Pest Control Info
Carriere, MS

Aedes mosquitoes are a species of mosquito identified by their black body and white spots. Commonly known as ankle biters, these mosquitoes tend to bite hosts from the knee down. Aedes mosquitoes breed by laying their eggs in water, similar to the Anopheles mosquito. While both adult male and female mosquitoes feed on nectar, only females require blood to reproduce. They are most active during the early evening times.

Formosan termites have a brownish-yellow color with long, narrow and oval shaped bodies. They have translucent wings and grow up to 1/2 an inch in size. Formosan termites, also called “super-termites,” are members of large colonies that quickly consume wood and many other kinds of materials or structures. They live up to many years and are known as the most aggressive species of termites. Thorough inspections may be needed to determine formosan termite presence due to the difficulty in locating nests or damaged wood. Chemical barriers, baits, and even fumigation can be useful in getting rid of termites. Preventative measures while building new structures are extremely important in preventing infestations.

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.

Nylanderia faisonensis, or the Woodland Crazy Ant, has deep brown coloring with a unique feature where the mandible is outlined in a light tan color. Crazy Ants are highly adaptable and can live indoors or outdoors while also surviving in inclement weather. They are omnivorous and live off of fruit, seeds, grease, meat, and living or dead insects.

Rice rats in Carriere, MS 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 Carriere, MS 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 Carriere, MS, waiting for a suitable host to walk by, at which point they attach themselves and begin feeding until fully engorged.