ANTS
ARGENTINE ANT
Size: Workers of this species are about 1/8-inch in length.
Color: Varies from dark brown to black and the body is often shiny in appearance.
The colonies of Argentine ants can grow quite large containing tens of thousands of workers and numerous queens. Each colony will be divided into subcolonies located in various suitable harborages connected by established trunk trails. These subcolonies will number from a few hundred to thousands of individuals.
BITING INSECTS
BLACK WIDOW SPIDER
Size: Black widow spiders may have a body up to
3/4-inch in length with the abdomen reaching 3/8-inch in diameter.
Color: The color is typically glossy black but may also be dark brown to light brown.
Related widow spiders may be brown in color. The characteristic red markings on the underside of the abdomen often connect to form an hourglass shape, but this does not always occur. The black widow spider is widely feared because its bite results in severe pain that may take several days to subside. Such bites are rarely fatal but small children and elderly persons are at risk.
FABRIC PESTS
CARPET BEETLE
Size: Carpet beetles are tiny, round beetles. The larvae grow up to 1/4-inch in length, and the adults grow to 1/16-inch.
Color: While generally tan in color, they are covered by tiny black, brown, and white scales, and have numerous tufts of stiff hairs on the body.
OCCASIONAL INVADERS
BOX ELDER BUG
Size: Box elder bugs are up to 1/2-inch long.
Color: Ranges from gray to black with red criss-crossing stripes on the wings.
The nymphs have bright red abdomens.
ROACHES
AMERICAN COCKROACH
Size: Adults can be slightly more than 3 inches
Color: Reddish brown
Behavior: Prefer warm, damp areas like flowerbeds and under mulch. Good fliers.
RODENTS
MOUSE
Size: The house mouse is small, its body rarely exceeding two inches long and one ounce in weight.
Color: It is usually gray in color but some individuals may appear darker.
Mice are more numerous than rats and are more widespread throughout urban and suburban communities. A mouse can be distinguished from a young rat since the rat’s head and feet will be overly large in relation to its body.
STINGING INSECTS
BUMBLE BEE
Size: Bumble bees are large, hairy bees that range up to one inch in length.
Color: They are usually black in color with yellow stripes on the thorax and abdomen.
Often confused with carpenter bees, a bumble bee is characterized by the hairiness of the abdomen (carpenter bees have a smooth abdomen).
TERMITES
DRYWOOD TERMITE
Size: Soldiers measure 3/8-inch in length; male and female reproductives can grow to 1/2-inch long. During the winged stage there are four equal size wings that extend longer than the body by 1/8 to 1/4-inch.
Color: Drywood termites are usually pale brown in color.
Drywood termites have soft bodies and are cylindrical in shape. They have six legs, compound eyes and chewing mandibles