Disease Carriers

This category includes all Pests and Wildlife known to be carriers of various diseases and living in the Southeast Texas, Southwest Louisiana, Gulf Coast region.

American Dog Tick

Size: un-engorged 3/16” ; engorged 5/8”x3/8” Color: Brown with whitish to grayish markings The American dog tick gets it common name from the fact that domestic dogs are the favorite host of the adults. Although not a structural pests, it is commonly found on dogs and readily attacks humans. It does not survive well indoors. If found indoors it was probably carried in on a dog and dropped off when fully engorged to seek a suitable place for egg laying. Prevention: If a tick is found attached, remove it with a slow steady pull that will not break off the mouthparts and leave them in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Disease Carriers, Lawn Pests, Stinging & Biting pests, Ticks, What's Bugging Southeast Texas

Asian Tiger Mosquito

Asian tiger or forest day mosquito. Aedes albopictus (Skuse). Adult dark to black with silvery white markings, identifying marks include dorsum of thorax with a single median silver-white stripe, tarsal segments ringed with white, and abdominal segments with a narrow dorsal white basal band; wing length about 1/8" (3.5 mm); breed in artificial containers; found in eastern, midwestern, and southern United States. The Asian Tiger and Southern House mosquito have both been identified as carriers of the West Nile Virus. Biology Mosquitoes are commonly separated into 3 groups based on where … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Disease Carriers, Flying Pests, Mosquitos, Stinging & Biting pests

Bottle Fly

Size: 1/8 to 5/8” Shape: Medium sized Color: Metallic Blue, Green, or dull Brassy sometimes Black Bottle Flies, also known as a Blow Fly feed on human feces, sewage, and/or develop in disease carrying dead carcasses. They sometimes carry diseases to food of human consumption. This species is most active on warm or sunny days, and are attracted to bright lights coming through windows. Prevention: Eliminate breeding sites such as, emptying/rinsing and drying out garbage containers. Screening vents, windows and doors also sealing holes through exterior walls and any crack or crevice. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Disease Carriers, Flies, Flying Pests

Cat Flea

Females lay 4-8 eggs after each blood meal, laying some 400-500 during their lifetime. They usually hatch in 1-12 days. The pre-emerged adult remains in the cocoon for up to 20 weeks, where it is protected from adverse conditions, including pesticides. Adults are stimulated to emerge from the cocoon by mechanical depression for the cocoon, an increase in temperature, and possibly vibrations. Larvae and pupae are typically found where the animals sleeps or frequents. Adults usually begin to seek a blood meal on the second day after emergence, but can live for several months on stored body fat. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Disease Carriers, Fleas, Lawn Pests, Stinging & Biting pests, What's Bugging Southeast Texas

Fruit Fly

Size: 1/8” Shape: Color: Dull tan to brownish black with red eyes Fruit Flies lay an average of around 500 eggs near services of fermenting fruits and vegetables or near cracks of unsealed containers of fruits and vegetables. They feed on fermenting products, garbage containers, empty bottles and cans, and slime in drains or garbage disposals, fresh fruits and vegetables even on beer, cider, vinegar and wine. Sometimes they will even be attracted to sour mops or broom heads, dish water or mop water that has food particles in them. Prevention: Elimination of fermenting materials, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Disease Carriers, Flies, Flying Pests

House Fly

Size: 1/8 to 1/4" Shape: striped body, with wings Color: Dull gray Female House Fly’s will lay their eggs in moist materials such as animal manure, human feces, garbage, decaying vegetable materials. They are feeders that are attracted to liquids. House Fly’s have been known to carry disease pathogens through their feces, vomit and contaminated body parts. Prevention: Emptying garbage cans in a timely manner, making certain lids for garbage cans are tightly sealed, cleaning of garbage receptacles and allowing them to dry so that moisture is not present. Make sure windows and doors … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Disease Carriers, Flies, Flying Pests, What's Bugging Southeast Texas

House Mouse

House Mice Control - Bill Clark Pest Control

The house mouse is about five to eight inches long and has very large, distinct ears. Their color may range from light brown to almost black. They have a tail that is as long as the head and body combined. Mice have peak activity periods right after dusk and again before dawn. They are primarily nocturnal, but will have short periods of feeding throughout the day. The house mouse will eat all types of food. They will consume seeds, insects, snails, carrion and worms. Mice are capable of surviving long periods without water. Mice are nearsighted and rely on their sense of smell to provide … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Disease Carriers, Fabric & Paper Pests, Fall and Winter Pests, Nuisance Animals, Property Damaging Pests, Rodents

Mosquito

Living in southeast Texas and being surrounded by many different water ways, Mosquitoes have been and are a nuisance almost year round. In the U.S. there are more than 200 species of mosquitoes. Each species has unique behaviors and bites certain types of animals, but all mosquitoes have the same, four stage life-cycle. Egg: After a female mosquito has a blood meal (males do not bite), she lays her eggs in a place where they will be exposed to water – either directly on stagnant water, in a depression, or on the edge of a container where rain water will collect. Larva: When water … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Disease Carriers, Flying Pests, Lawn Pests, What's Bugging Southeast Texas

Norway Rat

The Norway rat is also called the brown rat, gray rat, sewer rat, water rat, wharf rat and barn rat. This rat will grow up to 16 inches from nose to tail. The tail is shorter in length than the body. These rats are typically a grayish-brown color, but can be a blackish or reddish-brown. Norway rats will nest in burrows in the ground. Burrows that have a smooth appearance at entrances are usually active burrows. These rats often feed on grains, seeds and vegetation, but will feed on anything provided in urban settings. These rats will also separate undigested food particles from animal … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Crop Damaging Pests, Disease Carriers, Fabric & Paper Pests, Fall and Winter Pests, Farm Pests, Nuisance Animals, Property Damaging Pests, Rodents

Opossum

Size: About the size of a large house cat Color: Grayish Their diet mainly consists of carrion (dead and putrefying flesh) and many individual opossums are killed on the highway when scavenging for roadkill. They are also known to eat insects, frogs, birds, snakes, small mammals, and earthworms. Some of their favorite foods are fruits, and they are known to eat avocados, apples, clementines, and persimmons. Their broad diet allows them to take advantage of many sources of food provided by human habitation such as unsecured food waste (garbage) and pet food. When threatened or harmed, they … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Disease Carriers, Nuisance Animals, Opossums, Property Damaging Pests