Description
Insects are wildly diverse in their appearances, purposes, and reasons they're classified as pests. Some are simply nuisances and annoy people by gathering in large numbers, while others are considered problematic because they instill fear. Many insects carry diseases and contaminate stores of human food. Others consume and tunnel in wood causing costly structural damage.
Biting and stinging insects, as the title would imply, are pests because they inflict painful bites or stings. While this category is far-reaching, the most common species of biting and stinging pests include harvester and imported fire ants, mosquitoes, brown recluse and common house spiders, bed bugs, and fleas. In addition to biting and stinging, many of these insects spread deadly diseases.
Appearance
Given the diversity of biting and stinging insects, it's challenging to make any overarching statements about their appearances. Ants have six legs, segmented bodies, antennae, and are reddish-black to black in color. Mosquitoes are tiny and delicate looking. They have two wings and long, slender proboscis, or mouthparts used for penetrating skin and feeding on blood. Spiders have eight legs, uniquely arranged eyes, identifying patterns on their backs, and range in color from black and brown to tan and yellow. Bed bugs are tiny, flat, and appear reddish. Finally, fleas are microscopic, reddish-brown, and have piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Habitats
Several biting and stinging insects, such as common house spiders, bed bugs, mosquitoes, and fleas, are cosmopolitan in distribution and thrive wherever there's human activity. Harvester ants, imported fire ants, and brown recluse spiders typically need moisture and relatively warm climates to survive and are prominent in the southern United States.
Species of ants build tunnel systems underground in yards and parks, as well as in rotten logs, the walls of buildings, and under sidewalks. Mosquitoes must live around sources of standing water. Spiders construct intricate webs in secluded corners of basements and attics. Outside, they may live under rocks, logs, woodpiles, and collections of debris. Bed bugs nest in mattress seams, headboards, and other secluded areas situated close to sleeping humans. Fleas live much of their lives in the fur of their hosts.
Entry
Are biting and stinging known to enter homes or yards?
All biting and stinging insects infiltrate yards and homes. Ant tunnels are often constructed in lawns and individuals from colonies will move inside homes and heated structures at the onset of cold weather. Mosquitoes feed off people and animals and therefore hang around yards, farms, and any places where blood meals are regularly present. Spiders, like ants, often infest homes to survive cold winter weather. Bed bugs, like mosquitoes, need to be around humans in order to regularly feed. Similarly, fleas orient themselves around available blood meals, hanging around cracks and crevices close to the ground waiting to latch onto pets.
Damage
Do biting and stinging insects harm people or property?
Ants and bed bugs leave behind irritating itchy red spots where they bite people. Imported fire ants actually inject venom into their victims, which causes an unpleasant burning sensation. Mosquito bites also cause itchy red spots to appear on victims' skin and hold the additional threat of disease transmission, as many species carry West Nile virus.
Though spiders are not aggressive, they bite people when they feel threatened or trapped. Common house spiders leave behind red marks when they bite; however, all symptoms tend to dissipate in a few hours. Brown recluse spiders are much more dangerous, as their venom can destroy skin tissue and incite severe allergic reactions.
Fleas do not typically target humans and more commonly congregate on household pets, like dogs and cats. Severe reactions to flea bites cause symptoms such as intense itchiness, hair loss, reddening skin, and secondary infections.
Control and Safety
Any number of modifications can be made to homes and yards in order to decrease the possibility of encountering biting and stinging insects. Clean up liquids and solid food spills immediately. Keep indoor and outdoor trash bins tightly sealed. Replace broken and ripped window and door screens. Look for and seal any cracks in building foundations. Trim ornamental shrubs and tree branches to ensure they don't touch or hang over homes. Eliminate areas of standing water and excess moisture. Store firewood off the ground and away from homes. Bathe pets regularly. Employing any or all of these methods will make homes less favorable to insect pests.
Trapping and Removal
The variety of biting and stinging insect pests makes over-the-counter removal solutions ineffective. Critter Control technicians have extensive knowledge of the behavior of several insect species and the necessary tools to eradicate biting and stinging insects from homes. At the first sign of infestation, property owners should contact our trained professionals.
We can help you get rid of stinging insect problems. Call today: 1.800.274.8837.
We provide trapping & removal services for the following types of animals:
- Raccoons
- Opossums
- Rats
- Mice
- Snakes
- Iguanas
- Ants
- Armadillos
- Bats
- Bed Bugs
- Bees
- Birds
- Blackbirds
- Cockroaches
- Coyotes
- Crows
- Deer Mice
- Ducks
- Foxes
- Hornets
- Muscovy Ducks
- Pigeons
- Ravens
- Skunks
- Snakes
- Sparrows
- Spiders
- Squirrels
- Starlings
- Vultures
- Wasps
- Woodpeckers
- Yellow Jackets
CRITTER CONTROL OF FT. LAUDERDALE SERVICE AREA
Coconut Creek, Cooper City, Coral Springs, Dania Beach, Davie, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Ft. Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach, Hillsboro Beach, Hollywood, Lauderdale Lakes, Lauderdale-by-the-sea, Lauderhill, Lazy Lake, Lighthouse Point, Margate, Miramar, North Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Parkland, Pembroke Park, Pembroke Pines, Plantation, Pompano Beach, Ranches, Sea Ranch Lakes, Southwest Ranches, Sunrise, Tamarac, West Park, Weston, Wilton Manors
This franchise is independently licensed and operated by ABCN Services, Inc. dba Critter Control of Ft. Lauderdale.
Testimonials
Tom Hanson is awesome! We're renovating and the roof is opened up, so here come the rats. So gross. I contacted Critter Control via their website, got a call back within the hour, and Tom was on property the next morning. He studied our situation and gave thorough, thoughtful advice—which did not include using their services! Instead, he taught us how to manage the situation until we can deploy a more permanent solution. When the house is sealed up again, Tom and Critter Control will return to ensure the complete removal of all unwanted creatures. Thank you, Tom and Critter Control. We appreciate your great service!
Cooper was punctual, knowledgeable, and reassuring. His trained eye noticed things we would not have seen. His investigation was thorough and answered all of questions. Highly recommend.
Terrific. Kind, quick, reliable, reasonable. Knowledgeable and professional staff. Highly recommend. Thank you for your work on our properties. S
Critter Control has solved my problems for several years. I would recommend them to everyone. Their representatives are always prompt, knowledgeable, courteous and very helpful in solving problems.
Raymond was very pleasant and knowledgeable. He paid attention to detail. Good Job!! Thankyou!!
I am so glad I had Critter Control come and inspect my house! The problem was located and fixed immediately and since then I have not had any more problems with bats. Money well spent!!!
I connected Critter Control Orlando and was surprised, though elated that an actual person quickly answered. She was pleasant and efficiently scheduled a visit to my house to solve my varmit problem. The appointment was the next day. As arranged, I got a call from Ryan the next morning to tell me his eta. He arrived right on time and after explaining the procedure, got right to work. After a survey of our attic, he told us the problem and gave us a price to fix it. He explained exactly what would be done and an approximate number of visits it would take. I found Ryan to be easy to communicate with and an excellent customer relations person. I will be recommending Critter Control to my friends and neighbors.
We had a raccoon in the attic and this team of professional workers caught him after days of detective work. It was a pleasure working with them and having them at my house. I especially want to thank John and Kenzie!
After months of fighting moles in our yard ourselves and with the help of a landscaper, with no success, Critter Control caught a mole within a week. Very reasonably priced and very thorough. They’re the experts! We should have called them a lot sooner.
Justin was very professional and he and his team did the work quickly and thoroughly. This is a nice company to work with.