Structual and Health Pests

Lepisma saccharina

Pest description and damage Slender insects about 0.375 inch in length, wingless, grayish silver or mottled gray, with two long antennae and three long filaments at the tail. They prefer starchy food including paper, paste, and starched clothing. These insects are commonly seen in homes that have wood shake roofs, and they prefer a warmer climate, such as found in attics. Very tolerant of high temperatures.

Management

Burrowing scorpion (Anuroctonus phaiodactylus)
Forest scorpion (Uroctonus mordax)
Northern scorpion (Paruroctonus boreus)
Stripe-tailed scorpion (Paravaejovis spinigerus)

Pest description and damage Olive to brown, about 1 to 4 inches in length, with four pair of legs, a tail with bulbous stinger, and a pair of pincers. They can inflict a painful, hornet-like sting.

Includes

Armadillium vulgare
Porcellio laevis

Pest description and damage Light to dark gray, oval, hard shelled, with seven pair of legs. Pillbugs ball up when disturbed, sowbugs do not. Both may do damage in the home, but they feed primarily on decaying organic matter.

Management

Includes

Julus spp.
Orthomorpha gracilis

Pest description and damage Millipedes vary in length up to 2 inches. They are dark, hard shelled, wormlike, and slender with many legs. They cause no damage in the home. Millipedes prefer moist conditions and feed on decaying organic matter. They may migrate into homes and become a nuisance.

Management

Multicolored Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis)

Pest description and damage Rounded with high arching back, usually orange with black spots. In the fall, they may invade houses in large numbers. Biting is occasionally reported, but these bites carry no health effects.

Management

Musca domestica

Pest description and damage Nuisance pests that breed in garbage, etc., and can build to intolerable numbers if not controlled.

Management

Scutigera coleoptrata

Pest description and damage Short brown body with 15 pairs of very long legs. Fast moving and very fragile.

Management

Trachyphloeus bifoveolatus

Pest description and damage Small, light-color insects that migrate into dwellings. Usually a problem in the fall and early spring.

Management

Grass weevils are difficult to control with chemicals. Dispose of beetles by vacuuming or sweeping.

Numerous species of the family Carabidae

Pest description and damage Black beetles, 0.5 to 1 inch in length. They do no damage.

Management

Ground beetles are beneficial insects. Control is not recommended. If they are abundant, it may be due to an infestation of other insects.

Includes

Arhyssus spp.

Pest description and damage Gray, somewhat larger than lygus bugs. They frequently migrate into dwellings, where they are an annoyance.

Management

Screen doors and windows. Vacuum bugs that get inside.