Pest Control Info
Downsville, LA

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 Louisiana. 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.

German cockroaches are known for their light brown color and dark brown stripes running down their backs. Once mature, they can reach up to 5/8 of an inch in length. They are drawn to starch, grease, and sugar. German cockroaches tend to nest in dark, humid, and low trafficked areas such as behind appliances and inside dark cabinets. Keep kitchens clean, garbage cans sealed, and fix any leaks to prevent them from being drawn to your home.

Solenopsis invicta are better known as the Red Imported Fire Ant. Their shiny bodies are red in color and can reach up 1/5 of an inch in length. These ants create colonies that can house up to 500,000 ants beneath the ground and are typically near a water source. As for food, Red Imported Fire Ants feed off of dead animals, sweet foods, and other insects.

Rice rats in Downsville, LA 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.

Bald-faced Hornets have black and white patterned bodies with predominantly white heads. They grow to be nearly 5/8ths of an inch in length. They build large nests made out of wood pulp on buildings, in trees, and in large shrubs. They feed off of live prey including: caterpillars, aphids, crickets, and other species of wasps. Bald-faced hornets remember faces for a certain period of time and will attack a person they have previously stung solely on the recognition from the past threat.

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 Downsville, LA, waiting for a suitable host to walk by, at which point they attach themselves and begin feeding until fully engorged.