Pest Control Info
Washoe Valley, NV

Arizona Bark Scorpions, with their distinctive tan hue and darker backs, possess a size potential of up to 2.5 inches. Their nocturnal habits are well documented, as they are known to venture out only during nighttime hours. These scorpions have a proclivity for nesting in cool, dark, and sheltered areas such as basements, beneath rocks, and under tree bark. Their carnivorous feeding habits consist of preying on insects and other scorpions. The use of a black light may be employed as a detection method, as it will illuminate the light blue color of Arizona Bark Scorpions when they are present in dark environments.

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.

Drywood termites are cream white to light brown in color. They prefer dry wood above ground and survive off of the moisture from consuming wood and in the air around them. They are usually found in warmer, tropical climates and their size varies depending on social class. Drywood termite infestations may be discovered by seeing swarms of termites, discarded wings after swarms occur, and mounds of fecal droppings the termites leave behind. Do not store firewood or excess wood close to your home, seal any cracks and crevices to prevent entryway into your home, and stay up to date with termite inspections to prevent an infestation of drywood termites from occurring.

American cockroaches are distinguished by a reddish brown hue and a yellow band outlining their head. They have 6 legs and can grow up to 3 inches in length. Their diet typically consists of organic matter, but they will also consume human and dog food. Make sure your entryways are sealed properly and your home is regularly vacuumed or swept to help keep American cockroaches away.

Pogonomyrmex californicus, or the California Harvester ant, has a shiny, rust colored body that can reach up to 10 millimeters in length. They seek the sunlight and will build their colonies in soil, in exposed locations. Colonies can contain several hundred to several thousand ants. The California Harvester ant lives off of arthropods and stores seeds in their home.

Norway rats in Washoe Valley, NV 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.

Ground Crab Spiders are shaped like the crab you might see at the beach with wide flat bodies and legs extending from their sides. They are often gray, brown, or tan and grow to about 1/2 of an inch in size. Their 8 eyes are located on a raised bump to give them a 360 view. Their diet primarily consists of mites and other small pests. They are truly ground spiders and do not spin webs, but hide in tree bark and other dark locations.

European Paper Wasps, also known as Polistes dominula, share a striking similarity with Yellowjackets in their slim, black and yellow bodies that can reach up to 1 inch in length. These wasps build paper-like nests in cavities like attics, vents, eaves, and satellite dishes. They primarily feed on hornworms, caterpillars, nectar, and other sugary substances.

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 Washoe Valley, NV.