Archive for the ‘Bedbugs’ Category

Life Cycle of House Fly

Wednesday, May 4th, 2011

Compared to their peers in the bug world, the ordinary housefly has a relatively long life expectancy. In the wild, they can live up to 30 days. They survive even very longer in laboratories and heated homes.

The life cycle of a housefly starts in the egg stage. A female housefly has capable of laying up to 150 eggs in a set. Over a period of a few days, she will make five or six sets of eggs. Female houseflies favor damp, very dark surfaces such as manure, compost and other decomposing organic stuff for egg laying. House fly eggs look like individual grains of rice and are classically 3 to 9 mm in length.

Within a day, house fly eggs give forth into larvae, also called as maggots. Maggots are legless, white bugs that feed from the egg-laying site for 3-5 days. During this period, maggots molt so many times. They then select a very dark place to pupate.

Fly pupae are very similar in function to butterfly cocoons: their hard, brown shells defend the inactive, developing flies. Over the course of 3-6 days, the pupae develop legs and wings, eventually emerging as full-grown houseflies. Within 2-3 days, female houseflies are able of reproduction.

Norwegian Water Rat

Monday, March 28th, 2011

Despite its name, the Norwegian water rat, also called as the brown rat or sewer rat is more generally called the Norway rat. This Norway rat is not native to Norway. Rather, these rodents originated in Asia and were introduced via trade routes to Europe and lastly to the Americas in the 1700s. Although firstly native to forest and brushy habitats, Norway rats now live in very close contact with the humans. They may live in dumps, sewers, open fields, barns, woodlands or basements. Norway rats can easily enter human homes through an opening as small as ½-inch.

Norway rats are sometimes wrong for another species called the roof rat. The roof rat is too smaller and lighter than the Norway rat. The tail of the roof rat is very longer than its body. The tail of the Norway rat is too shorter than its body.

Norway Wood Rat

Thursday, March 24th, 2011

There is a rat called the wood or horde rat. However, the rat that most people are encounter is really the Norway rat. The rat was introduced to the North America in 17th century. Although of Asian origin, they spread to the Europe before entering America via the trade routes. Today, Norway rats live in human dwellings and thrive in urban areas, where a profusion of food is available.

Farmers also experience the ill belongings of Norway rat infestations. Norway rats chew very easily through wooden surfaces. They raid barns and warehouses, grain, consuming feed, and other packaged ranch produce. Goods fed upon by Norway rats are very usually contaminated by urine and droppings and are no longer of use to the farmers.

Inside human structures, Norway rats breed effectively during the year and as many as eight young may result from a single birth. Young rats are weaned within 4 weeks and become mature adults within 6 months. Norway rat infestations can become very large and difficult to exterminate due to their productive breeding habits.

Traditional traps may be unproductive if used alone in addressing Norway rat infestations. Rat-proofing methods are may be undertaken to stop infestations. However, in several situations, existing infestations can consist of hundreds of specimens and may need the services of a pest control professional.

Identifying Norway Rats

Tuesday, March 15th, 2011

The Norway rat is very easily identifiable by its coarse, brown fur and big size. Adults can consider about 12 to 16 ounces. From nose to tail, they are gauge up to 16 inches in length. The brown fur of the Norway rat are lightens toward the underside. Despite its too large size, its eyes and ears are too small. The tail and ears are not covered in fur but it has a scaly texture.

Norway rats may be very difficult to recognize within a home, as they are nocturnal in nature. However, their droppings are frequently visible in homes they inhabit. These droppings gauge about ¾” or 18 – 20 mm in length and are capsule-shaped, with blunt ends.

Nests are also present in or very near polluted homes. Norway rats tend to line their nests with shredded paper, cloth and other gristly material. Outside the burrows are comprised of complex, underground networks with in multiple exit holes. This burrowing manner allows Norway rats access to outside food sources such as trash cans or bird feeders.

Bite marks or holes in sacks of pet food may specify a Norway rat infestation. Gnaw marks on doors or timber walls and the other hard, indoor surfaces are also signs of these rodents. Norway rats may leave footprints in dust or oily markings on floors and walls.

Norway Rat Information

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011

Norway rats are widespread throughout North America. Arriving on ships from Great Britain circa 1775, these rodents rapidly spread all over the American Midwest.

Today, Norway rats thrive in a diversity of human habitats. While it is believed that Norway rats originally lived only within moderate forest regions, they are very adaptive and now flourish comfortably in densely populated cities. Outside, they can be easily found burrowing in the soil beneath buildings, in embankments, and close to tree roots. Inside, rats live in crawlspaces, basements, sewers and attics.

The Norway rat is a very large rodent that may weigh in surplus of 500 grams. Norway rat can reach lengths of 400 mm and their tails alone may measure 187 mm in length. The body of the Norway rat is covered in fur that is gray or brown in color. Their tail and ears are been covered in scales.

Norway rats are omnivorous and nourish on a variety of food sources. If given the option, they will consume meats, fruits, nuts and grain. Dead animals also dish as a food source for these rats and they are able of catching small fish and rodents. They need water to drink and they make their colony as very close to a water source as possible. Norway rats live in communities with a leading member.

Moth Life Cycle

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011

Although the life cycle of the moth is comparatively short, moths are capable of doing major damage to fabrics stored in attics, basements and closets. Some species are able of producing more than 300 eggs in one lifetime and it development periods are speedy.

The length of life cycle of the moth depends very much on humidity levels. Warm, dark rooms with 75 per cent relative dampness are most ideal for the moth development. The presence of the moth’s chosen fabric is also paramount. The moth life cycle for webbing clothes moths classically spans 65 to 90 days. Some moth species may live only 30 days, while for others, the immature stages alone take three months to complete the mature stage.

Moth Facts

Thursday, February 10th, 2011

Although they are very famous for their capability to ruin wool clothing, webbing clothes moths are also attracted to a variety of other natural materials, that including hair, silk, felt, fur and feathers. These moths tend to length between one and two inches in length and are buff-colored.

Moths avoid light and are most usually found in very dark locations such as basements, attics and closets. Within these locations, they can be found in the folds of fabrics or hiding in the corners. Moths are more capable of infesting a home long before their populations are noticed. As a result, considerable damage can happen to clothing or furnishings.

Adult do not nourish. Rather, moth larvae are dependable for destroying clothing. They also prefer animal-based fabrics. They may consume sweaters, blankets, coats, carpets, decorative items, comforters, pillows and toys. They favor not to feed on synthetic fibers, but it will consume blended and the stained fabrics.

Moth Identification

Thursday, February 3rd, 2011

Moths and butterflies are be confused for one another. However, through very close inspection, it can be easier to make the difference.

At rest, moths are holding their wings flat, while the butterflies fold theirs above their bodies. The moth’s antennae are fluffy and segmented and the butterfly’s are slim and slender. Butterflies are often brightly colored, at the same time moths tend to exhibit earth tones such as black, brown, gray, or white. Moths are also stout and they appear furry; butterflies are slender, with smooth abdomens.

It can be very difficult to identify one moth species from another, as most moths are very small in size and drab in color. Over 60 moth families exist, each with so many genera and species within it. It is often useful to know which moths are normally found within your area in order to narrow the field. Printed, illustrated guides may also to prove useful in identification of the moth species.

Silverfish and Clothing

Friday, January 28th, 2011

Silverfish are feed primarily on things that contain the starches. They are mostly attracted to glue, paper, book bindings, sugar and textiles. Silverfish can destroy silks, cotton and other fabrics and they may feast upon leather in the event of a food shortage.

Silverfish inhabit dark place, damp areas such as closets, attics and basements and will feed upon the paper and linen stores in these locations. If you think a silverfish infestation, examine any the boxes or bags containing papers or old clothing. The level of obliteration they cause can often determine the harshness of a silverfish infestation,, so the condition of your clothing can be an pointer.

A pest control expert should be contacted upon initial sign of silverfish damage, regardless of harshness. These insects reproduce quickly and their extermination needs professional treatment.

Silverfish Eggs

Thursday, January 20th, 2011

Female silverfish are able to produce up to 100 eggs in their lifetime. The eggs are laid in some groups of two or three and may be stored in a variety of areas during an infested home. Silverfish eggs are usually placed inside tiny cracks or crevices, making them more difficult to locate.

Silverfish eggs are elliptically shaped and it measure around one millimeter in length. Firstly soft and white, the silverfish eggs toughen and yellow after a few hours. In perfect conditions, the incubation period for silverfish is 43 days.

Upon hatching, silverfish are white in color, although they grow to become the silver or gray in adulthood. Silverfish emerge from the egg completely formed, but smaller than mature adults. Nymphs undergo from six or seven molts before realizing their full size and silverfish continue to molt during their lives. A silverfish may have experience up to 66 molts throughout its life.

Although silverfish eggs are very rarely visible to humans, it is imperative that they be included in any other extermination plan. If you seen adult silverfish in your home, contact your local pest control professional.