Pest Page

Ants There are many kinds of ants.  Its always best to identify the species before proceeding with an ant problem.  Identification helps with choosing a bait the ants will accept.  It also tells us much about the habits of the species such as; where it likes to nest, whether it has one or many queens, if it chews wood, will there be a swarm or do they sting.  Samples can be kept in any disposable container or plastic sandwich bag for the technician to inspect.  Treatments are targeted into wall voids, under appliances and in places so that you will not come in direct contact with the pesticide.

Why we use baits We have found that baits eliminate colonies much more quickly than any other treatment.  Sprays often kill workers but leave the queen, and the colony soon recovers.  Baits are also safer than older treatment methods.  See Integrated Pest Management for more information on similar control techniques.  For related info see The Uninvited Guest

Bedbugs In recent years I have discovered that many of the younger generation believe that bedbugs are a myth or another childhood fable.  This is because from 1950 until the early '70s bedbugs became nearly vanquished in the United States with the aid of DDT and Malathion.  Bedbugs eventually became resistant to these products and continue to be extremely difficult to control.  They have resurged since the 1990's.  Don't waste your time and money trying to eradicate these creatures, you'll likely only poison yourself and your family in the process.  A trained professional with lots of experience is required.  For related story see Bedbug boom blamed on increased foreign travel.

Bedbug FAQ's    Background, Identification, Reproduction and Biting, Habits and Control
PHOTOS: Common Bedbug

Centipedes Centipedes live for many years, sometimes obtaining lengths up to 12 inches.  They can be found throughout the desert southwest and will often invade structures.  The giant desert centipede is venomous and injects poison with its first pair of legs which are modified for this purpose.  They can also inflict a painful bite.  Centipedes can be found around woodpiles, under boards, mulch or wood chips used for landscaping and in crawl spaces.   A Perimeter Treatment is ideal for controlling these pests before they find entrance into homes.

Fleas This tiny insect was responsible for the death of 1/4 of the entire population of Europe in the 14th century by transmitting Bubonic Plague (The Black Death).    Fleas also transmit other diseases like Murine Typhus.   Plague is New Mexico's most prevalent vector-borne disease.  Fortunately no human plague cases have been reported in our service area, to my knowledge.  But there's no need to take chances, eliminating fleas before they heavily infest your home is often quicker and less costly.  

I believe Fleas to be one of natures most fascinating insects.   Did you know, that a flea when ready to emerge from its pupal case as an adult flea, can remain in that case, ready to emerge and pounce on its first victim, for up to a year and a half, some experts believe.  To help prevent that little trick, we use an INSECT GROWTH REGULATOR which keeps the flea from reaching that pupal stage in the first place.  Fleas can be very difficult to control with convention treatments.  Experience is the real key here.  See our Guaranteed Elimination Service in the services pages.  This information is found in our  continuing education series, discussing treatments in more detail.

For related info see The Uninvited Guest

Pantry Pests You must find the source of the infestation. Check packages you seldom use, especially such foods as cereals, grain products, nuts, flour, raisins, spices, dry pet food, and bird seed. Also make a habit to thoroughly inspect all such items when you first bring them home after purchase from your grocery store. Pay special attention to all of the same items, and brand names, from the same store where any previously infested items were bought.

When found, you should wrap any heavily infested packages in a heavy plastic bag and dispose of them in your normal garbage.

Store all susceptible foods in tightly-closed glass, or metal containers.

You should consider heating or freezing all susceptible food items you have had for 60 days or longer. You can kill nearly any pantry pests by heating in the dry heat of an oven, to at least 140º Throughout the package for at least one hour; or by freezing the food item throughout to 0º F or below for at least four days. You should place dry food in a zip-lock type plastic bag before freezing to prevent it from getting wet due to condensation after removal from the freezer. Most foods can be eaten safely after pantry pests have been killed and removed, such as by hand or by sifting.

Usually, no pesticides treatment is needed for these pests. Finding and disposing of all infested foods solves the problem

Roaches Sometimes called water bugs, roaches can be placed into two distinct groups.  Domestic (those that have lived in such close proximity to man, they do not exist in nature) and Periodomestic (those that live near man and sometimes invade his territory).  Domestic roaches are the German and Brown-banded roaches.  Because the German roach has many close relatives such as the Vaga and Asian a professional needs to make positive ID before treating.  The wrong treatment here and you've wasted a lot of time and money, and gotten very little results.   German roaches require our Guaranteed Elimination Service

Periodomestic roaches are the Vaga, Oriental, Turkestan, American, Australian and our only native specie the Desert Roach that live outdoors and thrive in warm areas.   These roaches can find habitat in almost anything.  Some live in sewers while others prefer dryer areas like inside the walls of an office building.  Again identification is important because the source must be addressed, if that source is inside the home or office.  If the source is outside the building, then treating as many likely sources around the outside perimeter will help significantly but due to the migration of these pests one should consider a regular treatment such as our Perimeter Treatment.  For related info see The Uninvited Guest

Photos:    American    Oriental    German    Turkestan    Brown Banded    Australian    Vaga

  Rodents Mice and other rodents often carry fleas and have the potential to transmit diseases such as Hanta-Virus.   They also contaminate many times more food than they eat.  They chew holes in sheetrock, insulation, water and utility lines, and clothing.  Rodents have a very keen smell and hearing and are very acrobatic.  Ultrasonic devices so far have been unsuccessful at driving them away.  Trapping is the best method for rodent control, although baits usually do a very good job at eliminating mice.  Read the related article Education And Prevention Tips and The Uninvited Guest

Photos:    House Mouse    Roof Rat    Norway Rat    Mexican Woodrat    Packrat

Scorpions Scorpions are arachnids and are closely related to spiders.   They live 2 to 5 years and females can produce 14 to over 100 young in one litter.   They spend the daytime under cover or in burrows and thrive in accumulations of stones, lumber, bricks, and other debris.  Scorpions can be easily seen at night using a black light or ultraviolet light as they emerge to defend their territory and feed.  Read the related articles Common Striped Scorpion and  Take The Sting Out Of Living In Scorpion Country,  Las Cruces Sun-News 4/1/01

Outdoor applications of residual pesticides are essential and are aimed at eliminating scorpions in the immediate area before they gain entry into buildings.  Our Perimeter Treatment is designed with pests like this in mind.

Silverfish Silverfish are among the most common insects in the home and are of concern because they eat paper, fabrics and even get into food such as cereals.  They are especially fond of flour and starch.  Bookshelves, pantries, linen closets and bathrooms are common places to find these pesky critters.   Treatment begins with an inspection to locate the source, or at least the areas where they are most abundant.  Integrated Pest Management techniques are most often used for this and other similar pests.  For related info see The Uninvited Guest

Spiders Natures own insect control.  Spiders are wonderful at controlling other insects, but who wants the spiders around?  Spiders can be controlled by reducing the numbers of other insects that are available as food, keeping the outside areas around your home tidy and having regular visits by a professional to seek out and destroy spiders.  If you really have a dislike for spiders you may want to use our Integrated Pest Management Service for peace of mind.  For related info see The Uninvited Guest

Photos: Brown Recluse, Black Widow, Funnel Web, Wolf, Tarantula, Sun (Solpugid), 

Termites Wood destroying insects include both Subterranean and Drywood termites, Carpenter Ants, Carpenter Bees, Horntails and Wood Boring Beetles.  A thorough inspection is a must to determine if any current activity is underway and what insect is to blame.  For more information see Termites and other Wood Destroying Insects.  For related article see Termites Eat Their Way To The Top. and The Uninvited Guest.  Termite Soldier video clip  (Better Image, longer download time)

Ticks Responsible for many diseases, ticks are a very important pest.   They transmit Lyme Disease, Tularemia, Colorado Tick Fever, Relapsing Fever , Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and other diseases.  One of the most important things you should know about ticks is how to correctly remove one.  Use tweezers to grasp the ticks head.  Pull gently (without squeezing his body) and try to get the tick to let go if possible.   Squeezing a tick to remove it will force any pathogens in his body to be pumped into the person or animal.  If someone you know has been bitten by a tick, collect the tick if possible and save it just in case a rash or other symptoms develop.  The specimen can aid medical and pest control professionals in treatments.

Ticks are not terribly difficult to eliminate from inside a building, if you know what your doing.  Please see our Elimination Services page.   But outdoors, many things must be considered.  Be prepared to answer questions when you call a professional like:  Do you have pets? Do they go inside and out?  Are they confined to certain areas?  Does your neighbor have pets?  Have you had this problem before?  The last question is important because ticks do get resistant to insecticides.  If you've had a persistent problem, a change in pesticide classes is needed.  Any information you can provide about previous chemicals used can be beneficial.  For related info see The Uninvited Guest

These are some of the most common pests.  If you need information on a particular pest, we will gladly assist you in any way we can.