Pest Control Info
Missoula, MT

Anopheles mosquitoes, having a brownish-yellow hue and measuring up to 5 millimeters in body length, display nocturnal activity patterns, and lack specificity in choosing host feeding locations. The successful completion of their lifecycle requires access to water sources, particularly for the purpose of egg-laying. Anopheles mosquitoes are infamous for their ability to transmit malaria.

The German cockroach is a small, winged cockroach that is native to Asia but has become a common household pest throughout Montana. It is a light brown or tan color and can grow to be about a half inch long. The German cockroach is a nocturnal insect, hiding in dark, warm places during the day and coming out at night to feed on organic matter. It is particularly attracted to sources of food and moisture, such as kitchen and bathroom areas. The German cockroach is a major pest in homes, restaurants, and other buildings, as it can reproduce quickly and can be difficult to control once an infestation has occurred.

Lasius pallitarsis is an ant that has an orangish-brown colored body that only grows to about 3 millimeters in size. They live in decaying logs, and underneath rocks with a diet that consists of smaller insects and plants.

Deer mice, commonly recognized by their typical round and brown appearance, possess cream-colored underbellies and elongated tails, reaching sizes ranging from 5 to 8 inches in length. During colder seasons, they seek refuge indoors, nesting among cluttered storage areas or small, cave-like spaces in Missoula households. Omnivorous in nature, they feed on both plants and insects.

Hobo spiders are not distinct looking, making them difficult to identify. They have a brown body color and gray and yellow markings on their abdomens. They have particularly long legs and can grow to be about 1/2 an inch in size. Hobo spiders construct funnel-shaped webs which they use to trap prey such as flies, cockroaches, mosquitoes and other small insects. Due to the fact that they are poor climbers, they typically reside underground and are commonly found in cracks and crevices, and in basements and window wells.

Bald-faced Hornets, scientifically known as Dolichovespula maculata, exhibit a striking black and white coloration pattern with white faces. They reach a body length of nearly 5/8th of an inch. These hornets construct conspicuous, globular paper nests, usually high up in trees, shrubs, or on buildings. They are active predators and hunt a variety of insects, including caterpillars, aphids, and crickets. Interestingly, bald-faced hornets have a well-developed facial recognition system and can remember individual human faces for a certain period of time, attacking those who have previously disturbed their nest.

Brown Dog Ticks are a warm reddish-brown color when male and more of a steel color when female. Prior to feeding they are about 1/8th of an inch in size. After latching onto a host and sucking blood, they expand up to 1/2 of an inch in length. Unlike most ticks, they thrive indoors. This particular species of hard tick latches onto dogs and people to gain entrance into your Missoula, MT home and then will remain indoors for the remainder of its life. Try using eucalyptus oil or diatomaceous earth to get rid of them.