Flying Pests

Here you will find the most common flying insects and other pests common to the Southeast Texas, Southwest Louisiana, Gulf Coast region.

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

Bumble Bee

Size: 1/4 to 1” Shape: Oval Color: Black with Yellow stripes Bumble Bees are especially beneficial to plants and crops. They help pollinate and are very social insects. Most often they nest or build colonies in ground but will build above ground around the eaves of homes/buildings, roof beams, patio areas and/or decks. Bumble Bees feed their young and colonies with the pollen and nectar from flowers. They will sting multiple times when threatened. Prevention: Contact us for a free inspection if activity is noted. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bees, Flying Pests, Stinging & Biting pests

Carpenter Bee

Size: 1/2” to 1” Shape: Oval Color: Blue Black Carpenter Bees are known for boring through wood to lay their eggs. Some of the tunnels can be as long as 10 feet. They feed on pollen and nectar from flowers that are passed over by the Honey Bee and return to the nest sites to feed their larvae and the colony. Their boring can and will weaken structures. Carpenter Bees prefer bare wood so painting or staining may deter them but when dealing with any species of Bees caution is needed. Prevention: Carpenter Bees prefer bare wood. By painting or staining it may deter them but when dealing … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bees, Flying Pests, Stinging & Biting pests

Cicada Killer

Size: 1 to 1 5/8” Shape: Color: Black to Rusty with Yellowish markings Cicada Killers are a solitary wasp that burrows into bare ground, once they have found Cicadas (large winged - stout bodied insects), stinging it which paralyzes it. They will bring it back to the burrow then laying an egg on it so that the wasp larva can feed on it. Cicada Killers may nest in the same general area but not in the same burrow. The female of the species can sting bug only if stepped on or handled, while the male cannot sting. The Cicada Killers are beneficial insects by helping control Cicada … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bees, Flying Pests, Stinging & Biting pests

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

Honey Bee

Common Name: Honey bee Scientific Name: Apis mellifera Linnaeus Order: Hymenoptera Honey bees are somewhat variable in color but are some shade of black, brown or brown intermixed with yellow. They have dense hairs on the pronotum and sparser hair on the abdomen. Microscopically, at least some of the body hairs of bees (Apoidea) are branched (pumose). The abdomen often appears banded. Larvae are legless grubs, white in color. Worker bees are generally not aggressive (defensive) during foraging or swarming activities. However, when the hive contains developing larvae and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bees, Flying Pests, Stinging & Biting 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

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

Paper Wasp

Size: 5/8 to 3/4" Shape: Color: Brownish with Yellow markings This species of Paper Wasps are non-aggressive and are a nuisance but will sting. Paper Wasps build small comb like nests from tree branches, twigs, shrubs, porch ceilings, top member of door and window frames, soffits, eaves, attic rafters, deck floor joists and railings, basically any protected place imaginable. They do aide in the control of many insect pests. Prevention: Contact us for a free inspection is activity is noted. This stinging wasp is a serious pest and should be dealt with promptly. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bees, Flying Pests, Stinging & Biting pests