Pest Control Info
Ranson, WV

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 Ranson, WV homes by tunneling through soil. They construct mud tubes to provide a protective and controlled environment for themselves as they access wood for food.

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.

Myrmecina americanas are reddish brown in color and can grow up to 3 millimeters in length. They reside predominantly in soil and their nests are known to be difficult to find.

Norway rats in Ranson, WV 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.

Lined Orbweavers, recognized by their prominent leaf-shaped pattern on the sizable abdomen, display a reddish-brown hue with long, slender legs, possessing brown spots. Their length can reach up to 3 centimeters. These spiders employ their orb, or web, to capture a variety of prey, including but not limited to butterflies, wasps, dragonflies, and various other insects.

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.

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 Ranson, WV, 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 Ranson home, maintaining a regular cleaning schedule, minimizing clutter in the home, and exercising caution while traveling are recommended.