Common Pests
RED IMPORTED FIRE ANTS (RIFA)
Fire ants were introduced to the United States from South America with the sightings beginning in Alabama. Since then they have spread throughout the southeastern US. RIFA can be hard to identify as they look similar to ants native to Texas. They vary in size from approximately 1/8 to 1/4 inch, a reddish brown color, and have bent antennae. As the workers dig the nest, soft soil is piled on the surface with no visible nest opening. RIFA prefer open sunny areas to wooded areas, and have foraging tunnels that spread below the surface with irregularly spaced openings. Since they’re sensitive to any vibration or movement, they begin to bite and sting once they’re on a person or animal. RIFA latch on with their bite, and then sting to inject venom into their victim. White pustules that look like small blisters generally result from a RIFA sting. Though generally not fatal, the young and old tend to suffer most from bites due to under developed or weaker immune systems.
INTERIOR ANTS, ROVER VS PHAROAH ANTS
Though both are small and travel in a single file line, rover ants are a dark brown almost black while pharaoh ants are more of an orange rust color. Pharaoh ants are also known as sugar ants since they generally go for sweeter sugary foods. Rover ants tend to go for protein based foods high in fat; they are most commonly seen going after dog or cat food. Both prefer to nest in damp dark places, but pharaoh ants are usually already nesting in your walls or under carpet and will come out of electrical outlets and cover plates with little encouragement (food scraps, crumbs, etc.). Rover ants access the home through exterior openings like weep holes or other cracks and crevices. Removing food sources will make bating and removal of these two species much more appealing and effective.
WOLF SPIDERS VS GRASS SPIDERS
To the untrained eye, these two spiders can appear similar at first glance due to the dark stripes on their backs. Grass spiders are more narrow and don’t grow as big as wolf spiders. They are often referred to as funnel spiders due to their funnel shaped webs they build in grassy areas to catch prey. Grass spiders will quickly dart out and inject venom into their food source before it can escape their non-sticky funnel shaped web. Wolf spiders were given this name for the way they hunt. Constantly on the prowl for their next meal, they don’t build webs but prefer to actively seek out food. Wolf spiders appear ‘built’ or ‘stocky’, and can grow to over an inch long in just their body. They have 2 big prominent eyes which separates them from the grass spider which has smaller rows of eyes. Wolf Spiders are also the only type of spider that carries its young on their back. Though a bite from either is non-lethal, a bite from a wolf spider is painful and can cause swelling. Grass spiders have a harder time piercing skin, but their bite can result in red inflames skin and itching.
BLACK WIDOW
One of the more deadly spiders in the United States is frequently found in the great state of Texas. Black widows can be found both inside and outside the home, with the females being the more easily identified of the two. Female black widows have the signature glossy black color attributed to black widows, a very round, globular abdomen with a red or yellow hourglass shape on the underside. Male black widows are about half the size of the females and are brown with red or pink spots on their backs. Black widows are extremely poisonous; reportedly 15 times stronger than rattlesnake venom, they inject so little it is not as harmful as the snake. Only the bites of the females are a threat to human health, and luckily they only bite when disturbed. The most common symptoms are abdominal cramping, abdominal rigidity, convulsions, headache, lesions at site of the bite, nausea, pain, profuse sweating, tremors, unconsciousness, and vomiting. The easiest way to avoid a black widow bite is to avoid its web. Black widow webs are easily identified by their strength of the web silk and its lack of pattern (random strands crisscrossing and tangled)
BROWN RECLUSE SPIDER
The title of the deadliest spider in Texas would have to go to the brown recluse spider. Brown recluse spiders are most easily identified by the dark brown to black violin shaped pattern on their head region and their golden brown color. The violin shape points towards the abdomen, and the abdomen generally has a uniform color (though the shade of brown may vary from spider to spider). Their legs are not banded or spiny like many of the spiders they’re often confused with. As the name suggests, this spider tends to live alone in undisturbed areas like storage boxes, in-between boards, undisturbed piles of clothing, under porches/decks, and deep in closets. They generally travel to new areas by “hitch hiking” in boxes or items being moved around by people. These spiders live long and can survive months without eating, and are well adapted to hot dry conditions found in many buildings. They’re most active at night and rest during the day in the structures they infest. When found or exposed, brown recluses can move quickly and are hard to catch. The good news is that though these spiders can bite humans, they very rarely do so as they would be more likely to run than bite. Most bites occur when the spider is trapped between clothing or bedding and the body. If you put clothing or bedding on that has not been used in a while, it would be wise to closely inspect it for spiders. Many brown recluse bites result in only redness or swelling, but the severity of the bite will depend on the amount of venom injected. Male recluses are responsible for most bites as they wander more than the females and only carry about half the venom. If the skin around the bite becomes purple, than necrosis is likely and will occur within 4 days of the bite.
EARWIGS AND SILVERFISH
Though they look intimidating due to the pincers protruding from their backend, earwigs are generally harmless and non-poisonous. They’re nocturnal but will come out if the habitat they’re hiding in is disturbed (under rocks, mulch beds, etc.). Earwigs aren’t picky eaters and will eat anything from decaying plant matter to other bugs. Earwigs hibernate during the winter and can dig down as deep as 6 feet in the soil, but they’re known to hibernate in homes as well. They will enter through cracks and crevices and prefer areas that are wet and damp like kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and garages. Silverfish enter homes the same way and prefer to hide in the same areas as the earwigs. Wingless and silver grey to brown in color, silverfish can grow up to ¾ of an inch. Silverfish cannot bite or sting and are classified as a chewing insect, eating anything from paper to dried meat. They’re a nuisance pest that can contaminate food, stain clothing, and damage paper goods.
COCKROACHES
Cockroaches have been known to spread over 30 different types of diseases including E. Coli and Salmonella, as well as parasitic worms and human pathogens. They pick up germs on their legs when crawling through trash, sewers, and other decaying matter; the germs are transferred when the roaches walk on countertops, stoves, food, dishes, etc.Roach infestations can be mitigated through exclusion barriers (such as copper mesh in weep holes and caulking cracks in walls) and cleanliness. Floors, tables, counter tops, and sinks should be kept clear of food and crumbs so that the food source is removed making it a less enticing environment for the cockroaches. Pet food is also a large attractant and should not be left out or uncovered.
American Cockroaches
American cockroaches, also known as the water bug, are the biggest of the home-infesting roaches and can grow over 2 inches in length. Reddish brown in color with yellow banding that outlines the area behind their head, they are capable of flight but not for long distances. Their saliva, fecal droppings, and urine contain allergen proteins that can cause asthma attacks and allergies year round, especially in children. American roaches are most likely to be found in kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and laundry rooms.
Oriental Cockroach
The oriental cockroach will grow up to an inch in length and is a shiny black to a dark red color. They have wings but are flightless, move slowly, and are poor climbers. Most enter the home by going under siding, through cracks, under doors, or by following pipes. They’re dependent on water so removing any standing water sources goes a long way in getting rid of this pest. This roach is best known for its foul musty odor (oriental roaches secrete chemicals to communicate) and will most likely be found in bathrooms or kitchens where water is readily available.
German Cockroach
This is one of the smallest roaches, 1/2 to 5/8 inches, and is the most common in the world. Light brown to tan in color; they’re also identified by the 2 stripes on their backs. They will eat almost anything, even soap, toothpaste, and glue. German cockroaches are most likely to be found in kitchens but will also make appearances in bathrooms. One of the easiest ways to tell if you have a german roach infestation is by finding their droppings, which is a small, dark, pepper-like matter.