Cellar Spiders

Cellar Spider Identification

 

What Do Cellar Spiders Look Like?

Cellar spiders are inconspicuous, harmless, fragile spiders with extremely long, thin legs. They are sometimes referred to as daddy longlegs spiders, which are quite different and an unrelated common spider species. Cellar spiders are typically pale yellow, grey, or light brown. Despite their delicate appearance, cellar spiders are known for their surprisingly robust webs.

Signs of a Cellar Spider Infestation

Indications of a cellar spider infestation include the presence of their distinctive webs, which are large, irregular, and often found in corners of rooms, basements, and garages. Frequent sightings of the spiders themselves, especially in dark, undisturbed areas, are also a sign.

 How to Get Rid of Cellar Spiders?

To get rid of cellar spiders, focus on disrupting their preferred habitats. Begin by decluttering storage areas, as clutter provides ideal web-building sites. Enhance your home’s lighting, particularly in dark corners, to deter these spiders, as they prefer dim environments. Consider using essential oils, like peppermint or tea tree oil, which are natural repellents. Installing screens on windows and vents can also help keep them out. 

For ongoing issues, contact Bug Out to implement targeted spider treatments – ensuring long term control.

Habitat, Diet, Life Cycle & Bites

 

Where Do Cellar Spiders Live?

Cellar spiders prefer dark, damp environments such as basements, cellars, and crawl spaces. They are also commonly found in undisturbed areas of homes and buildings, such as in corners of rooms, attics, and storage spaces.

Male and female cellar spiders may be found in climate-controlled structures year-round.

Diet of a Cellar Spider

Their diet mainly consists of small insects and other arthropods. Cellar spiders are not aggressive hunters; they typically catch their prey in their webs.

Life Cycle of a Cellar Spider

Cellar spiders have a simple life cycle, from egg to spiderling to adult. Females lay eggs in small silken sacs, often hidden in their webs. The young spiders go through several molts before reaching adulthood.

Cellar Spider Bites

Cellar spider bites are extremely rare. They have small fangs and are generally not considered a threat to humans.

Are Cellar Spiders Dangerous?

Cellar spiders are not dangerous to humans. Myths about their venom being highly toxic are unfounded; they are harmless and their fangs are not capable of piercing human skin effectively.

Cellar Spider Prevention Tips

Prevent cellar spiders by keeping areas clean and free of clutter, especially in basements and attics. Ensuring good ventilation and reducing humidity can also discourage them from inhabiting indoor spaces.

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FAQs

 

Are Cellar Spider Bites Harmful?

Cellar spider bites are extremely rare and not harmful to humans. They are not known to bite humans aggressively.

How Can I Prevent Cellar Spiders in My Home?

Keep your home, especially basements and attics, clean and clutter-free. Regularly remove webs and ensure good ventilation to prevent these spiders from settling.

Should I Leave Cellar Spiders in My House?

Yes, you can leave them as they help control other insect populations. They are not harmful and generally stay out of the way.

Do Cellar Spiders Look Like Brown Recluse Spiders?

They are different species and can be mistaken for them but have longer, thinner legs and lack the violin-shaped mark.

Are Cellar Spiders The Same as Harvestmen / Daddy Long Legs?

The term “Daddy Long Legs” is often used for both cellar spiders and harvestmen, but they are different; cellar spiders are true spiders, while harvestmen are a different order of arachnids.

Clothes Moths

Clothes Moths in North Carolina

Clothes moths are fabric pests and are among the few animals that can digest keratin, the fibrous protein found in animal hide, hair, feathers, and horns. There are two different types of clothes moths in North America — the webbing clothes moth and the casemaking clothes moth. The larva is the damaging stage of the clothes moth and both species feed exclusively on animal fibers, especially wool, fur, silk, feathers, felt, and leather. Serious infestations of clothes moths can develop undetected in dwellings, causing irreparable harm to clothing and decorative items.

Because there are many different types of beetles in North Carolina, they can be difficult to distinguish, however our common beetle species can help with this.

Clothes Moth Habitat

Unlike some other types of moths, clothes moths are seldom seen because they avoid light. They prefer dark, undisturbed areas such as closets, basements, and attics. Indoors, clothes moth larvae are frequently noted on woolen clothes, carpets, upholstered furniture, and old wool rug remnants in the attic. Lint from wool rugs and pet hair behind baseboards and in flooring cracks all serve to invite moth infestations. A favorite egg-laying site is a carpet under the rear legs of a sofa, a spot rarely reached by a vacuum cleaner. Adult moths do not eat fabric, but their presence means that eggs will be laid soon, producing fabric-eating larvae.

Clothes Moth Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Articles commonly damaged and destroyed by clothes moths include sweaters, scarves, coats, blankets, rugs, down pillows and comforters, upholstery, toys, decorative items, and taxidermy mounts. The larvae prefer to feed in dark, undisturbed areas such as closets, chests, and boxes where woolens and furs are stored for long periods. Clothing and blankets in regular use are seldom infested, nor are rugs that get a normal amount of traffic, or are routinely vacuumed. Edges and undersides of rugs or sections beneath furniture are more likely to be attacked. If you suspect a clothes moth infestation, it is recommended to contact a pest control professional.

Signs of a Clothes Moth Infestation

Signs include:

  • Small holes in fabrics.
  • Silken tunnels or cases found on clothing.
  • The presence of moth larvae, which are small, white, and caterpillar-like.
  • Fecal pellets and silk webbing on clothing or in corners of closets and drawers.

Clothes Moth Bites

Clothes moths do not bite humans or pets; they are only interested in materials that contain keratin.

Are Clothes Moths Dangerous?

While not harmful to human health, clothes moths can cause extensive damage to clothing, upholstery, and other fabric items, leading to significant financial loss for businesses and frustration.

 

How to Get Rid of Clothes Moths?

 

Immediate Actions
  • Wash infested clothing in hot water or have them dry cleaned.
  • Vacuum regularly to remove larvae from carpets and upholstered furniture.
  • Freeze items that cannot be washed for at least 72 hours to kill larvae and eggs.
Long-Term Solutions
  • Use pheromone traps to monitor and reduce the population of adult moths.
  • Store clothing and fabrics in airtight containers.
  • Regularly clean closets and storage areas, paying special attention to corners and under furniture.

 

Clothes Moth Prevention Tips

  • Regularly inspect and clean wardrobes, drawers, and storage boxes.
  • Store natural fiber clothing in airtight containers with moth repellents like cedar or lavender.
  • Maintain a dry environment by using dehumidifiers in damp areas of your home.
  • Avoid storing clothing in the attic or basement unless properly protected.

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Frequently Asked Questions

 

Why Do I Suddenly Have Clothes Moths?

Clothes moths can be introduced through infested items brought into the home or can migrate from nearby infested areas. They are attracted to stored clothing and fabrics, especially if these items are not regularly moved or cleaned.

Should I Worry About Clothes Moths?

While clothes moths pose no direct health risk, they can cause significant damage to valuable items. Prompt action is recommended to prevent widespread damage.

Do Clothes Moths Fly Around the House?

Clothes moths are not typically seen flying around the house as they prefer dark, undisturbed areas. If you see moths flying around, they are likely not clothes moths but another species of moth.

Common Water Snake

Common Water Snakes in North Carolina

Found throughout North Carolina, the common watersnake often basks on logs and rocks. It also lounges or hides in reservoirs and in the limestone rip-rap that lines the river’s shoreline. Feeding primarily on fish and amphibians, the common water snake prefers slow-moving fish. Once water snakes reach about 1.5 feet in length, their food preference changes from fish to frogs and other larger animals like salamanders and toads.

Common Water Snakes Habitat

The species is common along major rivers, where it can often be found basking in tree limbs hanging over the water. Active day and night, common water snakes search for prey on the lake or river bottom, investigating under rocks, branches, and in crevices for hiding prey. They prefer warm, permanent, shallow water with access to basking locations such as rocky ledges, logs, and bridge piers. They can be found in both urban and rural settings. In the fall they may be found away from water as they travel to hibernation spots.

Common Water Snakes Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Though non-venomous, common water snakes are known for their readiness to bite, so care should be taken when interacting with them. When threatened, common water snakes will expand their jaw and flatten their head to make them look larger. They will strike and bite, as well as release musk if captured. If you are having an issue with common water snakes on your property, it is best to consult a professional pest control company for a free quote.

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Eastern Subterranean Termite

Eastern Subterranean Termites in North Carolina

The eastern subterranean termite is a social insect and the most common and widely distributed termite in North America. Due to its wide distribution, it is considered the most economically important and damaging species in the U.S. Termites consume cellulose, the main structural component of plant cells. Any wood material in a home is a potential food source, but it may also damage non-wood material in search of food. Termites rarely show themselves in the open, and infestations can be difficult to detect until the damage becomes severe.

Signs of an Eastern Subterranean Termite Infestation

Recognizing the signs of a termite infestation early can prevent damage to your property. Key signs include:

  • Mud Tubes: Thin tubes along foundation walls, beams, and other structures, which termites use to protect themselves from predators and maintain moisture.
  • Swarmers: The presence of swarming termites or their wings alone is a sure sign that termites are working in a building. Winged termites are often confused with winged ants; however, most species of ants in the house are only nuisances and, except for carpenter ants, they do not damage the wood.
  • Damaged Wood: Termites eat wood from the inside out, leaving it hollow and sometimes with a blistered appearance. Tap on wooden surfaces to check for hollow sounds.
  • Frass: This sawdust-like material is termite droppings and is often found near damaged wood.

 

Habitat, Diet, Life Cycle & Behaviors

 

Where Do Eastern Subterranean Termites Live?

Eastern subterranean termites live in the ground and feed on plant materials. In structures, they live in walls, basements, crawl spaces, and other damp areas. They build intricate tunnel systems and mud tubes to travel between their nest and food sources, primarily wood. The termites are typically found in soil, where they create nests and forage for cellulose-based materials. They require a moist environment to survive, often infesting damp, decayed wood near the soil.

Diet

Eastern subterranean termites primarily feed on cellulose from wood and other plant materials, especially damp or decayed wood. However, they can also damage dry, sound wood.

Life Cycle

After swarming and mating, the queen lays the eggs that establish a new colony, hatching into nymphs. On reaching adulthood, they form part of the colony’s caste system as workers, soldiers, or the reproductive winged alates. Only the alates (also known as swarmers) mate and establish new colonies. 

Behaviors

Termites swarm in the spring to find a mate. Winged termites are attracted to light and will swarm around doors and windows. After fluttering about for a short time, the termites break off their wings and pair off, becoming king and queen of a new termite colony. A common sign of termites is the presence of mud tubes, inside or outside of a home. Termites make these earth-colored tubes primarily as a protected runway from the earth to the wood they feed upon.

Are Eastern Subterranean Termites Dangerous?

While eastern subterranean termites are not directly dangerous to humans, they do pose a significant threat to your property. Because termites consume cellulose, any wood material in a house is a potential food source. Termites are secretive, and when termite damage becomes evident, it is usually the result of a few years of infestation. 

How to Get Rid of Eastern Subterranean Termites?

Eliminating an eastern subterranean termite infestation requires a comprehensive approach, combining both chemical treatments and non-chemical methods to help prevent future infestations.

The first step in termite control is a thorough inspection by a professional pest control company. This assessment identifies the extent of the infestation and potential entry points. It includes checking for mud tubes, damaged wood, and moisture issues that may attract termites.

Termite treatments include:

Baiting Systems: Termite bait stations are strategically placed around the property. The bait contains a slow-acting chemical that termites carry back to the colony, effectively eliminating it over time. 

Liquid treatment: This treatment is applied to the soil around a structure to create a barrier that termites cannot cross. 

In addition to chemical treatments, several non-chemical methods can help control and deter termite populations, including physical barriers to prevent entry; moisture control through proper drainage, leak repairs, and ventilation; and wood treatments to prevent termites from feeding on the treated structure.

Always contact your local termite exterminators for help with eastern subterranean termite problems.

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FAQs

Should I Worry About Subterranean Termites?

Yes, subterranean termites pose a significant threat to property due to their ability to consume wood and other cellulose materials. This can compromise the structural integrity of buildings, leading to costly repairs and potential safety hazards. Early identification and control are essential.

Do Eastern Subterranean Termites Only Eat Framing Lumber?

No, eastern subterranean termites do not limit their diet to framing lumber. They feed on cellulose found in wood and other plant materials. They can damage any wood in your home, including flooring, furniture, and other structural components, especially if the wood is damp or decayed.

Earwigs

Earwigs in North Carolina

Earwigs owe their name to the superstition that they purposely crawl into the ears of sleeping people and bore into the brain. Even though earwigs prefer moist, dark places, they choose these places for daytime hiding, not at night when people are sleeping. Earwigs are mostly nocturnal, searching for and feeding on a wide variety of insects and plants after dark. They are more common in the southern and southwestern United States and tend to hibernate during the winter months. Earwigs may seek refuge in homes when conditions outside are too dry, hot, or cold.

Because there are many different types of beetles in North Carolina, they can be difficult to distinguish, however our common beetle species can help with this.

Earwig Habitat

The diet of earwigs consists of a wide variety of plant and animal matter. Earwigs feed on leaves, flowers, fruits, and fungi, as well as on aphids and larger insects such as flies, captured with their pincer-like cerci. Day-time hiding places include under logs, rocks, boards, or dense growth of vines or weeds. Around homes, they can be found in moisture-rich environments such as cracks near swimming pool areas, flower bed mulch, underneath outdoor potted plants, and leaf litter. Inside homes, they will congregate in flaps of cardboard boxes and inside kitchens and bathrooms.

Earwig Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

In gardens, earwigs can chew irregular holes in leaves and flower blossoms. Earwigs can enter homes through gaps and cracks of siding and foundations. They can also gain access when homeowners transfer items like potted plants, firewood, or cardboard boxes from outside to inside the home.

If you are dealing with excess earwigs on your property, contact a local pest control professional.

Signs of an Earwig Infestation

Identifying an earwig infestation involves recognizing both the insects themselves and the signs of their presence. Key indicators include:

  • Visible earwigs, especially in moist environments.
  • Damage to plant leaves, characterized by irregular holes and chew marks.
  • Accumulation of earwigs under pots, stones, and organic debris.

Earwig Bites

Earwigs don’t bite people or spread disease, but they can pinch.  Although their pincers are not likely to break the skin, a pinch from an earwig can hurt. For the most part, earwigs are considered a nuisance pest during spring and summer. While earwigs can use their pincers to pinch if handled or threatened, they do not bite humans and are not venomous. Any discomfort from a pinch is temporary and without lasting effects.

Are Earwigs Dangerous?

Contrary to some myths, earwigs do not pose a danger to humans. They do not crawl into ears or spread diseases. The primary concern with earwigs is the potential damage to garden plants and unwelcome entry into homes.

How to Get Rid of Earwigs?

Managing an earwig population involves a combination of immediate actions and long-term strategies:

  • Immediate Removal: Collect and remove earwigs from indoor areas manually, using gloves to prevent pinching.
  • Reduce Moisture: Employ dehumidifiers and ensure proper ventilation in prone areas to make them less attractive to earwigs.
  • Physical Barriers: Seal cracks and openings around the home’s foundation to deter entry.

Long-Term Control

  • Garden Maintenance: Regularly clear away debris and excess mulch to minimize earwig hiding spots.
  • Diatomaceous Earth: Apply this natural powder around the home’s perimeter and garden areas to deter earwigs.
  • Encourage Predators: Birds and toads are natural predators of earwigs and can help control their population.

Earwig Prevention Tips

Prevention focuses on creating an environment less conducive to earwigs:

  • Moisture Control: Keep gardens well-drained and avoid overwatering.
  • Storage Practices: Store firewood and other materials away from the house to reduce harborage opportunities.
  • Regular Cleaning: Vacuum and clean basements and crawl spaces regularly to remove earwigs and their eggs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

 

Should You Kill Earwigs?

While killing earwigs is not always necessary, managing their population can prevent damage to plants and reduce their presence indoors. Natural and physical control methods are often sufficient.

What Are the Problems with Earwigs?

The primary concerns with earwigs are their potential to damage garden plants and their unwanted presence in homes. They are, however, beneficial to the ecosystem, helping break down decaying matter.

House Crickets

House Crickets in North Carolina

The house cricket was introduced into Canada and the United States in the 18th century and attracted the attention of early writers by its serenades and whimsical habit of chewing on clothes. House crickets are nocturnal and omnivorous, feeding readily on various foods, and are particularly attracted to liquids, especially fermented beverages such as beer or sweetened vinegar. House crickets are drawn to warm moist environments, seeking food and shelter within homes and structures as temperatures cool down in the fall.

Because there are many different types of beetles in North Carolina, they can be difficult to distinguish, however our common beetle species can help with this.

House Cricket Habitat

During warm weather, the house cricket lives outdoors in piles of debris, rocks, firewood, and lumber. They may also be seen in compost bins and garbage dumps during the winter, as well as in houses, sheds, and other shelters. With the coming of cold weather, the house cricket enters homes and is active in warm areas of the house. House crickets are nocturnal and usually first make themselves evident at dusk when they begin to seek food in homes. Homeowners may also be alerted to their presence by the familiar chirping sounds made by males. When attracting females, males rub their front wings together causing a chirping sound.

House Cricket Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

House crickets do not bite or spread disease, however, they can become a nuisance if they gain entry into a home, damaging clothing, carpets, and areas covered in fabric. Because these crickets are attracted to warmth, they are often present in the vicinity of the fireplace, kitchen, furnace, water heater, and basement. They conceal themselves in cracks, behind baseboards, and may burrow into the mortar of walls. The house cricket is especially destructive to silk and woolens.

If you have a house cricket infestation in your North Carolina property, contact your local pest control experts.

Signs of a House Cricket Infestation

The most obvious sign of a house cricket infestation is the sound of their chirping, which males produce to attract females. Other indicators include sighting crickets or their feces, which are small, black droppings. Crickets are nocturnal and more active at night, so you may also notice them more in the evening or when the house is dark and quiet.

House Cricket Bites

House crickets are not known to bite humans aggressively. However, if handled or provoked, they can pinch the skin with their mandibles. These bites are not dangerous but may cause minor irritation or discomfort.

Are House Crickets Dangerous?

While house crickets are not considered dangerous, they can be a nuisance. Their chirping can be disruptive, and they may damage fabrics, plants, and stored food products. Additionally, they can attract other predators into homes, including spiders and rodents.

How to Get Rid of House Crickets?

Eliminating house crickets involves reducing their habitat, removing food sources, and directly targeting the insects. Seal cracks and gaps in the home’s exterior to prevent entry. Vacuum regularly to remove crickets, eggs, and food debris. Use sticky traps in areas where crickets are frequently seen. In severe infestations, a professional pest control service may be required to get rid of House Crickets.

House Cricket Prevention Tips

Preventing house cricket infestations requires maintaining a clean and dry home environment. Seal entry points, reduce moisture by fixing leaks and using dehumidifiers, and keep clutter to a minimum. Store food in sealed containers and dispose of garbage regularly. Outside, remove potential cricket habitats near the home, such as piles of wood, leaves, or other debris.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Why am I Getting Crickets in My House?

Crickets enter homes in search of warmth, moisture, and food. Unsealed gaps, cracks, or open doors and windows can provide easy entry points.

Are Crickets OK in the House?

While a few crickets are not usually a problem, large numbers can be a nuisance and potentially cause damage to fabrics and stored food.

How Long Will a Cricket Live in My House?

The lifespan of a house cricket is typically several months, but this can vary based on environmental conditions. Indoors, where predators are fewer and conditions can be ideal, crickets can survive quite well.

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