Pest Information

ANTS

There are approximately 700 different species of ants in the United States.Ants are social insects living in large colonies. Within the colony there are three types of ants (castes). Queens are generally the largest ants in the colony. They are responsible for establishing new colonies and producing eggs. The number of queens per colony varies from one to thirty depending on the species More...

BED BUGS

Bed bugs have tormented people throughout human history. Writings from the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans thousands of years ago indicate they suffered with Bed bugs. More...

EARWIGS

Earwigs are 5/8th inch long and a dark red/brown color. They have two cerci at the end of their abdomen. These cerci are used for gathering food, holding food while eating, defense, and mating. More...

BATS

There are over 24 species of bats that live in California. The most common is the Mexican Free Tail Bat. Bats play a vital role in the checks and balances of nature. In California they are a protected species, meaning they cannot be killed. There are very strict rules regarding the relocation of bats and should only be done by a professional. More...

SPIDERS

Spiders belong to a group of animals called “arachnids”. Arachnids are creatures with two body segments, eight legs, no wings or antennae, and are not able to chew. There are more than 30,000 different species of spiders. Most spiders have poor eyesight. More...

RODENTS

Rodents are some of the most troublesome and economically important pests in California. Rodents thrive under a wide variety of climates and conditions. They are often found in and around homes and other structures. Rats and mice contaminate food intended for humans and animals.. More...

CRICKETS

Crickets are dark brown to black in color. They range between ½ and 1 inch in length. Crickets live outdoors and feed on grasses, leaves, and weeds.More...

CENTIPEDES

Centipedes and Millipedes are similar in many ways. They both have worm like bodies with many legs. Both require damp, moist environments to survive. Centipedes and Millipedes are nocturnal, hiding under boards, houses, rocks, and debris outside during the day. At night they emerge to forage for food. More...

TERMITES

There are two main types of termites in Central California Subterranean Termites and Drywood Termites. Termites eat cellulose which is found in wood. They have protozoa in their gut which has the necessary enzymes to allow the termites to digest the wood. No wood is completely resistant to termite attack. The heartwood of the California redwood and a few other species are initially resistant. The sapwood is never resistant. More...

FLEAS

Fleas are among the most important group of insects in the world because of their irritating bites and their ability to transmit disease (plague). There are many different species of fleas in the United States. More...

SCORPIONS

Scorpions have a flat, lobster like appearance. They have a tail like extension from their abdomen with a prominent stinger at the tip. More...

PILL BUGS

Sowbugs and Pillbugs are not insects. They are crustaceans like crabs, shrimp and lobsters. Most crustaceans live in water but Sowbugs and Pillbugs live on land in very moist environments.More...

ROACHES

Cockroaches date back almost 350 million years to the Carboniferous period. Cockroaches prefer to live in habitats consisting of a significant accumulation of decaying organic matter, clutter, and moisture. They are associated with numerous disease causing organisms. More...

WASPS

Yellow Jackets are perhaps the wasp most people are familiar with. Yellow Jackets are yellow and black in color with yellow and black lines on their abdomen.More...

PIGEONS

The feral pigeons that we see on our houses and throughout the city today are descendents of the Rock Dove. The Rock Dove is a cliff dwelling bird historically found in coastal regions.More...