarm in large numbers on mountain peaks. These swarms are collected by western agricultural firms and are distributed to farmers for aphid control. The vedalia, an Australian species, has been imported into California to fight the cottony-cushion scale insect, which attacks citrus trees.
The reason that you have contacted us is probably to see if there is anything we can do to help you. We have had 100% success in removing bats from structures large and small and yours should be no exception. Our exclusion techniques are sound and carry a complete warranty. We will identify all current and future potential entry points, seal them and provide the bats with a one-way exit device to let them out but not back in. This very labor-intensive approach requires us to spot and seal all holes the size of and length of your little finger. At all times it is the objective of our exclusion team specialists to retain the aesthetic integrity of your structure and once we have completed our work you should not notice that we have even been there.
At Presidential Pest Control, your satisfaction is our top priority. When you hire one of our highly trained local technicians, you can rest assured knowing that your unwanted pests will be taken care of. Rodents and pests can pose serious health risks to you and your family. That's why we offer integrated pest management options to not only get rid of pests, but to keep them from returning! When you hire Presidential Pest Control, you'll protect your loved ones from health concerns such as...
Mice
Rats
Presidential Pest Control is the company to call when insects and rodents are taking over your property. Mice and other rodents are difficult to keep out of any structure. Mice can fit through a space as small as dime and rats can fit through holes the size of a quarter.
Squirrels
Typically in northern New England there are three major kinds of squirrels and all can potentially set up residence in your home. We will not bore you with details of each specie other than to mention that the three are the Eastern Grey, The Red and the Flying Squirrel. The obvious reason for this is that numerous descriptions and pictures exist throughout the internet and you came to us for a cure for your problem. While the first two are not similar in size they do have one thing in common in that they feed during the day while Flying Squirrels are nocturnal and often drive people nuts with their scampering during the night. Our exclusion team specialists can further educate you if you desire.
Voles
Blacklegged ticks also known as deer ticks are commonly found in the New England States. During the winter, adult ticks primarily feed on white tailed deer giving them the name deer ticks. In the spring, engorged females drop off the host animal and deposit up to 3000 eggs in a protected area. These baby ticks or nymphs feed on mice, skunks, voles, birds, dogs and humans. They are most active from May through June. Blacklegged ticks hide in grass and shrubs waiting for a host to latch on to. They concentrate on vegetation located in grassy transitional areas for example where mowed lawn meets an un-mowed fence line, foot trails through high grass and in host animal nests.