Lawn Pests

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

Armyworm Larvae

Armyworm Larve - Bill Clark Pest Control

The Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is part of the order of Lepidoptera and is the caterpillar life stage of a moth. It is regarded as a pest and can wreak havoc with crops if left to multiply. Its name is derived from its feeding habits. Army worms will eat everything in an area and once the food supply is exhausted the entire "army" will move to the next available food source. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Lawn 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

Chinch Bug

These insects can be important as occasional invaders throughout most of the southern U.S. Their populations develop outdoors, feeding on the grass in lawns, fencerows, and open fields. These are small black and white bugs with wings that extend only about half the length of the abdomen when at rest. Some species also have red markings. Chinch bugs are severe pests of certain common turf grasses. Saint Augustine grass is seriously damaged in the southern U.S. Nymph and adult chinch bugs suck plant juices through their needlelike mouthparts. Moderate to heavy infestations in lawns result in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Lawn Pests

Fire Ant

The red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) first entered the United States through the seaport of Mobile, Alabama in the early 1930's and have spread throughout the southern regions. Fire ants are good competitors and colonizers that quickly establish mounds around homes, schools, businesses and industries. These ants are best known for their painful stings which can cause serious health problems. In addition, fire ants can damage electrical equipment and spoil outdoor activities. Fire ants are a dangerous pest and should be dealt with promptly. We offer a variety of treatment programs … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Ants, Lawn Pests, Stinging & Biting 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

Formosan Termites

(Coptotermes formosanus) Swarming usually follows a warm rainy day in late spring/summer and occurs in the evening hours, starting at sundown and ending before midnight. The swarmers are attracted to lights. Formosans do have the capability of establishing secondary nests above ground if a constant moisture supply is available. An above ground nest is made of material called carton. It consists of soil and wood cemented together with saliva and feces. Suspended colonies of Formosan termites are more often encountered than the Native Eastern Subterranean termites.
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