Pest Control Info
Altoona, IA

Anopheles mosquitoes, having a brownish-yellow hue and measuring up to 5 millimeters in body length, display nocturnal activity patterns, and lack specificity in choosing host feeding locations. The successful completion of their lifecycle requires access to water sources, particularly for the purpose of egg-laying. Anopheles mosquitoes are infamous for their ability to transmit malaria.

Subterranean termites in Altoona, IA are dark brown in color with oval-shaped bodies and milky-colored wings. They can grow up to 1/8th of an inch in size. Subterranean termites live entirely underground, making them challenging to detect. Their diet consists of wood that is typically in direct contact with soil and other forms of cellulose. In order to prevent infestations of subterranean termites, it is recommended to use chemical barriers for wood that comes in direct contact with soil around homes or buildings.

Periplaneta americana, commonly known as American cockroaches, have a characteristic reddish-brown body with a yellow band outlining their pronotum. They are one of the largest cockroach species in Iowa, capable of growing up to 3 inches in length. American cockroaches are omnivorous and have a diverse diet that includes organic matter, sweets, and human or pet food. They are known to spread diseases and contaminate food and surfaces.

Camponotus pennsylvanicus, or carpenter ant, are black in color with butter yellow colored hair on their abdomen. They range in size from 6 to 14 millimeters. This carpenter ant is extremely destructive and will nest and burrow in wooden structures such as fence posts or buildings. While they do eat fruit and nectar, they are also fierce predators who will eat many other pests. When the opportunity presents itself, they will also scavenge for human food and trash.

Deer mice, commonly recognized by their typical round and brown appearance, possess cream-colored underbellies and elongated tails, reaching sizes ranging from 5 to 8 inches in length. During colder seasons, they seek refuge indoors, nesting among cluttered storage areas or small, cave-like spaces in Altoona households. Omnivorous in nature, they feed on both plants and insects.

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.

Eastern Yellowjackets are black and yellow in appearance and are distinguishable by the black V marking on the back of their heads. They can grow up to 1.8 centimeters in length. These wasps are omnivorous and live off of nectar, fruit, fish, and insects. They build their hives in enclosed spaces, either underground or deep down in abandoned wood piles. This makes them much more difficult to locate. Hang dryer sheets as a natural repellent around a suspected hive or around an outdoor area you want to deter them from.

Deer Ticks are reddish-brown in color with a hard black exterior and only reach 3 millimeters in length. They are one of the most well known species of ticks since they are responsible for spreading Lyme disease. They wait in tall grass and brush filled areas until a host walks by and then will attach themselves until they are full. If you have been bitten by a deer tick, it’s important to follow instructions closely to remove them properly in order to avoid bursting their body and releasing the bacteria inside of them.