Pest Control in Southern California

Argentine Ants

Adults tan to black, up to 1/8" long. Single node on pedicel, profile of thorax shows deep depression on top. An imported species, many queens, may dominate an area over other species. Over two months to mature adult, with eggs, larvae, pupae tended by adults. In extreme weather move colonies from soil nests outdoors to structures in walls, subareas, under slabs.

Pharoah Ants

Adults very small, light colored, up to 1/16" long. Two nodes on pedicel, antennal club made up of three enlarged segments. Very large colonies, multiple queens, workers forage long distances from nest. Infest most structures, feed on various foods, of some human health importance. Control principally by baiting.

Crazy Ants

Adults small, black, up to 1/8" long. Single node on pedicel, very long legs, very long “scape” (first antenna segment). Small colonies nest commonly in structures, feeding mostly on insects as well as other structures, fedding mostly on insects as well as other stuctural debris. Very fast, erratic movements give it its name.

Odorous Ants

Adults shiny black, up to 1/8" long. When crushed give off strong odor of rotten coconut or rancid butter. Common in houses, with strong attraction to sweet substances. Adult with single node to pedicel, the node attached very close to the abdomen.

Fire Ants

Adults yellowish to red and black, up to 1/4" long. Two nodes, no spines on thorax, well developed stinger. Dirt mounds indicate nests in soil, rotten wood, under boards, concrete.

Silver Fish

Gradual metamorphosis leading to adults about 1/2" to 3/4" long, scaled, color from gray/brown to silver, carrot shaped, long antenna. Very fast runners, common in wall voids and attics, brought in in wood products, papers, firewood, or entering by themselves. Feed on both carbohydrates and protein - meats, flour and cereals, bond papers, book bindings, paper pastes. Presence detected by small, black, pepper-like fecal droppings.

Black Widow Spiders

The abdomen is about 1/4" big. The females are easily identified by its shiny black abdomen and with a pair of bright reddish triangles underneath. The males are smaller and lighter colored. A Black Widow's venom contains toxins that can be very hazardous to humans and various symptoms may occur if biten depending on the persons sensitivity to the venom.

Recluse Spiders

Adults medium sized, light/brown tan. Eye arrangement distinctive, as 3 pairs (6 eyes total) arranged in a row across the front. Venom is "haemolytic", destroying skin tissues and healing slowly. These spiders avoid activity, but hide in clothing in closets, furniture, other out of the way places. Up to 50 eggs per sac, up to a year to adult, may live several years.

Household Spiders

House spiders generally have eight eyes in two rows on their heads. Most of these spiders create their webs in rock walls, garages, along foundations, piles of lumber, sheds, or basements. These spiders are normally dark, hairly, and fast moving.

Pillbugs / Sowbugs

These bugs feed on decaying vegetable matter or other objects in damp ground. The often are found in damp basements and like to infest potted plants. Pillbugs can roll into a ball, where a sowbug cannot.

American Cockroaches

Largest urban pest Cockroach - up to 2" long. Adults reddish brown with yellow margined pronotum. Average 15 eggs per capsule, over 1 year to the mature adult. Prefer warm, damp areas - sewers, basements - common outdoors.

Brown Banded Cockroaches

Adults about 3/4" long, males much slimmer than females. Identified by 2 brown bands crossing the thorax. Egg capsule small, average 15 eggs, glued to hidden surfaces by female. Egg to mature adult in about 6 months. Individuals may be found throughout structure, and not as dependent on moisture as other species.

German Cockroaches

Adults 3/4" long, tan with 2 black, longitudinal marks on pronotum. Average 30 eggs per capsule which is carried by female until ready to hatch. only 3 months to the mature adult. Most common structural cockroach, a non-flyer carried into structures by man.

House Centipede

Adults up to 2" long, with extremely long legs 15 pairs - last pair very long. Poison glands present, biting possible on humans, but problems slight. Very fast moving creatures, occuring commonly in structures where they feed on insects.

Millipedes

Adults up to 5" long, may live 8 years as immature and adult. Two pairs of legs per segment, rouned body shape, slow moving vegetarians. Many give off toxic secretions or unpleasant odors when disturbed. Occasionally extremely large infestations occur in structures.

Mice

Mice are dusty-gray, but some may be light brown to dark grey. Adult mice are about 3 1/2" long. Their ears are moderately long and distinct. Their tails are as long as their bodies. Mice are excellent climbers and normally have no struggle climbing a rough wall. Mice are capable of squeezing through a hole just over a 1/4" in diameter.

Varied Carpet Beetles

Adults small, somewhat flattened and oval in shape. Colors black, white, and brown, mottled and variable. Only larvae damage animal materials such as fur, skins, wool, felt, insects. Larva brown, very hairly, head end narrow, posterior widened with 3tufts of long hairs. Commonly infest any manmade object of animal origin, insect and bird nests. Larval period normally lasts almost a year. Adults feed on flowers, larvae very active in wandering about structures.

Fleas

Adults very small, wingless, dark brown to black compressed laterally. Larva legless, worm-like, hairly. Eggs laid on the host, female may lay several hundred in her lifetime. Larva a scavenger feeding on debris in carpet or outdoors, including dried blodd. Extremely important vector of diseases, and cause of discomfort and allergies.

Ticks

All ticks feed exclusively on the blood of vertebrates. Ticks cannot run, hop or fly, but they do climb to different highs and attempt to land on its host when detected. Ticks are known to possibly carry different types of diseases.

Springtails

Adults only about 1/16" long, black, gray, or silvery in color. Attached to tip of abdomen is along appendage (the furcula) which is used to snap insect into air when disturbed. Attracted to water, common in damp areas. Called "Snow Fleas" when occuring in early spring on patches of snow.

Crickets

Adults are black or dark brown and over one inch long, with antennae, long spear-like ovipositor. An accidental vistor to structure. Up to 400 eggs laid singly in soil, 3 months to mature adult. A plant feeder, but chewing damage possible to household items and fabrics.

Scorpions

Depending on the type of scorpion, some scorpions' stings can be very harmful and painful. Scorpions are often about at night. Inside a home, they will often hide in secluded areas such as closets, folded clothes, or seldom-worn shoes. Outside scorpions are found under boards, bark or rocks.

All contents of this page come from Pocket Guide to Pest Identification by Van Waters & Rogers Inc., Pest Management Operations by Bennett, Corrigan & Owens, and Handbook of Pest Control by Mallis.