Cockroaches

There are approximately over 3500 species of cockroaches in the world; around 60 species are in the United States. Cockroaches, especially the German cockroach, are the most commonly encountered and important household insect pest in much of the U.S.

Only a few of the cockroach species are found in the northeast, American, Oriental, Brown-Banded, Smokey-Brown and the German cockroach.

German Cockroach	American Cockroach	Oriental Cockroach

Cockroaches usually choose to live in protected areas, cracks and crevices which provide a warm and humid environment. The presence of cockroaches is often detected by their damage, or fecal matter. The most common areas of harborage are kitchens, bathrooms, storage areas, garbage areas and unsanitary places.

Cockroaches one of the oldest insects-fossil remains date back 200 Million Years. Roaches have six legs, have wings and two antennae, likes bark, damp places with plentiful food supply, feeds on a variety of foods, especially starches and sugar, including bookbinding, photographic film, linens, leather goods, and a numerous food items.

It is impossible to list all the places where cockroaches may live and hide, so it is important to have a professional inspect thoroughly and use his or her judgment and experience to find all harborages.

Silverfish

Silverfish may be found almost anywhere in a house. However, they usually will be found living close to their source of food. They eat a wide variety of foods containing protein or carbohydrates. Such things as paper, glue, paste, linens or dead insects, and are able to live for a long time without food.

Boxelder Bugs

The boxelder bug is a common pest in the Northeast. They are bright red or black with narrow reddish lines on the back

These insects feed principally by sucking juices from the boxelder tree, but are sometimes found on other plants. Adult boxelder bugs will enter structure in the fall, seeking winter shelter, and finding areas in wall voids and attics.

Bees, Hornets and Wasps

Ants

Common species in the U.S. include the Carpenter Ant, Pharaoh Ant, Pavement Ant, Fire Ant, Odorous House Ant, Argentine Ant and Thief Ant. When they enter homes, ants look for sweets or substance containing protein.

When ants find a food source, most species lay down a long-lasting invisible chemical trail for the rest of the colony to find.

Ants are social insects that live in colonies that contain up to one million.

The Norway Rat

The Norway rat is also known as the house rat. It has a stocky body, Weighing between 12 and 16 ounces. Indoors the Norway rat prefers to nest around the lower floors of buildings, but when populations are large, it will also occupy attic areas. The territories of most rats are between 50 to150 feet of the nest; however, rats will travel 300 feet or more daily to obtain their food and water.

Click here to learn more about the rat reproduction cycle.