Cooper Pest Solutions Common Pest Biology

 Focus treatment efforts around the exterior perimeter of the structure
using pesticides and baits that are “non-repellent” and that can be
transferred from one ant to another through contact when ants return
to the nest.
 Adjust control methods as needed. One size does not fit all!
 Limit interior treatment to the application of baits and targeted
residual pesticides.
 Advise you of conditions that are promoting ant activity such as poor
sanitation or overgrown vegetation that is in contact with the
structure.
What should you do?
Learn more at http://www.cooperpest.com or call 1-800-949-2667 today!
Pavement Ants
What should your pest management professional do?
Pavement ants are among the most common small ants
that invade structures, however there are a number of
other small (1/8 – 1/4"), brown to black ants that
commonly invade buildings including odorous house ants,
cornfield ants, false honey ants, etc. Due to their small size
and appearance, it is difficult to tell one from another
without proper training.

What should you do?
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are large (1/4 – 1/2") ants that can cause
extensive damage to wooden structures. The most
common carpenter ants are large, black ants, but there
are other species that are a reddish orange or have a
combination of orange and black.
 Focus treatment efforts around the exterior perimeter of the structure
using pesticides and baits that are “non-repellent” and that can be
transferred from one ant to another through contact when ants return
to the nest.
 Limit interior treatment to the application of baits and targeted
residual pesticides (often interior treatment is not necessary).
 Cut back tree limbs that are touching or overhanging the structure.
 Advise you of moisture conditions from leaks around windows,
skylights, doorframes etc. and any other conditions that promote
carpenter ant activity.

What should you do?
Springtails
Springtails are very tiny insects (≤ 1/8") and are typically
dark in color. Their name originates from the fact that they
have a tail like appendage tucked under their body that
they use to catapult, or “spring”, themselves forward.
They are one of the most abundant insects outdoors
during the summer months. They are also found inside
buildings; however, due to their extremely small size, they
often go unnoticed unless they are present in large
numbers. When present in large numbers they can be very
difficult to control.
 Apply pesticides around the exterior of the building along the
foundation, focusing on areas beneath decks, dense landscaping and
areas where gaps exist that allow entry into the building.
 Apply pesticide dusts into weep holes associated with exterior facades
and windows.
 Advise you of conditions that are promoting improper drainage of
water away from the building or serving as a humidity “sink”.
 Advise you of modifications to the perimeter landscape that can be
made to reduce the presence of springtails around the building.
*Interior application of pesticides are rarely necessary and are
often ineffective. When used, treatment should focus on areas
where moisture/humidity is highest.
Photo credit: Wikipedia

Spiders
What should you do?
Spiders are one of the most frequently encountered pests
both inside and outside of buildings due to their abundant
populations. Spiders may enter buildings for several
reasons but will only persist if there is ample food for
them. They are generalist predators that can feed on
many other small insects and pest species.
 Apply treatments to exterior areas that allow entry or harborage for
spiders, including weep holes, around window frames, and light
fixtures.
 Treatment along rooflines and rooftop flashing may be necessary if
spiders are occurring on upper level floors.
 Advise you of conditions that are promoting spider activity such as
other pest problems in the structure and areas the require sealing to
exclude pest entry.
 Install glue traps indoors to capture spiders that have entered the
structure.
*Application of pesticides indoors is rarely necessary. Often
insect sticky traps placed in areas where spiders have been seen
are an effective solution.

House Centipedes
What should you do?
Centipedes are “humidity-loving” pests that prey on
insects and other small organisms. They can be quite large
(1/4" - > 2" long), are grayish yellow in color with three
dark stripes down the body, and have very long legs which
give them a hairy appearance. People tend become very
alarmed and upset when they see a centipede due their
large size, hairy appearance and speed when they run.  Apply pesticides around the exterior of the building along the foundation,
focusing on areas beneath decks, dense landscaping and areas where gaps
exist that allow entry into the building.
 Apply pesticide dusts into weep holes associated with exterior facades
and windows.
 Advise you of conditions that are promoting centipede activity such as
improper drainage of water away from the building, dense landscaping
close to the structure, or other conditions that serve as a humidity “sink”.
 Advise you of modifications to the perimeter landscape that can be made
to reduce the presence of centipedes around the building.
*Interior application of pesticides are not always necessary, but,
when done, should focus on areas where moisture and humidity is
highest such as basements, crawl spaces or areas where leaks exist.

Overwintering Insects
What should you do?
“Overwintering insects” is a term used to refer to a variety
of pests that invade structures in autumn to seek warmth
and shelter in order to survive the oncoming cold winter
months. Stink bugs are the most well-known of the pests
that invade structures during the fall, however there are
many other pests including leaf-footed bugs, boxelder
bugs, ladybugs, cluster flies, wasps, etc. that can invade,
often in large numbers. Once inside they hunker down for
the winter (typically in insulated walls) however, on warm
or sunny days, as the walls become warm, they may
become active and find their way into the structure,
presenting themselves as a nuisance. In the spring, when
the temperatures become favorable, those that survived
the winter will leave the building and resume their life
cycle outdoors.
 Preventative applications to the exterior of the building during the fall
months however, the timing of these applications is critical and varies
depending upon the type of overwintering pest. In NJ and Pennsylvania
exterior treatments should occur as follows:
 Cluster Flies – Last two weeks in August to 1st week in September.
 Stink Bugs – Last two weeks in August to middle of September.
 Boxelder Bugs, Ladybugs, Wasps, etc. following first hard frost, usually late
October.
 When preventative treatments have not been made, provide control
options that include both nonchemical and chemical methods to control
overwintering pests inside of structures.
* When preventative applications have not been made, control
efforts indoors are often ineffective. Prevention is the key to
controlling overwintering pests.

Midges
What should you do?
If gnats, both dead and alive, keep showing up on your
interior windowsills, you are probably experiencing
midges. They breed in extraordinarily large numbers in
bodies of water and areas where water/moisture is
excessive, such as a boggy area of the lawn. At night, they
are attracted to lights by the thousands, hundreds of
thousands, or even millions.  Provide you with recommendations on how to reduce the
attractiveness of the building to midges.
 Apply pesticides to the exterior of the building around window frames
and light fixtures.
 Install light traps above drop ceilings if midges are entering through
soffits or gaining access into drop ceilings.
 As a last resort, apply residual liquid chemicals to interior window
frames (this is of little value in providing control).
* The key to solving midge problems inside of buildings, is to manage
the light emanating from the building that is attracting them.

House Flies
What should you do?
House flies are important public health pests that are very
abundant in nature and found virtually everywhere. They
often enter buildings when doors or windows are opened
and lack proper screens or are not well sealed. When
sanitation is extremely poor, they can also be found
breeding indoors. Indoor breeding of house flies is most
commonly associated with poor solid waste management
practices or poor sanitation in areas of food preparation.
Control of house flies involves mostly nonchemical
measures including exclusion, sanitation, and trapping.
 Conduct inspections to determine if house flies are entering from the
exterior, breeding inside the building, or combination of the two.
 Make recommendations to exclude fly entry into the building. This
may range from simply repairing doors and windows that are not
properly sealed to installation of air curtains or other mechanical
barriers to limit the entry of house flies.
 Install insect light traps to capture flies that gain entry into the
building. Common areas for light traps include shipping and receiving
areas, indoor solid waste/recycling management, food service areas.
 Offer services to treat areas that are attractive to house flies and
conducive to breeding house flies, such as dumpsters, compactors,
grease pits, etc.

Fruit Flies
What should you do?
Fruit Flies are small gnats (about 1/8" long) and tend to be
either tan in color with dark stripes and red eyes, or
entirely dark in appearance. They are a common problem
in both commercial and residential settings and can be a
pest year round but are most abundant in the late
summer through autumn.
 Conduct inspections to identify existing fruit fly breeding sources as
well as potential breeding sources.
 Make recommendations for proper sanitation, food storage, and solid
waste management practices, to eliminate breeding sources.
 Offer services to treat drains with enzymes or provide enzyme
products for in-house staff to use in drains.
 Apply fly baits to reduce fly populations while efforts to eliminate
breeding sources are being carried out.
 Offer innovative solutions for managing fruit flies when breeding
sources are difficult to eliminate.

Phorid and Sewer Flies
What should you do?
Phorid flies and sewer flies are small flies that breed on
decaying organic matter. While there are differences
between these two flies, one thing they have in common
is that they are both often associated with sewage waste
lines and can quickly become a pest inside buildings with
faulty plumbing. Control of these flies requires
identification and elimination of their breeding sources.
Application of pesticides will not control either of these
flies.
 Work with property management to identify any dry drain traps that
might exist and then conduct inspections to see if flies are breeding in
areas where trash, recycling or food preparation exist.
 Work cooperatively with property management, engineering, and
plumbing contractors to identify potential breaks in plumbing lines.
This may involve filming sewer lines, smoke testing or pressure testing
plumbing lines, and monitoring to try and pin point faulty plumbing.
 Be present at the time of excavations to repair plumbing to insure that
contaminated soil is removed in addition to repairing the break
(otherwise the flies will continue to persist and the area will need to
be excavated again to remove the contaminated fill).

Fungus Gnats
What should you do?
Fungus Gnats are very common pests wherever potted
plants are present. They are common in the commercial
work place due to the number of plants that are often
present in office buildings. Fungus gnats are small, ranging
in size from 1/8" - 1/10" in length, and are a very weak
fliers but can be very annoying and can become quite a
distraction in the workplace.  Offer you a comprehensive monitoring program.
*The most common source of fungus gnats inside of structures is the damp
soil of potted plants. These gnats are associated with microscopic fungi
and decaying matter that is present in these areas. The key to solving
fungus gnat activity is to eliminate the microscopic molds and fungi that
they are breeding on, not the application of pesticides.
*Offer you a program to definitively determine if in fact fungus gnats are
originating form the potted plants. If Interior plants are the source, plant
vendors responsible for the plants will become part of the control solution.
*If plants are ruled out as the source of fungus gnats, your pest
management vendor should inspect for other sources of the fungus gnat
activity such as roof leaks, or a condition that is creating mold or mildew.

German cockroaches are a frequently encountered pest in
food handling establishments, office break areas, and
household kitchens (especially within apartment
buildings), but can be introduced into virtually any
environment. Adults are about 1/2" in length and are light
tan to golden brown in color with two black stripes
located directly behind their head. The immature stage is
much smaller and darker in color with a milky colored
patch/stripe on their back.
German Cockroaches
What should you do?
 Perform an inspection to assess the extent of the infestation.
 Apply cockroach baits and install monitors.
 In office buildings:
 Expand the control effort to a 30’ radius beyond the known area of roach activity.
 In Institute a log system for reported sightings.
 Provide follow up services to check monitors and inspect to ensure the infestation
in resolved.
 In apartments:
 Inspect neighboring apartments to determine if one of them is the source of the
reported cockroach activity.
*German cockroaches can be very difficult to control and
require a highly skilled pest management professional trained
in the proper way to inspect, monitor and treat for them.

American and Oriental Roaches
What should you do?
American and Oriental cockroaches are large roaches (up
to 2" in length), both are often referred to as “water bugs”
largely because of their association with sewers, plumbing
lines, sump pits, steam tunnels etc. American roaches are
reddish-brown in color with the wings extending beyond
the end of their body. Oriental roaches are dark black in
color, with the wings of the female shorter than the length
of the body (males do not have wings).
 Apply baits and other appropriate pesticides where roaches are being
seen but focus efforts in areas where they breed. This may mean
accessing sump pits, elevator pits, sewage ejection pits, steam tunnels,
or manholes outside the building.
 Work with property management to identify any dry drain traps that
might exist allowing roaches easy entry into the building.
 Work cooperatively with property management, engineering, and
plumbing contractor to identify potential breaks in plumbing lines. This
may involve filming of sewer lines, smoke testing or pressure testing
plumbing lines, and monitoring to try and pin point faulty plumbing.

Bed Bugs
What should you do?
Bed bugs have become one of the most important and
serious pests in the United States and around the world.
Infestations can be both difficult and expensive to resolve.
If not addressed correctly, litigation by affected parties is
common. Bed bugs are a problem in homes, apartments,
hotels, and office buildings, but can be introduced
virtually anywhere. Bed bugs range from as small as 1/16",
at birth, to 1/4" as adults. They feed exclusively on blood
but have not been shown to transmit diseases.
 Ensure that you are properly educated about bed bugs and their
control so that you are fully aware of what is involved in addressing
the problem and are able to effectively manage your litigation risk.
 Expand the inspection and monitoring effort beyond the area of
known activity:
 In offices, this should be an area no less than a 30’ radius beyond the area
where bed bugs have been confirmed.
 In apartment buildings, rooms above, below, adjacent and across the hall
from known infested apartments should be inspected and monitored.
 Provide inspections to confirm the presence of bed bugs and assess
the extent of the problem.
 Provide you with a comprehensive action plan that includes
treatment, monitoring, and a resolution.

Fleas
What should you do?
Fleas are very small (1/12") jumping insects that feed on
the blood of mammals and are often a pest of dogs and
cats in our homes. Their bites can cause welts, itching, and
swelling. Large populations of fleas can exist outdoors
associated with feral cats, squirrels, possums, ground hogs
etc. and can be introduced indoors if any of these animals
are living in close association with the structure.  Determine if animals other than pets are contributing to the flea
infestation (i.e. feral cats in crawl space, squirrels in attic, etc.).
 Determine if treatment is necessary outdoors in addition to the
infested dwelling.
 Identify all of the challenges and obstacles to control and provide a list
of instructions that the occupants of the infested structure must do to
ensure that professional treatments are successful.
 Provide a comprehensive control plan that addresses all stages of the
flea life cycle and incorporates products that will not only control the
adult fleas but also prevents the successful breeding of fleas.

Silverfish
What should you do?
Silverfish are a very common insect, often introduced into
buildings at the time of construction (typically following
the insulation of the structure) but can also enter from the
exterior anytime post construction. They are small
wingless insects, reaching up to 1" in length as adults.
They get their name from the silver color and the
“fishlike” manner by which the move.  When only a few silverfish are being seen or they are seen infrequently,
control can often be achieved simply by applying a broad spectrum
pesticide to the baseboards in areas of the structure where the silverfish
are being seen.
 When silverfish are present in large numbers or are being seen routinely
more aggressive measures are often necessary. Insect baits and/or
residual pesticides should be applied in the following locations:
 In attics and above drop ceilings where ceiling panels meet the wall.
 Into gaps associated with plumbing fixtures and electrical boxes
behind electric outlets and light switch plates.
 To the baseboards especially in rooms where silverfish have been
seen.
 In basements along sill plates and in areas where plumbing,
electrical or utility penetrations exist.

Mice
What should you do?
Mice are one of the most common pests of manmade
structures, gaining access through gaps as small as 1/4".
They are also excellent climbers and can enter buildings
via any gap that exists from the ground up to the rooftop.
Mice are considered a serious public health pest due to
the diseases they carry. They also contaminate foods and
cause damage to structures through their aggressive
gnawing behavior. In urban areas the most common
mouse is the house mouse, while in rural areas it’s the
deer mouse.
 Perform an inspection to identify rodent entry points that require
sealing.
 Provide recommendations for addressing existing mouse activity that
includes a combination of physical removal with traps and rodent
baiting.
 Assess if control measures are required beneath raised floors or above
drop ceilings.
 For well-established infestations, provide a comprehensive plan
including tracking of rodent activity and mass-trapping, in addition to
use of rodenticides.

Grain Pests
 Conduct inspections to identify existing and potential grain pest
breeding sources.
 Install monitors to track grain pest activity.
 Provide recommendations for proper storage of food items to prevent
future infestation.
What should you do?
The term “grain pest” or “stored product pest” is used to
describe a variety of moths and beetles that infest a wide
array of dry food products stored in pantries, cupboards
or any other area where food products are kept. Moths
that infest stored food products are narrow and typically
no more than 1/2" in length. Most beetles that attack
stored food products are small in size, ranging from 1/16 –
1/8", with a few species getting as large of 1/4" in length.
The most common grain pests include Indian meal moths,
Red flour beetles, Dermestid beetles, and Saw-toothed
grain beetles.
*Application of pesticides is not effective for eliminating grain
pests. Control of grain pests involves identifying and eliminating
infested food items and preventing future infestation by storing
susceptible foods in a manner that protects them from
becoming infested.

Paper wasps are approximately 3/4" long, with narrow
bodies pinched at the “waist”. The nest is made up of a
grey paper cells that open and face downward. The wasps
rest on the exposed surface of their nest which can be
attached to surfaces of buildings (under soffits, window
frames, light fixtures etc.) by a thin pedestal. The most
common paper wasps are burnt orange-brown in color.
Another common paper wasp (Mediterranean paper
wasp) looks similar to a Yellow Jacket wasp with black and
yellow stripes.
Paper Wasps
What should you do?
 Offer an option for preventive treatment of wasp nests.
 Treat and eliminate any existing nests taking care not to drive wasps
into the building.
 Offer options to address wasps that are “overwintering” in structures
during the months of October-March.
*Paper wasps are easily eliminated simply by treating and
removing the nest, however it is important to distinguish
between native paper wasps and the Mediterranean paper
wasp as control measures vary between the two.

Yellow Jackets
What should you do?
Yellow Jackets are a very aggressive wasp that builds their
nest in voids located either in the ground or within
buildings (i.e. walls, ceilings). Great care should be taken
to look for ground nests during the summer months when
working in landscaped areas or cutting grass, in order to
avoid being stung. They are approximately 1/2" in length
with shiny black and yellow striped markings.  Identify nesting locations and determine if treatment will result in any
risk of yellow jackets entering into the structure.
 Treat and eliminate any existing nests.
*Yellow jackets are easily eliminated through proper treatment
of the nest.

Mosquitoes
What should you do?
Mosquitoes can become abundant on properties that
have breeding sources present or are adjacent to
mosquito breeding sites. Some species breed in
permanent bodies of water (i.e. Culex spp.) while others
breed in containers that hold water (i.e. Aedes spp.).
Control of mosquitoes is important to reduce the threat of
disease transmission as well as to decrease the frequency
of being bitten.
 Offer programs for inspection of the property to identify mosquito
breeding sites.
 Provide recommendations for eliminating mosquito breeding sites on
the property
 Offer programs to apply larvacides to mosquito breeding sources that
cannot be eliminated.
 Offer a program to treat vegetation on the property that serve as adult
resting sites.
*Control of mosquitoes starts with identifying sources of
standing water that are serving as breeding areas. Large bodies
of water that have mosquitoes breeding in them are typically
addressed by the state mosquito commissions.

Rats
What should you do?
Norway rats are a very serious public health pest in the
Northeastern U.S. They carry diseases, contaminate foods
and cause damage to structures through their aggressive
gnawing behavior. Rats can be as large as 10" (not
including the tail) and are either grey or brown in color.
Bird feeders, feeding of feral cats, and open dumpsters or
trash are commonly responsible for the establishment of
rat populations in/or around structures. They are very
intelligent animals, can be difficult to control, and require
a well-coordinated eradication program.
 Provide recommendations of measures that can be taken to prevent a
rat infestation from occurring.
 Provide recommendations for addressing existing rat activity. This
involves a thorough inspection and assessment of the factors
contributing to the rat infestation. The assessment should include:
 Measures necessary to exclude rat entry from the building.
 Recommendations for eliminating available food sources.
 Measures to eliminate the existing rat population using trapping
and/or application of rodenticides.
 Measures to prevent rats from reestablishing once the
infestation has been eliminated.
Photo credit: CDC

Termites
What should you do?
Eastern subterranean termites are a common pest in the
Northeastern U.S and can cause significant damage to
wood frame structures. In concrete and steel construction,
while structural damage is not a concern, they can be a
considerable nuisance during the spring months when
swarms often occur inside of structures. Once termites
swarm there is little that can be done to stop the
swarming activity, however, treatment of the colony will
prevent future swarms.
 Conduct an inspection to determine the extent of the termite activity
and make recommendations for control.
 Offer both liquid residual and baiting options for control of termite
activity and explain the pros and cons of each method.
 Offer an ongoing monitoring program for detection and treatment of
termite activity on the property in areas close to the structure.
 Offer a termite renewal program for wood-frame structures that have
been treated.
*Proactive termite monitoring programs are available to
continuously monitor properties for termite activity. The goal is
to detect termites long before signs and symptoms may expose
termite activity, so they can be treated before they cause
extensive damage.

Biting insect complaints are very common in
office buildings and apartments alike. The
most important question to answer is
whether or not the “bites” and associated
“bite symptoms” are being caused by an
actual pest inside the structure or are the
result of some other type of non-pest related
problem. There are many “non-pest” reasons
for perceived bites.
Biting Insect Complaints
What should you do?
 Provide you with educational materials on pest and non-pest causes of
“biting” insect complaints.
 Provide you with a comprehensive plan to investigate the presence or
absence of biting pests. This should include monitoring efforts for:
 Bed bugs
 Fleas
 Mites
 Thrips
 Other flying and crawling pests
 Provide you with comprehensive documentation of the findings from
the monitoring program, an explanation of whether or not any of the
identified pests have the ability to cause the type of bites being
reported, and recommendations for treatment or further investigation
of non-pest causes.

Cooper Pest Solutions Common Pest Biology

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