Pests Archive | Page 2 of 13 | Delta Pest Control Inc. - Pest Control and Exterminator Services

Opossum

Opossums in Arkansas

There are at least 103 species of opossum, but the Virginia opossum is the single species found in the United States. About the size of a large house cat, opossums are considered beneficial mammals because they eat a variety of insects and snakes, causing many property owners to consider them beneficial. Opossums are nomadic, seldom staying long in any one place, and utilizing abandoned burrows or crawl spaces. They may sometimes become a nuisance to homeowners when foraging for food and shelter.

Opossum Habitat

Possums do not dig dens or burrows underground, however, they will live in those that have been abandoned. They will wait for another animal to abandon their home before moving in, and actually prefer to live in trees for the protection they provide. They may enter attics, walls, and crawl spaces of homes if they have access. The presence of an unusual and foul odor in your home may point to there being a possum living in your walls

Opossum Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Opossums pose no major threat to humans or pets. Their teeth are not meant for attacking or even preying on animals; their teeth are good for chewing and holding. They do not attack humans and instead will play “dead” when danger is perceived. Opossums don’t dig holes, destroy gardens, bite, sting, or stay in one place for very long. However, opossums can carry various parasites and diseases. They are not the cleanest of animals and carry a strong odor if they access attics and crawl spaces in homes. If opossums are an issue, it’s best to have them removed humanely by a professional wildlife control company.

Mole

Moles in Arkansas

Moles are small insect-eating mammals and are widespread across the United States. Contrary to popular belief, moles are not part of the rodent family and are highly specialized digging machines. They spend most of their time underground and some are even semi-aquatic. Although their presence is well known by their recognizable mounds, they are rarely seen. Moles cause significant damage through their burrowing activity, which dislodges plants and dries out their roots. In lawns, the resulting mounds and ridges are unsightly and disfiguring.

Mole Habitat

Moles prefer wooded areas as their natural habitat, but they are also comfortable in residential yards and farm fields. Moles live almost entirely underground in a vast network of interconnecting tunnels. Active year-round, moles are particularly busy in spring and fall, frequently creating shallow tunnels just below the surface where they capture worms, insects, and other invertebrates. Moles are beneficial in that a typical 5-6 ounce mole can eat as much as 50 pounds of insect pests and grubs in a year! During rainy periods, molehills are abundant as earthworms move toward the surface.

Mole Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Since moles are seldom present above ground and rarely come into contact with people, they are not considered to be a physical threat to humans. Contrary to popular opinion, moles will not eat vegetation in residential and rural landscapes. However, their surface tunnels can disturb plant roots, which can cause distress. In lawns, molehills make walking and mowing difficult, sometimes damaging the grass. Mole tunnels can be hijacked by meadow voles, small rodents who do eat plants. The first sign of a mole problem will be several molehills or ‘ridges’ caused by tunneling. If you are having an issue with moles, it is best to consult a professional wildlife control company for removal.

Groundhog

Groundhogs in Arkansas

Groundhogs, also called woodchucks, are large rodents and are widely distributed across the United States. Groundhogs are among the few animals that are true hibernators, fattening up in spring and summer and hibernating in burrows during the winter months. Groundhogs are very common in rural areas but are also frequently seen in suburban neighborhoods. The groundhog is actually a member of the squirrel family, and its front feet are very powerful tools used for digging burrows. Groundhogs can become a real pest for homeowners as they burrow under vegetable and flower gardens, sheds, and outdoor structures.

Groundhog Habitat

These large rodents are herbivores, and a groundhog’s diet can include fruit, plants, tree bark, and grasses. Groundhogs dig burrows near vegetation that can be as deep as five feet and generally have more than one entrance. The entrance hole is made larger as the animal grows and will eventually be a foot wide with a mound of soil around it. Burrow entrances are usually well-hidden and can be difficult to find. Groundhogs often hide these holes by digging them underneath vegetation or loosely covering them up with leaves and sticks. The network of tunnels can cover an area underground ranging from 8 to 66 feet and is used for several years.

Groundhog Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Groundhogs are docile creatures, rarely come in contact with people, and pose no major public health hazards. They are considered nuisance pests because they are capable of causing extensive damage to home gardens, lawns, and orchards as a result of their feeding and burrowing habits. When burrowing, groundhogs have been known to destroy building foundations, create unwanted holes on lawns and cause electrical outages from gnawing on underground wires. If an infestation is suspected, contact a licensed wildlife control professional.

Camel Cricket

Camel Crickets in Arkansas

The name camel cricket is derived from the rounded hump on the insect’s back that resembles the hump of a camel. Sometimes referred to as “cave crickets” or “land shrimp,” they are more closely related to katydids than true crickets and do not chirp. Camel crickets are widespread in the United States and often move inside dwellings during hot, dry weather and have been observed feeding on clothes and lace curtains. Due to their size and quick jumping ability, camel crickets can be quite disturbing to homeowners.

Camel Cricket Habitat

Camel crickets prefer damp, dark environments. Outside, camel crickets are found living in leaf litter, under logs or stones, in tree holes, in hollow logs, or stacks of firewood and other cool, damp areas. They may move into homes during the fall when seeking a place to overwinter. Camel crickets may commonly be found in crawl spaces or basements, occasionally in large numbers; however, they may also be found in living areas, garages, and storage rooms. Camel crickets can also be found in considerable numbers in attics above two-story homes.

Camel Cricket Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Camel crickets do not spread disease and do not bite, however, they can become a nuisance if they gain entry into a home, damaging houseplants, clothing, and fabrics. Camel crickets are nocturnal and will be observed by the homeowner in the evening when the lights are turned on in a dark room. When threatened, camel crickets leap when frightened, which can be an unnerving experience as a homeowner turns on the lights in their basement or garage. If you suspect a camel cricket issue on your property, contact your local exterminators.

Horse Fly

Horse Flies in Arkansas

Horse flies and deer flies are large, heavy-bodied insects that are persistent pests of wildlife, livestock, and humans. Their blood-sucking habits also raise concerns about the possible transmission of disease agents. They are notorious pests of horses, mules, cattle, hogs, dogs, and other mammals, including humans. Deer flies, which commonly bite humans, are smaller with dark bands across the wings and colored eyes similar to those of horse flies. An attack by a few of these persistent flies can make outdoor work and recreation miserable.

Horse Fly Habitat

Horse flies and deer flies can be found near aquatic habitats that support larval development. Most horse flies and deer flies are found in brushy or low-lying pasture areas near creeks, streams, or tanks that provide damp soils in which the immature stages develop. Natural environments include freshwater wetlands, saltwater marshes, and open areas within forests. They survive by burrowing down into the sand or gravel substrate of the water body they inhabit.

Horse Fly Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Female horse flies and deer flies can and will bite people, and the painful bites may occur on any part of the body. The bite often results in visible bleeding wounds and general first aid-type skin creams may help to relieve the pain from bites. In rare instances, there may be allergic reactions involving hives and wheezing. These flies are significant livestock pests with their painful and persistent biting behavior. Heavy attacks can lead to reductions in weight gains of beef cattle, and reduced milk yield in dairy cattle. If you are dealing with a horse fly issue on your property, contact your local fly exterminators.

Japanese Beetle

Japanese Beetles in Arkansas

The Japanese beetle is a widespread and destructive pest of lawns, landscape, and ornamental plants in the United States. Japanese beetles are a serious pest of turf, trees, shrubs, flowers, and crops. Although adults will feed on over 300 species of plants, grubs feed mainly on the roots of grasses. Difficult and expensive to control, these beetles feed on grassroots, damaging turf, golf courses, and pastures. Japanese beetles were first found in the U.S. in 1916 in New Jersey and have since spread throughout various states.

Japanese Beetle Habitat

Japanese beetles have a wide range of plants they can feed on and can live anywhere there is sufficient foliage. They are not limited to forests or grasslands and often live on farms, cities, and even in your garden. These beetles are especially common on roses, beans, grapes, and raspberries. Japanese beetles have a voracious appetite and are most active on warm sunny days, feeding in groups under direct sun. Adult beetles can fly, allowing them to easily move throughout a homeowner’s landscape. These pests begin eating at the top of plants and work their way down.

Japanese Beetle Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

While Japanese beetles do have powerful chewing mouthparts for munching on leaves, they do not bite people. However, the estimated damage and cost of controlling Japanese beetles in the U.S. is over $460 million each year! Due to their distinctive feeding pattern, damage caused by Japanese beetles can be easy to recognize. These pests feed on the soft tissue between leaf veins, leaving behind a skeletonized, lace-like pattern. The grubs damage grass as they overwinter and feed in soil, which can result in brown patches of dead or dying grass that will pull up easily due to their weakened roots. If you suspect a Japanese beetle infestation, contact a local beetle control expert.

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