Pests Archive | Page 2 of 26 | Suburban Exterminating

Mealworm

Mealworms on Long Island

Mealworms are the larvae of the darkling beetle, so they aren’t a true worm, despite the name. They represent the fourth stage in the life cycle of the beetle, between molted worms and pupae. They aren’t just pantry pests, but they’re fond of the grains of your cabinets and can quickly feed off and reproduce in your food supply.

Mealworm Habitat

In agricultural settings, mealworms may be found invading farm and grain handling facilities. Or, if outdoors, they might choose instead to feed on leaves, dead insects and animal waste. Wherever they go, they will look for places that are dark, cool and moist. This may be under rocks or logs in animal burrows, or it could be in the darkness of your pantry.

Mealworm Behaviors, Threats or Dangers

Mealworms, like other pantry pests, are hard to detect until they’ve infested your cabinets. If you ingest the larvae or eggs left inside your food products, it can cause gastrointestinal irritation and general discomfort. So if you notice small holes and bite marks on the exterior packaging of your stored, dry goods, it’s vital you remove the contaminated foodstuffs and any other ones that may be contaminated.

If you are dealing with Mealworms on your property, contact your local exterminators.

Field Cricket

Field Cricket in Suffolk County & Nassau County

Field Cricket is a catch-all name for several species of crickets of the genus Gryllus. The most common species found on Long Island is Gryllus pennsylvanicus.

Field Cricket Habitat

Field Crickets are found in many types of habitats: In brushy areas, fields, lawns, gardens, and even near building foundations. They may dig shallow burrows. These species will have one generation per year and will molt 8-9 times before reaching the adult stage. Adults generally live for 8 to 10 weeks. Most female crickets deposit eggs into soil or plant stems, which can cause serious plant damage. In northern latitudes, most crickets mature and lay eggs in the fall.

Field Cricket Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Field crickets are omnivores that feed on a variety of foods including organic plant matter, dried organic materials, fruits, seeds, and both live and dead insects. Field crickets are generally considered to be nuisance pests. If they get indoors, which typically happens in the fall as they try to get indoors to overwinter, they can damage personal items like clothing and furniture by feeding on them. They’re not venomous and aren’t known to carry any diseases. If you need help with a Field Cricket problem, it’s recommended to contact your local pest control experts.

No-see-um / Midge (biting)

No-See-Ums in Suffolk County & Nassau County

No-see-ums and biting midges are a significant human pest and are found throughout the United States, primarily in coastal areas and farming operations. These small blood-sucking gnats are known to feed on warm-blooded vertebrates and are often confused with black flies because of their similar bites. Female midges are the ones who bite, needing the protein from blood to begin producing eggs. Biting midges will attack any kind of mammals such as birds, reptiles, amphibians, and livestock. Their bite is out of proportion to their size, and the Native Americans in Maine very appropriately designated these tormentors as “no-see-ums”.

No-See-Um Habitat

The natural habitats of no-see-ums and biting midges vary by species. These flies breed in coastal salt marshes, mud-caked flatlands, freshwater areas, and damp holes in trees. Breeding places are often in densely shaded areas at the edge of grass marshes. Their favorite locations are near decaying leaves that are protected from the heat of the sun. Adult midges prefer to lay their eggs in wet organic matter, such as mud around settling ponds on livestock operations, decaying leaf litter, manure, and other vegetation.

No-See-Um Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Biting midges and no-see-ums are extremely annoying, but none are known to transmit diseases to humans in the United States. A common observation upon experiencing a bite from this insect is that something is biting, but the person suffering cannot see what it is. While their bites can cause welts and intense itching, these small insects can also transmit diseases to animals. They have a much greater impact on non-humans, both as biting pests and vectors of disease agents. In North America, the most important disease agent transmitted by biting midges is the bluetongue virus, which causes serious diseases in sheep and cattle. Contact your local fly exterminator for assistance with no-see-ums or midges.

Camel Cricket

Camel Crickets in Suffolk County & Nassau County

The name camel cricket is derived from the rounded hump on the insect’s back that resembles the hump of a camel. Sometimes referred to as “cave crickets” or “land shrimp,” they are more closely related to katydids than true crickets and do not chirp. Camel crickets are widespread in the United States and often move inside dwellings during hot, dry weather and have been observed feeding on clothes and lace curtains. Due to their size and quick jumping ability, camel crickets can be quite disturbing to homeowners.

Camel Cricket Habitat

Camel crickets prefer damp, dark environments. Outside, camel crickets are found living in leaf litter, under logs or stones, in tree holes, in hollow logs, or stacks of firewood and other cool, damp areas. They may move into homes during the fall when seeking a place to overwinter. Camel crickets may commonly be found in crawl spaces or basements, occasionally in large numbers; however, they may also be found in living areas, garages, and storage rooms. Camel crickets can also be found in considerable numbers in attics above two-story homes.

Camel Cricket Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Camel crickets do not spread disease and do not bite, however, they can become a nuisance if they gain entry into a home, damaging houseplants, clothing, and fabrics. Camel crickets are nocturnal and will be observed by the homeowner in the evening when the lights are turned on in a dark room. When threatened, camel crickets leap when frightened, which can be an unnerving experience as a homeowner turns on the lights in their basement or garage. If you suspect a camel cricket issue on your property, contact your local exterminators.

Groundhog

Groundhogs in Suffolk County & Nassau County

Groundhogs, also called woodchucks, are large rodents and are widely distributed across the United States. Groundhogs are among the few animals that are true hibernators, fattening up in spring and summer and hibernating in burrows during the winter months. Groundhogs are very common in rural areas but are also frequently seen in suburban neighborhoods. The groundhog is actually a member of the squirrel family, and its front feet are very powerful tools used for digging burrows. Groundhogs can become a real pest for homeowners as they burrow under vegetable and flower gardens, sheds, and outdoor structures.

Groundhog Habitat

These large rodents are herbivores, and a groundhog’s diet can include fruit, plants, tree bark, and grasses. Groundhogs dig burrows near vegetation that can be as deep as five feet and generally have more than one entrance. The entrance hole is made larger as the animal grows and will eventually be a foot wide with a mound of soil around it. Burrow entrances are usually well-hidden and can be difficult to find. Groundhogs often hide these holes by digging them underneath vegetation or loosely covering them up with leaves and sticks. The network of tunnels can cover an area underground ranging from 8 to 66 feet and is used for several years.

Groundhog Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Groundhogs are docile creatures, rarely come in contact with people, and pose no major public health hazards. They are considered nuisance pests because they are capable of causing extensive damage to home gardens, lawns, and orchards as a result of their feeding and burrowing habits. When burrowing, groundhogs have been known to destroy building foundations, create unwanted holes on lawns and cause electrical outages from gnawing on underground wires. If an infestation is suspected, contact a licensed wildlife control professional.

Mole

Moles in Suffolk County & Nassau County

Moles are small insect-eating mammals and are widespread across the United States. Contrary to popular belief, moles are not part of the rodent family and are highly specialized digging machines. They spend most of their time underground and some are even semi-aquatic. Although their presence is well known by their recognizable mounds, they are rarely seen. Moles cause significant damage through their burrowing activity, which dislodges plants and dries out their roots. In lawns, the resulting mounds and ridges are unsightly and disfiguring.

Mole Habitat

Moles prefer wooded areas as their natural habitat, but they are also comfortable in residential yards and farm fields. Moles live almost entirely underground in a vast network of interconnecting tunnels. Active year-round, moles are particularly busy in spring and fall, frequently creating shallow tunnels just below the surface where they capture worms, insects, and other invertebrates. Moles are beneficial in that a typical 5-6 ounce mole can eat as much as 50 pounds of insect pests and grubs in a year! During rainy periods, molehills are abundant as earthworms move toward the surface.

Mole Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Since moles are seldom present above ground and rarely come into contact with people, they are not considered to be a physical threat to humans. Contrary to popular opinion, moles will not eat vegetation in residential and rural landscapes. However, their surface tunnels can disturb plant roots, which can cause distress. In lawns, molehills make walking and mowing difficult, sometimes damaging the grass. Mole tunnels can be hijacked by meadow voles, small rodents who do eat plants. The first sign of a mole problem will be several molehills or ‘ridges’ caused by tunneling. If you are having an issue with moles, it is best to consult a professional wildlife control company for removal.

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