Sowbugs and Pillbugs

• Armadillo-like
• Belong to the same class of animals as lobsters and shrimp
• Need moist conditions to survive
• likes to lie under rocks and debris
• Feed on decaying organic matter

• The sow bugs cannot roll into a tight ball like the pill bug.
• The sowbug has 2 tail-like appendages that the pill bug does not have.
   

Millipedes and Centipedes

• Have many body sections and many legs

• One pair of legs per section
• Longer legs than millipede
• Moves more quickly
• Runs away when disturbed
• Help to control other insect pests; like to eat spiders, bed bugs, cockroaches, silverfish, carpet beetles, and ants. Therefore can be considered beneficial indoors.
• Like overly damp areas such as sub-floor, drains, basement, or bathroom
• Will come indoors in the fall when the weather turns cooler
• Will hide in cracks, crevices, under the bark of firewood stored indoors, and behind baseboards

• rounded on top
• two pairs of legs per section
• when disturbed, will coil up

• To reduce moisture retention near your foundation make certain the ground slopes away from your house
• Remove leaf litter and decaying vegetation around the foundation of your home.
• Move stones, boards, or boxes away from your foundation (where they tend to hide)
• Prune and clean around plants near your foundation
• Allow the soil to dry between waterings.
• Repair cracks in the foundation and windows.
• Use a dehumidifier or electric fan to dry damp areas in the basement.

Note: Centipedes, millipedes, sowbugs and pillbugs

• Are not insects but arthropods
• Do not bite, sting, or transmit diseases
• Do not infest food, clothing, or wood
• Are not harmful if found indoors
• Mainly a nuisance

Boxelder bug (Love bugs)

• Oval-shaped
• Does not bite humans or spreads disease
• Deposits eggs on host plant or anywhere they can. Recognized by small red dots
• Can be found congregating in large masses on the sunny sides of leaves, trees, buildings and rocks

• Cause minor damage to its preferred host plant by sucking the sap from maple leaves and seed pods causing speckling and distortion of leaf growth
• Primarily a nuisance
• Will seek access to warm buildings through any cracks or crevices in foundations, doors, and windows
• Will search for hibernation sites in the fall to overwinter indoors in dry, sheltered areas; buildings, house attics

• Repair cracks in foundation, windows and doors to keep them outside

• Spray with soap and water when congregated

• Shake leaves over a pail of water and dish soap

Fleas

• Parasitic insects
• Dark brown or reddish brown
• Have flat bodies
• Wingless
• Can jump
• Peak flea season is August to early October

• Feeds by sucking blood from mammals (humans included) and birds
• May cause an allergic reaction; rash
• Can transmit parasites (tapeworm) and diseases like typhus.  
   
• may cause hair loss due to frequent scratching and biting
• ​may cause anemia in extreme cases (severe reduction in red blood cells)
• ​creates a small, hard, red and itchy spot
  -is slightly raised and swollen
  -has 1 puncture point in the middle

• Often appear in clusters or lines.

• Regularly during flea season and when in contact with other animals
• Look for black particles the size of ground pepper on your pet’s skin near the tail
• Inspect sleeping areas, dog houses, kennels for small worm like objects and fleas

Prevention:

• Inspect your pet regularly
• Mow and rake your lawn regularly to discourage animals that carry fleas
• Repair window screens and places unwanted animals my use to enter your home
• Cover sandbox when not in use
• Use pest control products made for your pet such as flea collars or spot-on treatments

• Use a flea comb to remove:
  -fleas
  -flea feces
  -dried blood 

• And use:
  -powders
  -shampoos
  -foams

• Wash pet and family bedding in hot, soapy water every 2 to 3 weeks.
• Lift blankets by all 4 corners to avoid scattering the eggs and larvae. If an infestation is severe, replace old pet bedding.
• Vacuum carpets and cushioned furniture daily.
• Clean around cracks and crevices on floors and along baseboards.
• Steam-clean carpets.

• baseboards near sleeping quarters
• points of entry (for example, around door and window frames)
• small areas in the yard where pets rest or play (like dog houses)