Pest Control Info
Richmond, VA

Aedes mosquitoes are black in color with white dots and have the nickname ankle biter due to the fact that they bite hosts from the knee down. Similar to the Anopheles, they also lay their eggs in water. Both adult male and females live off of nectar and only the females will suck blood in order to reproduce. Aedes mosquitoes are active biters during the day. Invest in a good repellent for outdoor activity and larvicides to control them from being in and around your home.

Subterranean termites have long, oval-shaped, dark brown bodies with milky colored wings. They can grow up to an 1/8th of an inch in size. Residing entirely underground, subterranean termites are difficult to detect. Their diet consists of wood that is typically in direct contact to soil and other forms of cellulose. Wood that comes in direct contact with soil around homes or buildings will need a chemical barrier in order to help prevent infestations.

Periplaneta americana, commonly known as American cockroaches, have a characteristic reddish-brown body with a yellow band outlining their pronotum. They are one of the largest cockroach species in Virginia, capable of growing up to 3 inches in length. American cockroaches are omnivorous and have a diverse diet that includes organic matter, sweets, and human or pet food. They are known to spread diseases and contaminate food and surfaces.

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.

Deer mice, commonly recognized by their typical round and brown appearance, possess cream-colored underbellies and elongated tails, reaching sizes ranging from 5 to 8 inches in length. During colder seasons, they seek refuge indoors, nesting among cluttered storage areas or small, cave-like spaces in Richmond households. Omnivorous in nature, they feed on both plants and insects.

Shamrock Spiders in Virginia have extremely round, cream colored, abdomens with brown and white dotted legs. They range in size from 1/2 inch to 3/4 of an inch and prefer to build their webs in tall grass to catch their prey. They spin a new web every day and eat the previous day’s web first thing in the morning. Shamrock spider’s diet consists of small flying insects that land in their webs.

Red Wasps have a rusty red colored body, black wings, and grow to be about 1 inch in size. These social wasps live in large paper nests that can house and sustain 5000 other wasps inside. Nests are commonly found on roof overhangs and in hollow trees. They are attracted to sweet foods, bright colors, and flowers. While they do consume nectar, red wasps are known for eating caterpillars. Deter their presence with strong smelling plants, sealing sweet treats, or utilizing an insecticide.

Deer Ticks are reddish-brown in color with a hard black exterior and only reach 3 millimeters in length. They are one of the most well known species of ticks since they are responsible for spreading Lyme disease. They wait in tall grass and brush filled areas until a host walks by and then will attach themselves until they are full. If you have been bitten by a deer tick, it’s important to follow instructions closely to remove them properly in order to avoid bursting their body and releasing the bacteria inside of them.

Bed Bugs in Richmond have a warm brown color and will grow no larger than 7 millimeters in length. They live solely off of blood and will live in areas in close proximity to humans and animals. They are commonly found in mattresses, bedding, and headboards where they can easily bite humans while they sleep. Vacuum frequently, don’t keep loose items under beds, and maintain clutter to eliminate creating hiding places for bed bugs.