Pest Control Info
Stanley, NC

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 Stanley, NC 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.

Brachyponera chinensis, or Asian Needle ants, are an invasive species that have shiny, dark brown bodies and light-hued legs. They can reach up to 7 millimeters in length. These ants are unique in that they will hunt and kill termites. They build colonies in the soil or within a tree in both urban and rural environments. Asian Needle ant colonies can have up to several thousand members.

Roof rats have long bodies covered in soft brown fur. They have light colored bellies and long skinny tails. A mature roof rat’s body can reach up to 8 inches in length with their tail measuring up to an additional 10 inches. They prefer to nest in areas of such as attics, ceilings, and behind walls. Roof rats are food hoarders by nature and seek out fruit, nuts, and seeds to transport back to their nest. Seal any cracks in foundations or siding, repair gaps in doorways, and screen windows to prevent them from coming inside your Stanley, NC home.

Rabbit Hutch Spiders are dark brown in color with a dotted tan line down their backs. They have a distinct mark in the shape of an infinity sign on their underbellies and grow to about 1/5th of an inch in size. Rabbit Hutch spiders are shy and seek quiet dark corners in sheds and along walls to build their corner webs. Their diet consists predominantly of woodlice, flies, and other small insects. Though they resemble black widows in appearance, these spiders are not known to be venomous.

European Hornets in Stanley, NC 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 Stanley, NC, 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 Stanley home, maintaining a regular cleaning schedule, minimizing clutter in the home, and exercising caution while traveling are recommended.