For General Pest Control, we specialize in Ants, Roaches, Crickets, Earwigs, Scorpions, Black Widows, Silverfish, Bees and other common house pests. For more details contact us directly via email or phone.

Common Home Bugs and Their Descriptions

German cockroach

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The German cockroach is a small species of cockroach, measuring about 1.3 cm (0.51 in) to 1.6 cm (0.63 in) long. It can be tan through brown to almost black, and has two dark parallel streaks running from the head to the base of the wings. Although it has wings, it is unable to sustain flight. The German cockroach is one of the most common and prominent household cockroaches in the world, and can be found throughout many human settlements. These insects are particularly fond of inhabiting restaurants, food processing facilities, hotels, and nursing homes. In colder climates, they are found only near human habitats, since they are not very tolerant to cold. However German cockroaches have been found as far north as Alert, Nunavut.^[1] The German cockroach is originally from Asia and very common in Russia, not in Germany. It is very closely related to the Asian cockroach, and to the casual observer they appear nearly identical and may be mistaken for the other. This cockroach can be seen in the day occasionally, especially if there is a large population or if they have been disturbed. However, sightings are most commonly reported in the evening hours as they are most active at night.

American cockroach

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The American cockroach (Periplaneta americana), also known as the Palmetto Bug or Waterbug,^[1] particularly in thesouthern United States, is the largest species of common cockroach, and often considered a pest. It is native to theSouthern United States, and common in tropical climates. Human activity has extended the insect's range of habitation. Specimens have been observed in eastern North American cities as far north as New York City, Toronto, and Montreal, though its intolerance to cold restricts it to human habitations.^{[citation needed]} Global shipping has transplanted the insects to world ports including Tenerife (Spain), Southern Spain, Greece, Taiwan, and Cape Town and Durban, South Africa.^{[citation needed]}

The insect is believed to have originated in Africa, but had become established in the southern U.S. by the time that it was given its name.^{[clarification needed]}

Earwig

Scorpions

About 40-60 species of Scorpions occur in Arizona, although many are undescribed. The bark scorpion (Centruroides exilicauda) is the only species in Arizona of medical importance.

Arizona bark scorpion

In the USA the bark scorpion is found in southeastern California, Arizona, Nevada, southern Utah, and southwestern New Mexico. It is also found throughout the Baja Peninsula and western Sonora in Mexico. The typical "bark" or "crevice" scorpion is encountered in a variety of situations. It is most commonly found under rocks, logs, tree bark, and other surface objects. The bark scorpion (1-3 inches in length) is the most commonly encountered house scorpion. They are common throughout many habitats but almost always in rocky areas.

Most scorpion species are solitary in nature. The exception to this is bark scorpions, which may over-winter in aggregates of 20-30. The bark scorpion is also one of relatively few species that are able climbers.

The venom of the bark scorpion may produce severe pain (but rarely swelling) at the site of the sting, numbness, frothing at the mouth, difficulties in breathing (including respiratory paralysis), muscle twitching, and convulsions. Death is rare, especially in more recent times. Antivenin is available for severe cases. Certain people, however, may be allergic to the venom and can experience life-threatening side effects when stung (as occurs with bee stings). No cases of anaphylaxis have been reported in Arizona. Additional information can be found in Venomous Animals of Arizona by Bob Smith.

Desert hairy scorpion

Another species found in Arizona is the desert hairy scorpion (Hadrurus arizonensis). This species is twice as large as the bark scorpion at maturity (up to 5 inches long). They are often found in low sandy areas throughout the state.

Desert hairy scorpions usually eat insects, spiders, centipedes, small vertebrates and other scorpions.

Another genus frequently found is the devil or stripe-tailed scorpion group (Vaejovis spp.). There are several Vaejovid species found in Arizona. They are intermediate in size (1-2 inches in length) and are more robust than bark scorpions.

The stripe-tailed scorpion is typically found under many surface objects (including sleeping bags, shoes, etc.) where it digs a short burrow or "scrape" for protection. This species is normally an obligate burrower, digging burrows about one meter deep in gravel soils.