Flying insects
Flying Insects
Paper wasp Adults about 5/8-3/4" long. Color brownish with yellow markings. Paper wasps are semi-social, existing in small colonies but without a worker caste. Nests are small to moderate in size, containing up to about 150-250 cells; largest contained 320 cells and was 6x8" in size. In the urban situation, these usually unaggressive wasps are a nuisance pest. Paper wasps like to hang their comb nests from porch ceilings, the top of window and door frames, eaves, attic rafters, deck floor joists, railings , tree branches, shrubs and almost any protected place imaginable including in open roofing
Carpenter bees Adult body length about 1/2-1" they get there name from Boring into wood. Male carpenter bees tend to be territorial and often become aggressive when humans approach, sometimes hovering a short distance in front of the face or buzzing a persons head. Since males have no stinger, these actions are a show. However, the female does have a potent sting which is rarely used. Carpenter bees rarely attack painted wood and tend to nest in unpainted wood or trees. Honey bee We Prefer to keep honey bees alive and relocated if possible. We do not offer relocation as of now. Adult worker’s body length about 1/2-5/8"
Honey bees are social insects and live as colonies in hives, with mature colonies of 20,000-80,000. Honey bees are not aggressive, and do not search for something to attack. Instead, they are defensive and will attack only whatever seems to threaten the colony. Bees in a swarm are very docile and not likely to sting because they harbor no food stores or young and have nothing to defend. Likewise, honey bees encountered away from the hive are unlikely to sting unless severely provoked, like stepping on them. if the hive entrance is approached, the guard bees can become very aggressive; do not approach hives without proper protection. Worker bees have barbed stingers and when used, the stinger and poison sac are torn from the body. If the stinger is not removed immediately, muscle contractions will drive the stinger deeper and deeper into the skin and there is greater time for toxin injection. In addition, the stinger gives off a pheromone which attracts other bees and induces an alarm and attack behavior. Therefore, immediate removal with a fingernail or knife blade is recommended; squeezing only forces more venom in.
Mud daubers Adults mostly about 1/2-1. Mud daubers do not defend their nests, and only rarely sting. They are good to have around, when they are not near people, mud daubers are beneficial to spider control. It is recommended to remove nests since other wasps will use the nest when the mud daubers leave.
Yellow jacket Adult workers about 3/8-5/8". Queens are about 25% longer. Abdomen usually banded with yellow and black. Nest size varies from 300 to 120,000 cells, averaging 2,000 to 6,000 cells, and usually contains 1,000 to 4,000 workers at its peak. Yellowjackets are very slow to sting unless the nest entrance is approached and then they are quite aggressive. Each can sting a number of times, inflicting much pain. Some people become hypersensitive to their stings and future stings can become life threatening.
Spiders
Spiders
Spiders Black widow
Scientific name : latrodectus spp.
Class/order/family : arachnida/araneae/theridiidae
Poisonous to humans?: yes, it’s a neurotoxin Bites are not always felt, there will be swelling with to small puncture marks. Pain is almost immediate and will reach its max level within 1-3 hours, and will continue for 12-48 then will slowly go away. Females are the ones of concern,males poison sacs stop developing at maturity. The symptoms are increased blood pressure, increased body temperature.profuse sweating and nausea. If bitten call a physician or go to the emergency room and try to take the spider with you for identification. Female Black widows are usually1/2” in length and have spherical abdomens about 1/4 “ to 3/8” in diameter. With a reddish hour glass underneath. And have 8 eyes in two columns. males are about half the size of females
Brown recluse
Scientific name: loxosceles spp
Class/order/family: arachnida/araneae/sicariidae
Poisonous to humans? Yes, can cause tissue to die (necrosis) The male and female can inject venom and is dangerous to humans.the venom can cause necrosis or dead tissue. Can result in a ulcerating type of sore. The note is commonly not felt, but will have an immidiate stinging sensation followed by intense pain, can be delayed for 6-8 hour. Surrounding the bite will become swollen.the killed tissue from the venom will gradually slough away during the following 10-14 days.leaving an open ulcer. Healing is very slow. Symptoms include fever,restlessness, fever, difficulty sleeping. If bitten call a physician or go to the emergency room and try to take the spider with you for identification. Fully grown body lengths range from 1/4“ to 1/2” The colors can be dark brown or tan with a darker fiddle-shaped marking on dorsum, or top of cephalothorax and the neck points towards abdomen. with 6 eyes arranged in 3 groups of 2 each in a semicircle.
Cellar/daddylonglegs spider
Scientific name : various
Class/order/family: arachnida/araneae / pholcidae
Poisonous to humans? No Adult body length ranges from 1/16”- 5/16” small body with thin long legs. Usually with 8 eyes but some have 6. Hobo spider Scientific name: Class/order/family: Poisonous to humans? To be determined. Female body length ranges 7/16-9/16" with a oblong abdomen, male body length ranges 5/16-7/16" total size including legs about 1-1 3/4" in diameter. Color variable with carapace light to medium brown, with dark stripe to either side of lighter midline stripe, dark stripe with lateral extensions in posterior half; abdomen with interrupted light midline stripe. headache may be accompanied by nausea, weakness, joint pain, fatigue, and vision impairment, symptoms commonly associated with migraine headaches. Some say the venom can cause minor necrosis or dead tissue.
Wolf spider
Scientific name : various
Class/order/ family: arachnida/araneae/lychosidae
Poisonous to humans? No
Adult female body length ranges 3/8-1 3/8" , male body length 1/4-3/4" ; cephalothorax and abdomen are very hairy. The Color is usually dark brown, often with paler stripes or markings.. With 8 dark eyes. There over 100 different species of wolf spider so size can very.
Common ants in new mexico
Ants in New Mexico
There are over 100 different species here in New Mexico making them our most familiar and numerous insects. Of these 100 species, we will be going over the most popular and commonly seen throughout residential homes, agricultural fields, commercial buildings, and all-around yards. Ants are the number one pest in the Albuquerque and surrounding areas of New Mexico, from Santa Fe to Belen these insects wreak havoc and, in some cases, can be a threat to New Mexico agriculture and public health.
Argentine Ants Size: 1/2-1/8 inch long Color: light to dark brown, depending on life cycle Appearance: long legs and long slightly curved antennae. One node and an uneven thorax. Will have a musky odor when crushed. Location: you will generally find the Argentinian ant outside, but on occasion make their way inside if doors/windows are left open or there is an easy entry point to the interior of the home. These ants will be found in foraging trails going up trees, buildings, walls, under rocks, woodpiles, patios, etc. Nests: The Argentine is one of the very few species that form a “super nest” or mega-colony nests and will generally nest outside, in moist easy to move soil near a water or food source. Most often up against a house, in and around trees, and along/under backyard patios. In the unlikely event, that an Argentine colony wants to move inside you will find them in or near potted plants.
Odorous house ant Size: 1/16-1/8 inch Color: dark brown to black Appearance: short bent legs. Long and skinny even thorax and one node. The odorous house ant earned its name from the foul “rotten coconut” smell when crushed. Location: these ants are most found inside, and they are going for the sweets. They do prefer moister and warmth, so if nesting inside you will typically find them in wall voids around water pipes, kitchen, bathrooms, pantry or food storage, or the laundry room. If outside the odorous house and will nest in shallow exposed soil most often under a walkway or deck.
Pharaoh ants Size: no more than 1/16 of an inch. Color: light yellow to red. Normally with black on the abdomen. Appearance: very small of the ant species. Short bent legs and long curved antennae. The Pharaoh ant has 2 nodes, an uneven thorax, and black stripes on the abdomen. When crushed will smell of lemon and verbena. Location: most are found inside, but because of how small pharaoh ants are you can expect to find them everywhere. They generally nest in warm, well-hidden areas due to the pheromones they leave while walking they can mark their trails and forage far away from the nest. If nesting outside they will build in well-shaded and well-hidden areas but cannot survive cooler weather so will migrate inside as the climate changes. Pro tip! If the nest is disturbed, they will most likely move, so if you find a nest inside try to kill as many as possible and give them a few days to move out.
Fire ant Size: 1/8-1/4 inch Color: generally bright red, but can become more of a brown or blackish red. Appearance: long bent legs and bent antennae. The fire ant has 2 nodes, an uneven thorax, and of course a big abdomen with a stinger. Location: more often than not this is an exterior ant you will only find indoors. There are few cases in drought or high-temperature climates that they move in. if inside look for dirt mounds along baseboards. When more often nesting outside these ants build a mound in sunny areas. These are highly aggressive ants and cause a huge threat to newborn children and animals as they are more susceptible to the venom, and Fire ants can sting multiple times.
Carpenter ant Size: 1/4-3/8 inch Color: can vary in color but generally dark brown to black Appearance: long bent legs and long bent antennae. Big black abdominal with no stinger. Large mandibles in the front. Location: the carpenter ant is normally found in forestry/wooded areas. Generally, you will not have an issue inside unless there has been damage to any wood from moisture. They don’t actually eat wood like a termite, but These ants will attack and hollow out any dead/damp wood, such as dead trees, firewood, and even wooden support beams inside. The carpenter ant can do serious damage to a structure without anyone knowing.
Pavement ant Size: 1/16-1/18 inch Color: dark brown to black Appearance: long legs with long bent antennae. 2 nodes and a noticeably lighter abdomen. Location: the pavement ant is more commonly known as the sugar ant. Most colonies will nest outside under driveways, walkways, patios and pavement, hence the name. This becomes a big problem for most of new Mexicans because of our home structure. With slab-on-grade construction, the pavement ant will colonize under the house and enter through cracks in the foundation. When inside they most frequently push the Kitchen and Dining areas, plumbing, sinks, and along edges of carpets.
