Houston Common Pests

The warm, moist climate of the Houston area makes it a condusive environment for many unwanted pests. Below are some of the common pests found in our area and treated by our Houston Pest Control team.

The American Cockroach is a native to the southern U.S. and is extremely common in Houston and surrounding areas. These cockroaches are reddish-brown and grow to an average length of approximately 1.6 inches and a height of about ¼ inch. They prefer warm, moist areas and do not tolerate cold temperatures. American roaches are not generally common within houses. However, during certain times of the year, these cockroaches may move inside a house from outside seeking warmer temperatures and food.

The German cockroach is one of the most common household cockroaches in the world and can infest a home very quickly.  This cockroach can be spotted during the day occasionally, however, sightings are most commonly reported in the evening hours as they are most active at night. This cockroach is small and can range from tan to almost black in color. Because of its small size, it can easily hide and fit into very small cracks and crevices to evade humans. The German cockroach is omnivorous and a scavenger and can possibly transmit diseases. They particularly like starch, sugary foods, grease and meats. In certain situations where there is a shortage of food, they may eat household items like soap, glue and toothpaste or they may even turn cannibalistic, often chewing on the wings and legs of each other.

Fire Ants are red in color and build tall mounds of dirt in lawns, flowerbeds, and under mulch.  They are very aggressive and will repeatedly sting any intruder.  Their venomous sting may cause small blisters or even more serious reactions resulting in the necessity of urgent medical care.

Household Ants are very small and can infest kitchen areas, quickly spreading throughout other areas of the house.  They love sweets and will get into any type of food that is available.

Mice / Rats- These rodents vary from light brown to black, with short hair and a light belly. Mice are good at climbing, swimming and jumping (they can jump up to 18 inches). Mice and rats are found to be most active during dusk or night. Mice primarily feed on plant matter, but will also accept meat and dairy products. They drink water but require little of it, relying mainly on the moisture present in their food. Not picky creatures, they will eat their droppings to acquire nutrients produced by bacteria in their guts. Mice and rats can transmit various diseases, and can damage food and food packaging. Generally, rats are more harmful to humans than mice.  They can enter your home through any opening the size of a quarter or larger.

Silverfish are small, wingless insects, typically measuring from a half to one inch. The silverfish's diet consists of carbohydrates from sugars or starches. The favorite food of silverfish is anything that contains starch, such as adhesives like glue, book bindings, paper, photos, sugar, hair, and dandruff. Silverfish can also cause damage to books, tapestries, and textiles. They will often graze in and around showers, baths, and sinks on the cellulose present in many shampoos, shaving foams and so on. In extreme cases, silverfish may live for a year without eating. Silverfish can be found in numerous places in the home including, but not limited to, garages, closets, under beds, couches, and electrical appliances such as keyboards as they generally prefer dark areas.

Earwigs - There is no evidence that Earwigs transmit disease or harm humans and animals, despite their nickname pincher bug. Most earwigs are dark brown with elongated and flattened bodies.. Lengths are mostly in the quarter to half-inch range. Their mouthparts are designed for chewing and are used to feed on other insects, plants, ripe fruit, and garbage. They are often a nuisance because of their diet, but normally do not present serious hazards to crops. Earwigs are generally nocturnal and can be seen patrolling walls and ceilings of homes. Interaction with earwigs at this time results in a defensive free fall to the ground below, followed by a scramble to a nearby cleft or crevice. Earwigs are also drawn to damp conditions such as sinks and bathrooms. They tend to gather in shady cracks or openings or anywhere that they can remain concealed in daylight hours. Picnic tables, waste bins, patios, lawn furniture, window frames, or anything with tiny spaces can potentially harbor these unwanted pests. Upon gaining entry to the basement and living areas of the home, earwigs can easily find cover in undisturbed magazine and newspaper piles, furniture/wickerwork, base boards, carpeted stairways, pet food dishes.

Spiders - The black widow spider is known for the distinctive black and red coloring of the female of the species and for the fact that on occasion, she will eat her mate after reproduction. A mature female is around 1.5 inches in length and 0.25 inches in diameter. She is shiny and black in color, with a red marking in the shape of an hourglass on the underside of her rounded abdomen. The male is much smaller and either black, or closer to the appearance of the juveniles in color. Although these spiders are not especially large, their venom is very potent (claims report it to be much more potent than the venom of cobras and coral snakes). When a small amount of this venom is diffused throughout the body of a healthy, mature human, it usually does not amount to a fatal dose.
The Brown Recluse Spider is ¼ inches in length and ¾ inches in height, but may grow larger. It is brown and sometimes an almost deep yellow color. This spider is not aggressive and usually bites only when pressed up against the skin, such as when tangled up within clothes, bath towels, or in bedding. Brown recluse bites may produce a range of damage. Most bites are minor with no necrosis. However, a small number of bites produce severe dermonecrotic lesions, and, sometimes, severe systemic symptoms. These symptoms can include organ damage, and occasionally even death; most fatalities are in children under 7 or those with a weaker than normal immune system. A minority of brown recluse spider bites form a necrotizing ulcer that destroys soft tissue and may take months to heal, leaving deep scars.

Wasps are predatory, flying, and stinging insects. They will sting if they feel threatened. Their paper-like nests are mostly found on the underside of the eaves of your home.

Fleas / Ticks - Fleas and ticks are external parasites that live off of the blood of mammals. Fleas and ticks are a source of annoyance to both people and animals.. Some suffer allergic reactions to flea saliva resulting in rashes.

Termites-Due to their wood-eating habits, termites can cause great damage to unprotected residential and commercial structures and buildings.

For more information on Pest Control in the Houston area, please don't hesitate to contact us.