Roly Poly Pill Bugs: What You Need to Know

Understanding Roly Poly Pill Bugs: Essential Facts and Tips

We all remember when we were kids, and we would play with those cute little roly-poly bugs. It was so much fun to watch them roll up into those adorable little balls.

As an adult and a homeowner, those roly-poly pillbugs are not nearly as cute, especially when they come into your home uninvited.

If you are dealing with an infestation of unwanted pillbugs in your home, yard, or garden, contact Environmental Pest Management today.

What is a pillbug?

Also known as roly-polys or woodlouse, pillbugs are isopods. In fact, pillbugs are not bugs at all. They are terrestrial crustaceans.

Pillbugs, Latin name Armadilidium Vulgare, are the only crustaceans to have evolved to live exclusively on land. They look more like lobsters or crayfish than insects.

The name pillbug refers to this creature’s ability to roll into a small, pill-like ball. This behavior is defensive.

Pillbugs are nocturnal creatures. Although they can be found out and about during the day. They came to the US from Europe, where they are primarily known as woodlouse.

The name woodlouse comes from the places pillbugs are typically found. Namely, they make their homes under logs. They need moisture to survive. They are unable to make their own, so they must find it in their environment.

What do they look like?

Pillbugs are usually ¼ to ½ an inch in length. They have seven pairs of legs and two antennae, one that is slightly hidden.

They range in color from white to dark gray, and they may be solid in color or slightly patterned. Their bodies are rounded, convex on top and concave on the bottom.

What is the lifespan of the pillbug?

Pillbugs can live up to three years if they find the right conditions.

Pillbugs are sprung from eggs. Females carry the egg sack on their bellies for three to four weeks. They can produce anywhere from one to three egg sacks a year, each one containing 100 to 200 eggs.

Once the baby pillbugs hatch, they usually stay in the pouch on their mother’s belly for an extra one to two weeks. They will not venture off on their own until they reach a length of 2 millimeters.

Around one day after they leave the safety of their mother’s pouch, they go through their first molting. They do not gain the seventh segment of their structure until this molting. They get their second set of legs at their second molting about two weeks later.

It takes about 20 weeks for the young pillbug to reach maturity. The adult pillbug is made up of a seven-segmented thorax with seven pairs of legs. They have eyes on the first segment, but they use their antennae more often to detect stimuli.

Where do pillbugs live?

While pillbugs will occasionally make their way indoors, they can survive better outside. They prefer to make their home in a very damp or wet area, typically underneath wood or rocks on the ground. They can live well in flowerpots, trashcans, or under leafy piles of debris where the conditions are moist.

When they do enter homes, it is usually at ground level. They find their way into damp basements or even crawlspaces. They will not survive, though, if they cannot find moist enough conditions.

What do pillbugs eat?

Pillbugs are scavengers. Their primary diet consists of decaying leaves and other decomposing organic materials. Pillbugs also eat leaves, logs, young plants, and they have even been known to feed on the skin of cucumbers.

They are most active at night, and that is when they typically feed.

Are pillbugs dangerous?

Pillbugs are generally harmless to humans. They can damage plants or seedlings, so they can be a nuisance to gardeners or those with a green thumb.

How do I get rid of pillbugs?

Once you have pillbugs in your home, they are difficult to remove. Your best option is to prevent the pests from entering in the first place.

Seal all cracks, gaps, crevices, or any other possible points of entry. Check around your foundation, vents, cable entry points, wiring entry points, doors, and windows. Be sure that your screens are properly maintained, with no holes or cuts.

Try to keep your windows and doors shut, especially the ones at ground level.

As previously mentioned, pillbugs cannot survive without moisture. One way to make sure that your home is inhospitable to pillbugs is to repair and eliminate any damp or wet areas of your home.

If the pillbugs cannot find moisture, they cannot live and reproduce. Pay extra attention to your basement, leaky pipes, and cracks in your foundation. If at all possible, take steps to ensure that your property is graded away from your home. This way, water will flow away from your home instead of forming and standing around your foundation.

Another way to prevent pillbugs from entering your home is to keep your home free of clutter and debris. Your trash is one place the pillbugs will look for food, so make sure your trashcans are sealed.

Once the pillbugs are in your home, insecticides are not a very effective method of getting rid of them. A better option is to simply sweep or vacuum them up.

If you are facing a pillbug infestation, don’t worry, there is a solution to your problem. Contact Environmental Pest Management. We are committed to safely and effectively removing pests from your home and yard.

We focus on environmentally friendly ways to eliminate pests. The safety of you, your family, and your home is our top priority. So contact us today for your free quote.

January 8, 2020January 22, 2024

Calling Cinderella: Dealing with House Mice

When it comes to unwanted guests, it is pretty safe to assume that mice are amongst those who are definitely not invited! House mice can cause havoc in your house, and need the expert touch of a pest control professional to ensure that they are evicted – and stay out.

If you think you have a problem with furry friends, give our Environmental Pest Management team a call today, and start taking control back.

What Are House Mice?

The humble house mouse is one of the most common rodents found across the United States, and one of our most frequent calls. Originally from Central Asia, these animals are keen breeders and are super flexible and adaptable to ever-changing conditions. This makes them hard to hunt down and eliminate; they always seem to be one step ahead of the game.

House mice are not particularly fussy when it comes to food. Their preference is for nuts and seeds, but they have been known to stick their noses (and teeth) into all manner of household groceries and will tackle anything and everything available within your home.

House mice are naturally inquisitive creatures and will spend time roaming their new home and territory, exploring and searching out new places to sleep, and potentially interesting sources of food. Try to keep food out of sight, sealed, and secured to limit their access and make your home less tempting.

When will I See House Mice?

You are more likely to encounter an infestation during the winter months. House mice do not hibernate, so as the temperature drops, they will actively search for a warm, secure location to pass the winter. Gaps in doors and walls, open windows, pipe openings, utility lines, and almost any other uncovered space will be used to make their entry, and they will soon make themselves at home!

Blocking these spaces, and limiting possible access routes, is one of the best ways to help reduce your chances of an infestation, but you would be surprised at just how sneaky these four-legged invaders can be! Check out our tips for winterizing your home.

How Do I Know I Have House Mice?

Identification is relatively simple when it comes to house mice. Mice tend to be a dusty grey color with cream-colored bellies. However, their fur can also range from dark grey to light brown depending on where in the world you are. They also have round furry bellies, pointed muzzles, and large ears, and will measure around 2.5 – 3.75 inches in length, with the tail reaching 2.75 to 4 inches.

Signs of an Infestation

You are very likely to see the signs that you have a mouse problem long before you ever catch a glimpse of the actual mouse. There are a few signs to look out for which suggest an infestation.

Signs to Look for:

Teeth marks: you may notice tiny gnaw marks in furniture, food, and even soft furnishings. These could be signs of unwanted guests.
Burrows: In some cases, you may see the nests which have been made, or a collection of potential nesting materials, such as insulation.
Droppings: The droppings of house mice measure between ⅛ and ¼ inch long, and are rod-shaped with pointed ends. They may be dried and hard or soft, depending on when they were deposited.
Rub marks: Check the walls for rub marks; house mice tend to leave an oily trail as they travel and move along the walls.
Tracks: One of the most apparent signals is seeing tracks that have been left behind.
Runways: House mice tend to be creatures of habit, and will prefer to use the same pathways in a house. You may soon notice a collection of rub marks, droppings, tracks, and debris along these paths.
Damage to property: If food or other temptations are left exposed, you will find torn and damaged packets and boxes.
Sounds: Mice communicate with others through a series of high-pitched squeaks, and you may be able to hear some of these if your wars are particularly sharp. Scuttling feet maybe another giveaway that you have a mouse in the house!
Odor: House mice use their strong-smelling urine as a form of communication, and this will quickly become apparent in your home.
Actual mouse: the most obvious sign is, of course, seeing a mouse in the flesh; there is likely to be a whole family lurking very close by.

Why Is It So Important To Remove Mice?

Mice may seem furry and harmless, and may even trick you into thinking they are cute! Despite this facade, it is crucial to call in the experts if you suspect a mouse problem.

House mice have the potential to harbor a number of unpleasant diseases, and some of these can be very dangerous to humans. Getting scratched or bitten by a mouse could cause health issues, as could eating food that has been contaminated.

Mouse urine can also have more issues than an unpleasant smell. Urine has the potential to cause allergies and carry bacteria. Bacteria is particularly dangerous to the more vulnerable members of your household, such as children or the elderly. If you suffer from a pre-existing respiratory problem, inhaling dust containing feces can trigger symptoms, and cause serious potential harm.

In addition, mice like to chew. Chewing can cause damage to your property, as well as a potential fire risk if they target cables or wiring. This could have devastating impacts on your family and increases the longer you leave mice to run rampant. Mice are keen breeders, giving birth to half a dozen babies per female every three weeks! As you can imagine, it doesn’t take long for an infestation to take hold!

Environmental Pest Management

If you think you have a mouse problem, tackle it in the earliest possible stages. Here at Environmental Pest Management, we have the skills and experience you need to eliminate mice from your home and keep them out for the long term! Get in touch today for a free quote and to arrange a consultation; it could be the best call you ever made!

December 27, 2019January 22, 2024

What You Need to Know About the Norway Rat

Norway Rats: Essential Facts and Control Measures

When most people think of rats, they often think of garbage and disease. In our modern-day of medicine and technology, rats pose significantly less of a threat to humans. Still, they are not an animal you want to share your house with.

The Norway Rat can be found all over the world. Believed to have originated in Asia, the Norway rat most likely stowed away on ships departing from Asia and made their way to the US around the 1700s.

Norway rats are often known as sewer or street rats. If you believe you are experiencing a Norway rat infestation, contact Environmental Pest Management today.

Norway Rat 101

What do Norway rats look like?

Norway rats are brown with scattered black hairs. They have a white or gray underside and a long, thick tail that they can use to balance on their hind legs.

Speaking of legs, the Norway rat has four short and stubby ones. They are usually long and heavy bodies. They have a short, blunt muzzle and small black eyes. They generally have poor vision and, unfortunately for them, are colorblind.

The Norway rat can reach lengths of seven to 10 inches long. Their tails are usually shorter than their bodies.

Where do Norway rats live?

Norway rats are very social. They usually build their nests or shelters in close proximity to other Norway rats. For you as a homeowner, that means that if you see one rat, there are likely many others that you cannot see.

When they build their homes, they typically have one entrance and at least one emergency exit, or bolt-hole. This secondary exit is usually well hidden.

When found outdoors, these rat homes are usually found in farmlands, fields, and sparsely populated structures, such as barns, garages, or sheds. They can also be found burrowing in riverbanks and the edges of streams.

Norway rats generally only enter human homes when the weather starts to turn colder, and food is scarce. Norway rats can squeeze themselves through almost any hole. As long as it is the size of a quarter, a rat can fit into it.

Once the Norway rat has entered a house, they typically find a home in attics, basements, or cellars. They prefer areas with lots of piles of debris in which they can hide. Usually, they stay away from densely populated parts of your house as they are more scared of you than you are of them.

They generally prefer to stay on the lower levels of your home, but they will venture higher if they need to.

What and when do Norway rats eat?

Norway rats are nocturnal. Their peak foraging hours are dusk and dawn, but they typically eat continually throughout the day. They are hoarders, and they usually carry the food they forage to a safe place to eat later.

Norway rats are very adaptable, and they will eat almost anything. They are omnivores, but they prefer meat and fish with a grain supplement. Think of Norway rats as followers of the Paleo diet. But, Norway rats are not picky. In fact, they have been known to binge on dog food when it is available.

Beyond food, Norway rats will gnaw through almost anything. To obtain a food source, they will work their way through the plastic, metal, and even lead pipes. They are real survivalists and will do whatever they need to live.

Norway rats have good memories, and they remember when they eat a food they dislike. They are creatures of habit and will avoid that food in the future. Conversely, if they find a food source that they particularly like, they will return again and again.

Norway rats always need a source of water beyond the food they eat. They tend to follow the same paths that they always take. They use their whiskers to feel the way.

Norway rats prefer to find their food source within 25 to 100 feet of their nest. If they need to, though, they will travel upwards of 150 feet to find the food and water they need.

How do I know if I have a Norway rat infestation?

Luckily, you will find many visible signs that your home is infested with these unwanted pests. Some of them are:

Gnaw marks throughout your house.
Look for new bite marks or holes that are rough.
Older bite marks are smooth and greasy from wear.
Check for capsule-shaped droppings in areas of your home that Norway rats are likely to reside and hide.
Check the lower traffic areas of your house for footprints, greasy and dark rub marks, oily fur pathways, burrows, food caches, or damaged or chewed on food containers.

Once you notice any of these signs, your home has likely been invaded by these pesky critters.

How do I prevent Norway rats from entering my home?

You want to do everything you can to prevent Norway rats from infesting your home. The reproduce relatively quickly, so a small infestation can turn into a large one rather quickly. The female Norway rat can give birth to 3 to 6 litters a year, so prevention is critical.

Keep the area surrounding your home free of piles of wood and debris. Seal any holes on the exterior of your home with steel wool to block potential entry.

Eliminate the Norway rat’s water source by repairing any leaky pipes. Take steps to limit the food supply by adequately sealing your food boxes and containers. Avoid contamination from any bacteria or virus those critters may transmit to your food.

If you are worried about rat infestations, make sure your outdoor garbage cans are securely sealed. Make sure you are continually taking the trash and debris out of your house to eliminate temptation.

If you suspect you have a Norway rat infestation on your hands, it may be time to call in a professional. The caring experts at Environmental Pest Management care about your home and the safety of your family. Let us take care of your critters in an environmentally friendly way.

December 13, 2019December 30, 2021

Squirrel! What To Do When Gray Squirrels Get Too Close

Gray Squirrels may look cute and fluffy, but that doesn’t mean you want them living in your home. If you are facing a gray squirrel epidemic, contact Environmental Pest Management today. Get your free quote and let us get rid of your pests.

You may be wondering what type of squirrel you have as unintentional houseguests. One of the culprits is the gray squirrel. Squirrels in your home are no fun, we know. Check out what to do if they’re driving you nuts!

Grey Squirrel 101

The gray squirrel, often known as the Eastern gray squirrel, is typically found in, you guessed it, the Eastern half of the United States. They are mammals, and they generally range in size from 5 to 26 inches, including their tails. You will find gray squirrels anywhere from .5 ounces to up to 4 pounds fully grown.

The gray squirrels survive on a varied diet as they are omnivores. Their primary diet, though, consists of nuts, seeds, buds, and flowers of trees, which they forage.

Eastern gray squirrels are tree squirrels, meaning they spend much of their time in the leaves and branches of trees. They are essential to seed dispersal in their region. In the months leading up to winter, they hide or bury their food in several varied locations.

In their preparedness, they gather and store more food than they will ever be able to recover and eat. They are capable, and even known to build several thousand separate hiding places per season! Naturally, they will never be able to eat all that food, and much is left untouched.

Those untouched hidden caches of buried or stored nuts will eventually sprout. In the spring months, many new plants will grow, all thanks to the gray squirrel and its thriftiness.

Eastern gray squirrels rely on their excellent sense of smell to help them find the hiding spots for the nuts and seeds. They can also communicate with their fellow grey squirrels with particular scents.

Beyond those scents, gray squirrels communicate with each other through sounds and body movements. One prominent example of this movement-based communication is a good tail flicking.

They are also known to warn other squirrels of nearby predators, such as red foxes or red-tailed hawks. They will sound out warning calls to signal the incoming danger.

Reproduction and the Gray Squirrel

Female gray squirrels may become pregnant as early as five and a half months old. They can birth liters two times a year. A typical litter consists of two to four babies.

These expectant mothers generally build their nests high in the branches of trees to avoid predators. They create these nests out of twigs and leaves. Occasionally, they will find a secure enough den in a particularly well-protected tree root cavity.

When they are first born, gray squirrels do not have fur or the ability to use their eyesight. They typically weigh around 14 grams or half an ounce. They don’t begin to leave the nest until about ten or eleven weeks, and they don’t reach full maturity until around nine months.

Gray Squirrel Distinguishing Characteristics

Gray squirrels are generally, surprise, surprise, gray. They are small rodents with expressive, bushy tails.

As previously stated, gray squirrels are omnivores. So, in addition to their primary diet of nuts and seeds, gray squirrels are scavengers and will eat pretty much whatever is available to them. This includes insects, frogs, and even the occasional small nesting bird.

Gray squirrels are most active during the late hours of the day or the early hours of the morning. Gray squirrels are often considered an invasive species because of their tendency to overpopulate a given area.

Because of this overpopulation, gray squirrels have been known to invade human habitats, especially during the coldest of the winter months. They can most commonly be found nesting in attics, exterior walls, cellars, or basements. Their favorite indoor nesting material is, unfortunately, for the homeowner, all that essential and expensive insulation.

Signs of a Squirrel Infestation

One of the first, and most annoying, clues that you have a gray squirrel infestation is the scurrying noises they make. Unfortunately, because they are early risers, these scurrying noises will likely wake you up.

Additionally, gray squirrels have perpetually growing teeth. They are forced to continually grind them down to avoid endangering themselves. Therefore, you may notice tiny teeth marks on the wood, sheetrock, ceilings, exterior walls, or attic support structures.

Are Gray Squirrels Dangerous or Threatening?

While they are not generally dangerous to humans, gray squirrels are capable of doing considerable damage to your home. They can leave holes in your exterior trim as they create new or widen existing entry points.

They have been known to chew on and damage electrical wiring. If they are allowed to do this, you may be dealing with a short or even a fire.

Additionally, gray squirrels may even be carriers of fleas, harmful bacteria, or viruses. It goes without saying that your family’s health can be at risk if your home is infested with unwanted critters.

How Do I Prevent Gray Squirrels From Entering My Home in the First Place?

First things first, check with your local game warden. Gray squirrels are protected in specific areas; you should know if you live in one of them.

Thankfully, as a homeowner, you have several preventative measures at your disposal. One of the easiest ways to prevent gray squirrels from entering your home is metal flashing or mesh. Use this versatile material to cover any potential entry points.

Your unwanted squatters will be unable to gain entry and will likely move on.

You can also make a quick and easy DIY squirrel repellant. You can buy squirrel repellant from your local garden or hardware store, but it is easy and often cheaper to make it yourself. Use this easy recipe for foolproof results.

Use this repellant to squirrel-proof your fence, garden, the base of your house, or even your bird feeders.

You can also seal your outdoor trash can and sweep up and remove any nuts or berries from directly around your home. Removing their food source will go a long way to preventing those pesky critters from invading your home.

Also, it is a good idea to keep the branches of the trees closest to your home trimmed back. Prevent gray squirrels from jumping on your roof by removing their access.

If you are still experiencing squirrel problems, contact Environmental Pest Management. Our humane animal removal methods will leave you pest free.

December 5, 2019December 30, 2021

What Are Voles? Everything You Need To Know

If you love gardening, chances are you love Mother Nature. As lovers of Mother Nature, we know that there is a place for all of her creatures. As gardeners, we hope that place is anywhere but our gardens.

Voles, small rodents, also known as meadow mice, are small and cute. Unfortunately, they can be quite damaging to your garden and yard.

Here at Environmental Pest Management, we employ a capture and release method to take care of household pests. Contact us today if you are having vole issues. We know how to get rid of voles that are ruining your lawn.

Before you know if you are having vole issues, though, you might need to learn a little bit about voles. Let us take you through a few vole facts.

What are voles?

Voles are small mammals. They are part of the rodent family. While they look very similar to field mice or common house mice, there is one main difference between mice and voles.

Voles rarely, if ever venture indoors. They live their whole lives outside, much of it underground. Most of their time underground is spent burrowing and building a network of tunnels.

The primary purpose of these tunnels is food storage. They also birth and raise their young in this tunnel network.

What do they look like?

Voles can be anywhere from 4 to 9 inches long, including its tail. They have small, round ears that are hard to see because they are usually hidden by fur. Their eyes are small and beady.

Voles have small, stocky bodies, short legs, and a short tail. They are usually brown or grey.

Where do they come from, and where do they live?

Voles can be found exclusively in the Northern Hemisphere. They inhabit parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. Of the 143 species of voles, only 23 of them can be found in the United States.

Typically, a vole lives its entire life inside of a quarter-mile radius. Depending on the species, a vole can live and thrive in a wide variety of habitats. One thing they need, though, is a dense ground cover.

As previously stated, voles spend most of their time underground. They live in colonies, and they create complex tunnels and burrow systems.

In these tunnels, the nest, protect themselves and each other, store and eat food, and live out their lives. These tunnels are extensive and are usually connected by runways. Additionally, voles may even take over tubes that have been evacuated by other burrowing animals.

What do they eat?

As they are herbivores, A vole’s diet consists mainly of plants. Some of their favorite foods include, but are not limited to:

Grasses
Herbaceous plants
Roots
Seeds
Seedlings
Bulbs
Alfalfa
bark

If their preferred food is scarce, voles may eat insects or snails. Though they definitely prefer vegetation.

What is typical vole behaviour?

Voles do not hibernate. They are active throughout the entire year, both day and night.

Speaking of active, voles are some of the most prolific breeders in the entire rodent family. Each year, one female vole can produce anywhere from five to ten liters of three to six young each. While they are capable of reproducing all year long, but their peak birth rates are during the spring and summer months.

How long do they live?

In the wild, voles live for about 3 to 6 months. They have one of the shortest life spans of all rodents. Even in captivity, voles rarely live longer than one year.

A Few Fun Facts:

Several species of voles are excellent swimmers. The European Water Vole is capable of swimming up to 50 feet underwater.
Voles share the same taxonomic family, Cricetidae, as hamsters.
A few of the North American species of voles actually live in trees. The Red Tree Vole are excellent climbers. They can be found in the forests of the Northwest United States.
Some of the species of voles are monogamous.
The most densely populated vole population on record is around 2,000 voles per acre.

How do I prevent voles?

Voles like to be in your backyard. Keeping them out is best, but we also have some tips to get rid of them.

Keep your yard free of dense, heavy vegetative cover
Keep your yard mowed and bushes trimmed short
Bird feeders can be an attraction, be aware and try to keep them high off the ground
Both dense mulch and snowfall can become a home for voles, keep them clear from your yard
Use tree-guard mesh to protect your trees
Protect your flowers and plants with a fence of at least twelve inches in height
Some forms of repellent can be useful; the most effective are the various predator urines that can be found at gardening stores

What kind of damage can they do?

A few of the common signs of the damage voles can cause are:

Look for irregular paths, about one to two inches wide, of trampled grass or soil
Holes with a diameter of 1.5 inches close to surface runways
Teeth marks on the bark or stems around the bottom of your trees- they will be about ⅛ in wide and ⅜ in long
Damage to the roots of your trees
Yellow and wilted plants
Missing bulbs from flowering plants

If you are experiencing the problems that accompany a vole infestation, contact Environmental Pest Management today.