COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND ENVIRONMENT, LEXINGTON, KY, 40546 HENV 401

Home & Environment Managing and in the Home Blake Newton, Ric Bessin, Mike Potter, and Lee Townsend, Entomology

any species of insects and spiders make their homes in Kentucky. Some- Mtimes, they wander into our homes as well. Luckily, most of these creatures are not harmful to people or to property, so there is little need to worry about them. However, a few can damage our homes, eat our food, or even deliver dangerous bites. This guide is designed to help you tell the “bad” bugs from the In this Publication harmless ones and to show you a few basic steps that you can take to detect the • Bed Bugs most common indoor pests and to prevent problems before they happen. • Wood-Destroying Pests This guide is only an introduction. For Bed bugs are small, flat, reddish- • Ants more detailed information, follow the brown insects that emerge, mostly at • Pantry Pests links in the text that lead to the Uni- night, to feed on human and • Fabric Pests versity of Kentucky’s collection of en- blood. During the day, they hide in the tomology factsheets (ENTfacts). If you seams of mattresses, behind head- • Cockroaches cannot access these files on computer, boards, between bed slats, and other • Fleas your county Extension office can print locations that are adjacent to sleeping • Ladybugs a free copy for you. areas. They are also sometimes found • Crickets where people commonly sit and rest, like couches or armchairs. Household- • Flies Bed Bugs ers can work to prevent bed bug infes- Although bed bugs were practically • Silverfish tations by taking care while traveling eliminated from the United States in • Spiders and when bringing secondhand items the 1940s and ’50s, they are making such as , suitcases, or furniture • and Millipedes a comeback today. Populations are into their homes. • General Indoor Control Tips now common in Kentucky, especially in multi-unit structures such as hotels, Diligence can be useful in prevent- apartment buildings, dormitories, and ing infestations, but bed bugs and other buildings where many people come and go. Bed bug infestations are not related to filth or unsanitary conditions; they will infest the most expensive resorts and luxury homes. While bed bugs have not been impli- cated in the transmission of disease, infestations must be taken seriously. Bed bugs can cause painful bites, and their presence can bring stress and

significant expense to a household. Bed Bug (Gary Alpert, Harvard University, Bugwood.org)

Agriculture and Natural Resources • Family and Consumer Sciences • 4-H Youth Development • Community and Economic Development EXTENSION their eggs are very small and can be overlooked. Once bed bugs have established inside a home, control will only be effective with the help of a professional. Multiple treatments are often required. If you find insects in a bedroom and are not sure if they are bed bugs, bring them to your county Termite swarmers (Gary Alpert, Harvard University, Extension office for confirmation. If Bugwood.org) Harvestman, a.k.a “daddy longlegs” (David you have bed bugs, contact a pest Cappaert, Michigan State University, Bugwood.org) control professional to get the elimi- They do most of their damage under- nation process started. ground, behind walls, and in other Common Myths For detailed travel tips and other in- places that are hidden from view. • Daddy longlegs are danger- formation for bed bug detection and Many times a householder will not ous. There are several creatures prevention, see: become aware of a termite infestation referred to as “daddy” or “grand- until they see “swarmers.” Swarmers daddy” longlegs. Sometimes, Bed Bugshttp://www.ca.uky.edu/en- are the winged stage of a termite. this name is used for the round- tomology/entfacts/ef636.asp They leave the colony during spring to bodied, long-legged creatures look for new nesting sites and often called “harvestmen.” The name Wood-Destroying Pests enter the living spaces of homes as is also sometimes used for cellar spiders. This statement is not true Several Kentucky insects can damage they move out and away from the about either type of creature; they the wood in our homes. Creatures hidden wood that they have been are both harmless. (Harvestmen like powderpost beetles bore holes in infesting. The presence of swarmers are not common inside homes, wooden floors and furniture. Car- doesn’t mean that the termites are but cellar spiders are.) You can penter ants sometimes colonize the gone, though. It means that there are read more about this myth at the wooden support structures of a home. lots more, still hiding and feeding. University of California website: It is the subterranean termite, though, The good news about termites is that http://spiders.ucr.edu/daddylong- that has the best potential to cause legs.html. they do their damage very slowly. major economic damage to a home, If you see swarmers in your home, • mites will bite people. barn, or other wooden structure. Sometimes people who work it is a good idea to take action, but it doesn’t mean that your home is in urban office structures are Termites stricken with small, bitelike le- ruined. It can take termites many sions. These “bites” are sometimes Most termites in Kentucky live in years to cause serious structural dam- blamed on “paper mites.” Howev- forests. There they perform a valuable age. If you suspect that your home er, there are no such things as pa- service—turning dead trees back into is infested with termites, call a pest per mites. Usually these wounds soil. They become pests when they control professional. Modern termite- are caused by some factor other discover and begin feeding on our control techniques are very effective than insects or relatives, homes. Termites are especially drawn at eliminating problems and can even such as seasonal dermatitis or to moist areas around buildings— prevent future termite infestations. other underlying conditions. For such as from leaky faucets, dampness, For more detailed information about more information, see “Invisible and poor drainage. Unfortunately, ter- Itches” http://www.ca.uky.edu/en- termite detection and control, see UK mites can be very difficult to detect. tomology/entfacts/ent58.asp. Entomology’s factsheets: • Bugs mean that a home is dirty. Protecting Your Home against Although sanitation is mentioned Termites http://www.ca.uky.edu/ often in this document, the pres- entomology/entfacts/ef605.asp ence of insects or spiders does not indicate that a home is dirty Termite Control: Answers for or unkempt. Insects and spiders Homeowners http://www.ca.uky.edu/ can (and will) show up in any entomology/entfacts/ef604.asp building, no matter what the Other wood-infesting insects will conditions. sometimes damage buildings in Termite Workers and Soldiers (Gary Alpert, Harvard University, Bugwood.org) Kentucky. Carpenter ants sometimes

2 hollow out wood for nesting but sealed containers that contain dry rarely cause major structural dam- food items, such as bags of crackers, age. Powderpost beetles are primarily boxes of cereal, bags of flour or meal, pests of new homes, wood flooring, bags of pet food, open containers of and furniture. Likewise, they rarely spices or teas, or any other dry organic cause major damage, but it is a good item, such as bird seed or dried floral idea for householders to be aware of decorations. Look for tiny worms, them. For more information on wood- webbing, holes, and little piles of dust. destroying pests, see: Odorous house ant, a common “kitchen ant” (Joseph All of these can indicate the presence Berger, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org) Carpenter Ants http://www.ca.uky. of pests. If you find one infested item, edu/entomology/entfacts/ef603.asp it is possible that other nearby items Pantry Pests are infested as well, so it is a good idea Powderpost Beetles http://www. Several beetles, moths, and mites to inspect all dried foods in a pantry. ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ can infest whole grains or pro- Dispose of all infested items and also ef616.asp cessed foods. Usually, the first sign thoroughly vacuum the area, includ- of a problem is the appearance of ing nearby cracks and crevices and the Ants small beetles, moths, or caterpillars. shelves where the foods were stored. Most ant species are not harmful to Flour beetles, rice weevils, drugstore After treatment, you can work to humans, pets, or to food or posses- beetles, Angoumois grain moth, and prevent future infestations by main- sions, and—unlike carpenter ants, Indian meal moth are among a host taining good sanitation and by storing mentioned above—they do not of small insects that commonly infest foods in sealed containers. Food prod- destroy wood. However, several spe- pantry supplies, pet food, or other ucts that are purchased in cardboard cies commonly invade homes. All ants stored items such as cereal, flour, rice, boxes or bags can be stored in plastic look similar; if you are not sure wheth- beans, nuts, spices and dried fruit. or glass containers that can be sealed er an ant is a carpenter ant, consult Luckily, these pests are not harmful to tightly. Decorative floral arrangements your county Extension office for iden- humans, and a few simple techniques and bird feed may be treated with tification. If you see trails of ants in a can be used to control and prevent all heat (155°F for about 20 minutes with kitchen, they are usually members of a of these different species. the oven door propped open) or in a colony that exists close to your home. The key to controlling all of these freezer at 0°F for about a week. After- In most cases, these ants are simply pests is to find and destroy all items wards, decorative items and pet foods searching your home for something that have been contaminated by the that have been de-infested can be to eat. Sometimes, their presence pests. Look for open or inadequately kept and reused by the householder. can be reduced by removing spilled food and unsealed food containers. It is also a good idea to throw out Angoumois grain moth Indianmeal moth any packages of food that have been infested by ants. Oftentimes, these trailing ants will disappear after a few weeks without any treatment. Ants foraging inside homes can sometimes be a persistent nuisance, though, and Sawtoothed may require treatment. In those cases, grain beetle over-the-counter ant baits can be ef- fective. If those methods do not work, Rice weevil consult a professional pest control service. They will attempt to locate and destroy the colony at its source. For more information about ants and ant management, see: Ant Control for Homeowners Angoumois grain moth, Indianmeal moth, sawtoothed grain beetle (Clemson University-USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series, Bugwood. http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/ org); drugstore beetle (Pest and Disease Image Library, Bugwood.org); rice weevil (USDA Insect and Plant Disease Slide Set, Bugwood.org) entfacts/ef619.asp Drugstore beetle

3 For more detailed information, see: Fleas Stored Product Pests in the Pantry In Kentucky, cat or dog owners are http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/ likely to encounter flea problems if pre- entfacts/ef612.asp ventive measures are not taken. Unlike Controlling Stored Product Pests ticks, fleas are highly mobile and will Using Low Temperature http://www. jump from pet to carpet to person and ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ back again. Fleas are able to complete ef635.asp their life cycle indoors, breeding and making new fleas, whereas most spe- Fabric Pests cies of ticks can only breed outdoors. A Wood cockroach (Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State pet may bring one tick inside, but it can Several Kentucky insects feed on University, Bugwood.org) bring a whole breeding population of fabrics. Clothes moths or carpet fleas into your home. Luckily, fleas are beetles will feed on woolens (sweat- Cockroaches not likely to spread diseases to humans ers, blankets, rugs), furs, taxidermy, in Kentucky, but their bites can be or even feathers. They are controlled The occasional cockroach shows up very annoying, and they can transmit in a manner similar to pantry pests. A in most homes from time to time. dangerous diseases to pets. householder should find the infested Oftentimes these are outdoor dwell- item and either dispose of it or elimi- ing varieties originating from mulch The best way to manage fleas is by nate the infestation using cold or heat. and wood in the landscape, and they using pet-centered flea control. These For more detailed information, see the are nothing to worry about. Large control methods are sold as pills, factsheets below. infestations of German or American liquid drops (often applied to the back cockroaches, however, can contami- Clothes Moths http://www.ca.uky. of the pet’s neck), or collars. All can be nate food, spread harmful bacteria edu/entomology/entfacts/ef609.asp equally effective, but some may work and potential disease pathogens, and better for some pets than for others. Carpet Beetles http://www.ca.uky. even cause or exacerbate respira- Because of Kentucky’s mild climate, it edu/entomology/entfacts/ef601.asp tory illnesses. Fortunately, effective is best to use these products year- Thermal Deinfestation of House- products are available to household- round or as directed by your veteri- hold Items http://www.ca.uky.edu/ ers to combat roach infestations. If narian. These treatments are typically entomology/entfacts/ef640.asp a householder sees multiple cock- also effective against ticks. Visit your roaches in any indoor location, the veterinarian to find the best option. first step is sanitation. Remove food sources (empty soda bottles, open If a flea outbreak occurs before this food containers, piles of crumbs) and approach is initiated, treatment of the hiding places (cardboard boxes and premises (and sometimes the yard) piles of wood or paper). Next, elimi- will be necessary too. For this you nate the roaches using over-the-coun- may want to contact a pest control ter cockroach baits. These products professional. For more details: are very effective but must be placed Pet-Centered Flea Prevention and where the roaches congregate. Read Control http://www.ca.uky.edu/ento- the product label for instructions. For mology/entfacts/ef628.asp detailed information about do-it- yourself control using baits or other methods, see: Cockroach Elimination http://www. ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ ef614.asp Clothes moth, adult and larva (top), carpet bettle, adult and larva (bottom) (Clemson University-USDA If over-the-counter methods fail or are Cooperative Extension Slide Series, Bugwood.org) not desirable or if a particularly large infestation occurs in a large or multi- unit structure, a pest control profes- Flea life cycle (Center for Disease Control Archive, sional may need to intervene. Bugwood.org)

4 Ridding Your Home of Fleas http:// Crickets www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/ent- Camel crickets (sometimes called facts/ef602.asp “cave crickets”) are common inhab- itants of unfinished basements, Ladybugs garages, and other cool, humid indoor In some parts of Kentucky, ladybugs locations. Because of their long legs, are a common home invader. Lady- these crickets are sometimes mistaken bugs, also known as “lady beetles” for spiders. They do not infest food or Drain fly (Joseph Berger, University of Georgia, and “ladybird beetles,” are small red damage possessions and they cannot Bugwood.org) or orange beetles, usually with black harm humans, but they can be a nui- Moth flies, also called “drain flies,” re- spots. sance. Some householders may wish semble tiny moths. They often breed to consult a professional pest control Most of the time, ladybugs are ben- inside clumps of wet hair and “film” service, but cricket numbers can be eficial to humans. They are predators that builds up in bathroom drains. reduced by sealing cracks and crevices that feed on garden and crop pests, These can usually be eliminated by and by reducing moisture. including aphids and caterpillars. In unclogging and scrubbing drains with the fall, though, introduced Asian a stiff bristle brush to remove slime ladybugs can become a pest when and scum in which the flies breed. they are looking for a place to spend the winter. Sometimes, they will enter Fungus gnats are the smallest of the homes by the hundreds or even thou- indoor flies. They resemble tiny black sands. Once inside, they do not infest or gray mosquitoes (although they food or destroy belongings, but they cannot bite people). Fungus gnats can stain carpets and clothing, and often breed in the damp soil beneath they produce a foul odor. They will oc- over-watered house plants. For more casionally bite (the bites are harmless information about these indoor flies: but annoying), and evidence indicates Fruit Flies http://www.ca.uky.edu/ that they may contribute to indoor Camel cricket (Clemson University-USDA Coopera- entomology/entfacts/ef621.asp tive Extension Slide Series, Bugwood.org) allergies. Moth Flies http://www.ca.uky.edu/ Unfortunately, pesticides do not work entomology/entfacts/ef615.asp very well to keep ladybugs out. The Flies Houseplant Insect Control http:// best defense is to seal cracks and Houseflies and mosquitoes that oc- www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/ent- crevices and to remove any ladybugs casionally wander indoors can be facts/ef406.asp that get indoors, either by hand or by discouraged by keeping doors and vacuum. For more information about screens closed. A few other types of Silverfish ladybugs inside homes: flies can breed indoors. Fruit flies, Silverfish, with their silvery scales and moth flies, and fungus gnats all breed Asian Lady Beetle Infestation of quick, fluid movements, look less like in damp organic material and are Structures http://www.ca.uky.edu/ bugs and more like marine dwellers. very common inside homes. If you entomology/entfacts/ef416.asp They feed on wallpaper paste, book see small, dark flies inside a home, it bindings, and other glue- or - is probably one of those three types. like materials. They will also feed on They are mostly a nuisance, and all dried foods (just like the pantry pests can be controlled by finding and mentioned above). Sometimes, they eliminating their breeding sites. Fruit don’t eat anything; a silverfish can flies are tiny and often tan in color. survive without any food for months They often breed in overripe fruit; at a time. Silverfish are not harmful to removing the fruit will eliminate the humans, and they rarely cause signifi- breeding site and eventually eliminate cant damage to property, although the problem. they are a threat to antique books,

Asian Multicolored Ladybugs (Bill Ree, Texas A&M Uni- historic wallpaper, carpet, tapestries, versity, Bugwood.org) and other collectibles that are made

5 other brown spiders, such as grass spiders and wolf spiders. Brown recluses are medium-sized brown spiders with long, dark brown legs and a tan or grayish abdomen. They have a distinctive “fiddle” shape on their heads, but the marking is difficult to see clearly without magnification. Silverfish (Clemson University-USDA Cooperative Ex- They are also distinguished by their tension Slide Series, Bugwood.org) eyes; most spiders have eight eyes, but recluses have only six. This feature can- of paper, glue, or other organic mate- Black Widow (Sturgis McKeever, Georgia Southern not be seen without a magnification. rials. In situations where those types University, Bugwood.org) of items are kept, it is best to consult The bite of a brown recluse is also a pest control professional. In most different from a black widow. Unlike in piles of rocks, piles of wood, or inside other cases, control is not necessary. a nerve toxin, recluse venom causes hollow spaces such as empty flower Silverfish numbers can be reduced predominantly localized symptoms, pots, drain pipes, or hollow trees. They by following the general pest-control the most serious of which are large are also sometimes found in dark, guidelines (sanitation and moisture ulcerated wounds that sometimes unheated buildings such as barns and control in particular) at the end of this develop a few days after the bite. The abandoned doghouses. Occasionally guide. wounds are sometimes categorized they will make their homes inside the as “flesh eating,” but brown recluse dark corners of garages and homes. Spiders wounds typically do not become very The bite of a black widow is very seri- large unless accompanied by bacte- UK’s entomology department re- ous, although rare. The venom attacks rial infection—a condition which can ceives many calls and questions the nervous system, and the victim ex- complicate any scratch or cut, not just about spiders. People are concerned periences a variety of symptoms (pain, a brown recluse bite. In fact, recent about these creatures, but in reality, rigidity, difficulty breathing) almost im- scientific studies suggest that many most spiders are harmless. Kentucky mediately. Rarely is the bite fatal, but of the wounds that are diagnosed as is home to hundreds of species of victims should be taken to the hospital brown recluse bites are actually bacte- spiders. Wolf spiders, grass spiders, right away. Although black widows rial infections. A bacterial infection is cellar spiders, and house spiders are common, they almost never leave suspected any time a person does not are among the types that are most their small webs (usually about the remember being bitten by a . commonly encountered in homes. size of a grapefruit), and they cannot None of these are dangerous, except Brown recluses are more common in run or even crawl very well if they are to rare individuals who are unusually the western part of Kentucky, but they outside of their web. They never roam sensitive to their bites. Only two spe- have been found in most Kentucky the insides of homes or get into beds, cies—the black widow and the brown counties. If you think you see a brown and, unlike some types of orb-weaver recluse—can reliably deliver a medi- recluse in your home, take a moment spiders, they never build webs at cally significant bite. Both species are to consider its behavior. Is it running face-height. Bites typically occur when secretive and reclusive, and neither is people accidently touch a black widow commonly encountered in household on its web. If care is taken when pick- living spaces. ing up rocks or firewood and when Black Widow reaching into dark spaces, black widow bites are easy to avoid. The black widow is a medium-sized spider with a large, glossy-black abdo- Brown Recluse men. Sometimes, red markings can be Brown recluses are also associated seen as well (especially on the spider’s with dark, hidden spaces, but they are underside), but the glossy-black color is otherwise very different from black the most important feature. widows. Unlike widows, recluses are Black widows are very common in Ken- more difficult to identify by untrained tucky. They are usually found outdoors persons. They look similar to many Brown recluse (Ric Bessin, University of Kentucky)

6 across the kitchen floor during the Common indoor spiders daytime? If so, it is probably not a brown recluse but a harmless wolf spider or grass spider. Brown recluses are truly reclusive and tend to roam only at night, and even then tend to crawl next to walls or behind furniture, or inside wall voids, crawlspaces, attics, or other places that are seldom visited by humans. If you suspect brown recluses, contact a professional pest control company for confirmation, or use “glue boards” (available at most farm-supply stores) in areas where you have seen spiders. Bring the spiders that get stuck on the board to your county Extension office for identifica- tion. Even if brown recluses are found inside a home, there is no cause for alarm since bites are infrequent. If brown recluses or black widows are suspected, the best plan is to contact Common indoor spiders that are not dangerous: wolf spider (top left), cellar spider (top right) (Joseph Berger, a local pest control professional. They Bugwood.org), grass spider (bottom left) (Blake Newton, University of Kentucky); and American house spider (bottom right) (Ric Bessin, University of Kentucky). can positively identify the spider and develop a control plan. For more information: and other entry points into the home. The that is most commonly Mesh can be installed over vents, for seen inside homes is the house cen- Common Spiders aound Homes and example. A spider population can also tipede. This strange looking creature Buildings http://www.ca.uky.edu/en- be greatly reduced by vacuuming the has 14 pairs of very long legs, and it tomology/entfacts/ef622.asp webs; look for cellar spider and house is sometimes seen at night as it races Brown Recluse Spider http://www. spider webs in the upper corners of across floors and walls in search of ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ rooms. prey. Although their presence can ef631.asp be startling, house centipedes are For more spider control tips: harmless and can actually help reduce Other Spiders Eliminating Spiders around Homes the numbers of other pests, including Other types of spiders are much more and Buildings http://www.ca.uky. roaches and ants. common in homes than black widows edu/entomology/entfacts/ef623.asp and brown recluses. At one time or another, wolf spiders, grass spiders, Centipedes and cellar spiders, and house spiders will Millipedes make their way into almost every Centipedes and millipedes are not home in Kentucky. None of these insects, but they are closely related spiders are normally dangerous, to insects. Both centipedes and mil- and control is not necessary unless lipedes are long-bodied with dozens House centipede (Gary Alpert, Harvrad University, they are considered a nuisance or if Bugwood.org) of legs; they look similar, but their be- a household member has a sensitiv- havior is different. Centipedes are fast- ity to their bites (such a condition is moving predators that feed on small very rare). In fact, these spiders can insects; millipedes are slow-moving help to eliminate other pests, such as scavengers that feed on bits of dead cockroaches, ants, and flies. If control plant material and other scraps. Both is desired, spider numbers can be can be very common inside homes, reduced by sealing cracks, crevices, Millipede (Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State but neither is cause for concern. University, Bugwood.org)

7 The small black millipedes that some- Don’t store firewood in the garage times, they will be able to identify times invade homes are usually seen or stack it against the foundation of it for you right away. If not, they will in the fall and spring, sometimes in the home. send it to the Department of Ento- large numbers. These creatures are of- • Cracks and Crevices: Seal entry mology at the University of Kentucky. ten simply looking for conditions that points of a home, including vents After identification, the county Exten- are either moister or dryer, or cooler and cracks underneath doors. Many sion office can help you with control or warmer, than their outdoor homes. pest control companies will search options. This identification service is They are often spotted around entry out and seal cracks and crevices as free. doors and will scavenge for food in a service. ENTfacts: The Department of Ento- places that are close to the floor such • Doors and Windows: Make sure mology at the University of Kentucky as houseplants, spilled food, and even that the family knows to keep doors maintains an ever-changing library of litter boxes. They do not harm people and windows closed. Screening over 200 factsheets that cover com- or pets, and they seldom survive more works well to keep flying insects mon Kentucky insect pests. These than a few days indoors. For more out, but only when they are undam- ENTfacts are divided by topic, and you information about these centipedes aged and properly closed. can find the ones devoted to “Home and millipedes in Kentucky: • Water: Many pests thrive in wet and Health” pests by visiting the Centipedes http://www.ca.uky.edu/ conditions. Eliminate them by fixing website: http://www.ca.uky.edu/en- entomology/entfacts/ef647.asp leaky faucets, unclogging gutters, tomology/dept/entfacts2.asp#home. Millipedes http://www.ca.uky.edu/ and improving drainage around The ENTfacts are also available at your entomology/entfacts/ef645.asp the foundation. Watch for water county Extension office. damaged wood or sheetrock in General Indoor Pest bathrooms and kitchens. Make sure Control Tips that shingles, flashing, and other roof structures are undamaged and About the authors As discussed in the examples above, working properly. Do not allow piles Blake Newton, Extension Specialist, many of the pests covered in this of wet clothing or paper products Youth/4-H Extension Entomology document can be prevented or to accumulate. Ric Bessin, Extension Entomologist, reduced by taking a few simple steps This document focuses on indoor in- Department of Entomology listed below For more tips, visit UK’s sect and spider pests. For information Mike Potter, Professor of Entomol- online factsheet, “How to Pest-Proof about mammals (rodents, raccoons, ogy, Department of Entomology Your Home.” (http://www2.ca.uky. or bats for instance), birds, snakes, or edu/entomology/entfacts/ef641.asp) Lee Townsend, Extension Entomolo- other creatures that may infest homes, gist, Department of Entomology • Sanitation: Remove spilled foods contact your local County Extension and dispose of garbage quickly, and office. do not allow it to accumulate in in- door wastebaskets or in garages or Additional Resources other indoor spaces. Look for spilled Insect Identification Service: This food behind stoves, underneath guide covers only the most common refrigerators, and in other spaces in- and important insects and spiders side kitchens. Do not allow clothing found inside homes in Kentucky, but or paper products to decay inside we have over 10,000 species of insects closets or garages. Vacuum carpets in our state and any one of them can and upholstered furniture frequent- wander into a home from time to ly, especially if there are indoor time. If you find a pest in your home pets. Do not bring used clothing or and you are not sure what it is, bring it furniture into homes unless they are to your county Extension office. Many examined and cleaned thoroughly.

Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of race, color, age, , religion, disability, or national origin. Issued in furtherance of Co- operative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, M. Scott Smith, Director, Land Grant Programs, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Lexington, and Kentucky State University, Frankfort. Copyright © 2013 for materials developed by University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. This publication may be reproduced in portions or its entirety for educational or nonprofit purposes only. Permitted users shall give credit to the author(s) and include this copyright notice. Publications are also available on the World Wide Web at www.ca.uky.edu. Issued 8-2013 Image Gallery Insects and Spiders inside the Home

Bed Bug Termite Workers Termite Swarmers

Carpenter Ant Odorous House Ant Angoumois Grain Moth

Drugstore Beetle Rice Weevil Sawtooth Grain Beetle

Indianmeal Moth Clothes Moth: Adult and Larva Carpet Beetle: Adult and Larva

HENV-401 - Home & Environment - Managing Insects and Spiders in the Home Virginia Wood Cockroach Gernan Cockroach American Cockroach

Cat Flea Camel Cricket Silverfish

Drain Fly (Moth Fly)

Fungus Gnat Pomace Fly (Fruit Fly)

Asian Multicolored Ladybug

House Centipede

Millipede

HENV-401 - Home & Environment - Managing Insects and Spiders in the Home Black Widow Spider Brown Recluse Spider Wolf Spider

Grass Spider Cellar Spider American House Spider

Gallery Image Credits: Gary Alpert, Harvard University, Bugwood.org (Bed Bug, Termite Workers, Termite Swarmers, House Centipede); Sturgis McKeever, Georgia Southern University, Bugwood.org (Black Widow); Ric Bessin, University of Kentucky (Brown Recluse, American House Spider); Pest and Disease Image Library, Bugwood.org (Drugstore beetle); Lee Townsend, University of Kentucky (Clothes Moth); Blake Newton, University of Kentucky (Wolf Spider, Grass Spider); Clemson Univer- sity - USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series, Bugwood.org (American Cockroach, German Cockroach, Carpenter Ant, Silverfish, Sawtoothed Grain Beetle, Indianmeal Moth); Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org (Virginia Wood Cockroach, Camel Cricket, Fungus Gnat, Millipede); USDA Insect and Plant Disease Slide Set (Angoumois Grain Moth, Rice Weevil, Carpet Beetle); Joseph Berger, Bugwood.org (Cat Flea, Odorous House Ant, Drain Fly, Pomace Fly, Cellar Spider); Louis Tedders, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org (Asian Multicolored Ladybugs)

HENV-401 - Home & Environment - Managing Insects and Spiders in the Home