Argentine Ants are native to South America, but were unintentionally introduced into the eco-system of North America, specifically in California and the southeastern states. The workers are only about 1/16th of an inch long, though queens are 2 to 4 times larger, and can enter homes through spaces as small as 1 millimeter. They do not build mounds, but nest in cracks in concrete, within walls, and even among human possessions.

When Argentine ants enter an area they will usually drive away any other species of ants in the area. This can cause problems with the local ecosystem, as the native ants often disperse seeds for plants in the area, and reduce the population of plant-preying insects such as aphids. Argentine ants form a mutually beneficial relationship with these insects, in which the ants "protect" the aphids from predators and parasitoids, and the aphids provide the ants with s sweet secretion known as "honeydew." The ants will also form "super colonies," wherein ants from one colony will freely mingle with those of another, unlike most other species of ants. This results in there being a likelihood of having a much larger population of Argentine ants in the area than there would be with other ant species. Traditional insecticides are ineffective with Argentine ants, as the queens-there may be as many as 8 queens for every thousand workers-react to the chemical(s) by increasing their egg output. In essence, pesticide causes the population to increase, rather than decrease. The only effective way to reduce Argentine ant populations is through the use of poison bait. While this form of treatment takes longer to work, it is much more effective, because the workers will bring the bait back to the nest and share it with the other ants, and thus the entire population will die.

The Black Widow spider is one of only two venomous spider species in Georgia, the other being the brown recluse. Black widows are fairly large spiders, sometimes growing to 1.5 inches, including legs. The females are black in color, with a distinctive hourglass-shaped marking upon their abdomens. This marking is most often red, but may also be varying degrees of white, yellow, or orange. Male black widows are smaller than the females, usually no larger than .75", and are most often dark brown in color. Males may or may not exhibit hourglass markings on the abdomen; when they are present, they are usually much fainter and of darker shades than those of the female. Widows are often found at the bottom of structure, near the ground. Around the home, they are usually found under siding, in dryer vent covers, along the

bottom of fencing, etc. They will not usually be found inside a home, but sometimes can be found in basements or attics, and may travel to the inhabited parts of the home.

Black Widow venom is approximately 15 times more potent than that of the rattlesnake however because the spider is so (relatively) small, the effects of a bite are far less grave. Widow bites very rarely result in fatality-only 63 black widow venom-related deaths were reported in the United States between 1950 and 1989. In most cases the effects of the venom are limited to minimal to severe pain and swelling and redness at the bite site, and fang marks. More rarely, victims may experience muscle spasms and cramping throughout the body for 6 to 12 hours; chills, fever, and nausea; severe abdominal pain; seizures; stupor or shock; and/or hypertension. The effects of a bite from a black widow are more serious for children than for adults.

If you are bitten by a black widow, seek medical attention as soon as possible; put ice on the wound and remain calm to decrease the flow of venom into the blood; try to positively identify the spider that bit you to assist your doctor in his/her diagnosis. In most cases the only treatment that is needed is to thoroughly clean the wound; medication may be prescribed if the patient is pregnant, suffers from seizures or hypertension, or is having difficulty breathing. Painkillers may also be prescribed for muscle pain.

Box Elder Bugs, aka maple bugs or democrat bugs (in the midwestern US), are plant-feeding insects that are exterior pests for most of the year. They are usually no larger than .5", and nest on or in shade trees, most notably maple and ash. They will not usually cause significant damage to the plants, unless there is an unusually large population. Adult box elders are black or dark brown with orange or red undersides and markings on the wings; immature box elders are bright red.

When the weather begins to cool, box elders will often make their way into human habitations through cracks and crevices in the building's exterior. They will lay dormant within the walls until it gets cold enough for heating systems to be used. When the heat within the walls revives them they will begin to enter inhabited parts of the building.

A standard exterior barrier pest treatment is usually sufficient to prevent box elders from entering a home, though steps should be taken, as with all types of pests, to reduce or eliminate possible entry points through sealing cracks and crevices.

Brown Recluses are usually between .25 and .75 inches in size, including the legs, but may grow to larger sizes. They are a light brown to dark yellow color, and sometimes exhibit a marking resembling a violin on the top of the head. Recluses differ from most other types of spider in that they have six eyes instead of the usual eight. Recluses build irregularly shaped webs, and are usually found in dry, usually undisturbed places like woodpiles, sheds, cellars, garages, etc. The webs are not used to

capture prey; like the wolf spider, they leave their webs to hunt for prey. When they find their way into human habitations they prefer cardboard shelters, but will also nest in infrequently used beds, shoes, clothing, behind pictures and baseboards, or near furnaces. Most recluse bites occur when these areas are being cleaned; the spider feels threatened by the invasion of its space and attacks the invader.

The venom of the brown recluse causes the destruction of the cell membranes surrounding the bite, which causes the breakdown of skin, fat, and blood vessels in the immediate area of the wound. Over time, it may lead to the death of the tissues surrounding the wound, a condition known as necrosis. In rare cases there are serious side-effects, including the destruction of red blood cells, a low platelet count, blood clots in capillaries and reduced clotting ability in other blood vessels, kidney damage, coma, and even death. No deaths have ever been reported in persons over the age of 7, and deaths resulting from a brown recluse bite are very rare.

Victims are usually unaware that they have bitten at first, as there is very little pain from the bite itself. Within 4 hours there will be severe pain at the bitten area, and it will begin to swell; victims may also experience nausea, fever, and severe itching. The bitten area will initially be red, but will fade to a pallor surrounded by a red ring, similar to a bullseye, as it swells. A blister will form at the center of the swelling, which will sink into the bitten area over the course of 12-48 hours, turning bluish and then black as the skin tissue dies. The underlying fat may also die, but this is more rare. The wound may develop into a necrotic lesion, but this too is rare.

If you believe you have been bitten by a brown recluse, seek medical attention as soon as possible. If possible, bring the spider that bit you, to aid the doctor in diagnosing the wound. Wash the bitten area with cool water and mild soap (such as hand soap), and apply ice to slow the spread of the venom. Your doctor may also recommend a tetanus shot, and follow up visits may be required to remove necrotic tissue in order to prevent secondary bacterial infections.

Smoky Brown Cockroaches are the least common species of roach in metro-Atlanta, as they prefer very warm and very moist environments. They are much more the Gulf coast states-especially Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi-and tropical regions. They are usually between 1 and 1.75" in length, and look like American roaches, but darker, usually a dark mahogany brown, in color. They have wings, and are quite capable fliers. Like all roaches, they prefer to nest in dark, damp, sheltered places, and will eat nearly anything. The smoky brown roach is largely an outdoor pest for most of the year, though it will venture indoors to find food or water if the opportunity presents itself. During cool or cold times of the year, they will nest in human habitations, usually in basements, crawl spaces, within walls near plumbing or air ducts, behind cabinets, or within

cracks and crevices in the foundation. It is, however, less resilient than the American roach, as it requires more water, and is extremely susceptible to cold.

The most important step in eliminating roaches is cleanliness-if there is no food, they will not come. Make sure to keep countertops and floors clean; sweep and mop regularly, and be sure to occasionally clean behind appliances like dishwashers, ovens, and refrigerators. Do not leave unsealed foods sitting out for extended periods of time. Empty trash cans regularly, and do not keep garbage bins right next to your house. All cracks and crevices should be sealed when possible, especially those around air vents, plumbing, doorways, and windows. The application of an exterior barrier pest control treatment will also help reduce the likelihood of roaches entering your home.

Carpenter Ants are the largest type of ant in America, usually measuring around .25" in length, but able to reach lengths upwards of 1". The most common species are black, but there is a related species which is red. As the name suggests, they make their nests in wood, preferring dead, damp wood, though they will tunnel through any type of wood when seeking food, and may cause structural damage similar to that

caused by termites. Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not eat the wood, but merely use it for their nests and for transportation.

They are omnivorous, and will eat almost anything, including plant juices, fruit, other insects and small invertebrates, all common household sweets like honey, sugar, jelly, syrup, etc., meat, grease, or fat. The most important step in preventing ant invasion is to clean up thoroughly after eating or cooking, and ensuring that all foods are properly sealed. The most effective method of controlling carpenter ants (and all ants) is a combination of cleaning, baiting, and pesticide.

Daddy Long Legs, more properly known as harvestmen, are spiders with two notable features: their extremely long legs, and the "fusion" of their two body sections into one oval section. They do in fact have separated heads and abdomens, but there is so little demarcation between the two that it appears that they have been joined together. Harvestmen are different from other spider species in that they have neither venom

nor silk glands; they also have only two eyes, as opposed to the usual eight, which are not functional-they use a pair of legs as antennae . The body of harvestmen does not usually exceed 7 millimeters in length, but the leg-span can reach lengths of over 6". Most types live for one year.

Harvestmen are omnivorous, consuming small insects, plant material, carrion, fungi, even the droppings of other insects and animals. They pose absolutely no threat to humans.

Earwigs are dark brown and/or reddish brown insects most easily recognized by the "pinchers" that appear at the end of their bodies. These pincher-like appendages, called cerci, are sensory organs, similar in function to antennae; they are also used, in some species, to hold prey while feeding, and during reproduction. Earwigs are usually between 10 and 14 millimeters long, and their cercus may be equal to one-third of the body length.

Earwigs feed on insects, fruits, plants, and even garbage. They prefer to nest in dark, damp places, such as cracks in building foundations, beneath pine straw or mulch beds, beneath sinks, or even within the buds of flowers. To controlearwigs, applying pesticide to potential nesting areas, especially gardens and mulch beds, is usually all that is needed.

The German cockroach is the most common household pest in the world. They usually measure between .25 and .5" in length, but can grow to be slightly larger. Adults are a light tan to medium brown in color, with two distinct stripes running from the head to the base of the wings. While it has wings, the German cockroach is incapable of sustaining flight. Like most roaches, they are nocturnal and will eat nearly anything. Because of their small size, incredible reproductive capabilities, and natural wariness, German roach infestations are extremely difficult to bring under control. They can live in almost any space within a home because they are so small, and will feed on anything, from food and crumbs, glue, residue from some toiletry products that contain carbohydrates, to even their own droppings and other roaches. German cockroaches produce between 20 and 50 eggs at a time; young roaches will sexually mature in 6 to 8 weeks, at which point they will begin

producing eggs of their own. A female cockroach, under ideal conditions, can produce up to 400 eggs in her lifetime.

The most important step in eliminating roaches is cleanliness-if there is no food, they will not come. Make sure to keep countertops and floors clean; sweep and mop regularly, and be sure to occasionally clean behind appliances like dishwashers, ovens, and refrigerators. Do not leave unsealed foods sitting out for extended periods of time. Empty trash cans regularly, and do not keep garbage bins right next to your house. All cracks and crevices should be sealed when possible, especially those around air vents, plumbing, doorways, and windows. The application of an exterior barrier pest control treatment will also help reduce the likelihood of roaches entering your home. To eliminate existing infestations, a combination of cleaning, exterior barrier treatment, interior crack and crevice treatment, and bait application is needed, but will often take several months to succeed.

There are two separate, non-related insects in the southeast known as hornets: the European Hornet, which was accidentally introduced into the United States (there are no true hornets native to the U.S.), and the Bald-Faced Hornet, which is actually a type of wasp. While they are not the same species, there are very similar in habitat and lifestyle. European hornets are yellow, black, and/or reddish brown; the queens will grow to be about 1 to 1.5 inches long, with the workers and drones being somewhat smaller. Bald-faced hornets are black and ivory-white; they are slightly smaller than European hornets, with the queens usually between .75 and 1.5 inches long, and the workers and drones somewhat smaller. Hornets have been found that were as large as 1.8".Hornet nests begin as a small collection of cells, in which a queen will lay eggs. As the brood grows in population, the

nest is added on to; while usually a little longer than the length of a football and about the circumference of a basketball, they can reach heights of 3 feet.

A single hornet sting is not dangerous to those without allergies; however, hornets will almost always attack in swarms, and sting multiple times. It is therefore not advisable to agitate a hornets' nest in any way. If you do so, get indoors immediately, as they will chase you. If you have a hornets' nest around your house, it is highly recommended that you contact a professional pest control company to remove it.

Japanese Beetles are not native to the U.S., but were unintentionally introduced to our environment around 1912. They are about .75" long and .5" wide, and are shiny copper and green. They are serious threats to plant life, especially roses, vegetable and fruit plants, and grasses. When Japanese beetles have fed on a plant, they leave a telltale "transparent leaf." They are especially bad for lawns, as they consume the grass'

roots, and create a hospitable environment for milky spore disease, which is fatal for grasses.

While using plant-safe pesticide is the most effective way of controlling the beetle, catnip, chives, and garlic can be used to repel them from your garden.

The Common House Mouse is the most common in and around Georgia homes. They are usually light brown or gray, with lighter bellies, though variations are common, with little to no hair on their tails. They are usually no longer than 8", including the tail, and weigh no more than 1.5 ounces. Mice live mostly on a diet of fruits, plant materials, and seeds and nuts, though they will consume meat if necessary. They do not like cheese, as is popularly imagined, but prefer

foods high in sugar content. They have been observed to self-cannabalize in times of food shortage. They require little to no water, surviving on the moisture in their food.

Mice will nest in any sheltered area, notably within walls, attics, and basements. They will create actual "nests" from shredded cloth, cotton stuffing, fur, paper, and/or hair. They are almost incapable of surviving apart from human civilization.

The most common Millipedes (of which there are over 10,000 species worldwide) in Georgia is Narceus americanus, the North American millipede. These millipedes are dark brown or black, and can reach lengths of 4". Millipedes eat vegetation, and can cause serious damage to plants. They will strip away the outer layer of young stems and branches, and will also eat leaves. They consume not only live vegetation, but

dead and decaying plant matter as well. They are largely an outdoor pest, but will occasionally find their way indoors. They do not last long indoors, however, as they need high amounts of moisture in their environment to survive, and there is not usually enough available in the average house.

When threatened, millipedes will curl into a tight coil, to protect their legs. They will also release, through their skin, small amounts (relatively speaking) of a noxious liquid made up of hydrogen cyanide and colored pigments. This liquid will stain the skin, and in some cases cause non-serious skin irritation. Those with allergies may experience edema, eczema, and/or blistering. If the liquid comes in contact with the eyes it may cause general irritation, or even pink-eye.

American cockroaches, aka palmetto bugs or waterbugs, are the largest species of roach common in Georgia, usually between 1 and 1.75". They are reddish brown, with a yellowish coloration near the edges of their bodies. They have wings, and are quite capable fliers. Like all roaches, they prefer to nest in dark, damp, sheltered places, and will eat nearly anything. The American roach is largely an outdoor pest for most of the year, though it will venture indoors to find food or water if the opportunity presents itself. During cool or

cold times of the year, they will nest in human habitations, usually in basements, crawl spaces, within walls near plumbing or air ducts, behind cabinets, or within cracks and crevices in the foundation.

The most important step in eliminating roaches is cleanliness-if there is no food, they will not come. Make sure to keep countertops and floors clean; sweep and mop regularly, and be sure to occasionally clean behind appliances like dishwashers, ovens, and refrigerators. Do not leave unsealed foods sitting out for extended periods of time. Empty trash cans regularly, and do not keep garbage bins right next to your house. All cracks and crevices should be sealed when possible, especially those around air vents, plumbing, doorways, and windows. The application of an exterior barrier pest control treatment will also help reduce the likelihood of roaches entering your home.

There are two main types of Rats, black rats and brown rats. Both appear on every continent, excepting Antarctica. They are omnivorous, that is, will eat anything, though they prefer grains, and have been observed to self-cannibalize in times of severe food shortage. Rats produce 3 to 6 litters per year on average, and live for up to 3 years under ideal conditions. They are almost exclusively nocturnal, and will usually drive away any mice in the area. Black rats, also known as roof rats, house rats, ship rats, or Asian black rats, may

be any shade between black and light brown, with a lighter color on the underside. They are generally between 15 and 20 centimeters long when fully grown, and their tails can reach up to 20 centimeters long. Brown rats are either brown or dark gray, with lighter colored undersides. They are generally between 20 and 25 centimeters long when fully grown, and their tails can reach up to 25 centimeters long.

Black and brown rats are almost never found together. Black rats are smaller and more agile than brown rats, and prefer to live in elevated locations. In human habitations, they are usually found in attics (hence their nickname "roof rats"). Brown rats prefer subterranean nests, and are often found in crawlspaces, basements, beneath porches, or generally any ground or below ground level sheltered location near sources of food and water. Brown rats are excellent swimmers, and are often found near wharfs or piers (hence their nickname, "wharf rats").

Rats are notoriously disease-ridden animals. They are largely credited with being the source of the Black Plague that ravaged Europe and Asia from 1347 to 1351, wiping out over one-third of the civilized world's population. They carry bubonic plague (the "black death"), viral hemorrhagic fevers (which include dengue fever and ebola virus, among others), hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, cryptosporidiosis, Q fever (the most infectious disease in the world), leptospirosis ("Weil's disease"), and rabies. These diseases can be transferred from rat to human through being bitten, ingesting rat droppings or urine, or consuming infected rat meat.

Silverfish are wingless insects that are between .5 and 1" when fully grown. They are dark brown until their third molting, when the develop the silvery-blue scales that give the insect its name. Silverfish need humid environments that have plenty of hiding places to survive. Within the home, they are often found in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens.

Silverfish feed on carbohydrate-rich substances, such as sugars and starches. They will also eat any non-food substance containing carbohydrates, such as glue, book bindings, photos, hair, dandruff, and the cellulose found in many toiletry products such as shampoo and shaving cream.

Like ants and roaches, the main step in preventing silverfish infestation is to keep your home clean. Rinse out sinks, showers, and bathtubs after use to eliminate any residue that silverfish would feed on. Clean up spills, and don't leave paper laying about. Seal any cracks of crevices around the home. Also, an exterior barrier pest control treatment will prevent most insects from entering the home, and spot treatment within the home will kill any active insects.

Ticks are a type of ectoparasite, parasites which feed on their host from outside of the host. They survive by consuming the blood of other living creatures, specifically mammals and birds, and occasionally reptiles and amphibians. Ticks attach themselves to their hosts by waiting in tall grass or shrubs for a potential host to pass, and then crawl or drop onto the host; this is the only method of tick transportation-they do not fly or jump. Adult ticks are usually smaller than a match head, and thus are usually unnoticed until they are engorged and enlarged from feeding. They will remove themselves from the host once satisfied, but their feeding requires several days to complete. A tick bite is similar in appearance to a mosquito

bite, and may cause mild itching. Tick bites do not usually require medical attention, but in rare cases may result in severe allergic reactions; the main danger in tick bites is the transmission of disease.Ticks are second only to mosquitoes as transmitters of human disease, including relapsing fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, equine encephalitis, Colorado tick fever, and, most notoriously, Lyme disease. They also carry diseases dangerous to pets and livestock, such as ehrlichiosis and cytauxzoonosis. It is important to remove ticks as soon as possible, as any disease transmission will occur after the first 24 hours of feeding.

The best method of tick removal is to use a small pair of tweezers, grasp the tick's head, and pull gently and steadily until the head comes out. Do not crush or agitate the tick using heat, as this increases the chances of disease transmission.

There are four kinds of wasp common in Georgia: Yellow Jackets, Mud Daubers, Daper Wasps, and Bald-Faced Hornets (for information on bald-faced hornets, see hornets). Yellow jackets are, as their name suggests, predominately yellow with black markings. Paper wasps can be black, red, black and yellow, or black and red. The most common type of mud dauber in Georgia, the pipe organ mud dauber, is solid black; other types of mud dauber are black and yellow or

blue. Wasps usually grow no larger than 1.25".

Yellow jackets and paper wasps build aerial nests out of chewed wood and plant fibers; yellow jackets will also burrow into the ground, usually in moist or muddy areas. Left undisturbed, a wasp nest may house up to 250 wasps at the end of the summer. Mud daubers, which are not social (that is, they do not live in groups), do not build nests at all, but will construct mud tubes in which they lay their eggs.

Yellow jackets and paper wasps build aerial nests out of chewed wood and plant fibers; yellow jackets will also burrow into the ground, usually in moist or muddy areas. Left undisturbed, a wasp nest may house up to 250 wasps at the end of the summer. Mud daubers, which are not social (that is, they do not live in groups), do not build nests at all, but will construct mud tubes in which they lay their eggs.

The sting of a wasp is not dangerous to those without allergies to the venom. The wound will redden and swell, and may burn for a few hours, but generally no medication or medical is necessary. You may want to apply a cooling cream or ice to ease the pain.

All types of wasp will attack if agitated; however, only the yellow jacket is aggressive. Nests can usually be removed with little or no danger, though precautions should be taken, such as applying an insecticide prior to removing the nest, and knocking it down with a pole or long stick so as to avoid any live wasps that may emerge.