This female Southern Black Widow spider was collected from her scaffold-like webbing inside a residential water meter. In TN, black widow spiders typically set up their webbing outside around the base of structures and undisturbed areas waiting to catch their prey. This is a Southern Black Widow with the glossy black body and distinct complete hourglass shape on the ventral side of the abdomen. In addition, this is a female and not a male, which is much smaller. The size and/or hourglass markings on the male and immatures are also not as well defined as they are on the female adult. Often times, the bite of the Southern Black Widow may go unnoticed by people, who have been biten. Depends on if the skin has been penetrated and duration of the bite. Symptoms of bites include localized swelling and discoloration around the wound. For more severe bites, where adequate neurotoxic venom has been introduced and spreading of the venom has occurred, contractions and cramping in the thighs, lumbar region, abdomen, or chest area may occur. This could be extremely serious for the elderly or young, especially if they have a preexisting health situation. Antivenom is available. However, anyone suspected of being biten by any of the five species of black widow spiders should seek medical attention to be safe.
The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug enters homes when it is cold. Their defensive secretions may smell sweet, but for some they produce an allergic reaction.
(Personal Story) I pulled on a pair of black corduroy pants in my bedroom and moved to the bathroom to brush my hair. There was a slight tightness around the knee, which I attributed to the pants being too tight. That tightness turned to burning in only a couple minutes and I quickly ran into the bedroom to change. I ripped off these pants and lo--a Brown Marmorated Stink Bug fell out. On the place next to my knee, there was a triangular shaped burn mark which lasted for two days before forming a welt that I have no doubt will scar.
Found on blinds, later in my pants at Trenton Place Apartments, Willoughby, Ohio.
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Carpet beetle larvae feed on keratin within wool, carpets, rugs and upholstery. They may also destroy insect collections. Adults feed on flower nectar and they may infest homes when flowers are brought inside. They are also found on or near carcasses, and in nests of birds and rodents.
Found on pantry wall in Trenton Place Apartments, Willoughby, Ohio.
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Found among blankets in an old trunk in an upstairs bedroom of my home. Silverfish and Firebrats are common in homes, especially in places of high humidity and little air movement. They can cause damage in the home by eating materials that are high in protein, sugar and starch. Often, these materials include food in the pantry, paper and book bindings with glue or paste, and starch in clothing. Large numbers may be found in new buildings or renovated rooms where the newly plastered walls are still damp. Superficially, it is hard to determine the physical difference in male vs female adults.
Dog-day Cicadas may emerge in large numbers during the summer and create assessment noise during the mating process. They can also do damage to young trees feeding on the young shoots and sap.
This specimen was collected in the garage of my house. Flesh flies generally do not infest structures in large numbers, but they can on occasions. The key is to practice good sanitation and exclusion methods during the active life cycle period of these flies. They feed on carcasses and trash often from dumpster near buildings. If the wind is right, these flies may enter into structures and become a small to large nuisance.
This specimen was collected under a street light during the evening walk after dark in our neighborhood. Giant Stag Beetle larvae feed on decaying and rotting wood from host trees, railway timbers, fence posts to compost piles. Their population dynamics can be used as an indicator of environmental health in developing neighborhoods or in the natural forests.
Found under plywood near old shed
Moth flies breed in filth like bathroom drains and in septic tanks. They often emerge in large numbers and spread bacteria to surfaces, posing a health risk. Their larvae may even clog pipes in large numbers.
Found in bathroom of Trenton Place Apartments, Willoughby, Ohio.
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These ticks may transmit Tularemia and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, as well as produce Tick Paralysis.
Found on bedroom wall at Trenton Place Apartments, Willoughby, Ohio.
Found in shed. Can invade in and around house and outside buildings.
This one's for you guys that doubted being in Florida and not in a lockdown state made it easier to find pest species! My very first German cockroach, on the wall next to the elevators in Reitz, not five minutes after I walked in. German cockroaches are a major urban pest, causing allergies, spreading bacteria, and contaminating food products.
Collected on the outside of my garage door near the bright light on Sept 18, 2020. Asian Lady Beetles were originally introduced into the U.S. in 1978 as a beneficial insect to control the aphid complex affecting many important crops, like pecans. However, they also can become an Occasional Invader seeking overwintering harborage in structures. Large numbers may build up in the fall in the South with multiple generations per year. If they get inside, they have been known to bite people, cause odor and staining, and some people may have an allergy-like reaction.
This picture was taken at an RV park just off the beach in Gulf Shores, AL. It was sitting on the outside wall of a building. Black soldier flies are considered beneficial in the larval stage. The larvae are among the most efficient animals at breaking down organic substrates and returning nutrients to the soil. In the Urban environment, they can be used for composting household food scraps and agricultural waste products. These larvae have also been used as an alternative source of protein for aquaculture, animal feed, pet food and human nutrition.
Collected August 2, 2019 from the bushes in the front of my home. Wheel Bugs are considered beneficial insects. However, their bites are very painful and considered more severe than a bee sting. Both the nymphs and adults should be avoided or handled with caution. Believe this specimen is a male given the more narrow and shallow abdomen than on the female. Females typically are larger in the species, as well.
Found these Dark-winged Fungus Gnats underneath my garage door light last night. They were on the outside wall in great numbers. They can be an occasional nuisance in large numbers, particularly in greenhouses feeding on decaying organic matter. Believe this specimen is a male with claspers at the posterior end of the abdomen..
Found in homeowners yard at Quiet lane in Winter Garden, fl. Can be an urban pest if the bees locate nest on or around house or swarm in the vicinity.