What to look for: You may know these dark brown or black bugs as “rollie-pollies,” named for their habit of rolling into a ball when disturbed.Watch out for: Crickets can feast on fabrics and carpets, eating large areas, leaving holes and they are especially attracted to clothes soiled with perspiration.They are often attracted to electric lights in larger numbers, sometimes by the thousands, and rest on vertical surfaces such as light poles and house walls. Where you’re likely to spot them: House crickets are active at night and usually hide in dark warm places during the day.They are known for their loud chirping which is caused by rubbing their front wings together to attract females. What to look for: In the case of house crickets, you’re more likely to hear them before you see them.They do not spread diseases, but their menacing appearance can be alarming. Watch out for: Contrary to folklore, earwigs do not crawl into ears at night.They feed on plants and prefer moist, shady locations. Where you’re likely to spot them: Earwigs tend to occur in groups.They are generally reddish brown to black. What to look for: Earwigs have elongated, flattened bodies and forcep-like cerci that are used to defend themselves and capture prey.Underscoring the importance of millipede control, this fluid can be toxic to small animals and pets, and can cause small blisters on humans. Watch out for: Some millipede species give off a foul-smelling fluid through openings along the sides of the body.Millipedes do not usually survive indoors for more than a few days unless there are high moisture conditions and a food supply is present. They are typically found in areas of high moisture and decaying vegetation, such as under trash, in piles of grass clippings or piles of leaves. Where you’re likely to spot them: Most millipedes are nocturnal.They are sometimes called “thousand-leggers” and are blackish or brownish, sometimes with red or orange patterns. What to look for: Millipedes are often confused with centipedes, but tend to have a more “wormlike” appearance.Some larger species can inflict a painful bite that can break human skin and causes pain and swelling, similar to a bee sting, if handled roughly. Watch out for: House centipedes have poison jaws with which they inject venom into their prey.Indoors, this means they hang out in damp basements, crawlspaces, bathrooms, or potted plants. Where you’re likely to spot them: Centipedes are typically found in areas of high moisture.They are yellowish to dark brown with darker stripes. What to look for: Centipedes are sometimes called "hundred-leggers" because of their many pairs of legs.When crushed, boxelder bugs may leave a reddish-orange stain from their fecal material that can result in discoloration of curtains, drapes, clothing, etc. Watch out for: Boxelder bugs are not known to bite, but their piercing-sucking mouthparts can occasionally puncture skin, producing a red spot similar to a mosquito bite.You might see them in small cracks and crevices in walls. These occasional invaders congregate on the south sides of buildings, where the sun hits, and may migrate indoors during the fall. Where you’re likely to spot them: These bugs get their common name from the fact that they are often found on and around boxelder trees.What to look for: Boxelder bugs are black with distinct reddish or orange markings on their dorsum and have an elongated, somewhat flattened shape.A trained pest control professional will be able to properly identify a pest species and its threats, but you can also use this guide to do your best at determining what may be lurking within your home: Boxelder Bugs To determine the risk to your family, you will need to identify the species. Some occasional invaders pose more serious threats than others. If you’ve ever had this experience, the pest in question likely falls in a category we call “ occasional invaders.”Īs their name implies, occasional invaders are pests that may find their way into our homes but are not as common as frequent household pests, such as ants, rodents or termites. Have you ever seen a bug scurrying across your kitchen floor or under a baseboard and thought, “What in the world is that?” It’s clearly not a “common” pest like, say, a cockroach or spider. What kind of bug is THAT? Identifying your occasional pest infestation
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