- Residential Pest Control
- AntsArgentine Ant – The Argentine ant is easily distinguished by its body regions’ very narrow attachments. The ant has a large distinct head with elbowed antennae, which is segmented, and may end in a club. These ants have easily visible eyes and chewing mouthparts. Workers are 1/8 inch long and light to dark brown in color. Queens are ¼ inch long, brown and covered with fine hair. These ants lack spines, and their eyes are very close to the base of their antennae. Argentine ants generally live in nests outdoors, yet they can often forage indoors for food.
- SpidersResidential pest control is the primary emphasis of Infestation Control, Inc. All homes and structures are different; therefore you must know pests’ living environments and understand their habitats. Our highly trained personnel are ready to deal with all of your pest control problems in an efficient and professional manner. We are able to control all of your nuisance pests including ants and spiders, as well as anything that flies, crawls, swims, etc. You name it, we can take care of it. We do not carry a magic wand, but we are able to solve your pest problems in a timely fashion. It is important to understand a single treatment may not always deliver the desired level of control or elimination. Often times it will, but for optimum control of some insect species, or due to some conducive conditions or environmental influences, a follow-up or even multiple follow-up treatments may be necessary. It truly depends on the type and magnitude of the problem. With patience, we can promise your problem will be solved in a timely, affordable, and professional manner.
- TermitesTermites cause more damage to homes annually than all natural disasters combined. In this region there are on average 2-4 colonies of subterranean termites per acre of land. What that generally means is, if you as a homeowner have been fortunate enough to not have a termite problem in the past, you probably will in the future. Let us protect the most important investment your family has made, your home. If you have any questions or doubts, we would be more than happy to perform a wood destroying insect inspection to evaluate your situation. A home should be inspected, treated, and maintained similar to the way you would take care of your car. Have a preventative treatment performed around the exterior of your home to reduce the risk of wood destroying insects entering, and potentially damaging your home.
- Bed BugsBed bugs are wingless, oval shaped, flat bodied, opaque, blood feeding insects that generally appear reddish in color due to being engorged with a previous blood meal. Bed bugs cannot jump or fly, but crawl to their desired destination.
- FleasDepending on what type of treatment is being performed, it will not usually be necessary for you to leave your home. Most of the chemicals we use are virtually odorless and when used properly, present very limited risk. In some instances such as treatments for roaches, fleas, and bedbugs you may need to leave your home for 3-4 hours. In addition, if there are any health concerns with family members or possible allergies, we may also ask you to vacate the premises for 3-4 hours.
- CockroachesCockroach (American) – The American cockroach is two inches long when mature and red-brown in color. These insects are characterized by fully developed wings that completely cover their abdomen, enabling them to fly from building to building. American cockroaches are not commonly found in homes but are instead found in sewers, groceries, restaurants, and office buildings. American cockroaches inhabit warm, damp locations. Female American cockroaches can produce an average of 60 egg capsules in their lifetime, each capsule containing 25-35 eggs.
- SilverfishSilverfish – Silverfish are wingless insects that are 1/2 inch when fully grown. They are covered with silvery scales and flattened with a carrot-shaped body. Three long, slender antennae-like appendages project from the end of their abdomen. They can be found living in warm, moist locations in homes, particularly attics. Silverfish are fond of books and paper as well as glues and pastes found on wallpaper, labels, and paper products. Silverfish are very long-lived, commonly living 2-3 years. In this region, cedar-shake shingles are a major harborage area for silverfish due to their ability to hold moisture and warmth.
- BeesCarpenter Bee – Carpenter bees are large insects and look very similar to a bumblebee. The primary difference is a carpenter bee has a shiny black abdomen as opposed to a hairy abdomen. Male carpenter bees are unable to sting, and females will only sting when molested. Carpenter bees bore holes in wood creating a tunnel to lay eggs and raise their young. They will lay their eggs in the spring, enabling young to emerge in late summer.
- WaspsSolitary Wasps (Mud Dauber, Cicada Killer) – There are many solitary wasps, but most common are the mud dauber and cicada killer. These solitary wasps nest individually. Solitary wasps are generally not aggressive but do have stingers and will sting when handled. They range in size from 1/4 to 2 inches long and vary in color from dull black and brown, to brilliant red, yellow or blue. The mud dauber will build a mud nest that is generally globular and are found in sheltered areas. The cicada killer will burrow in the soil, expelling a great deal of soil outside of their holes.
- Ticks
- CricketsCamelback Cricket (Cave Cricket) – The camelback cricket has a humpbacked thorax resembling the hump of a camel. These insects are generally 1/2 to 1 1/5 inches long and have the ability to jump and move very quickly. The color will vary from light tan to dark brown and often have dark bands on some segments. These crickets lay eggs in the spring to hatch in April. Camelback crickets are typically found in leaf litter, under logs or stones, but will move into homes in the fall when looking for a place to over-winter.
- EarwigsEarwigs – Adult earwigs are 5/8 inch long and dark brown in color with a red head and pale yellow-brown legs. Earwigs will generally have two pairs of wings and pincer-like appendages at the end of their abdomen. Earwigs usually live outdoors under stones or other protection and feed on plant material. Earwigs will sometimes invade homes, doing so generally at night.
- Flies
- CentipedesCentipedes – Centipedes are long, flattened, many-segmented insects that have one pair of legs per segment. The centipede is 1 to 1 1/2 inches long with very long, slender antennae and 15 pairs of long legs. Centipedes thrive in moist environments, primarily damp basements and bathrooms.
- MillipedesMillipedes – Millipedes are long, cylindrical, many-segmented, worm-like insects. Each millipede has two pairs of legs attached to each apparent body segment. Most millipedes are brown or black and range in size from 5/8 to 4 inches in length. Millipedes are found in situations that combine a great deal of decaying matter with a highly moist environment. Millipedes become structural pests when they invade homes and are usually traced to a source that is high in moisture and contains a large amount of organic matter.
- BeetlesCigarette Beetle – Cigarette beetle is reddish brown in color and about 1/8 inch long. They have a humpbacked appearance due to their head being bent downward. Cigarette beetles have saw-like antennae and smooth wing covers. They commonly feed on dried fruits, pet foods, grains, spices, nuts, seeds and are generally found around windowsills.
- HornetsSocial Wasps (Yellow Jackets, Bald-faced Hornets, European Hornets, Paper Wasp) – All social wasps have a very distinct head with chewing mouthparts. All social wasps have 4 wings, which are clear or smoky brown. Yellow jackets are generally marked with bright yellow and black patterns and often nest in the soil. Bald-faced hornets are similar in appearance to the yellow jacket except they are white and black, and tend to nest in large nests on trees. The European hornet is 1 1/8 inches long, and brown and yellow in color. Paper wasps are generally yellow and brown, and will nest anywhere protected from the elements. All social wasps will sting when threatened and can produce colonies as large as 30,000.
- Yellow Jackets
- MothsIndian Meal Moth – Indian meal moths have a 5/8 inch wingspan, and the wings are a burnished copper, with a gray band near where they attach the body. Indian meal moth larvae are small caterpillars with distinct legs on the front three body segments, and four pairs of prolegs on the abdomen. The larvae are dirty white in color, and range from 3/8 to 3/4 inches long. Indian meal moths are the most common stored pantry pests primarily feeding on whole grains, dried fruits, nuts, chocolate, beans, crackers, and pet foods. Larvae produce silk webbing over the surface of materials upon which they are feeding. Adult females can produce as many as 400 eggs in 18 days.
- Stink BugsShield Bug (Stink Bug) – Stink bugs are fairly larger in size generally measuring 1/6-3/4 inch in length. Stink bugs found in this region are most commonly dark gray to brown and generally appear around windows, doors, and fireplaces. There are more than a dozen species reported in the U.S., with the newest species recently being introduced to the U.S. in the late 1990’s. Due to this new species being introduced recently, the increase in numbers of infestations has rapidly increased over the past few years. Stink bugs generally feed on a variety of host plants, primarily apples, figs, mulberries and citrus fruits. When stink bugs feed on these fruits they will leave a distortion on the fruits leaving them unmarketable. Stink bugs are generally harmless to humans and homes, but can become a problem infesting homes in the fall as the weather begins to cool. Stink bugs will enter the homes thru cracks and crevices of the home to find over wintering sites to stay warm until spring when they we reemerge. Stink bugs can be difficult to treat due to their hard exoskeleton and ability to fly, yet liquid chemical treatments can dramatically decrease numbers entering the home. These bugs get their name from an obnoxious smelling fluid they can eject from their sweat glands to protect against predators.
- Pantry Pests
- Boxelder BugsBoxelder Bug –An adult boxelder bug is 1/2 inch long, and brown-black in color with three red stripes on the thorax. Boxelder bugs are fond of feeding on leaves and twigs, but will also feed on maple, ash, and fruits. These insects will emerge in the spring and lay small red eggs in cracks and crevices in the bark of boxelder trees. The nymphs will hatch around the time when new leaves appear, and will feed on the juice of the leaves. Boxelder bugs are simply a nuisance when they attempt to enter the home to find over- wintering sites. They can stain blinds and drapes with their feces, and they do have the ability to bite. When crushed these insects will emit a strong odor.
- BatsMany of these nuisance animals are the most common carriers of rabies, most notably the raccoon, but also skunks, and bats.
- RaccoonsInfestation Control, Inc. also performs nuisance wildlife trapping and relocation. From squirrels to raccoons to opossums, we will trap and relocate any animals causing a nuisance on your property. Squirrels and raccoons will often enter into attics and crawl spaces looking for warmth in the winter, or for a place to nest and have their young. These animals can cause a great deal of damage to your home and can even pose a threat to your domestic pets. Don’t let these nuisance animals cause any more harm than necessary. Let us safely and humanely relocate them from your home or property.
- Wildlife
- Opossums
- Birds
- RodentsInfestation Control, Inc. also specializes in rodent control as well as animal trapping and relocation. Homeowners need to be vigilant when suspecting a rodent problem, as rodents mature and reproduce quickly. For example, a family of six mice can quickly be a family of 50-60 mice in only 90 days, by having 5-6 young per litter, and up to 8 litters each year. Needless to say, a small rodent problem can quickly become a large problem if ignored.
- Mice
- RatsSlightly different from a mouse, the most common species of rats in our region is the Norway rat. These rats have a gestation period of 23 days and are sexually mature after 2-3 months. Norway rats generally have 6-12 young per litter and have 4-7 litters per year.
- SquirrelsICI can humanely remove nuisance wildlife from your home and property including squirrels, raccoons, opossums, and groundhogs.