Black Widow Spider

known for the distinctive red mark or marks under the abdomena. The Black Widow makes an irregular web in dark places such as foundations, air vents, shrubs and woodpiles, often at ground level. Black widows are one of the most poisonous spiders found in North America and occur in all 48 states from Mexico to Canada.

A black widow spider's bite results in severe pain that may take several days to subside. Such bites are rarely fatal but small children and elderly persons are at risk.

This spider is uniformly shiny black in color and has a large spherical abdomen. The key identifying character is the red hourglass-shaped mark on the underside of her abdomen.

Bites frequently occur when people are picking up an item under which the spider is hiding or by putting on a shoe which the spider has crawled.

Bites can be avoided by wearing heavy gloves when moving items stored for long periods outside, in garages, in basements, or in warehouses.

Shoes should shaken vigorously prior to wearing, especially those of you who leave your shoes outside your front or rear door.

When webs are visible, inspect carefully before putting your hand down under an object.

Black widows prefer to construct their webs in secluded, protected sites where insects are more likely to show up. Such sites are common in items stored haphazardly in garages or outside. Such clutter creates innumerable spaces suitable for spider harborages.

Keeping boxes and objects stored neatly and away from ways is one step to reduce black widows in or around a home.

Control is best left to a professional company like ProStar Pest Control. If numerous spiders are encountered, they can be removed using a shop vac, but care must be taken when opening the vacuum to kill the spiders. We recommend a bag type vacuum for added safety.

American Cockroach - Sometimes referred to as a waterbug or a Palmetto bug, this is the largest common household cockroach. It has reddish brown wings, a light brown body, and a yellow margin around the shield on its back. Found nearly anywhere in a house, American cockroaches may contaminate food, carry disease organisms, and can damage bookbindings, fabrics, wallpaper and many other products containing starch. They are active at night. Egg capsules contain 12-16 eggs.

German Cockroach - Found throughout the world, this cockroach is often called a waterbug because it locates very close to sources of moisture (especially sinks). It is most commonly found in restaurants, kitchens and stores. The German cockroach has two dark stripes down its back. The egg capsule contains 36-48 eggs that can become adults in 3 months. German cockroaches pollute foods, cause stains, create foul odors, are capable of carrying disease organisms and produce allergens. They hide during the day, often closely packed in small cracks and crevices in kitchens, bathrooms or other places near sources of moisture.

Brown Banded Cockroach - Also known as the furniture cockroach, it is recognized by the alternating light and dark bands running across its back. It is about the same size as the German cockroach, but tolerates a drier habitat, and may be scattered through the entire building. Brown banded cockroaches do not multiply as fast as German cockroaches, but because of their scattered habitats are often difficult to control. They can damage fabrics, books, wallpaper and often get inside motors, electric clocks and light switches.

Cockroach Control requires finding and treating all active harborages where they are hiding. determining these harborages requires knowledge and experience. Successful control is rarely achieved without treatments applied to cracks and voids. The "In-Wall" treatment used by ProStar Pest Control is an integral part of controlling cockroaches inside buildings.

Many species of cockroaches live outside the home as a natural part of the environment. These insects become pests when they invade a home or building. Finding and treating all the outdoor harborages on the property as well as the use of cockroach baits in the attics of homes is the cockroach species. Sealing up exits or cracks and holes, installing screens over vents, and moving firewood away from the home are also necessary for long term results.