What Is This Bug Invading My Home?

Kudzu Bug
Kudzu Bug, photo courtesy of Wikipedia

It is fall, and with fall comes cooler temperatures and the season onslaught of bugs that are making their way into your home.

So what bugs are invading your home? We’ve compiled a short list to be on the look out for.

Asian Ladybugs

Sometimes considered to be Ladybugs, the Asian Ladybug can be a different coloring than the traditional red and black we are familiar with. The Asian Ladybug is looking for that place to hibernate for the winter. They are likely finding their way into your house around cracks or openings at windows and doors. The Asian Ladybugs are also more prevalent on the sunnier sides of your home.

There is not much to worry about when it comes to your health or home. The bugs are not going to pose a threat to anyone or any property. They are a nuisance bug and when they get caught in your home in the masses they will likely be flying around and landing on you from time to time. A simple vacuum will be able to clean up the living and the dead bugs and you can then dispose of them outside. If you do not get a perimeter pest treatment (and sometimes even if you do) they will likely show back up for a few more weeks until winter starts to really set in.

Stink Bugs

We’ve talked a lot about the Stinkbug lately. Much newer to the North American landscape the Stink Bug does not have a natural predator in this part of the world so they are basically growing without any population control. So when stink bugs are bad, they are really bad. They are rather large in size (for a bug) and have a tough eco-skeleton that makes them tough to squash (you have to really commit to it). They also secrete a smelly enzyme that warns other stink bugs from coming in that direction.

Stink bugs feed on vegetation, so they are terrible for farmer’s crops. However, homeowners have little to worry about beyond coming across the bugs on a regular basis in your home. They find their way into the home through cracks and openings. They, much like the ladybug, are looking for a place to call home for the winter. You can create some stink bug traps or just vacuum them up periodically and dispose of outside.

Spiders

Spiders will only be making their way into your home because their food sources are trying to get into your home as well. If you have a pretty active spider scene outside during the spring and summer months you will like see an up-tick in spider activity in the home.

Most spiders are not a threat to you home and family. The acception to this rule is the black widow and the brown recluse spider. Both spiders like to be in places that are not disturbed very much, so be cautious with basement rooms or bedrooms that are rarely used. Those would need a quick inspection to make sure they are free and clear of those spiders before you welcome guests or let kids play freely. Orb spiders or wolf spiders that make their way into your home are just looking for their next meal, not you. They can easily be scooped up or squashed and discarded outside.

Kudzu Bug

The Kudzu Bug is a close relative to the Stink Bug but has more the shape of the ladybug. The Kudzu Bug is also new to North America, it is generally believed that it came to the continent via air travel/transportation. Since it has no known predators on this continent its population has grown exponentially. This time of the year they are making their way from the plants that they call home & a food source and looking for a place to hibernate. So if they favor your home you likely have a large amount of these greenish-ladybug looking things crawling all over.

The Kudzu Bug does not pose a threat to humans, and can be disposed of in same fashion as the ladybug and stink bug. If you tried to squash them their secretions could stain floors, carpets, and other furniture. Chemical treatments that you can find at the grocery or hardware store will not work for kudzu bugs. If you have such an infestation that you are totally overwhelmed and cannot vacuum fast enough then contact a pest control professional. Commercial grade pest chemicals can help and they would have the tools to help put a perimeter around your home and many of the access points to your home.

 

Fall Pests to Expect in the Home

A forest trail in the fall, leaves on the trees are a vibrant yellow and orange - Pest control in SeviervilleAs the days get shorter and falling temperatures force people to become more of a homebody, many fall pests will have the same idea of making your house a home.  Pest, such as rodents, squirrels, cockroaches, and spiders may try to find their way inside your home to escape the coming chill, bringing with them a number of health risks.

One of the best ways to get homes ready for the fall and winter months is to conduct a simple check of your house and perform any necessary maintenance to keep fall pests out.

Proactive and vigilant fall pest-proofing is crucial in preventing pests from coming indoors.

Besides being a nuisance and irksome, these pests can also pose serious risks — rodents spread diseases such as Salmonella, contaminate food and can damage drywall and electrical wires throughout a home. Cockroaches trigger allergies and asthma, especially in children, and some species of spiders may bite if their hiding spot is discovered.

The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) recommends these pest-proofing tips for the fall season:

  • Screen attic vents and openings to chimneys.
  • Eliminate moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains.
  • Seal cracks and crevices on the outside of the home using caulk and steel wool. Pay close attention where utility pipes enter the structure.
  • Store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly in sealed receptacles.
  • Replace loose mortar and weather-stripping around the basement foundation and windows.
  • Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house; keep shrubbery well-trimmed.
  • Install door sweeps and repair damaged screens.
  • Inspect items such as boxes of decorations and grocery bags before bringing them indoors.

Stink Bugs Preparing For Fall Home Invasions

Along with turning leaves, cooler temperatures and the beginning of the school year, stink bug sightings around the house are another sure sign that fall has arrived. These pests begin to enter homes at the onset of cooler weather looking for overwintering spots. it is not that difficult to take necessary steps now to deny stinkbugs entry before they completely invade your home.

Years ago, stink bugs were only found in a few states but, since, have quickly spread to more than 40 states, including Tennessee. Although these pests present a significant agricultural problem and concern for farmers, they are also a major nuisance for homeowners.

Stink bugs release a chemical alerting their brethren to an area they’ve settled in, it’s important to prevent their entry in the first place.

The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) notes that stink bugs typically gather near windows, lights, TVs or computer monitors that throw off light and warmth and secrete a bad-smelling, bad-tasting fluid when disturbed or when crushed.

The NPMA offers the following advice to keep stink bugs out and remove them if they are already inside:

  • Seal cracks around windows, doors, electrical outlets, ceiling fans and light switches. Pay close attention to areas including around siding and utility pipes, underneath the wood fascia or other openings.
  • Keep branches and shrubbery well trimmed; store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and five inches off the ground.
  • Replace outdoor lighting with yellow bulbs, which are less attractive to stink bugs.
  • Use a vacuum to eliminate stink bugs indoors, empty the contents into a plastic bag and dispose of them immediately.

Spiders, Rats, Bats: Spooky Pests Can be a Nightmare for Homeowners

Wolf spider crawling on a pile of orange fall leaves - keep spiders away from your home with Johnson Pest Control in TNWith Halloween right around the corner, sightings of classic creepy bugs and creatures will surely be on the rise as homeowners decorate for the spookiest day of the year. We like to remind our homeowners that real pests pose threats to both health and property and an infestation can be a real nightmare.

Pests such spiders, bats, rats and mice are frequently associated with Halloween fun and campy horror movies, but if found inside the home, they are a cause for concern. These pests are more likely to invade houses as the weather cools down, so it’s important for homeowners to be on the lookout for any signs of pest problems.

According to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), the following pests could threaten the health and safety of your home this fall:

SPIDERS

For many people, spiders of any size and shape cause great alarm when found in the home, and their webs can be a serious nuisance. However, there are only two species of spiders in Tennessee that pose significant threats to human health: the brown recluse and black widow. Both species will bite when threatened and can cause painful, and possibly fatal reactions. Anyone who suspects they’ve been bitten by either of these should promptly seek medical attention. 

BATS

Bats prefer to settle in dark, secluded and protected areas, including the attics of homes. They have been known as carriers of rabies in the U.S. and capable of infecting humans and other animals. Their droppings can also cause certain lung diseases. Bats are protected mammals in many states, so it is necessary to contact a pest control professional or the local wildlife service before taking any action to remove bats from the home.

RATS

Rats can inflict property damage and threaten human health. Their strong teeth allow them to chew through glass, cinderblock, aluminum and wire, increasing the potential risk for fires. They are also vectors of diseases including plague, jaundice, rat-bite fever, cowpox virus, trichinosis and salmonellosis. Additionally, rats can introduce fleas into a home. These pests can fit through holes the size of a quarter, so closely inspect both the inside and outside of the home for any gaps that could allow them easy entry.

How To Get Rid of Wolf Spiders

A wolf spider carrying infant spiders on thorax - keep spiders away from your home with Johnson Pest Control in TNWolf spiders are one of the largest spiders that you will come across in the state of Tennessee. But don’t act so fast to kill one, you might be harming your own home by doing so.

Wolf Spiders Hunt Insects

The wolf spider is sometimes referred to a huntsman, they don’t spin webs like the pretty pictures you see in photos or drawings. They do little burrows in the ground & nooks and crannies around the yard and home, if they do a web at all. The wolf spider is rather large and thick, which makes the sight of one pretty frightening if you are not aware of what type of spider they are.

The wolf spider will actually go hunting for insects as its prey. They are not interested in you or your home, they are just following the food. Like many of the spiders in Tennessee wolf spiders are quite good at being a decent option for natural pest control. The brown recluse and the black widow are the only two venomous spiders in Tennessee that pose a threat to humans. We don’t want those around, and we talk about them other places on the blog.

Still, you don’t want to see any spiders in your home, let alone a some wolf spiders. So what is a person to do?

  • Keep the house clean, if insects are not finding reasons to come into your house (usually food is a good reason) then the wolf spider will not follow. Keeping that food source out of the house will go a long way.
  • Clean up spider webs, don’t let those things fester around.
  • Be cautious about spiders carrying babies. A lot of times spiders will carry their babies on their back, so if you were to swat at a spider, you may get the big freaky spider, but you likely will unleash all the little freaky spiders into the house. If you see a spider setting up shop that has babies wait for a clear shot and have a vacuum that you can empty outside a the ready.
  • Get a perimeter treatment around your house.

Need Help Getting Rid of Spiders?

3 Signs You Need Stink Bug Control

So, it’s late summer in beautiful Knoxville, TN and you are just trying to enjoy the bounty from you vegetable garden before fall hits. You walk up only to discover that your garden is being ransacked by little shield shaped insects: stink bugs. You panic. What can you do to save your beautiful garden? Not only are stink bugs a pest to vegetable garden, but they can also be house pests (or as we like to call them: unwelcome houseguests!). Johnson Pest Control can get rid of these stink bugs in Knoxville, Tennessee. Before we do, let us tell you the three signs that you need stink bug control.
Stink bug crawling on a blade of grass - keep pests away from your home with Johnson Pest Control in TN

  1. Stink Bugs Cause Damage to Plants & Vegetables

Like we mentioned earlier, stink bugs are a fan of vegetable gardens. They can be real pests! When the stink bug feeds, it pierces the skin of the fruit or vegetable in order to feed. Once it detaches, the skin will heal over but there will usually be a scar that can be seen. Some say the scar on the fruit or vegetable looks like a cat face. So keep an eye out for scarred tomatoes that have cats face scars on them! To save your vegetable garden, call Johnson Pest Control.

stink bug control in knoxville, tn pest control services

  1. Sunny Side Up – Stink Bugs in Knoxville, TN

Stink bugs like to sun themselves to keep warm. You might notice that some sunny areas outside or around your home are prone to stink bugs posting up so they can tan. Be weary of this and try to seal your home against them. Stink bugs are active on sunny days.
stink bug crawling on a leaf - keep pests away from your home with Johnson Pest Control in TN

  1. Stink Bug Invasion in Knoxville, TN

The most likely sign of a stink bug invasion will be just that: a large number of stink bugs in or around your home. They are easier to get rid of if they are outside. However, it’s about to get colder and the stink bugs are thinking about one thing: winter. Once the stink bugs make their way into your home, they can be extremely difficult to get rid of. They will winterize themselves so that they don’t feed or move.

Don’t let stink bugs invade your home. If you need stink bug control in Knoxville, TN, give Johnson Pest Control a call. We can save your home from any infestation of bugs from harmless (but still annoying) pests like stink bugs to wood-destroying insects to stinging insects. Johnson Pest control can save the day and take steps to make sure that another infestation does not happen. You don’t think of pest control companies until you have to and when you think pest control, you should think Johnson Pest Control in Knoxville, TN.

Do You Really Have Termites?

Termites cause an immense amount of damage to homes and businesses across the world. Their colonies will eat 24 hours a day, seven days a week all year long. So it is important to keep a watch for possible termites in and around your home. Luckily termites do not do immediate damage that is irreversible.

It is, however, when termites are ignored or not found and allowed to eat freely that they do their most damage.

But how do you know if you have termites? Here’s our handy checklist of items to be aware of and look for so that you know what termites look like.

Colonies: One does not come across a termite colony in the same manner as an ant colony. Termite colonies will remain underground and only emerge to the surface to find a food source or to swarm and create new colonies. If you have a colony of termites on your property you likely will see termites regularly. Colonies will expand so even if you have not seen them in recent years it is good to keep vigil. Termite colonies tend to invade areas that are not occupied by other colonies. This is why an old adage goes around that “It’s not if you will get termites, but when.”

A thick cluster of termites gathered on a wooden log - keep termites away from your home with Johnson Pest Control in TN

Swarmers: If you go for a walk around the house then you may notice some masses of flying insects that were not there the day before. Termite colonies will create swarms of termites to mate and create newer termite colonies. Termites will sprout equidistance wings and start to fly around in the hundreds (feels like the thousands). Swarmers are generally not dangerous at this point. If they do not find a mate to create a new colony with then they will die off in a short period of time. The appearance of a swarm though does indicate the presence of an established colony and will need quick attention.

 

A termite nest made from mud - keep termites away from your home with Johnson Pest Control in TNMud Tunnels: Subterranean termites, as mentioned before, will remain underground and emerge to find food sources. Termites need the ability to move without drying out and being exposed to predators so they will create mud tunnels that allow them to move from the ground towards & through a food source. Tunnels will often be found in moist & cool areas of ground. Crawl spaces, shaded areas of a home’s foundation, and wood piles are popular spots where termites surface and start feeding. Tunnels in the earliest of stages can be difficult to spot because of their size, so it is important to look carefully around the house for mud tunnels.

Termite Cement: Termite cement is the next stage of mud tunnels. Termite mud will harden in cracks and other areas they are feeding in order to seal off predators and seal in moisture. Where the tunnels are long and thin and lead to a specific point, the cement would cover a wider area of a food source.

Damaged Wood: Termites will eat just about anything with cellulose, so any wood based product is game for being eaten by termites. Every year there are some fantastic stories of termites eating someone’s fortune by actually eating away at their money. If you go looking around in those moist areas of the home and find some termite tunnels or cement, then it is probable that you will find damaged wood. Damaged wood is also one of the signs that can often be misdiagnosed. Water damaged wood will be more broken apart in chunks breaking at lines of the wood rings. Termite damaged wood will have mud evidence as well as a very erratic destruction pattern. Carpenter ants will eat into wood, as well as termites, but you will leave a dry sawdust versus the moist mud.

 

A cluster of drywood termites on a chunk of wood - keep termites away form your home with Johnson Pest Control in TN

Active Termites: Last but not least you may find termites themselves. Termites are small white/cream insects to an orange brown color. They are, generally, slightly larger than a common ant. There are different types of termites in a colony, you would likely spot a worker or soldier termite. The soldier termite often has a claw at its head and is designed to protect the colony. The workers take care of the soldiers and the queen of the colony.

How to Identify Roaches with Roach Pictures

You probably think you need an entomology degree to be able to identify all the various species of insects that can be found in and around your home. It actually would help, but we know most of you are not entertaining the thought of going to the University of Tennessee for an entomology degree. Reading descriptions of how to identify bugs can be, well, fruitless. How is one supposed to determine if their front legs are high towards their head when they are less than a quarter of an inch in length? Crazy!

We here at Johnson Pest Control like pictures. So with winter upon us and the probability that roaches are casing your house for potential food sources (as well as some warmth), we thought it a good idea to put together some roach pictures to help you identify what might be in your home.

AMERICAN COCKROACH

How to identify an American cockroach infographic - Keep cockroaches away from your home with Johnson Pest Control in TN

The American Cockroach is the largest roach that you are likely to come across, it will reach a size of around 2 inches. The Oriental and German Cockroaches decrease in size. The big thing you might notice with the American Cockroach initially is the amber color. It is getting that from it’s brown and red tones. If you are still unsure you can look towards the head of the roach and see if you can spot two dark circles. The German Cockroach has similar line markings, so be sure you are seeing circles over lines.

If you want to really notice the roach, you can look to see what the roach is feeding on. American cockroaches like moist food. That might look like pet food, or some perishable item in the pantry or on the counter.

GERMAN COCKROACH

German Cockroach Pictures
German Cockroach picture courtesy University of Florida Entomology Department

The German Cockroach is probably the one you find when you turn the lights on. They prefer to come out at night, or in the darkness. If you see them out in open light conditions you could have a real infestation problem as they possibly have overcrowded their living conditions. They can vary in color, which makes them hard to identify in that way. The best way to identify a German Cockroach is to look for the, almost, parallel lines starting from its shoulders (practically head) down to its back. They are about 1/2 inch in length, so under the size of a nickel.

The German Cockroach likes moist environments, so that is why you will often first notice them around a kitchen or bathroom sink.

Need Help Identifying Roaches?

ORIENTAL COCKROACH

How to identify an oriental cockroach info graphic - Keep cockroaches away from your home with Johnson Pest Control in TN

Unlike the American & German cockroaches, the Oriental Cockroach does not have cool spots or lines as features to clue you in to who they are. They have a tubular shape to them maintaining a similar width from head to butt. The male and females will look different. The males will have wings on their backs, though they cannot actually fly. The females are a little larger yet do not have wings at all. Often these roaches can look black, but at second glance you can see they have a darker, deeper, brown color to them.

The Oriental Cockroach can survive winters hiding out under mulch, rocks, and debris and may not care for your home. If they do come into your home you will find them around pipes and in the darker/cooler places, like a basement.

Getting Rid of Roaches?

Getting rid of roaches can be attained in a few steps. However, nothing is full-proof depending on the infestation. Go ahead and try on some of the commercial traps you can find at the grocery and home improvement store. We’d caution on using the foggers and sprays initially as they can do more harm than good, especially when used incorrectly or excessively.

Removing food sources will help to get rid of roach issues as well. The problem is that their food sources can cover such a vast array of items it is hard to get rid of everything. Cleaning up food spills, not leaving food out overnight or for extended periods of time will help. Placing pantry items in sealed containers plus taking out trash regularly will provide some proactive measures to make your home less hospitable to roaches.

5 Fall Insects To Watch Out For

Fall weather is in the air and thus begins that transition period where insects and people start to mingle together. We like to open the doors and windows of our home for the fresh air of fall. Insects start to feel the chill air and start looking for places to call home for the winter.

a cluster of boxelder bugs on a white background - keep pests away from your home with Johnson Pest Control in TN

So what insects do you need to be on the lookout for this fall? Here are our 5 insects to be on the watch for this fall.

  1. Boxelder Bugs: The boxelder bug might look like a ‘lightning bug’ (firefly in some circles) until you start to see hundreds of them having a little conference together on the sunny side of your house. They have distinctive red lines on their backs which is the quickest way to identify them. The boxelder bug will not do any harm to your home but they can start to make their way into the house when needing a warmer environment.
  2. Stink bugs:  Stink bugs are a pretty interesting looking insect. They have a body structure that looks like a mid-evil shield. Thus, stink bugs are often called shield bugs. They are not a native species of insect to east Tennessee, so they are actually considered and invasive species as there are not native predators for them. If you squash they excrete a stench, thus the stink bug-naming. Stink bugs have a waxy covering which helps protect them from insecticides. To get rid of them you need to vacuum them up and dispose of them outside. They too are looking for places to hibernate for the winter, so be prepared that one or two will come into the house when you open up an outside door.
  3. Asian Ladybugs: Ladybugs are such cute insects. They feed on aphids (good for us) and are the fascination of many children. However, in fall they invade our homes in such a manner that it is darn near frightening. Ladybugs are only trying to find a spot to hibernate for the winter. They will get into your home through any crack that they can, so windows and doors are super popular spots. To get rid of them you will want to vacuum them up and release them outside. Unless you seal up the areas that the ladybugs are coming in from the outside then you will likely have recurrences through early winter months.
  4. Mosquitoes: Mosquitoes are usually at their worst in the late spring and early summer. When fall comes around you might be less inclined to be watching for ideal mosquito breeding conditions. You need to be keeping vigilant with your mosquito prevention techniques as they will continue to feed until early winter.
  5. Spiders: With new found friends invading your home comes those who like to feed on them, spiders. Spiders will go wherever their food sources are, so if your home starts to become a space that has indoor insects then they are likely to follow. Most spiders can be dealt with using traditional insecticides, however, some can be more difficult to rid the home of.

Fall is a great time of year in Tennessee, just be aware of some of the new friends that might be looking to call your house their home.

Stink Bug Control

Stink bug crawling on a blade of grass - keep pests away from your home with Johnson Pest Control in TN

As the summer heat fades, the second part of stink bug season comes around. Although harmless to humans, these nasty critters find themselves all around our walls, attics, and just about everywhere else too. Johnson Pest Control has been around long enough to know how to handle these smelly invaders. Keep your home protected from these pests with a few simple tips and tricks.

About the Stink Bug

The brown marmorated stink bug is actually not native to the Americas, but rather Asian countries like Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. They were first sighted in the United Stated around the mid 1990’s. Since the first sighting, they have made their way to over 30 different states.

They eat nearly everything they can get their mouths on, making them serious pests. Fruits, vegetables, weeds, tree leaves and more all find a place in their diet. March, April and September are the months where they are most a problem, as it is when they emerge from their winter sleep, and once again begin preparing for it.

Once they have established themselves in your home, they are very difficult to deal with. They are resistant to nearly all insecticides. The best way to keep your home safe is by prevention, which is why September is critical. By protecting your home as they try to find a warm home for the winter, you can keep your house free from them for months to come.

How to Keep Them at Bay

To best rid this pest, you must think like a bug. Seal all cracks around windows, doors, siding, utility pipes, behind chimneys and underneath the wood fascia and other openings with high-quality silicone or silicone-latex caulk. Remove wall and window air conditioners; installing weather stripping around doors and windows may help. Repair broken screens and windows to keep the seal on your house tight.

Examine your house for any small areas or any openings to the outside. They are tenacious, but with a sharp eye, your house can be successfully protected.

Getting Rid of Them

Stink bugs are unfortunately, pretty resilient. A mixture of water and soap (about 2%) can off these bugs. The best way to remove them is by trap and kill stations. Stink bugs will walk straight into pheromone lures, making them effective ways to remove them in masse.

Knoxville, TN, is home to plenty of these putrid pests, but Johnson Pest Control is on the job. By following these tips, you can keep your house stink bug-free this fall, which will help bring a stink bug-free spring next year. If these critters get to be too much, give us a call. Our experts can help you clear your house, barn or garage of any stink bug infestations.