Pest Control Info
Washington, NE

Anopheles mosquitoes, known for resting at a slight upward angle, are brownish-yellow in color with scaly wings. Females bite animals, such as cattle, or humans since they need blood for egg production. Anopheles mosquitoes seek out dim, sheltered areas preferring to rest during the day but are active at night. They may live up to two weeks in nature and will be found near water sources, whether small or large. If traveling to an area with an outbreak of malaria, you may want to talk to your doctor about options for protecting yourself from Anopheles mosquito bites.

Subterranean termites are long and oval shaped and have physical differences based on social class. The swarmers have wings, the workers have smaller jaws used for chewing, and the soldiers have large heads and long mandibles helping them bite intruders into the colony. Subterranean termites build colonies underground and will invade homes from the soil beneath. They are known for building tunnels called “mud tubes” to gain access to wood and protect themselves.

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.

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.

Norway rats in Washington, NE are more commonly known as the sewer rat, or the typical brown rat. They are distinct by their brown, or dark gray, fur and light gray bellies. They can reach up to 10 inches in length with their tail growing to the same length as their body. They prefer to nest in close proximity to humans, are opportunistic feeders, and will eat just about anything. Keep homes clean and garbage cans sealed to avoid attracting them.

Wolf spiders are a type of arachnid known for their thick, hairy bodies which can grow up to 2 inches in length and are typically gray or brown in color. They are nomadic in nature and do not construct webs, instead, they can be found living in crevices and cracks, both indoors and outdoors. Wolf spiders are active predators and have a diverse diet, including grasshoppers, other spiders, ants, and various insects. Despite their aggressive hunting nature, they are generally shy and avoid human contact.

Eastern Yellowjackets are a species of social wasp with a black and yellow coloration, marked by a distinctive black V shape on the back of their heads. They can reach a body length of up to 1.8 centimeters. Their omnivorous diet consists of nectar, fruit, fish, and insects. Eastern Yellowjackets build their nests in enclosed spaces, typically underground or in abandoned wood piles. This behavior makes locating their nests quite challenging.

Brown Dog Ticks, known as Rhipicephalus sanguineus, exhibit a warm reddish-brown hue in males, while females showcase a steel coloration. Prior to feeding, they measure about 1/8th of an inch. Once attached to a host, these ticks engorge themselves, expanding up to 1/2 of an inch in length. Remarkably, unlike most tick species, they thrive indoors. Brown Dog Ticks gravitate towards dogs and humans as their preferred hosts, making their way into residential spaces within Washington, NE.