Synergy Jackson Pest Control: Answering Your Questions March 7, 2021

What is the difference between a black widow spider and a brown widow spider?

Black widow spiders and Brown Widow spiders can look similar in size.  Female Black Widow spiders have a distinctive red or orange spot on their shiny black abdomen.  Brown Widows are more dull brown than shiny black.

Bites from both Black Widows and Brown Widows can be very serious.  While the Brown Widow bite may be less severe its venom is twice as potent as that of a Black Widow.  Fortunately Brown Widows do not possess as much venom as Black Widows.

Last spring I saw flying termites around my doors and windows.  Do I need a termite inspection or termite treatment?

Flying termites are called alates, or reproductives.  Their role in the termite colony is to leave the nest and establish a new colony.  Flying termites do not eat wood, but establish new colonies of termites that can then do harm to your house.

Flying termites and flying ants can look similar.  If there is a question about potential termite damage to your home, a pest professional specializing in termites can provide a thorough termite inspection.

I have a fly problem.  How long do flies live?

Depending on the type of fly, flies can live from 24 hours to months or more.  The most common type of flies and their lifespan:

-Houseflies live an average of 15-25 days

-Fruit flies can live up to 50 days

-Drain flies have much shorter lifespans at 14-16 days

-Fungus gnats have lifespans similar to houseflies at up to 20-30 days

The issue with a fly problem in your home can be much more serious than just the lifespan of the type of fly you are dealing with.  Flies have the ability to rapidly reproduce.  So while the adult flies are dying off, hundreds of new flies can be emerging from eggs.

I have bugs in my bedroom.  Are these bed bugs?

Bed bugs are common pests in the home and especially bedrooms.  You can find bed bugs on mattresses, carpet, and bedding. Bed bugs also like to hide during the day in furniture, mattress seams, and cracks and crevices.  One way to confirm whether you have bed bugs or not is the presence of fecal blood stains on your sheets or mattress.  Bed bugs typically get their blood meals from humans and the CO2 we exhale while sleeping as is the attractant.  

For more info on bed bugs visit:

https://synergy2ms.com/bed-bug-bites-and-other-top-faqs-about-bed-bugs/

https://synergy2ms.com/precautions-you-should-take-when-dealing-with-a-bed-bug-infested-bed/

What are hornets and how do you get rid of hornets?

Most of the recent press around hornet involve “Murder Hornets”or Asian Giant hornets.  In addition to these, there are two commonly found hornets in the U.S. including European hornets and Bald-faced hornets.

Hornet nests around or in your home can be a serious problem.  Hornet stings are quite painful.  To get rid of hornets, you may need to consult a pest professional.  Removal of hornet nests can be difficult but necessary to prevent hornets from coming back.

What are Indian meal moths?

Indian Meal Moths are very common in the U.S. as a stored product pest.  Indian Meal Moths lay eggs in grains, flour, dog food, and cereals.  There are a variety of methods used to control Indian Meal moths including:

1.Heat and Freezing

2.Sanitation

3.Removal of infected products

What are sand flies and do they bite?

Sand fly bites can be quite painful.  Sand flies, per their name, are usually found in sandy areas of the U.S. such as beaches, lakes, and wetland areas.  Sand flies are known to transmit serious diseases, especially a parasitic infection caused by Leishmaniasis.