House flies

Description - it is the most common of all domestic flies.  Adult flies are ¼ of an inch in length.  Their thorax is gray with four dark lines on their back.  The house fly gets their name from being the most common fly found around the home and live between 15-25 days.

Biology - They are able to feed on liquids but have the ability to turn many solid foods into a liquid for them to consume.  House flies tend to stay within 1-2 miles of where they were born.  These insects have been known to carry over 100 different kinds of disease causing germs, which makes them very bad house guests.

Prevention - House flies can be controlled through sanitation. Remove trash regularly and use covered garbage receptacles.  Clean up pet waste immediately.  Use screens on doors and windows to prevent fly entry.

Pavement ants

Description - Pavement ants make their nests in or under cracks in the pavement along patios, driveways, sidewalks and foundations of the home. Pavement ants range in size from 1/10-1/16 of an inch.

Biology - Pavement ants are active foragers who will set up trails along baseboards, beneath the edge of carpets, and other areas inside a structure. Worker will move to other areas along plumbing lines. They feed on a variety of foods including grease sweets, seeds and other insects. Any food dropped on the floor will quickly be covered with pavement ants.

Prevention - Pavement ants are attracted to moisture. Also, keep branches and plants cut back from around the structure.

House mouse

MiceDescription - House mouse have an adult body length of of 3.0-3.9inches and a tail length of 2.0-3.9 inches.  They vary in color from grey to light brown.  Their droppings are blackish and about 0.12 inches in length.

Biology - House mouse thrive in a variety of conditions around homes and commercial structures.  The House mouse contaminates food meant for humans, pets, livestock and other animals. They often cause damage to structures and property. Droplets of mice urine can cause allergies in children.

Prevention - Seal all entry points to keep mice out of living areas.  Mice can squeeze through a hole the size of a nickel.

 Roof rat

Description - Roof rats have an adult body length of 6-8 inches  and a tail length of 6-8 inches.  Roof rats are usually found in upper sections of buildings and attics.

Biology - Roof rats access structures along pipes, beams or wires, up and down studding or along horizontal ceiling joists.  They often leave a dark colored layer of grease from the hair on their underside and dirt to mark their runways.

Prevention- Seal all entry points to keep rats out of living areas.  They can survive in a variety of different habitats and take advantage of structures and environments.  Rats can gain entry through a hole the size of a quarter.

Mosquito

MosquitosDescription - Mosquitoes are1/4-3/8 inches in length, pale brown with whitish stripes across abdomen. One of the best known summer pests, mosquitoes breed in stagnant water sources such as storm drains, old tires, children’s wading pools , bird baths or soft soil and can develop from egg to adult in 10-14 days.

Biology – Female mosquitoes suck our blood. Male mosquitoes feed on plant nectars. They are most active from dusk to dawn.Mosquitoes are well known to spread disease such as West Nile virus, Malaria and Dengue fever.

Prevention - Eliminate or reduce mosquito breeding sites by replacing all standing water at least once a week, this includes bird baths, ponds and unfiltered pools.