Pest Control Info
Kansas City, KS

Aedes mosquitoes are black in color with white dots and have the nickname ankle biter due to the fact that they bite hosts from the knee down. Similar to the Anopheles, they also lay their eggs in water. Both adult male and females live off of nectar and only the females will suck blood in order to reproduce. Aedes mosquitoes are active biters during the day. Invest in a good repellent for outdoor activity and larvicides to control them from being in and around your home.

Subterranean termites have long, oval-shaped, dark brown bodies with milky colored wings. They can grow up to an 1/8th of an inch in size. Residing entirely underground, subterranean termites are difficult to detect. Their diet consists of wood that is typically in direct contact to soil and other forms of cellulose. Wood that comes in direct contact with soil around homes or buildings will need a chemical barrier in order to help prevent infestations.

The Parcoblatta pennsylvanica, commonly known as the Pennsylvania wood cockroach or woods cockroach, is a small winged insect native to the eastern region of the United States. This dark brown or black-colored insect can grow up to 0.5 inches in length and typically prefers damp and dark locations during daylight hours. Its primary source of food is organic matter, and it is active at night. Although the Pennsylvania wood cockroach is not a frequent household pest, it can gain entry into homes through open doors or windows, particularly in warmer months.

Pogonomyrmex occidentalis are more commonly known as Western Harvester Ants. They have red colored bodies and grow to be about 1/4 of an inch in length. They prefer to nest in loose soil and work to remove any plants from the area so the roots don’t interfere with the nest. Colonies can grow to populations of over 20,000 ants. Their diet consists of insects and seeds which the worker ants bring back to the colony on their backs to share with others.

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 Kansas City 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.