Pest Control Info
Whitwell, TN

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.

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.

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.

Camponotus pennsylvanicus, or carpenter ant, are black in color with butter yellow colored hair on their abdomen. They range in size from 6 to 14 millimeters. This carpenter ant is extremely destructive and will nest and burrow in wooden structures such as fence posts or buildings. While they do eat fruit and nectar, they are also fierce predators who will eat many other pests. When the opportunity presents itself, they will also scavenge for human food and trash.

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

Bed bugs are the size of an apple seed and are brown in color. They feed off of blood by biting their host causing itchy and irritable sites. Bed bugs are commonly found in furniture, mattresses, headboards, and hiding in small areas. Keep a regular cleaning schedule, minimize clutter in your home, and be cautious while traveling to prevent bringing them back to your home.