Adult fleas are not only a nuisance to humans and their pets, but can cause medical problems including flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), tapeworms, secondary skin irritations and, in extreme cases, anemia. Although bites are rarely felt, it is the resulting irritation caused by the flea salivary secretions that varies among individuals. Some may witness a severe reaction (general rash or inflammation) resulting in secondary infections caused by scratching the irritated skin area. Others may show no reaction or irritation acquired after repeated bites over several weeks or months. Most bites usually found on the ankles and legs may cause pain lasting a few minutes, hours or days depending on one's sensitivity. The typical reaction to the bite is the formation of a small, hard, red, slightly-raised (swollen) itching spot. There is a single puncture point in the center of each spot. (Ants and spiders leave two marks when they bite. Mosquitoes, bees, wasps and bedbugs cause a large swelling or welt). Also, fleas may transmit bubonic plague from rodent to rodent and from rodent to humans. Oriental rat fleas can transmit murine typhus (endemic typhus) fever among rats and from rats to humans. Tapeworms normally infest dogs and cats but may appear in children if parts of infested fleas are accidentally consumed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The common house fly is a dull gray fly, ¼-inch long with four dark stripes on the middle section (thorax) of its body. House flies typically lay eggs on animal feces and garbage. White, legless maggots (the larval stage) hatch from the eggs and grow to about ½ inch. When fully grown, maggots crawl away from their food source to undergo the pupal stage. They form a dark brown cocoon, known as a puparium, and later emerge as adult house flies that can fly one or two miles in search of suitable egg-laying sites.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Squirrels have been known to make nests in attics, garages, chimneys, barbecue pits, crawl spaces and other unusual places, even in cars. Any place that is dry, safe, and protected that they can squeeze their head through a squirrel can get into and make a nest. This is bad for several reasons; they mess up the insulation in the walls and ceiling, gnawing on electrical wiring can cause fires, they gnaw holes in the walls and allow precipitation to enter the house, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indian meal moths develop in many kinds of stored foods. Coarsely ground grains and cereal products are commonly infested. Dried herbs, dried fruits, and nuts are also highly favored. Pet foods such as dried dog food, flaked fish food, and bird seed can also become infested. Indian meal moth may also breed in ornamental items made of dried flowers or seeds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also sometimes referred to as shield bugs and are members of the hemiptera order. Stink bugs got their nickname because these bugs have small glands located on their thorax that are capable of emitting a foul smelling liquid. This ability is believed to be a defensive mechanism they employ against predators and when a stink bug is mishandled, it will in fact defensively release an odor. Stink bugs are generally active from spring to late fall in most regions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The media has increased awareness of and exaggerated the threat of bed bugs.  Bed bugs can be a nuisance once you discover you have them.  Bed Bugs live in furniture, clothing, or bedding,they spread by crawling and may contaminate multipe rooms in a home or even multiple rooms in an apartment dwelling.  Bed bugs have not been conclusively proven to carry infectious microbes.  Studies are continuing, to determine if bed bugs are major disease carriers.  The bite itself is painless and is not noticed. Small, flat, or raised bumps on the skin are the most common sign; redness, swelling, and itching commonly occur. If scratched, the bite areas can become infected. A peculiarity of bed bug bites is the tendency to find several bites lined up in a row.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silverfish are often unseen by the homeowner because they are active at night and can run very swiftly.  Many times they are found in bathtubs or sinks because they crawl in looking for food or water and cannot climb out.  Although Silverfish can go for a year without eating, when they do feed they will eat paper, glue, cotton, gum, linen, silk, sugar, breakfast cereals etc. 

Sanitation is the first line of defense for silverfish however this will not eliminate an infestation. Removal of old cardboard boxes, brown paperbags, seldom used books and clothes from the attic to basement will help remove food and hiding places.  Moth balls/Crystals have proven to be effective.