Property Damaging Pests

These pests and animals are known to damage property if not treated and controlled. This list is limited to the Southeast Texas, Southwest Louisiana, Gulf Coast region.

Carpenter Ant

Size: 5/8” Shape: Segmented, Oval Color: Black or Red/Black These species of ants get their name from building colonies in wood. Each colony has a queen that feeds workers as the workers mature they are ready to leave and gather food supply back to the queen and the next generation of worker ants. One colony of Carpenter Ants can produce up to 2,000 or more workers. These ants make tunnels that weaken structures and are costly to fix. Carpenter ants build their nests anywhere they can find water, moldy or damp wood even dry wood. Their diet is not limited to wood products; they also … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Ants, Property Damaging Pests, Wood Destroying Pests

Drywood Termite

Drywood Termites generally live (feed and nest) in undecayed structural wood that has a very low moisture content. Unlike subterranean termites, they do not require any ground contact for its moisture source. A male and female pair (called alates) work their way into the wood chosen for the colonies existance. The opening through which they enter the wood is sealed with a plug of bown cementlike material about 1/8th inch in diameter. Damage done by Drywood termites is entirely different from that caused by subterranean termites. These termites are able to cut across the grain of wood, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Property Damaging Pests, Termites, Wood Destroying Pests

Formosan Termite

(Coptotermes formosanus) Formosan Termites were first brought into the U.S. on military ships during WWII. Infestations have increased and expanded across the coastal U.S. Formosan termites are subterranean termites. They live in the ground, build mud tubes, have a 3 caste system, etc. However, they are described as being the more aggressive species compared to the other termites we deal with here in Southeast Texas. A mature queen can lay as many as 1,000 eggs per day. Swarming usually follows a warm rainy day in late spring/summer and occurs in the evening hours, starting at … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Property Damaging Pests, Termites, What's Bugging Southeast Texas, Wood Destroying Pests

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

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

Pigeon

The feral pigeon is generally blue-gray with a white rump; has iridescent feathers on head and neck; two broad black bars across each wing and a broad dark band across the end of the tail. They also can display white, brown or gray plumage. Feral pigeons are responsible for untold millions of dollars of damage each year in urban areas. The uric acid in their feces is highly corrosive. Also, debris from roosting flocks can build up, backing up gutters and drains thus causing damage to roofs and other structures. Extensive damage to air conditioning units and other roof top machinery is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Birds, Property Damaging Pests

Raccoon

Size: Body length 16-28” Color: Grayish coat The raccoon is usually nocturnal and is omnivorous, with a diet consisting of about 40% invertebrates, 33% plant foods, and 27% vertebrates. Two of its most distinctive features are its extremely dexterous front paws and its facial mask. Raccoons are noted for their intelligence, with studies showing that they are able to remember the solution to tasks up to three years later. Though usually nocturnal, the raccoon is sometimes active in daylight to take advantage of available food sources. Although they have thrived in sparsely wooded areas in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Disease Carriers, Farm Pests, Nuisance Animals, Property Damaging Pests, Raccoons

Roof Rat

AKA: Black Rat This rat also takes the names of ship rat and house rat. They are an arboreal, or tree-dwelling, species. Roof rats are medium sized and around 16 inches from nose to tail. Their tail is longer than its body. These rats are black or brown with a whitish or gray belly. Roof rats tend to nest in trees and vegetation, but will also nest in attics or wall voids. Roof rats also nest in the ground, if Norway rats are not in the same area. Roof rats will feed on snails, nuts or fruit. … [Read more...]

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

Sparrow

Male House Sparrow have black throats and chest patches, light cheeks and brown nape. The female has a plain brownish chest and dull eye-stripe. House Sparrows are often a nuisance in urban areas like manufacturing and food processing plants. Gutters and drainage pipes clogged with sparrow nests can backup and cause extensive water damage and fires have been attributed to electrical shorts caused by machinery housing sparrow nests. Lastly, feces buildup can lead to structural damage from the uric acid in droppings, plus the bacteria, fungal agents and parasites in the feces also pose a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Birds, Property Damaging Pests