COCKROACHES
The four species of cockroaches that we’ve eradicated in our 17 years of experience each prefer slightly different environments inside and outside of the house.
German cockroaches like warm and moist conditions so they are frequently found in kitchen areas such as refrigerator motors or wall voids near a food source.
Oriental cockroaches are known for their habit of infesting sewer lines and coming up through floor drains to get into houses and businesses.
American cockroaches prefer the outdoors because they feed on vegetable matter but they can commonly be found in basements or the outer cracks and crevices of a building.
Brown Banded cockroaches typically prefer the indoors but they require less moisture than some of the other types and can therefore be found in drier areas of the house where one might not think to look.
ANTS
There are 7 types of ants which are commonly found in the greater Sacramento area. One common type is the Carpenter ant which inhabits dead, moist wood and can cause major structural damage over time by creating tunnels and nests in wooden buildings.
Pine Tree ants are very common in El Dorado County especially at elevations above 2,000 feet. These ants frequently exhibit strange nesting habits in homes, occupying polystyrene foam, fiberglass insulation, and exposed ceiling beams.
Argentine ants are the most common ant found in the state and when they get inside homes, they are typically found in kitchens and bathrooms. They usually stay outside unless they find access to a food source in a building. Extreme hot or cold weather and rain can also make them seek shelter.
Velvety Tree ants typically inhabit crooks and holes of oak trees. They are known to nest in buildings’ walls but are relatively easy to eliminate with basic treatment methods.
Odorous House ants are one of the most difficult ants to control. They are named for the peculiar and sweet odor which emanates from their bodies when they are crushed. It is best to treat these ants early in the season before their nests get large.
Pharaoh ants nest almost anywhere and have been found in places such as wall voids, cardboard boxes, and under slabs or rocks. A trait that is unique to this kind of ant is their reaction to repellent pesticides. Any Pharaoh ants that survive a pesticide application will form several new colonies, which can exacerbate homeowners’ problems. We strongly recommend hiring experts to remove these ants.
Thief ants earn their name from their habit of nesting near other ant nests and stealing their food. They can be difficult to spot due to their 1/32 inch size.
