Choose a category below to start using the Appalachian Pest Control Pest Identifier:
Ants
Ant Control & Extermination Information
There are more than 700 ant species found in the U.S., although only about 25 species commonly infest homes. Ants are social insects that typically live in underground colonies, made up of workers and a queen. Ants will eat practically any kind of food, but are especially attracted to sweets. Ant identification is relatively simple due to their three distinct body regions: head, thorax and abdomen, as well as antennae. Despite similar construction, ants vary in overall appearance. Small or large ants and brown or black ants are common nicknames for different species.
If you do find signs of an ant infestation in your home, contact us at Appalachian Pest Control promptly. They will be able to inspect your home, perform proper ant species identification, and recommend a course of ant control and extermination.
Bed Bugs
Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?
Bed bugs get their name from their habit of feeding on human hosts in bed. They are excellent hitchhikers, easily transported and are found in many different types of dwellings, which makes them difficult to control. For this reason, it is crucial that you learn how to identify bed bugs.
Bed bug infestations continue to plague Americans. In fact, 99.6 percent of pest professionals treated for bed bugs in 2014, according to our most recent Bugs Without Borders survey. Do you know how to identify bed bugs?
Birds
Bird Control & Removal
Some birds can cause structural damage to buildings and homes, and others can pose health threats associated with their droppings. For example, woodpeckers are known to peck at buildings, siding, metal and air conditioners, while soil enriched with starling droppings can lead to diseases like histoplasmosis. These factors make bird pest control and removal paramount for businesses and homeowners alike.
Cockroaches
Extermination & Control of Cockroaches
Cockroaches have been long despised by homeowners due to their creepy appearance. Cockroach pest control and management are important for health and safety reasons, because cockroaches are known to cause allergic reactions and trigger asthma attacks, especially in children. They also spread nearly 33 kinds of bacteria including E. coli and Salmonella. See our pest guides below to see various types of cockroaches, as well as find information on cockroach prevention and extermination.
Fleas
Learn about Flea Control & Extermination
Fleas are parasites that feed on the blood of any warm-blooded body. Cat fleas are the most common domestic flea, but dog fleas, human fleas and oriental rat fleas can also be found. Fleas do not fly. Instead, they use their powerful legs to jump onto a passing host. Controlling and/or exterminating fleas can eliminate an infestation.
Flea bites can result in painful, itchy red bumps. Fleas are also the most common transmitter of the rare bubonic plague. Visit our pest profile below to find out more about flea extermination and control.
Flies
How to Get Rid of Flies in Your Home
Non-biting flies, such as houseflies, are not only nuisance pests, but they are also responsible for transmitting diseases and contaminating food. For instance, flies are capable of contaminating food and transferring more than 100 pathogens, including malaria, salmonella and tuberculosis. Food contamination is one of the main reasons that fly pest control is so important.
Lice
Lice Species: What Type of Lice is Bugging You?
There are several lice species found worldwide and throughout the United States. The most common kinds of lice include head lice, body lice and crab lice. Only the body louse can transmit diseases to people.
Regardless of what type of lice species is bugging you, prevention is key. The best way to prevent contact with lice is to avoid using other people’s combs, hats, towels, etc. It’s also recommended to have someone check your scalp at least once a month to make sure you have not been exposed.
Mites
Learn How to Get Rid of Mites
There are thousands of different types of mites found throughout the world, such as bird mites and clover mites. Mites are considered arachnids, just like ticks, but mites are smaller in size. In fact, most types of mites are less than 1 mm in length. Mite identification is key to eliminating an infestation.
Some parasitic mites attack animal hosts, while others reside within the respiratory tracts of their hosts. A few types of mites, such as chiggers, can also transfer diseases to humans. Visit our pest guides below to learn how to identify and get rid of mites.
Mosquitos
What are the Risks of Mosquito Bites?
Mosquitoes are vectors of numerous diseases including malaria, yellow fever, dengue, encephalitis, Chikungunya, West Nile virus and Zika – the newest mosquito-borne disease of growing concern.
Wearing an insect repellent containing DEET or another EPA-registered ingredient is the best way to prevent mosquito bites. It’s also important to take steps to prevent mosquito breeding grounds around your home, since mosquitoes can lay eggs in as little as a half an inch of water.
Occasional Pests
Is Your Home Infested with Any of These Occasional Pests?
Most occasional invaders enter structures because outside weather conditions become too hostile for their survival. However, occasional invaders are often just nuisance pests because they cannot survive for long periods of time indoors.
Take, for example, the brown marmorated stink bug, which has become notorious for its “smelly” reputation. Learn about the different types of occasional pests, including stink bugs, centipedes, and millipedes and how to get rid of them.
Rodents
Do You Need a Rodent Exterminator?
Rodents can be difficult to keep out of structures. For instance, mice can squeeze through spaces as small as a dime and rats can fit through holes the size of a quarter. For proper rodent pest control, seal any cracks and voids. Ensure there is proper drainage at the foundation and always install gutters or diverts which will channel water away from the building. A rodent exterminator can also help you identify ways in which a rodent may be entering your home.
Spiders
Spiders: Control & Extermination
Spider control and extermination can be a major concern for homeowners - particularly for those who live in the southwest. There are about 3,000 species of spiders throughout North America, but the good news is that only two in the southern and western United States can cause serious harm when accidentally disturbed - the black widow spider and brown recluse spider. This is why it’s particularly important to only hire well-trained spider exterminators to eliminate an infestation.
Stinging Insects
Stinging Insects
Stinging insects like bees and hornets send more than 500,000 people to the emergency room each year. These pests are especially active during the second half of summer and early fall when the colonies forage for food that will sustain their queens during the winter.
Termites
Learn more About Termite Control & Extermination
Termites date back more than 120 million years to the time of the dinosaurs. They are known as “silent destroyers” because of their ability to chew through wood, flooring and even wallpaper undetected. Each year, termites cause more than $5 billion in property damage - costs that aren’t covered by homeowners’ insurance policies. This is why being vigilant about termite control and termite extermination is so important.
Swarmers looking to start a new colony are typically the first sign of termite season as these winged-pests show up inside homes in early spring.
Ticks
Tick Identification & Removal
Ticks are often mistaken for insects, but they are actually arachnids. Regarding tick identification, they are classified into two categories: soft ticks and hard ticks. Soft ticks often feed on bats and birds, while hard ticks feed on humans, pets and nuisance wildlife. Regardless, if you are dealing with an infestation, the removal of ticks from your property should be handled by a professional exterminator. A professional can help you in identifying the type of ticks you are dealing with and the safest and most efficient process for tick removal.
Wildlife
Several Types of Wildlife Can be a Nuisance for Your Family
Bats, raccoons and skunks are some of the most common wild animals that invade homes. Proactive nuisance pest control is necessary, as these and many other types of wildlife can be frequent carriers of rabies, a disease that is potentially fatal if left untreated. In fact, as many as 40,000 people each year in the United States are exposed to animals that might have rabies, and must receive preventive treatments. Browse our pest guides below to learn more about nuisance wildlife control.