German Cockroaches (most common in New York)

• Small to medium sized
• Distinctive set of “bars” or stripes just behind the head
• Flattened, oval shape, spiny legs, and long, filamentous antennae
• They eat food of all klinds and may hitchhike into the house on egg cartons, soft drink cartons, and furniture.
• They are the most common type of roaches found in houses and restaurants.

American Cockroaches (Waterbug)

• Reddish brown with pale markings on the side of the thorax
• They have the ability to fly
• Commonly found in sewers and basements, paticularly around pipes.

Oriental Cockroaches (also called Waterbug)

• Dark brown, almost black in color
• Have wings and are sometimes called “waterbugs”
• Unlike other pest cockroaches, oriental cockroaches cannot climb up smooth surfaces (the lack sticky pads on their feet)

Brownbanded Cockroaches

• Small to medium
• White bands across the middle of the body
• Adults have wings
• These pests do not require as much moisture as German cockroaches and tend to avoid light

Hazards of Cockroaches

The proteins found in cockroach saliva are particularly allergenic but the body and droppings of cockroaches also contain allergenic proteins.Cockroaches are one of the most common and allergenic of indoor pests.

Recent studies have found a strong association between the presence of cockroaches and increases in the severity of asthma symptoms in individuals who are sensitive to cockroach allergens.

Foraging or feeding cockroaches also spread human disease by depositing disease organisms on food, dishes, or other items.

Preventing Cockroaches

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is the practice of environmental changes to understand and hinder pest behavior with minimal use of chemicals. Ecology Exterminating Service recommends the following IPM techniques to minimize the presence of cockroaches:

• Do not leave garbage pail full in kitchen over night.
• Unwashed dishes, kitchen utensils, and exposed food products should not be left over night.
• All spilled liquids should be cleaned up
• Areas beneath cabinets, furniture, sinks, stoves, and refrigerators should be cleaned often, as should cupboards, pantry shelves, and storage bins where particled of food frequently accumulate
• Kitchen wastes and dry pet food should be kept in cockroach-proof containers
• If pets are fed indoors, leftover food should not be allowed to remain in the feeding dish overnight
• Accumulations of stored papers, boxes, or other nonessential items should be disposed of, since these items provide excellent hiding and breeding sites for cockroaches

Cockroach Treatment Preparation Sheet

If you do need to hire Ecology Exterminating Service to treat your home for cockroach infestation, we recommend the following preparation steps:

1. Remove all items stored under the kitchen sink and bathroom sinks.
2. Empty and clean out any kitchen cabinets or pantries you want treated.
3. Have nothing cooking on stove.
4. Put away all exposed food.
5. Remove all children’s toys or items they put in their mouth from the floor.
6. Remove all pet food and toys from the floor.
7. Wipe down all counter tops after treatment.

How Do I Know If I Have Termites?

The differences can be subtle.  Both are about 1/2 in length. Winged ants have elbowed (crooked) antennae and front wings longer than back wings. Termites have straight antennae and a thicker waist.

Rather than take a chance, call in the professionals at Ecology Exterminating Service.

Detection of Termites

It is important to recognize the signs of a subterranean termite infestation. Subterranean termites may be detected by the sudden emergence of winged termites called swarms, or by the presence of mud tubes and wood damage.

Winged Termites

• Large numbers of winged termites swarming from wood or the soil often are the first obvious sign of a nearby termite colony. Swarming occurs in mature colonies that typically contain at least several thousand termites. A “swarm” is a group of adult male and female reproductives that leave their colony in an attempt to pair and initiate new colonies.
• Swarming emergence is stimulated when temperature and moisture conditions are favorable, usually on warm days following rainfall. Swarming typically occurs during daytime in the spring (March, April, and May), but swarms can occur indoors during other months. However, swarming occurs during a brief period (typically less than an hour), and termites quickly shed their wings. Winged termites are attracted to light, and their shed wings in window sills, cobwebs, or on other surfaces often may be the only evidence that a swarm occurred indoors. The presence of winged termites or their shed wings inside a home should be a warning of a termite infestation.

Mud Tubes

Other signs of termite presence include mud tubes and mud protruding from cracks between boards, beams, and basemet cielings. Subterranean termites transport soil and water above ground to construct earthen runways (shelter tubes) that allow them to tunnel across exposed areas to reach wood.

Wood Damage

Termite damage to the wood’s surface often is not evident because termites excavate galleries within materials as they feed. Wood attacked by subterranean termites generally has a honeycombed appearance because termites feed along the grain on the softer spring growth wood. Their excavations in wood often are packed with soil, and fecal spotting is evident.  A screwdriver or sometimes your finger, pressing on termite eaten wood, can penetrate it right through to the center.

Termites Need Moisture

Subterranean termites are constantly at risk of drying out; this is why they must live in the soil. Soil has the capacity to hold water for a long period of time and keep the colony moist. When termites forage above ground, they must maintain their connection to the soil so that the workers and soldiers can return to replenish their body moisture. The mud tubes provide the termites with this soil connection. If a tube becomes damaged, the worker termites will labor desperately to repair it. If the tube is beyond repair, the termites located above ground will often die of dehydration. However, on some occasions subterranean termite colonies do become established above ground. These above ground infestations are almost exclusively found in structures with chronic moisture problems. Chronic problems include flat roofs where dead leaves and moisture have been allowed to accumulate, leaking pipes or areas with no ventilation. In such cases the colony can survive above ground indefinitely.

Termites may be difficult to detect and eliminate.  Ecology Exterminating Service will inspect your home or business, and advise you on the best type of treatment.

We specialize in:

• Termite baiting systems
• Termite wood treatment
• Subterranean soil contol
• Property inspection for purchase or refinance purposes

Ants are pests around the house because they feed on and contaminate human foods, infest structures, and build unsightly mounds in lawns.

Detection of Ants

It is important to recognize the signs of a termite infestation or an ant problem.  Please notice the differences in the diagram above.

Carpenter Ants

• One node, erect and sharp
• 1/8 to 5/8 inch long
• Evenly rounded thorax
• Color varies: black, black and red, red, yellow

Distribution

• The largest ant.  Workers usually of several lengths, with the size of the head varying considerably.  Queens are often an inch long.  Sometimes they bite, but are not capable of stinging.
• They eat both plants and animals such as honeydew, dead insects, and food scraps.
• Moist wood, decaying wood, tree stumps, railroad ties
• Landscape wood borders, heavily mulched areas, and firewood
• Under insulation, wall voids, door frames, window frames, under or near hot tubs, tree holes, hollow rods, attic eaves

Carpenter Ant Google Search Activity for NYC – Past 12 months

Rodent Proofing Treatment Preparation Sheet

1. Remove all items stored under the kitchen sink and bathroom sinks.
2. Have nothing cooking on the stove so we can slide it out if necessary.
3. Empty bottom of any other closets that you suspect rodents are coming from.
4. Have radiators accessable.
5. Have all pet foods removed from the floor.
6. See Sanitation Procedures after initial treatment.

Identification

House Mouse

Feet – Small
Head – Small
Droppings – Pointed (average length 1/4″)
Habits: May nest in any portion of a building near food.  Has an average range of 50ft. from nest.  Active mostly at night.  Nibbles small amounts of food frequently, rather than having large meals.

Norway Rat

Tail – Shorter than head and body
Body – Heavy, thick
Ear – Small
Eye – Small
Nose – Blunt
Droppings – Blunt (average length 3/4″)
Habits: Usually nests in basements and lower portions of buildings.  Burrows in soil extensively.  Active primarily at night.  Fair climber, good swimmer.

Roof Rat

Tail – Longer than head and body
Body – Slender
Ear – Large
Eye – Large
Nose – Pointed
Droppings – Pointed (average length 1/2″)
Habits: Usually enters and nests in upper portions of buildings.  May nest outside in trees (esp. palms), ivy, etc.  Burrows very little.  Excellent climber.  Active at night.

Sanitation Procedures

• Sanitation is the cornerstone of lasting rodent control.  There is no substitute for sanitation, and the program must be continuous or the benefits derived from sanitation will be quickly lost to reinvading rodents.
• Place garbage and trash in garbage cans with tight fitting covers.
• Eliminate as much of the rodent’s water source such as leaking pipes and puddles.  Rodents need to drink water daily to survive.
• Reduce clutter such as boxes and newspapers in closets.  Rodents use this for nesintg material.
• Do not leave dirty dishes and food laying around on the coutertops over night.  Also remove all garbage every night.
• All doors, windows, and screens, should be tight fitting without spaces below.

Fleas

Description

• Size: 1/8 inch
• Color: very dark
• Wingless
• Three pairs of legs
• Immature stage looks like a small white worm with a dark head
• Eggs are small and white

Habitat

• Cooler and drier weather brings a reduction in the number of households with fleas
• House pets usually carry small flea populations throughout the winter
• The pets carry much larger populations in the spring and summer

Life Cycle

• Females lay eggs in the pet’s hair
• The eggs drop off and hatch into tiny, hairy, worm-like larvae
• The larva is usally found where the pet sleeps, along baseboards, in carpets, or on furniture
• Larvae pupate and new adults emerge
• New adults seek a host immediately and must get a blood meal to survive and produce eggs

Control

• Vacuum the pet’s bedding, rugs, and resting areas frequently

Ticks

Brown dog tick

Identification

• About 5 mm long
• Short stout mouthparts
• Reddish-brown color

Life History

• Ticks pass through three feeding stages: the larva, nymph, and adult
• After feeding on a host, a tick becomes engorged with blood and drops from the host
• Once in a protected place, immature ticks molt to the next stage, and females produce eggs after their final meal

Control

• Avoid tick infested areas such as tall grass and dense vegetation
• Walk in the center of trails and acoid brushing against weeds and tall grass
• Keep grass and underbrush cut and thinned
• Wear light colored clothing so ticks can be found easily
• Tuck pant legs into socks so ticks stay on the outside of pants
• Conduct tick checks on children and pets every 4 hours
• Use tick repellents that contain at least 30% DEET
• Ask your veterinarian to reccommend tick controls for your pets
• Treat your lawn with an approved pesticide for tick control

Removing Ticks

• Remove with tweezers or by wrapping the tick in tissue paper and pulling out with fingers
• DO NOT twist or jerk, and pull slowly to avoid leaving the mouthparts in the wound
• DO NOT use nail polish, petroleum jelly, alcohol, or hot matches
• Wash the wound with an antiseptic after the tick is removed

Flea & Tick Treatment Preparation Sheet

1. Vacuum all rugs and floors before treatment.
2. Remove all children’s toys or items they put in their mouth from the floor.
3. Cover or put away all exposed food, dishes, pots, pans, and utensils.
4. Strip all beds.
5. Turn off all air conditioning units, central heating units, and fans.
6. Unplug and cover all fishtanks.
7. Remove and wash all pet bedding or sleeping areas.
8. Remove all pet food and toys from the floor.
9. Have all pets treated for the fleas or ticks, and remove from premises during treatment.

After Treatment

1. Open all windows and let rooms ventilate.
2. Wipe down all counter tops and flat surfaces.
3. Next day, revacuum all areas that were treated.

Fleas and tick are very difficult to control.  Please call Ecology Exterminating at 1-877-762-2437 or 1-800-Pest-Control for professional flea and tick service.

Carpenter Bees

• 1/2 to 1 inch long
• Looks similar to bumble bees but differ by having a bare, shiny black abdomen, where bumble bees have some yellow markings
• Male carpenter bees can be identified by a bright yellow spot on the head
• Males are aggressive but harmless and cannot sting
• Females can sting if attacked

Habits

• Carpenter bees bore holes into wood to create a tunnel where they can raise their young
• They do not live in nests or colonies like yellow jackets and honey bees
• Entry holes into the wood are usually located in the well-lit and sheltered areas, such as headers, roof eaves, porch ceilings, fascia boards, decks, doors, and window sills
• Soft wood, such as California redwood, cedar, white pine, and poplar is preferred for nest building

Yellow Jackets

• 3/8 to 5/8 inch long
• Are wasps with a definite waist
• Marked with bright yellow and black patterns

Habits

• Prey on a wide variety of insects and other arthropods
• The workers survive on foods consumed by people, especially sweets and meat
• Wasp colonies are at the largest size during the fall
• If a colony is disturbed, worker yellow jackets will aggressively defend their colony by stinging

Bees are difficult and may be dangerous to control.  Let Ecology Exterminating, experts in pest control servcies, eliminate your bee infestation.  Call us at 1-877-762-2437 or 1-800-Pest-Control.

• Pigeons
• Woodpeckers
• House Sparrows
• Canadian Geese
• European Starlings

Carpet Beetles

There are several types of carpet beetles.  Their diet usually includes anything organic.  Females may lay up to 100 eggs.  Larvae do the destruction and avoid light.  Careful inspection of such things as baseboards, air ducts, stored cereals, garments and furniture is needed to find the source of the infestation.  Cleaning the house thoroughly and regularly as well as proper storage of garments is needed to prevent infestations.

Webbing Clothes Moth

Color: Buff or golden, Larva – Shiny creamy white.
Size: Adults – Quarter of an inch. Larva – about a half inch.
Adult moths do not feed.  Only larva feed.

Clothing Moths Treatment Preparation Sheet

1. Remove all clothes from affected closets, drawers, or shelves.
2. Remove all boxes and storage items in clothing closets, and inspect.
3. Inspect clothes for holes, moths, or larva.
4. Wash or dry clean any clothes that you suspect are infected.
5. Inspect wool carpeting and rugs for frayed edges or holes.
6. Clothes moths can also live in stored blankets, feathered pillows, and piano felts.
7. Vaccuum closets and drawers out thoroughly.

• 1/4 inch long
• Dull gray color
• 4 strips on thorax

Habits

• House flies breed in garbage, garbage cans, and large trash conainers
• A generation of flies may be produced during the height of the summer season
• The hot days of July and August will result in a greater number of house flies by the end of August and September
• Flies can spread diseases

Control

• Two important places to control are the breeding site and the house
• Boiling water is a good way to kill the house fly maggots in garbage cans
• Fly paper, and aerosols are the best methods for adult flies

Drain Fly

• 1/10 inch long
• Dark, fuzzy mothlike insects
• Can only fly a few feet at a time

Habits

• Breed in the liquids found in drains, dirty garbage continers, and septic tanks
• Adult flies are poor fliers and are found in great numbers on walls or flying weakly in the area where they are found
• Feed on nectar and polluted water

Control

• Infestations which develop in drains can be eliminated scrubbing the area with a brush and sink-cleaning materials followed by hot water

Fruit Fly

• 1/8 inch long
• Dull yellow-brown to dark brown
• A distinguishing feature is their red eyes

Habits

• Fruit flies develop in over-ripe fruits or other foods, fermenting liquid in the bottom of garbage cans, a dirty mop, and in the vegetable bin
• Fruit and salad bars are ideal habitats and have problems with fruit flies
• Attracted to light

Control

• Removal of any overripe fruits or vegetables should prevent any recurrance

Flies can be difficult to control.  Please call Ecology Exterminating at 1-877-762-2437 or 1-800-Pest-Control for a professional treatment.