Argentine Ants

Light to dark brown - 1/10 “ or 2.5mm - multiple queens - lives under stones, boards, concrete - seldom bites - does not sting - prefers sweets. Found in the Southwestern US and Southern California.

Nests are primarily outdoors. They build large colonies and can move rapidly. In winter they move indoors. Reproduction is by budding the colony. They also feed on fats and oils.

Big Head Ants

Big Head AntYellowish or light to dark brown - 1/16 to 1/8 “ or 1.5 to 3 mm - Indoor foods are meat, grease, and bread. Outdoor foods are insects, seeds, and honeydew. Found throughout the US, preferring areas under logs, mulch, in firewood, and under patio blocks. This ant is an active forager, seen along sidewalls, near baseboards, and under carpets.

Carpenter Ants

Winged Carpenter AntBlack, reddish brown, or yellowish depending on the species - 5/16 to 3/4 “ or 8 to 19 mm - Large compared to other ants - Indoor foods are meat, dead insects, grease, fat, and sweets including fruit juice.

Found throughout the US, including Albuquerque and Santa Fe, this ant builds indoor nests in wall voids, foam insulation, eaves, and crawlspaces. They nest in hollowed out wood outdoors, but do not eat wood.Outdoor foods are insects, seeds, and honeydew.

Worker Carpenter Ant

Fire Ants

Fire AntYellowish, reddish, to black -1/10” to 1/4” 2.5-6mm. Found through out the southern US. Builds large mounds with hundreds of thousands of workers. Three distinct species - imported, red imported, and southern. These ants are very aggressive and can inflict very painful stings. Many people are highly sensitive to their venom.

Ghost Ants

Small, shiny, and brown - less than 1/8“ or 3mm Nests mostly outdoors but a common house invader. Lives under, slabs, debris, and mulch. Indoor foods include sweets, fats, and oils. Build large colonies and can move rapidly.

Ghost Ant

Havester Ants

Red, brown to dark brown, and black -1/5” to 1/4” 5-6mm. Almost never invades houses. Nests in lawns, along paths, and around door steps. Removes vegetation from around nests. Can and will sting fiercely.

Black Harvester Ant

Harvester Ant

Little Black Ants

Little Black AntJet black - 1/32” to 1/16” long. Nests mostly outdoors but a frequent house invader. Indoor diet is varied, likes sweets, fats, and oils.

Odorous House Ants

Odorous House AntDark reddish brown to black -1/10" 2.5mm. Found through out the US more often in the west. Nests outdoors or in house foundations. It is a frequent invader, but fortunately does not sting. The Argentine Ant is replacing it. Smell like rotten coconut when crushed.

Pavement Ants

Pavement AntLight to dark brown to black - parallel lines on head and thorax - 1/10" 2.5mm. Found through out the Eastern US. Builds nests near sidewalks, building foundations, rocks, firewood, and mulch beds. Nearly omnivorous - eating dead insects, grease, sweets, pet food.

Pharaoh Ants

Male and Female Pharaoh AntsYellowish - 1/16" 1.5mm. Found through out the US. Builds nests in secluded spots in wall voids and base boards. In the northern states it nests in heated buildings during winter. Frequent house invader liking fats and oils for food. Commonly found in hospitals. Colonies can be quite large with multiple queens.

Pharaoh Ant

Thief Ants

Thief AntYellowish to red - 1/32 to 1/16" 0.8 to 1.5mm. Found through out the US. Builds nests indoors in cracks and in cupboards. Feeds on larvae and food taken from other nests when outdoors - inside eats protein and grease and rarely sweets. Stings very infrequently.

Carpet Beetles

Carpet Beetle DamageCarpet Beetles vary in size from 1/10" to 2/5" (2.5mm to 10mm) and will eat nearly any natural products. In homes they cause damage to carpets, drapes, linens, leather, fur, feathers, and woolen clothes. They are also known to cause dermatitis and allergic reactions in humans.

Confused Flour Beetles

Confused Flour BeetleThese reddish-brown insects are very small - 3/20" (4mm), have 4 antennae segments, and can lay up to 400 eggs that could hatch in as little as 7 weeks. They will feed on nearly any dried, stored food - cereals, peas and beans, nuts and fruit, spices and chocolate, and grains such as flour. Eggs, larvae, and adults can all be destroyed by extended freezing temperatures (4 or more days below 0°F).

Grain Beetles

Grain BeetleThe two most common grain beetles are the saw-toothed and merchant, which are common stored food products pests. They infest cereals, cornmeal, cornstarch, popcorn, rice, dried fruits, breakfast floods, flour, rolled oats, bran, macaroni, sugar, drugs, spices, herbs, candy, dried meats, chocolate, bread, nuts, crackers, raisins, dried dog and cat food, and other foodstuffs, making them unsaleable and unpalatable. In fact, the ruining of food is more of a problem than the consumption of the food. These insects do not bite, sting, damage furniture, or spread diseases.

Fleas

Adult FleaIf you have pets, or know people who do, you know about fleas. They are probably the third most hated pest behind roaches and ants. There are some 2000 species of fleas in the world but only about 10 are bothersome to humans. The most common is the Cat Flea which infests both cats and dogs. This is the same pest that was responsible for the Black Plagues of the middle ages. Fleas are also the cause of numerous allergies, and can carry the dog tape-worm that can infect humans as well as pets.

the Life Cycle of a FleaThere are four developmental stages in the life cycle of the flea. The adult female lays eggs at a rate of about 25 a day, usually in groups of 3 to 15, after a blood meal. One female flea can lay over 800 eggs in her lifetime. The eggs hatch within 12 days into the larval form which resembles a whitish worm 1/16" to 1/5" long. This stage lasts from 8 to 200 days depending on the conditions where they are. Larvae subsist on dried blood defecated by the adults. Finally, the larvae spin a cocoon and transform into a pupae. The pupae stage can last from one week to nearly one year. The adults emerge from this form and immediately seek a blood meal. Adults can live several months without blood and can survive up to eight months with only one meal.

Of the thousands of flea species, the one that causes the most problems with humans is the cat flea. The flea's saliva has an anti-coagulant that aids it in feeding by preventing the host's blood from clotting. Besides this function, their saliva causes an allergic reaction in both humans and animals. The reaction in people varies from immediate itching and skin lesions, to no reaction at all and in pets, itching and scratching up to hair loss.

To add to the complexity of responses is the differences in attraction to hosts caused by skin secretions and carbon dioxide, both exhaled or exuded. For humans, immediate relief can be gained by placing an ice cube, menthol, camphor, or calamine lotion on the bites. There are also allergens available for those that are hypersensitive. Aging, stress, and diet can alter the affect of bites on pets.

Ticks

Adult Tick
The tick has its own place in the history of medicine when it was discovered to be the vector for Texas cattle fever. This established the the link between ticks, mammals, and the pathogen. That was in the late 1800's, but since then ticks have been linked to other diseases including Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease, for a total of more than 60 different pathogens.

Ticks are not insects - rather they are in the same class as spiders, Arachnida. The different species are roughly divided in two with some having hard shells and others soft. Some species are so small that it is nearly impossible to detect them before they fill up on blood.

Bees

Honey bees are one of the most well-known, popular and economically beneficial insects. For thousands of years, man has plundered honey bee colonies to get honey, bee larvae, and beeswax. In recent decades, bee plundering has given way to bee management. Now, honey bees are commonly kept in artificial hives throughout the United States. A large and sophisticated beekeeping industry provides valuable honey, beeswax and pollination services. Although many people make a living from bees, most beekeepers are hobbyists who have only a few hives.

Bumble BeeTo begin with lets take a look at a bumble bee and her distant cousin the honey bee, with whom she is most often confused. Unlike the honey bee the humble bumble is gentle and slow. As she trundles around the garden collecting pollen and nectar she is quite different to her streamlined relative who dashes about everywhere. Even her body shape is different as you can see from the pictures. The bumble is round and furry and not at all like her more wasp shaped cousin. There are three kinds of bumble bee, the large queen, the smaller imperfectly formed female worker bee, and the tiny male or drone bee. All are seen at different times of year. Only the queen and the worker bees have a sting. Because they live in small nests bumble bees never swarm - so you can encourage a nest or two in the garden without fear of this happening.

Bumble Bee PolinatingBumble bees do not produce enough honey for commercial use, just a few grams at a time to feed their young. Not all bumble bees have a sting. Drones (smaller male bees that hatch in mid summer ) have no sting at all. A bumble bees biggest enemy by far is a man armed with a pesticide spray. Like every other form of wildlife they are under serious threat from the chemicals we pour on the land. Bumble bees are much less aggressive than honey bees. Generally they will not attack a human at all, unless their life is under threat. Don't wave your arms wildly in their presence, stand quietly and once they smell you are not a flower with pollen they will move gently away. Bumble bees do not lose their sting and die if they use it, as a honey bee will. Encourage the bumble bee in your garden or farm and she will repay your kindness by pollinating your flowers, fruit and vegetables and giving you an excellent set on your blossom.

Honey bees from Africa were brought to Brazil in the 1950s. It was thought that genetic material from African bees, already adapted to tropical conditions, could be used to make the European bees already there better honey producers. Unfortunately, some of the introduced bees were released; they were so successful that a large wild population quickly developed. Over the next three decades, this wild population has spread throughout South and Central America. It has several traits which are of importance to the beekeeper and general public.

African Honey BeeThe African honey bee defends its nest (stings) far more than does the European honey bee. It is thought to be more defensive because it has many biological competitors, including humans, in its native Africa, where it is thought only the most defensive honey bees can survive. Apicultural activity in much of Africa is confined largely to bee hunting rather than beekeeping. This has led to limited selection resulting in a population of bees unpredictable in behavior.

Honey BeeBy contrast, the European honey bee population in the U.S. has been selected by beekeepers for manageable traits (gentleness, reduced swarming, high honey hoarding). The consequence of this is that the European bee is much more predictable in behavior and defends its nest to a lesser degree than the African honey bee.

Hornets

Hornets NestHornets are much larger than most other wasps - with wings spans up to 3" (7.6 cm). They build nests from chewed vegetation like other wasps, but is has more of a cardboard texture. The nests are found mostly in trees and large shrubs, are usually a grayish-brown color and appear as an inverted pear shape. Their body coloring can range from reddish-brown to black with white markings.

Hornet

Paper Wasps

Paper WaspThese wasps have long, slender bodies and very thin waists. Their color can vary from a reddish-orange, browns or black. They usually have yellow or golden rings on the lower abdomen. They build upside-down umbrella-like nests. These nests can be found under porches, branches, fences and almost any place where you would NOT want them. The nest consists of a single layer of hexagonal (6 sided) cells which contain one egg or larval wasp. The cell is enclosed by a separate paper cover. In some parts of North America these nests can have hundreds of wasps.

Paper Wasp Nest

Solitary Wasps

Solitary WaspThese are usually known as mud daubers or dirt daubers because of their tendency to build nests out of mud. The nests are several cylinders, or tubes, around 1' long. Each tube, or cell, contains several paralyzed spiders to feed the growing larva.

Interestingly, each species of mud dauber uses only one species of spider as food. The colors range from shiny dark blue to bluish brown to black, and usually they have bright yellow markings. These solitary insects will not defend their nest and rarely sting people.

Solitary Wasp in Nest

Yellow Jackets

Yellowjacket
These are the smallest of the wasp family, averaging only 1/2" long. They typically live in large underground nests made up of layers of hundreds of cells. The coloring is black bodies with yellow marking and clear wings. Yellow jackets feed on live insects, animal carcasses, and food in garbage cans and picnic sites.

Yellowjacket nest

Clothes Moths

Clothes MothAdult moths do not feed - it is the moth larvae that attack fabrics. One way to distinguish between other moths and the clothes moth is by using light. Clothes moths do not fly towards light like others do. Clothes moths are usually smaller that other moths, being 1/4" long with a wingspan of 1/2", and the larvae are approximately 3/8" long.

Indian Meal Moths

Meal MothThe pupal form of this pest can destroy any stored grain product. Usually, the infestation of a home is started by bringing in infected grains. More rarely, the female moth lays eggs inside the grains at a rate of hundreds per female. It is rather difficult to distinguish the meal moths from other moths. The best deterrent is to seal dry foodstuff in plastic or metal containers after a thorough freezing.

Scorpions

Scorpions are arachnids - kin to spiders, ticks and mites. They are nocturnal predators found in nearly every climate of the world. The more well known species are found in deserts and highland plains. They can range in size from less than one inch to over 7 inches. The venom is very potent in the larger species, but only a small number are dangerous to humans.

Scorpion

How to tell if you have rats.

Signs you have a rat

There are always more rats than you would think.

• If one presumed rat is seen and you can find no signs of them, there are less than 5 rats.
• If one or more have been spotted and you find tracks or old droppings, there are more than 5 rats.
• If 3 or more are seen at night and you find fresh droppings, lots of tracks, and gnaw marks, there are probably more than 15 rats in the area

Rat warning signs

• Droppings - 1/4” to 3/4” - willbe near nest or feeding area.
• Tracks - found in dusty, muddy,snowy areas. Use powder in areas where you suspect rats.
• Urine - found along paths and nearfeeding areas. Glows under UV light.
• Smudge Marks - oils and dirt rubs off of fur onto walls, beams, pipes, rafters along frequently traveled routes.
• Gnaw Marks - found on doors, ledges, windows and on stored material. Rats have to gnaw to prevent their teeth from growing through the roof of their mouth.
• Noises - gnawing, climbing, fighting all cause noises usually at night.

Rats in your Home

Roof Rat
In your home, if you see a rat, it is most likely to be the Norway (or Sewer) rat. Other rodents, like the Wood rat or wild mice, may be occasionally seen in the house, but rarely do they live there permanently. Norway rats usually build their nests in burrows, while roof rats seem to prefer trees, attics, or other above-ground sites. Rats are not as prolific breeders as some other rodents, and the size and number of litters varies with the habitat. Both extremely hot and cold climates will restrict breeding. Beware though, in mild climates a single female can raise up to 60 new rats per year, and new females are sexually mature in less than four months. Fortunately, in the wild, rats rarely live more than a single year.

Sometimes, litter size and frequency is affected by trapping and poisoning campaigns, and more often by available food and shelter. Young rats develop very rapidly, able to eat solid food within three weeks of birth.

Rats are very adept at navigating in the dark using all of their senses except sight. The long whiskers and guard hairs on the body help guide them. They usually range about 150 feet around the nest for food when they start feeding shortly after dusk. Young or weak rats are sometimes forced out of the nest and might be seen feeding during daylight. Rats are mostly omnivores (will eat anything) and will even eat dead and dying members of their own species. Norway rats are more likely to eat garbage, while roof rats prefer fresh plant foods, although either will eat anything if starving.

American Cockroach

Common Name: American

Species: Periplaneta americana

Size: 1 3/4" (44mm)

Colors and Markings: Reddish-brown. Pale band on head.

Time to Maturation: 285 - 616 days

Avg. Number of Eggs: 14

Avg. Egg Gestation: 8 days

Preferred Habitat: Restaurants, Grocery stores, Warehouses, Office buildings. Warm moist areas near furnaces and heating ducts. Found commonly in basements.

Has wings and flies readily.

 Adult American CockroachAmerican Cockroach Nymph

Brown Banded Cockroach

Common Name: Brown Banded

Species: Supella longipalpa

Size: 9/16" (14mm)

Colors and Markings: Golden tan with lighter "V" shapes on wings

Time to Maturation: 95 - 276 days

Avg. Number of Eggs: 16

Preferred Habitat: Generally found throughout the home. Prefers high warm places. Nests behind wallpaper, in desks, dressers, boxes, and in trash piles. Occasionally found in and around appliances.

Brown Banded Cockroach

German Cockroach

Common Name: German

Species: Blattella germanica

Size: 9/16" (14mm)

Colors and Markings: Light brown with dark stripes lengthwise

Time to Maturation: 55 - 68 days

Avg. Number of Eggs: 37

Avg. Egg Gestation: >12 days

Preferred Habitat: Found anywhere food is stored or served, and warmth and moisture are present. In homes it prefers kitchens and bathrooms. Nests in tight spaces where their bodies make contact with the surroundings.

German Cockroach

Oriental Cockroach

Common Name: Oriental

Species: Blatta orientalis

Size: 1 1/4" (32mm)

Colors and Markings: Dark red to Black - No markings

Time to Maturation: 300 - 800 days

Avg. Number of Eggs: 14

Preferred Habitat: Found in crawl spaces and basements. Also under refrigerators, and washing machines. Likes sewers, drains, and sinks usually below ground level.

Oriental Cockroach

Smoky Brown Cockroach

Common Name: Smoky Brown

Species: Periplaneta fuliginosa

Size: 1 1/2" (38mm)

Colors and Markings: Dark brown to Black - No markings

Time to Maturation: 320 - 388 days

Avg. Number of Eggs: 20

Avg. Egg Gestation: 24 - 70 days

Preferred Habitat: Prefers to live outdoors in woodpiles and debris near houses. Will enter garages and houses to feed. Primarily a southern US problem.

Smoky Brown Cockroach

Mice

The most common mouse to invade the home is the house mouse. This 3-4 in. rodent can be light gray to light brown and anything in between. The tail is usually as long as its body, it has large ear,s and a pointy nose. These features can help distinguish a mouse from a immature rat, which has small ears and a blunt nose.

Other species of mice will occasionally come into your home searching for food, water, or a safe place to stay. Most outdoor mice can be discouraged from staying, but it is important to know your enemy. House mice are very prolific - one pair can produce 2000 mice in one year.

Of all mammals in the world, almost half are rodents. The list is long: rats, mice, gophers, moles, beavers, squirrels, porcupines, voles, groundhogs, marmots, prairie dogs, lemmings and chipmunks. They can be found in nearly every climate, from arctic to tropic and mountain to desert.

House MouseField MouseA Drawing of a Mouse