What's Bugging Southeast Texas

Hot topics! This is a list of the current seasonal, or problem pests common to the Southeast Texas, Southwest Louisiana, Gulf Coast region. The climate conditions in Southeast Texas are conducive to infestations of many pests throughout the year. Without extreme long lasting freezing tempertures along the Gulf Coast, pests are able to survive, thus pest pressures seldom ever completley deminish.

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

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

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

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

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 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

Rasberry Crazy Ant

Rasberry Crazy Ants are a non-native ant species that were introduced into the Houston area and is spreading to surrounding counties. This ant is one type of a group of ants referred to as crazy ants because of their erratic running behavior and the last name of Tom Rasberry (pictured left) who first discovered the ants in the Houston area in 2002. These ants live in extremely large colonies, can forage for great distances and can literally sterilize a lawn by displacing other pests from existing in areas. It is unclear why this species, like many varieties of ants, are attracted to … [Read more...]

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