Common House Pests

We can help you with ants, ticks, mice & more in The Grand Strand

Below you will find Best Home & Property Services's pest library. It contains everything from ants and bed bugs to termites and rodents. Please click the pest that is annoying you to learn more.

• Ticks

  

  The three most common ticks in the eastern Carolinas are the deer (black-legged) tick, the American dog tick and the lone star tick.

  Only deer ticks can carry the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. They can also carry the germs that cause babesiosis and human granulocytic anaplasmosis. Young deer ticks, called nymphs, are brown and the size of poppy seeds. Adult female ones are red and black, while males are black. Adult ones are about the size of a sesame seed. The three most common ticks in the eastern Carolinas are the deer (black-legged) tick, the American dog tick and the lone star tick.

  American dog ticks can carry the bacterium that causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Dog ticks are reddish-brown and larger than deer ticks. Deer and dog ticks are most active during the spring, early summer and fall.

  Lone star ticks can carry the germ that causes human monocytic ehrlichiosis and are another rash illness that has been seen in over 20 other states. Adult female lone star ticks have a white dot on their back and are similar in size to deer ticks. They are most active from April through July.

  Common Facts About Ticks:

  • All ticks feed exclusively on the blood of vertebrates.
  • There are two families of ticks: hard ticks and soft ticks.
  • They have four stages in their life: egg, larva, nymph and adult.
  • Mating usually occurs while adult ticks are on the body of the host animal.
  • The female then drops to the ground and deposits her eggs.
  • When they are at the larvae stage they are called "seed ticks" with six legs. They attach themselves to a host, after receiving a blood meal, they drop to the ground and emerge as eight legged nymphs.
  • Ticks can carry serious diseases.

  Signs of Infestation

  Tick infestations can occur when even a single tick is brought into the home.

  If you have wooded or brushy areas near your home and are outdoors when the weather is warm, it is possible for you to come into contact with a tick. The tick will attach itself somewhere on your body and bury its head in your skin. Ticks can attach themselves anywhere on the body-including under the arms, inside the ears, in the hair and inside of the belly button. Ticks can also attach themselves to your pets.

  If you or a pet brings a tick into your home, a tick infestation may occur once it reproduces. Ticks can lay their eggs in different parts of the home and since they are very small, they may not be easily noticed. Ticks typically lay their eggs in cracks and crevasses in floorboards.

• Weevils

  

  A weevil is a type of beetle from the Curculionoidea superfamily. They are usually small, less than 6 millimetres (0.24 in), and herbivorous. There are over 60,000 species in several families, mostly in the family Curculionidae (the true weevils). Some other beetles, although not closely related, bear the name "weevil", such as the biscuit weevil (Stegobium paniceum), which belongs to the family Anobiidae.

  Many weevils are damaging to crops. The grain or wheat weevil (Sitophilus granarius) damages stored grain. The boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis) attacks cotton crops. It lays its eggs inside cotton bolls, and the young weevils eat their way out.

  Signs of Infestation

  Weevils are often found in dry foods including nuts and seeds, cereal and grain products, such as pancake mix. In the domestic setting, they are most likely to be observed when a bag of flour is opened. Their presence is often indicated by the granules of the infested item sticking together in strings, as if caught in a cobweb.

• Termites

  

  Termites have three different castes, each of which performs different roles within the colony. These castes include reproductives (including kings, queens, and primary and secondary reproductives), soldiers and workers. Each caste has unique physical features to help it fulfill its role in the colony.

  In general, workers and nymphs are soft-bodied and look like larvae. Soldier termites have soft bodies with hard, enlarged heads and large jaws (mandibles) that help them protect the colony. Fully mature, reproductive termites have wings and hard bodies that prepare them for leaving the nest to start new colonies.

  While there are broad descriptions of what each termite caste looks like, not all members of a caste look exactly alike. There are variations in size and color between termite species. For example, western subterranean termite soldiers have yellowish heads, while western drywood termite soldiers have reddish brown heads.

  Termites can range in size from 1/4 inch to 1 inch long, depending on the species, caste and maturity level. Workers are the smallest of the castes. Dampwood and drywood termites tend to be larger than subterranean termites.

  Signs of Infestation

  The following list indicates common signs of a subterranean termite infestation. It is recommended that you have your house thoroughly inspected by a pest control professional trained to detect the sometimes subtle signs of termites. The following information is provided by the research of the National Pest Control Association:

  The presence of mud-like material which lines the galleries in an irregular pattern.

  Termites may excavate the wood so that only a very thin layer of wood is left on the surface between the cavity and the outside. Then this layer is broken, they will cover the holes with mud like material, used to make the tubes. This is a mixture of soil, feces, and saliva.

  Swarmers: The appearance of a swarm of what you would call "flying ants",especially near light sources This indicates a nest may be near. A "swarm" is a group of adult male and female reproductives that leave their nest to establish a new colony. Swarming occurs when a colony reaches a certain size. Swarming is most common in the spring (March, April, May, and June) and occasionally autumn (September and October).

  Most swarmers emerge during the day, most frequently on warm days after rain. Swarmers found outdoors near tree stumps, railroad ties, etc., are not an indication that your house is infested, but are present on the outside only. On the other hand, finding swarmers indoors often means that you have a termite infestation within your house. At first glance, swarmers and ants look similar, but can be distinguished by certain physical features. At Differences between ants and termites there is a picture and list of differences.

  Mud Tunnels: Subterranean termites maintain their headquarters in the ground and build "mud tubes", pencil-size, that connect the nest (moisture) to the food source (wood).The tunnels may contain broken mud particles with fecal materials. Mud tubes or shelter tubes are proof of termite infestation, but their absence does not necessarily mean that a structure is free of termites. The insects may reach sills and other wood members through cracks or voids in the foundation wall, under the outside stucco, or from earth-filled porches, steps, terraces, or patios. You can break open tubes to determine if termites are still active inside. Termites often rebuild damaged tubes, another indication of continued activity. Old tubes are dry and will crumble easily.

  Subterranean termites construct four types of tubes or tunnels. Working tubes (left) are constructed from nests in the soil to wooden structures; they may travel up concrete or stone foundations. Exploratory and migratory tubes (center) arise from the soil but do not connect to wood structures. Drop tubes (right) extend from wooden structures back to the soil.

• Swarmers

  

  When a termite colony gets too big it produces winged termites (swarmers) that are forced to leave the colony to start one of their own. The swarmers, also known as the reproductives, have 2 pairs of wings that lie flat over their abdomen. When the male and female swarmers leave the nest the female releases her mating pheromone to draw the male termite in. Once a male and female find each other they break off their wings as a sign they are together. The new couple then finds a new home and starts their colony.

  A Swarmer is about ¾ inch in size and is larger than a winged ant. Termites have straight antennae and wide bodies that do not pinch at the waist like an ant.

  Signs of Infestation

  Finding swarmers on the inside of your home indicates that a nest is near so you will want to have your home checked. A swarm only last for about 30 minutes and is usually around a light source. If they cannot make it to soil they will only live a few hours before dying of dehydration. Since they die off so quickly, and can easily be confused with a flying ant, it is important that you try to collect a few into a plastic bag so your termite inspector can see what you are dealing with.

• Stinging Pests

  

  Many different species of stinging pests are often mistaken for honey bees, or casually referred to as "bees". Being able to distinguish honey bees from wasps or other bee species it important to make appropriate decision about potential control. It should be noted that it is illegal to kill honey bee hives or colonies in North and South Carolina. Make identification extremely important.

  Generally, wasps tend to be more slender and with fewer hairs on their body than bees. Wasps also tend to feed on other insects, while bees ted to primary feed on floral sources (pollen and nectar).

  Stinging insects in the eastern Carolinas include yellow jackets, paper wasps, carpenter bees, cicada killers, and European hornets.

• Rats

  

  The best-known rat species are the black rat (Rattus rattus) and the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus). They are similar to mice, but are easy distinguished from these rodents by their size. Rats can be two to five times larger than a common house mouse.

  The common species are opportunistic survivors and often live with and near humans; therefore, they are known as commensals. The average lifespan of any given rat depends on which species is being discussed, but many only live about a year due to predation.

  Signs of Infestation

  Droppings, typically left behind in kitchen cabinets, pantries, cupboards, drawers, bins, and anywhere else they think they might find food, or where they scurry to avoid predators. Rodents are prolific poopers, so it's pretty easy to spot if you have an infestation. It's also not uncommon to see droppings along walls, on top of wall studs or beams, near nests, and in boxes, bags, old furniture, and other objects.

  Squeaks and other noises. Rodents aren't what you'd call quiet. If they're in your house, you'll hear squeaks, rustling, and scampering sounds as they move about and nest. Noises are often more apparent at night as you're going to bed and they're waking up.

  Urine pools or trails. Rodents are notorious for having weak bladders, and they'll dribble all over the place. House mice sometimes make things called "urinating pillars," which are small mounds consisting of grease, dirt, and yes, urine. Sometimes you'll see tiny drops of urine leading to a mound.

  Nibble marks on food boxes, food, or containers. These telltale signs are often accompanied by nearby droppings.

  Nests. Rodents build nests from soft, fuzzy, or warm materials, such as fabric, furniture stuffing, quilt batting, shredded paper, grass, and twigs, and will typically stuff them into sheltered, out-of-the-way places like boxes, cabinets and closets, walls, even the subspace between ceilings and floors. Other possible mouse nest sites include dressers, behind and inside appliances, and machinery, even computer cases - basically, anywhere it's cozy and warm.

  Grease marks. Mice can wedge through openings as small as a quarter of an inch in size. As they do, they often leave greasy smears - caused by oil and dirt in their coats - behind. The marks left by mice are fainter than those left by rats. If you find large greasy smears, you should suspect a rat infestation instead.

  Gnaw marks. Gnawing is a defining characteristic of all rodents. They do it to keep their incisor teeth, which grow continually, in check. Wood is a favorite, but they'll pretty much chew on whatever suits them. This includes electrical wire, which, as noted in Electrical Fires, makes them a leading cause of structural fires. On wood, newer gnaws are light colored. They turn darker with age. Sometimes you won't see gnaw marks, but you'll see what looks like fine wood chips or coarse sawdust, especially along baseboards, door and window frames, and cabinets.

  Holes in food packaging. Rodents will nibble into anything they can smell, including boxes and bags of pasta, rice, beans, and grain products. Dog food bags are also prime-time rodent magnets, and especially so for rats, who like the meaty smell as much as canines do. Another popular nibble, although not a food product: soap.

  An "off" aroma, or smell. House mice have a distinctive musky odor. It's hard to describe, but once you smell it, you'll never forget it.

  Tracks. Look for footprints or tail marks in dusty spots. The type of track and tail marks can tell you what kind of rodent you're battling. Mice have the smallest feet, measuring 3/8 inch or less. Rat tracks average between 3/4 to 1 inch. Rats also drag their tails, which leaves a mark between their feet tracks. If tracks are hard to spot, shining a flashlight across a suspicious area can help illuminate them.

  Pet excitement. If Rover or Miss Kitty is acting a bit nuts (more nuts than usual?), especially around a possible mouse hiding area, chances are good a critter has been there or is still there.

• Flies

  

  Flies come in many varieties, like all pests and insects, but the most common is the house fly. Generally black (some times with a green abdominal sheen) with red eyes, these two winged insects swarm and infest near and around easy accessible foods sources. Food sources are trash or rooting food, as well as waste. That's why another name for these pests are filth flies.

  Flies pose a health risk to humans, pets and livestock and can infest your home or business and spread diseases like Salmonella and E. coli. A few fly species may even bite humans and animals.

  If a small fly problem is left uncontrolled, it has the potential to turn into a serious infestation. Some fly species are able to mature from eggs to adults in just seven days.

  Signs of Infestation

  As in most cases with pests, an infestation can be identified when the population of the pest explodes and they swarm, making their identification hard to ignore. Flies also have the added negative impact of their larvae (none commonly as maggots) which can also swarm. You can generally see maggots around the food source (where the flies lay their eggs). Removing the food source (or at least removing it from the proximity of your property) is the first step in trying to control the fly infestation.

• Bed Bugs

  

  Today, bed bugs are uncommon pests. Many infestations identified as bed bugs are actually closely related species such as bat bugs or swallow bugs. Knowing what species has infested a house is an important distinction when planning a control strategy. While all of these bugs are external, bloodsucking parasites of warm-blooded animals, each type has a preferred host. Knowing the preferred host is essential to locating and eliminating the source of the bugs.

  Bed Bugs, like ants, come in a variety of species, but generally they are about 3/16″ long, broadly oval and flat. Most are mahogany or red-brown in color. The larvae are very small and clear. After feeding bed bug larvae can resemble small drops of fresh blood. Bed bugs have straw-like (piercing-sucking) mouthparts. Their wings are very short and look like small pads. They can not fly. Bed bugs are known to give off what has been described as an obnoxiously sweet odor, or an odor similar to fresh raspberries. They will leave small spots of dried blood on the sheets and walls after feeding. If you discover a bug, you need the help of a professional trained technician to identify your pest.

  Signs of Infestation

  Because bugs hide, having an infestation without actually seeing any of them is possible. If you suspect you have bed bugs, look for small spots of blood on bedding or walls. There may be black or brown spots left behind around well-used hiding or resting places. These spots are dried-excrement.

• Spiders

  

  All spiders have two body sections: the cephalothorax in front and an abdomen behind. The abdomen contains the digestive and reproductive systems, and on the underside of it are the glands where silk is produced. The structures that produce the silk are called spinnerets.

  They have eight legs, all attached to the cephalothorax. On the front of the cephalothorax are the mouth, the fangs, the eyes, and two small "mini-legs" called pedipalps. These are used to grab prey, and in mating, and are much bigger in male spiders than in females. Different species of spiders have six or eight eyes, and the size and arrangement of eyes is different in different groups. All spiders have fangs that they use to bite their prey with, and most have venom glands.

  Female spiders are often much bigger than males.

  Signs of Infestation

  The first thing you look for to identify a possible spider infestation is their webs. The size and shape of these spider webs vary by species and their number can possibly identify the population numbers you might have on your property. Some spider webs are traditional web formation, but some are orb-shaped while others are funnel-shaped. But not all spiders spin webs, so just because you don't see them doesn't necessarily mean you are free from infestation. Some spider species live in burrows, while others are free-ranging and take refuge in crevices.

  Spiders can be found in moist environments, and can be found in basements, walls, sheds and other damp locations. They can also be found in attics, the junction of a wall and ceiling, closets and storage boxes.

  Like all infestations, a spider infestation starts with an abundance of a food source. Spiders feed on other insects and prey on ants, flies, woodlice and other spiders, so where there is a plentiful supply of other insects, spiders will wait to find their next meal. So, if you have a spider infestation, chances are, you have one or more kinds of insect infestations on your property or in your home.

• Silverfish

  

  Silverfish are gray to brown and all have the same characteristic shape. Their bodies are flattened, long and slender, broad at the front and tapering gradually toward the rear. The antennae are long and slender. Three long, slender appendages are found at the rear of the body. These give rise to the common name, "bristle tails." All silverfish and firebrats are wingless. The young look like small adults, and their development takes place without metamorphosis.

  Signs of Infestation

  Silverfish are scavengers and will feed on crumbs, dead insects, starch, glue, wallpaper paste, and paper products. They can also stain fabric, paper, books, or wallpaper. There can be a lot of damage to these items if very large infestations have been present over a long period of time.

  Populations are slow to grow, and a large house infestation usually means they have been there for a long time.

  Silverfish are night insects that are often found in attics, basements, bathrooms, wall voids, subfloor areas, and cracks or crevices. They normally hitchhike into the home on food, furniture, old books, papers, and old starched clothing.

  Silverfish may be found almost anywhere in the house, but are most commonly found in damp, cool locations (preferring 75 to 95% relative humidity). For example, you may find them around sinks, bathtubs, and other plumbing fixtures where they go for moisture, fall in, and can't climb out. Sometimes they are attracted to new buildings where the walls are still damp from plaster and green lumber. Silverfish are most active at night and move very quickly, with a wiggling motion that looks like the swimming action of a fish.

• Beetles

  

  After termites, wood-boring beetles are the most important wood-destroying insects in homes. The amount of damage that wood-boring beetles cause depends on many factors. The type of wood (hardwood or softwood), the moisture content of the wood, and the environmental conditions at the infestation site all affect the severity of beetle damage. This fact sheet discusses the identification and control of some of the most common wood-boring beetles found in South Carolina.

  Not all beetles are wood-boring. Others can destroy or eat your vegetation, grass, flower beds, gardens or other landscaping. There are also species of beetles that invade the interior of your home to feed on flour, meal, breakfast food, pepper, spices, seeds, pet food, cereals, raisins, pasta, chocolate, ginger, and bread.

• Mole Crickets

  

  Mole crickets are tan-colored, cricket-like insects that feed on plant roots. They are about one inch long, with short, stout forelegs, spade-like feet and large eyes. Young are like adults but without wings and smaller and darker.

  Mole crickets tunnel underground feeding on plant roots and leaving small tunnels. Attacked grass begins to wilt and die in spots. A way of telling if you have them is to try to pull up the dead and dying grass. If you have these crickets the grass will often come up easily and will appear to have no roots. They kill the roots due to feeding and tunneling. On bare ground you may also see the tunnels, especially a day or so after a rain.

  Signs of Infestation

  Many people think they have mole crickets, but few do. Piles of dirt or holes in the lawn are generally not signs of mole cricket. The small raised mounds of granulated dirt we see in lawns are usually caused by earthworms - not mole crickets. On closely mowed athletic turf, mole crickets make mounds but in home lawns - look for raised tunnels. Even dying grass is not proof that you have mole crickets. Look for the small, finger-width tunnels and dying grass that has no roots. This will tell you that you have mole crickets.

  Mole crickets feed at night and stay under ground in the day. An interesting way to flush them out so you can see them is to mix one ounce of lemon dish-washing detergent in a gallon of water. Drench the affected area with it and wait three to five minutes. This may make some mole crickets come to the surface. This works best on well-watered areas and during warm weather.

• Ants

  

  There are a variety of Ant species that can invade your home, property or yard, which include both Red & Black Ants, Acrobat Ants, Carpenter Ants, Field Ants, and dozens more. They are social creatures that infest your home through a variety of entry points (depending on species). But in general, to discourage ant infestation, identity and fix common entry points such as vegetation or handing trees limbs close to your home, cracks and gabs in your walls or flooring. Also, other than searching for places to colonize, they forage for food sources. So storing food and cleaning spills is a great preventative measure for ant infestation. While most of these creatures are considered harmless, there are those - such as fire ants, which sting and carpenter ones, which damage wood - that can be more than a nuisance and pose threats to your family's health and property.

  Signs of Infestation

  Each species as a different tell tale sign, but unlike other insect species, they don't hide their colonies or their armies, very well. The clearest sign of infestation is seeing an unusual amount of ants or single ants on a consistent basis. Look for mounds in your yard and damaged wood (walls, flooring, cabinets, etc) when in the case of a Carpenter Ant infestation.

• Mosquitos

  

  Adult mosquitoes are slender true flies, usually less than 1 cm long. They have long thin legs and wings. Some other true flies look like mosquitoes, but only mosquitoes have the long thin mouthparts called a proboscis. Adult mosquitoes have long antennae, and male mosquitoes antennae look very feathery. Like all true flies, mosquitoes only have two wings. Their bodies and wings are covered with microscopic scales.

  Signs of Infestation

  Mosquitoes need still freshwater or slightly salty water for their larvae to grow, but different species have evolved to use all different kinds of water. Some grow in ponds, some in puddles, some in tree holes, some in swamps, some in salt marshes. They are most common and diverse in humid habitats, such as the Eastern Carolinas.

  Mosquitoes start to become a problem as temperatures begin to rise in spring. The mosquito season lasts from April to September each year. We recommended you have your home treated by professionals early on in the season to prevent major problems. And if you already have mosquito problems, to call us immediately to put a quick and effective control program in place for you.

• Millipedes

  

  Millipedes are approximately 1 to 1 1/2 inch in length. They are brown in color and have a hard, worm-like body lined with legs. This many legged arthropod has two pairs of legs attached to each segment on its body. While millipedes do not bite and are generally considered to be a low-risk pest, a sudden swarm of these insects can lead to odors, stains, and other annoyances.

  Signs of Infestation

  Millipedes do not leave behind many signs to let you know that you have an infestation. The only real sign is to find the pests themselves. A millipede must have extremely high humidity levels to live. Lowering the humidity in your home will help make it much less attractive to millipedes. Additionally, seal all possible entry points that the pests could use to get into your home and clean your yard of decaying wood, grass, and leaves.

• Mice

  

  The house mouse is the most common of home-invading mice. Cute, perhaps, in a cage in the pet store, but not so cute when it decides to make your house its home. A mouse in your house is, in fact, more than an just an unwanted pest, it can also be a health threat to all who live there. Unfortunately, because mice are small, nocturnal, and nest in out-of-the-way places, you may not even know you have a problem until it is a major problem.

  Signs of Infestation

  Droppings, typically left behind in kitchen cabinets, pantries, cupboards, drawers, bins, and anywhere else they think they might find food, or where they scurry to avoid predators. Rodents are prolific poopers, so it's pretty easy to spot if you have an infestation. It's also not uncommon to see droppings along walls, on top of wall studs or beams, near nests, and in boxes, bags, old furniture, and other objects.

  Squeaks and other noises. Rodents aren't what you'd call quiet. If they're in your house, you'll hear squeaks, rustling, and scampering sounds as they move about and nest. Noises are often more apparent at night as you're going to bed and they're waking up.

  Urine pools or trails. Rodents are notorious for having weak bladders, and they'll dribble all over the place. House mice sometimes make things called "urinating pillars," which are small mounds consisting of grease, dirt, and yes, urine. Sometimes you'll see tiny drops of urine leading to a mound.

  Nibble marks on food boxes, food, or containers. These telltale signs are often accompanied by nearby droppings.

  Nests. Rodents build nests from soft, fuzzy, or warm materials, such as fabric, furniture stuffing, quilt batting, shredded paper, grass, and twigs, and will typically stuff them into sheltered, out-of-the-way places like boxes, cabinets and closets, walls, even the subspace between ceilings and floors. Other possible mouse nest sites include dressers, behind and inside appliances, and machinery, even computer cases - basically, anywhere it's cozy and warm.

  Grease marks. Mice can wedge through openings as small as a quarter of an inch in size. As they do, they often leave greasy smears - caused by oil and dirt in their coats - behind. The marks left by mice are fainter than those left by rats. If you find large greasy smears, you should suspect a rat infestation instead.

  Gnaw marks. Gnawing is a defining characteristic of all rodents. They do it to keep their incisor teeth, which grow continually, in check. Wood is a favorite,but they'll pretty much chew on whatever suits them. This includes electrical wire, which, as noted in Electrical Fires, makes them a leading cause of structural fires. On wood, newer gnaws are light colored. They turn darker with age. Sometimes you won't see gnaw marks, but you'll see what looks like fine wood chips or coarse sawdust, especially along baseboards, door and window frames, and cabinets.

  Holes in food packaging. Rodents will nibble into anything they can smell, including boxes and bags of pasta, rice, beans, and grain products. Dog food bags are also prime-time rodent magnets, and especially so for rats, who like the meaty smell as much as canines do. Another popular nibble, although not a food product: soap.

  An "off" aroma, or smell. House mice have a distinctive musky odor. It's hard to describe, but once you smell it, you'll never forget it.

  Tracks. Look for footprints or tail marks in dusty spots. The type of track and tail marks can tell you what kind of rodent you're battling. Mice have the smallest feet, measuring 3/8 inch or less. Rat tracks average between 3/4 to 1 inch. Rats also drag their tails, which leaves a mark between their feet tracks. If tracks are hard to spot, shining a flashlight across a suspicious area can help illuminate them.

  Pet excitement. If Rover or Miss Kitty is acting a bit nuts (more nuts than usual?), especially around a possible mouse hiding area, chances are good a critter has been there or is still there.

• Roaches

  

  Over 15 kinds of cockroaches are found in South Carolina, but only a few of these may be found in your home. Cockroaches are considered pests in several ways. Most people view them as carriers of germs. While they can transfer germs, the most serious medical problem associated with cockroaches is the allergic reaction many people have to their shed skin and droppings. Many people are embarrassed when they have a cockroach infestation in their home, but cockroaches can be found anywhere, not only in unclean places.

  Signs of Infestation

  The most conclusive sign of a cockroach infestation is simply seeing them in the home, but because they are nocturnal insects they are not always easy to spot. Luckily, roaches also leave a tell-tale odor as well as other signs of infestation.

  When a very severe infestation is present, cockroaches can often be seen during the day. These unpleasant insects are quite distinctive and are easily identified. Between half an inch (1.3 cm) and two inches (5 cm) long, roaches have flat elongated bodies and are colored light or dark brown or black. Along with six legs and a set of long antennae, these characteristics ensure that identifying a cockroach is usually a simple matter.

  The more severe the infestation, the more cockroach sightings are likely during daylight hours. This is not the case 100% of the time, of course, and regular daytime sightings aren't that common for minor infestations. Given that cockroaches are nocturnal and normally stay hidden during daylight hours, knowing how to recognize other signs of cockroach infestation is essential.

• Fleas

  

  Fleas are small insects that parasitize the coats of a wide range of domestic animal species including cats, dogs, rabbits, horses, poultry, humans and rats and which survive by feeding on the blood of their hosts. In appearance they are small (about 1 - 2.5mm in length, depending on the flea species) and yellowish to dark brown in color depending on whether they have recently fed or not (the abdomen of an engorged flea swells and appears paler brown in color than that of an unfed flea.

  Signs of Infestation

  Signs of infestation can usually first be seen on the warm-bodied (furbearing) family members, generally cats and dogs. A sign of heavy infestation is when you can identify fleas hanging around the eyes and nostrils of your pets. If the pets in or around your property are infested with fleas, changes are very good that so is your property (interior or exterior, or both). Fleas can infest yards if you keep outdoor animals, and they can infest the interior of your home, particularly if the home is mostly carpeted. Carpet is not a necessity for interior flea infestation however.

• Earwigs

  

  Earwigs are fearsome looking insects, known for the popular superstition that they will burrow in the ears of humans. While they can give you a little nip if you pick one up, they cannot burrow into people. They are generally considered harmless creatures living in mulch and organic debris on the ground. Occasionally when conditions are favorable, earwig populations can get quite large and they can become temporary pests in or around homes.

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