Local Pests

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

Almond Moth

Larva Size: 1/2-5/8” Color: Dirty white/Pale gray Moth Wingspread: 9/16 -7/8” Color: Molted Gray The Almond Moth gets its common name from being a serious pest on almonds. It’s larva usually lives inside a dense silken gallery amongst the food material and this tube gets filled with frass. With heavy infestations, the larvae usually leave the food material to pupate on the walls of the storage areas. The adults cause no damage and their emergence reaches its peak around dusk. Worldwide dried fruits are the preferred food, especially figs and dates. However it does infest a wide range … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Moths, Stored Product Pests

American Cockroach

The American Cockroach is typically 1 3/8 - 2 1/8" long with a reddish brown coloring. The American Cockroach is commonly found in residences but are also found in restaurants, bakeries, grocery stores, food processing plants, hospitals and many other businesses and industries. They can also be found outside in yards and sewer systems (during the warm summer months). They can enter structures through drains as well. They love fermenting food. Prevention: Good sanitation, inspection of building conditions for entry points, and monthly routine treatment will help in reduction of infestation. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Roaches

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

Angoumois Grain Moth

Larva Size: 1/4" Color: White Moth Wingspread: 1/2 -5/8” Color: Pale yellowish brown The Angoumois Grain Moth gets its common name because it was first reported destroying grain in this French province. It requires a whole kernel or caked material for development. In the U.S. it is considered second only to granary and rice weevils as a pest of stored grain. This pest is active at low temperatures and can cause considerable damage in the winter. Infested grain has a sickening smell and taste which makes it unpalatable. The moths leave a lot of debris on top of infested grain. Adults are … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Moths, Stored Product Pests

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

Bed Bug

Bed Bugs in Southeast Texas So you don't think that bedbugs are here? Well, Bill Clark Pest Control receives numerous calls daily regarding local infestations of this resurgent pest. Bed bugs have become a major threat for residential and commercial property owners. These pests went dormant over the past 60 plus years due to the widespread use of DDT, but resurgence has escalated since the late 1990’s. Entomologists speculate that the resurgence of bed bugs may be due to increased international travel, the ban on DDT, and a higher resistance to pesticides that are currently being used. Bed … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bed Bugs, Stinging & Biting pests, What's Bugging Southeast Texas

Black Widow Spider

The Black Widow Spider gets its name from a belief that the female eats the male after mating - a phenomenon which rarely happens. Coloring is typically black with 2 reddish triangular markings usually joined to form a reddish hourglass shaped marking. These spiders spin an irregular web and suspend themselves from it in an inverted or upside-down position. The web is used to catch its prey. Poisonous bites do occur with only the females being of concern. The venom is a neurotoxin. The female is generally shy but will attack aggressively after she lays her eggs in defense of guarding … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Poisonous, Spiders

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

Brown Recluse Spider

Size: 1/3” to 1/2” Shape: Round Color: Light to Dark Brown (with a Violin shaped marking on back) This nocturnal (nightly) pest is identified by the Violin shaped mark on its back with eight legs for an overall size of one inch. Brown Recluse Spiders eat other bugs, like cockroaches and crickets. They tend to hide in corners, boxes, papers and in seldom used clothing and shoes in undisturbed areas. A Brown Recluse Spider has a dangerous bite, the bite itself is like a bee sting but the outcome of the bite is painful. Within 8 to 12 hours the pain will intensify and within days an … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Poisonous, Spiders, Stinging & Biting pests

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