ENTOMOLOGYIN THE HOME

Blake NewtonUK Extension Entomology

ENTOMOLOGYIN THE HOME

Economic and health threatsVs.

Fears and aesthetic concerns

When it comes to insects and spiders, Kentucky is one of the safest places on earth!

DAMAGEWOOD:TERMITES and CARPENTER ANTS

TERMITES-Look for “swarmers” in spring, early summer-contact pest control agency

CARPENTER ANTS-very large ants-prefer moist, damaged wood-damage is slow and moderate-contact pest control company

DAMAGEPANTRY SUPPLIES:Flour, dog food, other dry goods

DAMAGEPantry pests:Clothes moths, grain moths, flour beetles, rice weevils, etc

DAMAGEControl of ALL pantry pests:-remove spilled dry goods (even a little bit!)-seal open bags-freeze or toss infested material-check REAL WOOL items

Look for unusual dry goods: old potato chips, candy bars, taxidermy, dead squirrels!

HEALTHRoaches: many different kinds. Occasional invaders (wood roaches) are of no concern.-contact pest control professional for large infestations of German roaches

German roaches: allergies, disease transmission

HEALTHBed Bugs: increasingly common, especially in apartments and other multi-units.

HEALTHBed Bugs: -don’t transmit diseases-itchy skin reactions-hard to control-can ruin beds and other furniture

HEALTHBed Bug Defense:-check beds when traveling-clean and dry clothing after traveling-avoid used furniture

HEALTHBed Bug Management:-contact a pest control professional-requires work from you!-heat treatments are $$ but can work very well-in multi-units: make sure the whole structure is inspected and treated

HEALTHSpiders:Not as dangerous as their reputation

HEALTHNon-Dangerous Spiders: very common in homes

American House Spider

Cellar Spider

Jumping Spider

Wolf Spider Grass Spider

Garden Spider

Orb Weaver

HEALTHBlack Widows-common in garages, sheds, piles of rocks and wood-do not wander from webs-won’t bite unless touched-causes pain, increased heart-rate-rarely fatal, but hospital attention is a must

HEALTHBrown Recluses-more common in West KY-found in basements, attics, abandoned buildings-skin infections are often misdiagnosed as brown recluse bites-very timid spiders

HEALTHBrown Recluses Distribution vs Bites

HEALTHSpider Control:-can be difficult-contact pest control professional-seal entry points, use dust broom-learn to put up with a few spiders!

PET HEALTH

Outdoor Dogs & Cats:-ticks, fleas, mosquitoes-disease transmission-veterinarian has many long-lasting options

SPACE INVADERS

Harmless Insects and Their Relatives-come inside for food, water, space, or on accident-common in warm moths-usually, pest control is not necessary

SPACE INVADERS

SPACE INVADERS

SPACE INVADERS

SPACE INVADERS

SPACE INVADERS

SPACE INVADERS

SPACE INVADERS

SPACE INVADERS:OUTER SPACE

Health:-bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets-mosquitoes-chiggers-ticks

SPACE INVADERS:OUTER SPACE

Harmless:-just about everything else

Red Clover Mite Hover Fly

MYTHS-daddy long legs-walking sticks

Red Clover Mite Hover Fly

RESOURCESCounty Extension Office: Insect I.D.http://www.ca.uky.edu/county/

Kentucky ENTfacts:http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/dept/entfacts.asp

KEHA Document:http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/HENV/HENV401/HENV401.pdf

Red Clover Mite Hover Fly