Common Pest Question

Something is biting me and / or members of my family. What can I do?

First of all, the insect that is biting you should be located and given to your pest management professional (PMP) for identification. There are different protocols for treatment depending on a proper insect identification. Possible insects that may be biting you are:
Fleas - check your pets to make sure they do not have fleas crawling on them.
Mosquitoes - these are primarily found outdoors, but may fly inside while doors or windows are open.
Chinch bugs - these insects are located in turf.
Ants - ants can be found inside or outside.
Another possibility is that your skin may be drying out because of the weather. When this occurs, it often feels like tiny pricks, or that an insects is biting you.

I hear noises in my attic / wall void. What is causing them?

Noises could be caused by roof rats, mice, squirrels, raccoons, cats or insects. We recommend that you flush out the animal and then having your home sealed against reentry. Remember, any area larger then a dime must be sealed since mice can fit into very small areas.

I have flying insects in my house. What are they?

Based on environmental conditions, flying insects could be: swarming ants or termites - both have mating swarms where numerous reproductive insects leave the original nest to mate and then find a new nest. house fly, fruit fly or fungus gnats. For flies, it is very important to find the source of infestation. Until you get rid of the breeding site, the adult flies you see in your home will continue to be a problem.

Will the bees and wasps found in and around my home sting me?

There are numerous types of insects that can sting you if provoked. Paper wasps, mud daubers, hornets or honey bees. All of these insects might sting you if you disturb their nest, or if they feel that you are a threat. Some are more aggressive than others, and will take less provocation.

What about spiders?

Spiders are actually beneficial and may be left alone to help control pest insects in and around your home. Not all spiders have venom. However, two spiders of concern are - the black widow and brown recluse. These spiders can cause you to become ill if bitten.

I have ants trailing in my house. What do I do?

Insect Identification:
There are a variety of ants that you may find in your home - pharaoh ants, odorous- house ants, argentine ants or crazy ants to name a few. You might need to collect some of the ants to have an ABC technician identify the species, in order to treat the problem correctly. You can collect ants by scooping them into a jar or plastic bag or you can stick them onto tape.

Control methods:
Baiting: Bait should be placed on or near an ant trail without cleaning the area where the trail is located. If you clean up the trail, the ants will not have the chemical cues that lead then to that area and to the bait. ABC prefers baiting over spraying since often split their colonies if you spray their trail with chemical, which will only spread out your ant problem.

Can the chemicals you use harm me?

The materials we use are dose related. They are applied at a rate to control insects and also applied to areas that insects are likely to be located. The manufacturers of the chemicals have created them at a dose that is safe to use around adults and children, but still is able to kill insects. If you have a health-related concern, please consult your physician.