Pests Archive | Arrow Exterminating Company, Inc. - Pest Control and Exterminator Services

Powderpost Beetle

Powderpost Beetles in Long Island

Powderpost beetles are a broad category of beetles that live within and eat hardwoods, reducing timber to fine powder-like sawdust. These beetles cause millions of dollars in damage each year as they infest dry seasoned wood. In the United States, they are second only to termites in their destructiveness of wood and wood products. Powderpost beetles prefer to live deep within hardwoods, and the only indication of their presence is the sawdust they leave behind, and the pencil-sized “shot” holes that remain after adults emerge in spring. The greatest period of activity occurs during the warm season.

Powderpost Beetle Habitat

Powderpost beetles live and breed in hardwoods, such as the dead branches and limbs of trees. They avoid softwoods and will not attempt to tunnel in varnished woods. Often, eggs and larvae can be sealed within hardwoods, resulting in emerging adults later on. A female powderpost beetle will lay 50 eggs at a time, in the pores of the wood. When larvae of the powderpost beetle hatch, they feed on many of the various hardwoods used in furniture, baskets, hardwood trim, and flooring. Larvae will emerge one to five years later in spring. An adult powderpost beetle will not typically live for longer than a year.

Powderpost Beetle Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Powderpost beetles aren’t a direct threat to humans, but they do cause millions of dollars in damage each year. Adult powderpost beetles most often select and lay eggs in wood such as oak, ash, hickory, mahogany, and walnut, and infestations are most likely to occur in wood paneling, molding, flooring, window and door frames, plywood, and furniture. Powderpost beetles are strong fliers and are attracted to light. Adults are often found near windows or on windowsills when an infestation occurs indoors. Infestations in homes are almost always due to the infestation of the wood prior to construction. If a powderpost beetle infestation is suspected, contact a local beetle control professional.

Sac Spider

Sac Spiders in The Long Island

Sometimes referred to as a “yellow sac spider”, these spiders are often pale yellow in color and have even been known to have a hint or tinge of green. Similar to most spiders, sac spiders prefer to stay away from human contact and typically only find their way indoors by accident. The sac spider is commonly found in homes and is often mistaken for the brown recluse because it is similar in shape, but the sac spider lacks the “fiddle” pattern of the brown recluse. For the most part, sac spiders prefer to feed on a variety of types of spiders along with other garden insects.

Sac Spider Habitat

Outdoors, sac spiders can be seen in gardens, under vegetation, bark, in rolled leaves, and organic debris. Sac spiders are often shipped in agricultural products such as grapes and can make their way into homes on produce. It is common to see these spiders inside a home during the fall as they begin to seek warmth from the dropping temperatures outdoors. Sac spiders can easily climb slick surfaces and will construct silk, sac-like retreats wherever walls meet other walls or ceilings.

Sac Spider Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Sac spiders are hunting spiders that use their silk sac only for their retreat or for their egg capsules. They are nocturnal, hunting at night for other insects. The bite of a common sac spider can be misdiagnosed as a brown recluse spider bite. Injuries develop in a similar manner but are much less severe. Although the bite of a yellow sac spider can be painful, it is not medically significant except for allergic individuals. Reactions, such as swelling, slow healing, and ulcerated sores around the bite site, are similar enough to be confusing. If you suspect that you have been bitten by a spider, seek medical attention if symptoms persist or intensify.

If you need help with sac spiders, contact your local spider technicians.

Bird Mite

Bird Mites in Long Island

Bird Mites in Long Island are exceptionally minute, usually less than 1mm when fully grown, making them challenging to detect. They tend to go unnoticed as they predominantly reside on birds such as chickens and pigeons. Their life cycle from egg to adulthood spans roughly a week, with a potential lifespan extending a few weeks thereafter.

Bird Mite Habitat

Distinct from other mite species, bird mites predominantly feed on the blood of birds, using them as their primary hosts and residing in their nests. These mites have a particular preference for warmer climates, rendering them more active during the spring and early summer months. While widespread across the United States, their presence is also notable in continents like Africa and Asia, as well as in Australia and Pacific islands.

Bird Mite Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Bird mites are often not given much attention since they do not typically use humans as their hosts. However, their bites can cause skin irritation and potentially lead to allergic reactions. Individuals who handle birds or have bird nests in close proximity, such as in attics or chimneys, are at a heightened risk of encountering bird mites. In situations where these pests have infested your property, seeking professional pest control services is advisable for effective removal and management.

Asian Longhorned Tick

Asian Longhorned Ticks in Long Island

As its name suggests, this tick species is not from here – it’s always been found in Asia, but since 2017, sightings indicate that its range has spread to many parts of this country. It is an invasive species and we don’t yet know if it will become a significant disease-spreading vector like many other tick species.

Asian Longhorned Tick Habitat

These ticks can be found by the hundreds or thousands when you discover a cluster of them. Typically, that will be in grassy areas or areas with lots of shrubs. Biologists are still assessing to determine if they prefer wooded or open areas. Asian longhorned ticks have been found on people, pets, wildlife, and livestock.

Asian Longhorned Tick Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

One adaptation that has hastened the spread of Asian longhorned ticks is that females can lay thousands of eggs without a male partner. If you or a pet does get bitten by Asian longhorned ticks, remove them as soon as possible and continue to monitor the bite and how they are feeling. Based on our current understanding of these ticks, it seems less likely that you can get a tick-borne disease from them, but we don’t know enough to say anything with certainty.

To avoid being bitten, apply an insect repellent containing an EPA-registered ingredient, such as DEET. Also, consider wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, preferably light-colored so ticks will be easy to detect, and tuck pants into socks.

If you are dealing with a tick problem, contact your trusted tick control experts for assistance today.

No-see-um / Midge (biting)

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No-See-Ums in Long Island

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 technician for assistance with no-see-ums or midges.

Camel Cricket

Camel Crickets in Long Island

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.

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