Common Pets
Carpenter Ants
Browntailed Moths
Carpenter Ants
They have black or reddish bodies with the following: 3 body regions (head, and then thorax separated from abdomen by narrow waist), and antennae with a sharp bend.
worker ants range in length from 1/8 – 1/2 inch, with the queens being slightly larger. They are most commonly black, although some species are red, red and black, or brown.
Wh
They have black or reddish bodies with the following: 3 body regions (head, and then thorax separated from abdomen by narrow waist), and antennae with a sharp bend.
worker ants range in length from 1/8 – 1/2 inch, with the queens being slightly larger. They are most commonly black, although some species are red, red and black, or brown.
What is a Carpenter Ant's Reproductive Cycle?
Soon after mating, swarmers lose their wings. The female selects a nesting site to lay her eggs and begins the process of hollowing out tunnels and galleries to lay her eggs. Mature colonies can range in size from 10 to upwards of 15,000.
Where Do Carpenter Ants Live?
These ants are social insects that prefer nesting in wood. They commonly hollow out galleries or tunnels in trees, structures, wood, and foam insulation.
Carpenter ants are often found in conjunction with moisture problems. An indication of a possible infestation is evidence of sawdust, pieces of insulation, nesting materials, and winged adults, known as swarmers.
Carpenter ants have main colonies and satellite colonies. The main colony takes about five years to mature and is most often found in the woods. Once mature, the large colony needs help so it sends out swarmers that locate spots in the vicinity where the sub-colonies can thrive. Once a spot is found, they rip off their wings and start setting up shop. Each sub-colony has a job (such as caring for all the eggs or collecting water) but they all depend on the main colony and frequently travel back to the main colony at night to help out.
Once mature, the main colony will continually be setting up sub-colonies. Homes are ideal for them since there are reliable water sources there – we often find the colonies around window or door frames or in the kitchen or bathroom
Why are Carpenter Ants a Pest?
Carpenter ants are more than a nuisance pest because they prefer to nest in moist and/or rotting wood, making your home an ideal location to set up shop.
For instance, a leaky or sweating pipe may be creating moisture in wall voids, which is undetectable to you and perfect conditions for carpenter ants. They will excavate the moist or rotten wood to create a new sub-colony, therefore compromising the integrity of the structure.
IPM Pest & Wildlife Services offer early summer exterior treatments to prevent home infestations. This will guarantee protection and give you peace of mind there will be no wood destroying insect infestations while keeping your cost low throughout the spring and summer.
Homeowners insurance rarely covers the cost of carpenter ant damage. Therefore, prevention and protection against carpenter ants is a worthwhile investment to protect your home and business.
Ticks
Browntailed Moths
Carpenter Ants
There are fifteen different tick species that have been found in Maine.
The Most Commonly Encountered Tick Species of Maine: Black-legged Tick, Deer Tick, American Dog Tick,Woodchuck Tick.
The Deer Tick, also known as the black-legged tick, is the primary vector of Lyme disease. Deer ticks are also a vector for Powassan virus a potential
There are fifteen different tick species that have been found in Maine.
The Most Commonly Encountered Tick Species of Maine: Black-legged Tick, Deer Tick, American Dog Tick,Woodchuck Tick.
The Deer Tick, also known as the black-legged tick, is the primary vector of Lyme disease. Deer ticks are also a vector for Powassan virus a potentially deadly form of encephalitis.
American Dog Ticks can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Woodchuck Tick can transmit Powassan virus.
Browntailed Moths
Browntailed Moths
Browntailed Moths
The larval stage (caterpillar) of this insect feeds on the foliage of hardwood trees and shrubs including: oak, shadbush, apple, cherry, beach plum, and rugosa rose. Larval feeding causes reduction of growth and occasional mortality of valued trees and shrubs. While feeding damage may cause some concern, the primary impact on humans by b
The larval stage (caterpillar) of this insect feeds on the foliage of hardwood trees and shrubs including: oak, shadbush, apple, cherry, beach plum, and rugosa rose. Larval feeding causes reduction of growth and occasional mortality of valued trees and shrubs. While feeding damage may cause some concern, the primary impact on humans by browntail moth results from contact with poisonous hairs produced by the caterpillars. Microscopic, toxic hairs break off the caterpillars and can be airborne or settled on surfaces in browntail moth infested areas. Sensitive individuals who encounter the hairs may develop a skin rash similar to poison ivy and/or trouble breathing. Symptoms can last anywhere from a few hours to several weeks and can be severe in some individuals.
One way of getting rid of browntail moth caterpillars is by treating the trees that host them a couple weeks before the tree’s first buds (Apr - Early May). This treatment works by injecting product straight into the tree beneath the bark where it will be carried through the veins of the tree with the sap and concentrate in the tree’s leaves. Once BTM caterpillars start feeding, they’ll be exposed to the product and eliminated.
Micro injections are ideal for properties that are on or within 25 feet of ocean, lake, pond, or other water sources. There is no risk of exposed pesticide exposure and no secondary dangers such as birds eating falling leaves.
Spraying trees approximately (Mid-May - Early June) one week before leaves start opening is another highly effective treatment option.
Bedbugs
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes
Bed bugs are small wingless insects that feed solely upon the blood of warm-blooded animals. Bed bugs seek out people and animals, generally at night while these hosts are asleep, and painlessly sip a few drops of blood. While feeding, they inject a tiny amount of their saliva into the skin–some people develop a sensitivity to the saliva
Bed bugs are small wingless insects that feed solely upon the blood of warm-blooded animals. Bed bugs seek out people and animals, generally at night while these hosts are asleep, and painlessly sip a few drops of blood. While feeding, they inject a tiny amount of their saliva into the skin–some people develop a sensitivity to the saliva and additional bites may then result in mild to intense allergic responses. Bed bugs are not known to transmit any diseases to humans.
Controlling an infestation requires very detailed work and much moving (and disassembly) of furniture. Careful inspections must be completed in conjunction with non-chemical controls (such as vacuuming, and steam treatments) and insecticide treatments. The insecticides available are commercial products requiring special equipment and training, that is not readily available in “over- the-counter” products.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes
Maine most of the nuisance biting mosquitoes can be broadly placed in three groups on the basis of where they breed or are likely to cause the greatest problem; urban, woodland or salt marsh. A few additional species breed in more remote areas in small stagnant ponds, bogs or swampy areas such as Coquillettidia perturbans and Culiseta m
Maine most of the nuisance biting mosquitoes can be broadly placed in three groups on the basis of where they breed or are likely to cause the greatest problem; urban, woodland or salt marsh. A few additional species breed in more remote areas in small stagnant ponds, bogs or swampy areas such as Coquillettidia perturbans and Culiseta melanura. Most mosquitoes that transmit encephalitis to humans are species that feed on both reservoir bird hosts and humans and so are considered 'bridge' vectors.
Use of chemical control measures against mosquitoes is a complex and often sensitive issue due to the association of these pests with water. For this reason it is suggested that those wishing to pursue this route secure the services of a licensed pesticide applicator (PCO).
Mice
Mice
Mice
Types of Mice in Maine House Mouse: The house mouse ranges in size from 5 ½ to 7 inches in length including the tail. Deer Mouse: The deer mouse ranges in size from 5 to 9 inches in length from the tips of the nose to the end of the tail. White-Footed Mouse Mice are dangerous; they can spread serious diseases including: salmonellosis, l
Types of Mice in Maine House Mouse: The house mouse ranges in size from 5 ½ to 7 inches in length including the tail. Deer Mouse: The deer mouse ranges in size from 5 to 9 inches in length from the tips of the nose to the end of the tail. White-Footed Mouse Mice are dangerous; they can spread serious diseases including: salmonellosis, leptospirosis, dysentery, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis. Deer mice and white-footed mice are two types of rodents in Maine that can get hantavirus, a serious disease caused by a virus that can affect your lungs.
Rats
Mice
Mice
They consume and contaminate food, damage structures and property, and transmit parasites and diseases to other animals and humans.
Roof rat sometimes called black rats, are slightly smaller than Norway rats. Unlike Norway rats, their tails are longer than their heads and bodies combined. Roof rats are very agile climbers and usually liv
They consume and contaminate food, damage structures and property, and transmit parasites and diseases to other animals and humans.
Roof rat sometimes called black rats, are slightly smaller than Norway rats. Unlike Norway rats, their tails are longer than their heads and bodies combined. Roof rats are very agile climbers and usually live and nest above ground in shrubs, trees, and dense vegetation such as ivy.