Pest Control Info
Fort Smith, AR

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.

Subterranean termites are a diverse group of insects with specialized body shapes based on their roles in the colony. The swarmers, also known as alates, have wings and are responsible for reproduction. Workers, which are the most numerous caste, have smaller jaws and are responsible for foraging, feeding, and caring for the young. Soldiers, with large heads and long mandibles, are responsible for defending the colony against predators. Subterranean termites are known to build colonies underground and invade Fort Smith, AR homes by tunneling through soil. They construct mud tubes to provide a protective and controlled environment for themselves as they access wood for food.

Oriental cockroaches have a shiny black exterior. Males grow to 25 millimeters in length and have short wings. Females reach 32 millimeters and do not have wings. Oriental cockroaches are commonly found in dark and damp areas such as drain pipes, sewers, basements, and crawl spaces. They prefer to feed off of trash and decaying organic matter. While their bites are not dangerous, they can spread many diseases by simply walking around. Take care of any leaks, regularly clean garbage cans, and seal off potential points of entry to prevent them from entering a home.

Forelius pruinosus have very small, bright orange-brown colored bodies, that reach about 1/12 of an inch in length. They nest in the ground and thrive in warm weather. This species is known for forming relationships with caterpillar larvae under the guise that they will protect them. In reality, the ants will instead use this relationship as bait and a distraction from predators. While foraging, they leave chemical trails so they can continue to find the path to their food source over and over again.

Rice rats in Fort Smith, AR 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.

Red Wasps, known for their distinctive rusty red colored bodies and black wings, can grow up to 1 inch in size. They are social wasps that construct large paper nests capable of sustaining up to 5000 individuals. Nests in Fort Smith are typically found in hollow trees and roof overhangs. Red Wasps are attracted to sweet foods, flowers, and bright colors, but their diet is predominantly composed of caterpillars.

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 Fort Smith, AR, 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 Fort Smith home, maintaining a regular cleaning schedule, minimizing clutter in the home, and exercising caution while traveling are recommended.