Pest Control Info
Hartselle, AL

Aedes mosquitoes are black in color with white accents predominantly on the legs. Commonly known as “ankle biters”, the females will bite human ankles in order to get the blood needed for reproduction. Aedes mosquitoes also consume plant nectar and do not fly long distances. Living in or around homes can provide the mosquitoes with food, shelter, and the ability to lay eggs. Even the slightest amount of water can be used to lay mosquito eggs. The lifespan of an Aedes mosquito can be around two weeks, with the female laying eggs around three times.

Formosan termites are a type of insect that are known for causing damage to buildings and other structures. They are originally from Southeast Asia, but have been introduced to other parts of the world, including Alabama. Formosan termites are small and flat, and they like to eat wood and other materials that contain cellulose at a rapid pace. They live in large groups called colonies, and some colonies can have millions of termites. Formosan termites are most commonly found in warm and humid places, especially near the coast.

Pennsylvania wood cockroaches are dark brown in color with light yellow outlining the sides of their body. Males grow to be about 1 inch, while females only reach about 3/4 of an inch in size. They predominantly nest in hollowed out trees or in wood piles. Their diet consists of decaying organic matter and sugary substances. To deter these cockroaches, regularly rake up fallen leaves, collect fruit on the ground from fruit trees and discard scrap wood.

Myrmecina americanas are reddish brown in color and can grow up to 3 millimeters in length. They reside predominantly in soil and their nests are known to be difficult to find.

Rice rats in Hartselle, AL are smaller in stature only reaching about 5.5 inches in length. Their fur can be primarily brown or gray. The sides of their body are light gray and their bellies are a pure gray color. Rice rats can also be distinguished by their tails, which are brown on top and white on the bottom. They live outdoors and thrive in wet environments with dense vegetation. They’re omnivores and eat insects, fish, and grasses.

Brown recluse are about 3/8ths of an inch in size and are distinguishable by their pale brown color and violin-shaped marking near the base of their head. The name recluse comes from their penchant for spinning webs in dark, remote, and abandoned areas. Their venom is considered harmful to humans and bite sites will gradually turn into a large blister possibly developing into an ulcer. If bitten by a recluse, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

European Hornets in Hartselle, AL have brown and yellow striped bodies and can grow up to 1 3/8 inches in length. They prefer to build their nests in hidden and low trafficked areas such as attics, barns, and hollow trees. Their diet consists of fruit, grasshoppers, honey bees, flies, and yellow jackets. European Hornets can be nocturnal and prefer to catch their prey in the dark. They pose very low risk to humans and only attack when they feel threatened. Make your home less desirable by cleaning your yard and changing outdoor lighting to have a more yellow tint.

Ixodes scapularis, commonly known as Deer Ticks, are a species of tick that exhibit a reddish-brown coloration with a hard, black exoskeleton, and can grow up to 3 millimeters in length. These ticks are notorious for their ability to transmit Lyme disease, a debilitating bacterial infection. Deer Ticks are known to lurk in tall grass and brushy areas of Hartselle, AL, waiting for a suitable host to walk by, at which point they attach themselves and begin feeding until fully engorged.

Bed bugs are small, brown insects, about the size of an apple seed, that feed on blood by biting their host, causing itchy and irritating skin lesions. They are known to inhabit furniture, mattresses, headboards, and other small, tight spaces, making them difficult to detect and eliminate. To prevent infestations in your Hartselle home, maintaining a regular cleaning schedule, minimizing clutter in the home, and exercising caution while traveling are recommended.