Here you'll find relevant information about common pests we deal with everyday.
Abell's approach at Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is all about controlling pests in the safest, most efficient manner possible. That starts with properly identifying the pest you are dealing with. Here you will find descriptions on the most common pests people call us about. If you're uncertain about a pest you've found in or around your home or business, you can find more information here. If you can't identify the pest you have, Abell has entomologists on staff that can identify pests from around the world.
Carpenter ants can cause extensive damage to your home, burrowing through wood, window frames and even structural supports.
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House Flies are not just a nuisance, but they can also transport disease-causing organisms. Excessive fly populations are not only an irritant but when there are nearby human habitations, a public health problem could occur.
Bed bugs are gray to reddish-brown in colour, are oval and flat, and are approximately 1 to 5 mm (1/16" to 3/16") in size.
Rats attack the food of man in the farm fields, orchards, and livestock facilities, during its processing, storage and transport.
All cockroaches increase the risk of cross-contamination yet they are still a very common pest.
The house mouse is dusty grey in colour and measures from 110 to 150 mm in length with large ears and small eyes.
Ticks are one of the most well-known pests related to illness - Lyme disease. Tiny, small, black and blood-sucking pests, these ticks can really take a toll on one's health.
Ants feed on practically every kind of food but those entering homes are often looking for sweets and/or protein-containing substances.
More than a dozen pathogenic bacteria have been found on pharaoh ants and they can spread these into your food.
The slim, winged body measures 10 to 19 mm (l/2" to 3/4"). All wasp species have chewing mouth parts and the females possess a stinger.
Some kinds of fleas transmit diseases such as bubonic plague, endemic typhus and tularemia to humans.
The deer mouse is the most abundant and widely distributed mouse in North America.
Centipedes are yellowish to dark brown. They range in size from 1/8" to 6 inches in length
Millipedes are brown or black but can also be orange or red. They range in size from 5/8" to 4 inches in length.
The larvae of carpet beetles may cause serious damage to materials of animal origin such as wool, fur, hair and feathers.
They are large and resemble bumblebees, but their abdomen is smooth and shiny black.
Clothes moths have world wide distribution and are found throughout Canada and the United States.
The name "blow fly" comes from an older English term for meat that had eggs laid on it, which was said to be fly blown.
Adult cluster flies can often be seen sunning themselves on stumps of trees and sides of houses in autumn before they hibernate.
Wild fruit flies have brick red eyes, are yellow-brown in colour, and have transverse black rings across their abdomen.
If present in large numbers, the earwig may damage flowers, fruits, and vegetables.
They like moist locations and are found under objects on damp ground, as well as under vegetable debris of all kinds.
They may be brought into homes in cardboard cartons, books or papers, that have come from infested areas.
Spiders are found commonly throughout North America. About twelve different species are commonly found in homes. Spiders have two body regions, connected by a restricted waist.
Raccoons may weigh between 4.5 and 13.5 kg (10 and 30 lb.), or more, and can grow between 61 and 91 cm (24 and 36 in.)
They are represented by four species in North America. and are primarily known for emitting a foul smelling odor during times of distress.
Stored product pests are found living in dried products such as dried fruits, spices, flour, bran, peas, dried vegetables, dried flowers, grain, cereal products, dog food, nuts, candy, macaroni and other similar products.
The general public's affection towards birds translates into a serious underestimation of the health risks associated with pest birds.
Most people are familiar with seeing pigeons around farm yards, parks, city buildings, bridges and other structures.
The bottle fly appears larger than the common house fly and typically prefers shade, which compels the pest to enter homes occasionally.
Phorid flies can often be identified by their escape habit of running rapidly across a surface rather than taking to the air.
Mosquitoes are common insects throughout most of the world. Their requirement for a blood meal for egg development makes them potential vectors of disease.
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