What are mosquitoes? Belonging to the order Diptera, mosquitoes are fly-like insects that are mostly gray, black, or brown, with some species having metallic scales on their bodies. Mosquitoes have a single pair of wings covered in scales, and long, thin legs. They also have a proboscis – a long, thin structure that they use…
What are fall invaders? Fall invaders are those pests that spend most of the year outside, but when the weather cools in the fall, they move inside to escape the upcoming cold weather or while chasing their prey. Unfortunately, fall invaders usually choose our homes as their overwintering spot. In New York, species of fall…
What are crawling insects? Crawling insects are those pests that can “crawl” into our homes in large numbers and, once inside, are difficult to eliminate. Crickets, pillbugs, centipedes, and millipedes are examples of crawling insects. In small populations living outside away from our home, crawling insects are harmless, and their feeding habits benefit the ecosystem.…
What are bed bugs? Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded mammals. People are their favorite hosts, although if we are not available, they may feed on our pets or other animals. Adult bed bugs are small insects that grow to about 1/4 of an inch in length. Their flat, oval-shaped…