4 Tips to help you prepare for mosquito season

There are two species native to our area, the striped scorpion and the devil scorpion, and because they prey on large numbers of insects, they’re a natural pest control! Scorpions in our area like to hide under bark that is quite flat to the tree, which is why we don’t seen them often. Striped scorpions can be identified by three dotted stripes running down the back. Contrary to popular belief, the sting of most scorpions is no more poisonous than that of a bee or wasp.

There are many species of wasps in Georgia and South Carolina. The most common you will encounter in our area are yellow jackets and various paper wasps. Yellow jackets vary in their appearance, aggressiveness and habits. As a group, yellow jackets are considered very aggressive. They can deliver a painful sting and will attack in large groups if their nests are threatened. Yellow jackets are commonly seen buzzing around trash pails and dumpsters. Paper wasps are not aggressive and only attack or sting if they are threatened or provoked. Paper wasps build their nests in hollow voids in attics, roofs, hollow fence posts and wall voids. Paper wasps get their name form their practice of building nests made of paper that they manufacture from chewed wood and bodily secretions.

Millipedes and centipedes are not insects. They are closely related to lobsters, crawfish and shrimp. Centipedes can typically be found in moist areas with high humidity and are most active at night. Centipedes have an elongated, flattened body, have 14 body segments and one pair of legs per body segment. They eat insects, spiders, birds and reptiles. Depending on the species, they can vary in length from 1 to 12 inches. Most species found in our area are less than 5 inches long. Centipedes also have poison glands in their jaw. Occasionally, humans may be bitten by a centipede, but the poison usually produces a reaction similar to a bee sting.

Silverfish are usually seen when cabinet doors or other objects are moved. They feed on a wide variety of things including glue, wallpaper paste, starch in clothing, book bindings, rayon, and dried meats. Silverfish are active at night and hide during the day.

There are 19 Georgia and South Carolina species of grasshoppers and crickets. Male crickets produce a chirping sound at nighttime. Both grasshoppers and crickets make these sounds but crickets make theirs at a higher pitch. Males are smaller in size than females. They can be found in the kitchen when they are found indoors. They feed on food waste like crumbs.

At least 61 types of mosquito species exist in our area. Mosquito means “little fly.” They are closely related to gnats and no-see-ums. The most common diseases in our area include West Nile, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, La Crosse encephalitis, and dog/cat heart worms. To help with mosquito control, you can reduce the number of adult mosquitoes around your house by eliminating sites with standing water. Most mosquitoes bite during dawn, dusk and night.

In Georgia, there are 25 species of spiders, and there are 21 species in South Carolina. Spiders can often times be found outside of their range due to accidental or intentional misplacement from humans by cars or luggage and other belongings.

Squirrels, mice and rats can be a nuisance and destructive. If a squirrel population gets out of control, you will find damage to and most likely hear them running in the attic or walls of your home. Rats and mice carry diseases and parasites and can cause damage to furniture. To get rid of rodents, we will inspect the building to find where they may get in. Based on entry points, we will set traps and seal entry points. Then, if it’s possible, we will repair the damage the rodents have caused at the entry point which will help to prevent future rodents.

In Georgia and South Carolina, we share a common hatred for Palmetto bugs (cockroaches with a fancy nickname). Both smokybrown and American cockroaches are referred to as Palmetto bugs. American cockroaches are reddish brown, while smokybrowns are darker and more uniform in color. Both typically live and lay eggs in dark, moist and humid spaces like bathrooms, kitchens, crawl spaces, mulch and gardens. Palmetto bugs can carry multiple harmful pathogens. Seeing a Palmetto bug has nothing to do with cleanliness or economic conditions because they are just looking for food, and they eat anything!

There are over 12,000 ant species in the world. Only a fraction of these ant species make themselves a problem for humans. Here in South Carolina and Georgia, we only have a handful that can be considered common pests. Here is a list of the usual suspects you’ll find in your yard or in your home: Fire Ants, Carpenter Ants, Sugar Ants and Pavement Ants.