Learning Center

MOUSE

 Appearance:
Bodies covered in fur that varies in color from brown, gray, and black, tails usually have no fur. They can be 3 to 4 inches in length. Typically trim and slender with small eyes, pointed nose, and large ears.Habit:
Capable of getting into small spaces, they can get almost anywhere. Good sense of smell, taste, hearing, touch and balance however poor eyesight.

Diet:
Omnivorous.

Reproduction:
Females can have up to 10 litters in her life time, about 6 young per litter.

Lifespan:
1-2 years

Other Information:
Know to carry serious diseases.
FLEA Appearance:
Small, wingless, flattened body covered in bristles, six long powerful legs used for jumping 7 to 8 inches high. 1/12 to 1/6 of an inch in length.

Habit:
Blind and avoid sunlight so keep to dark places like sand, cracks and crevices, and bedding.

Diet:
Blood.

Reproduction:
Females lay a few eggs each day until 200 to 400 eggs have been laid.  Eggs hatch in 2 -3 days.  Lifespan: 30 – 90 days

Other Information:
Know to carry many diseases.
EARWIG Appearance:
Dark reddish brown to black in color with yellow legs. 5/8  -  1 inch in length, recognized by the pincher-like appendages on the lower abdomen.

Habit:
Nocturnal, however some species are attracted to light. Commonly found where land has been cleared for building.

Diet:
Scavengers.

Reproduction:
Ability to develop large populations in a single season. Up to 60 eggs are laid in ground burrows, those eggs then hatch in the spring.

Lifespan:
1/2 – 1 year

Other Information:
Some species have a strong odor when crushed.
CRICKET Appearance:
Light yellow brown in color, 3/4 – 1 inch in length.

Habit:
Nocturnal. Found in warm areas when inside such as fire place basements, or kitchens.

Diet:
Omnivorous.

Reproduction:
Eggs usually laid in damp soil. 40 -170 eggs can be laid at a time.

Lifespan:
4 – 7 Months

Other Information:
Make a very distinctive chirping sound.
CARPET BEETLE
 Appearance:
Small oval shape, shiny black bodies 1/8 – 1/4 inch in length.

Habit:
Naturally outdoors but brought inside on cut flowers.

Diet:
Adults feed on pollen. Larvae feed on dead animal materials, hair, fur, lint, woolen products.

Reproduction:
Females can lay 30-100 eggs and then die.

Lifespan:
1-2 years

Other Information:
Larvae are the only stage that can cause damage.
ANT Appearance:
Colors range from reds to yellows, browns and black, size 1/10 – 3/8 inches in length.

Habit:
Nest can be anywhere and can get very large. Travel in trails and forage day and night.

Diet:
Omnivorous.

Reproduction:
Some lay 1 egg per day others lay 15 – 30 eggs each year.

Lifespan:
Some queens know to live up to 25 years.

Other Information:
Colonies can become very large.
COCKROACH Appearance:
Wide oval, flat bodies, 5/8 – 1 1/2 inches in length. Colors vary from browns, reds and blacks. Some species can fly.Habit:
Nocturnal. Not a social insect however they are often found in groups while resting, hiding or feeding. Some produce an unpleasant odor when populations are high.

Diet:
Omnivorous.

Reproduction:
Females can lay 4 – 90 egg capsules, each capsule contains 14 -48 eggs.

Lifespan:
1-2  1/2 years

Other Information:
Know to cause asthma.
SCORPION Appearance:
Depending on species can be brown, yellow, tan, gray green or black in color.  Have 8 legs and two pincer claws and a narrow tail with stinger.

Habit:
Nocturnal. They will enter the home in search of food, water and shade.

Diet:
Carnivores.

Reproduction:
Will bear 18 + live young that will cling to the mothers back until they molt and then they scatter and live on their own.

Lifespan:
3-8 years some species can live much longer.

Other Information:
All species are venomous and some can cause serious or fatal effects. Seek medical attention if stung.
TICK Appearance:
Small flat of saclike, both hard and soft types of ticks. Colors vary form reds, browns and blacks with patterns of white or lighter color.

Habit:
Movement abilities are limited, they will tend to climb up tall objects and wait for a host to pass by and attach itself.

Diet:
Blood.

Reproduction:
Females lay as many as 10,000 eggs.

Lifespan:
1-2 years

Other Information:
Know to carry many diseases.
BLACK WIDOW Appearance:
Females are shiny black in color with a distinct red hourglass shape mark on abdomen.

Habit:
Anywhere inside or outside, nest are usually built close to ground.

Diet:
Carnivores.

Reproduction:
300-400 eggs are laid in a silky cocoon.

Lifespan:
1-3 years

Other Information:
Bite is poisonous seek medical attention. (rarely fatal)
CENTIPEDE Appearance:
4 – 12 inches in length, colored in red, brown, yellow or black. Long body with many legs, two long antennae on the top of the head and pair of venomous claws.Habit:
Nocturnal. Enter the home in search for food water and shade.

Diet:
Carnivores.

Reproduction:
Female lays 15-60 eggs which they guard and some species will stay with young. It can take up to 3 years for centipedes to mature to adults. Born with 4 pairs legs and develop more each time it molts, when it reaches 15 pairs of legs it is an adult.

Lifespan:
5-6 years

Other Information:
Bite is poisonous seek medical attention. (rarely fatal)

BROWN RECLUSE

 Appearance:
Yellow-brown in color, with a dark brown violin-shaped dorsal marking.Habit:
Found under rocks, debris and storage areas. Usually found close to ground.

Diet:
Carnivores.

Reproduction:
Mate in February through October, lay 40 – 50 eggs.

Lifespan:
1 – 2 years

Other Information:
Poisonous. Seek medical attention if bitten, neglected bites can cause disfiguring scars.