Solving Pest Issues…Before They Happen
The best time to prevent pests is before they happen. At Father & Son Exterminating our goal is to prevent pests rather than cope with them after they appear.
We employ the most up-to-date pest management techniques and our focus is on preventative pest control; identifying and eliminating the conditions conducive to pest infestation. The Bottom Line: Pest Free Properties
Our General Pest Control programs include protection from:
Roaches:
There are two common roaches found Oriental Cockroach and German Cockroach.
The Oriental Cockroach, commonly known as a water bug or sewer roach, is about 1 to 1 1/4 inch long, usually shiny black but, may vary to dark reddish brown. Can be found inside and outside as well. They are typically found in basements, crawl spaces and the 1st floor.
The German Cockroach is by far the most important, and usually the most common of the cockroaches. In addition to being a nuisance, it has been implicated in outbreaks of illness and the transmission of a variety of pathogenic organisms and allergic reactions in many people.
Stored Product & Pantry Pests:
Stored product pest are commonly referred to as pantry pests. Their greatest importance is that they damage 10% of the worlds food production. The most common is the Indian Meal Moth. It’s about 5/8 to 3/4 inch long, wings pale gray but front wing with outer 2/3’s reddish brown with a coppery luster. Adults cause no damage. The larvae, (worm like), are surface feeders and generally produce a lot a webbing through the infested part of materials. They will infest grain products, dried fruits, seeds, nuts, graham crackers, powdered milk, biscuits, chocolate candies, dried peppers, dry dog food and bird seed.
Sowbugs/Pillbugs:
They are 1/4 to 5/8 long, dark to slate gray in color. Outside they will be in areas of high moisture such as under rocks, logs, flower pots etc. They will occasionally enter buildings however, they typically will not live longer than a few days.
Spiders:
There are many types of spiders in our area. The most common is the Wolf Spider. It’s body is about 3/8 to 1 3/8 inches long. They alarm people because they are big, hairy, and run fast. Inside, they tend to stay at or near the floor level, especially along walls, under furniture, and other objects. Wolf spiders may be brought inside with firewood.
Silverfish:
Silverfish are about 1/2 to 3/4 inch long, color silver to gun metal gray. They can be found almost anywhere in a house. Silverfish are often introduced into buildings via cardboard cartons of books and papers from an infested location. Silverfish eat proteins such as dried beef and dead or injured silverfish.
Millipedes:
Millipedes are about 1/16 to 4 1/2 inches long, cylindrical and worm like. Color usually blackish or brownish but some red, orange, or with mottled patterns. They have high moisture needs, like pillbugs and sowbugs. They usually do not survive indoors for more than a few days unless there are high moisture conditions and a food supply present. They feed on plant material but occasionally on dead insects, earthworms, and snails.
Crickets:
Two common crickets found in homes are the Field Cricket and the Camel/Cave/Stone
Field Cricket:
The Field Cricket is about 1/2 to 1 1/8 inch long, typically black. They enter homes in late August but usually die off by winter. However, they may cause damage to fabrics of cotton, wool, linen, silk, synthetics, or leather and fur garments, especially when soiled with perspiration or food.
The Camel/Cave/Stone Cricket:
This cricket is about 1/2 to 1 1/4 inch long, light to dark brown, often mottled with lighter or darker areas. Indoors, they can become problems in damp basements, utility rooms, crawl spaces, garages, and occasionally in attics. They often invade structures when it becomes hot and dry outside. They have been found eating holes in lace curtains and feeding on clothes hung out on a wash line.
Earwigs:
The common name of “earwig” comes from an old European superstition that these insects enter the ears of sleeping people and bore into the brain. This belief is without foundation. They are about 1/4 to 1 inch long. Their color varies from pale brown with dark markings to uniformly reddish brown to black, but with paler legs. The are active at night and hide during the day in moist, shady places such as under stones or logs, or in mulch. They feed on live or dead plants or insects.
Box Elder Bugs:
Box Elder bugs are about 1/2 inch long, black with reddish lines. Immature box elders are completely red. box elder bugs spend May to October living and feeding on the box elder tree. Late October, they become gregarious and congregate on the south side of rocks, trees and buildings, where the sun hits. After large masses congregate, they may fly to nearby buildings and homes to hibernate for the winter.
Centipedes:
About 1/8 to 6 inches long, Centipedes are typically found is areas of high moisture. They occasionally invade homes where they survive on flies, spiders, etc. Although they may be found anywhere in a house, the usual places are damp basements, bathrooms, damp closets, and potted plants.
Clover Mites:
They are tiny little pests who leave small red spots on your walls when you squish them.
A well manicured lawn with mulch alongside the structures exterior foundation is what they love. They work their way under siding and around door and window frames. They do no harm. You can slow them down with aggressive exterior service.