Bug ID Series: How to Identify the Unwelcome Guests in Your Home

To properly identify a wasp, take note of the following characteristics. Wasps have slender bodies with a narrow waist, smooth skin, and bright yellow and black markings. Some common types you’ll find in Middle Tennessee are paper wasps, yellowjackets, and hornets. All of them create very different nests. And they range anywhere from umbrella-shaped structures under eaves to large, enclosed nests in trees or attics.

If you see any visible nests, an increase in wasp activity, or hear strange buzzing sounds in your walls, it’s time to call the professionals. We will take it from here and treat your property before an infestation gets worse.

Why does this even matter?

Unless you enjoy wasps buzzing around your property and scaring your family members, you’re going to want to pay attention to this part. Wasps are known as highly territorial insects, especially in the late summer months. If you try and knock down a nest without the proper equipment, you’ll trigger dangerous swarming behavior. And that ends up creating an atmosphere that quickly turns into your worst nightmare.

Did you know that termites are the most destructive pests in the United States? But it only gets worse from there. The worst part about this is that they’re extremely hard to find until a significant amount of damage has been done.

How do you identify them?

While termites are hard to find in general, you should watch out for the following characteristics. Termites are small, soft-bodied insects, usually pale or light brown colored. They are also commonly mistaken for ants. But some key differences between them are their straight antennae, uniform waists, and equal length wings.

Why does this matter?

Termites feed on cellulose, which is found in the wood. This means that the foundation of your home is severely at risk without any professional protection. Early prevention will save you thousands of dollars in repairs.

How to properly identify them:

Brown recluse spiders are light to dark brown with a violin-shaped marking on their back. They only have six eyes that are arranged in pairs while other spiders have eight. A few signs of a brown recluse infestation include sightings in dark, undisturbed areas like basements and crawlspaces, more webs out in the open, and an increase of activity inside your home.

Why does this matter?

Honestly, it’s very rare for someone to experience a brown recluse bite. But when it happens, it can lead to a very dangerous incident for you. That’s why it’s extremely important to know how to identify which spider you’ve come into contact with. This will help you avoid severe panic and an expensive medical bill.

How to identify the different ant species:

We know that ants vary in size and color. You might come across those tiny black ants in your driveway or large carpenter ants in your kitchen. They each have segmented bodies with a narrow waist and bent antennae. One is just larger than the other and targets different things around your home.

If you’re dealing with trails of ants in your kitchen, small piles of debris near the entry points of your home, or rustling noises in your walls, you have an infestation. And that means there’s only one solution: call the professionals.

Wrapping Up: When to Call U.S. Pest for Help

The truth is, most people resort to trying DIY treatments first. It’s the first thing they think of when the panic starts. However, misidentifying a pest will lead to ineffective treatments, which will only make your problem worse. Each of these pests requires a professional treatment plan to make sure they stay away forever.

Our pest professionals are trained to identify them accurately, figure out where they’re coming from, and create a detailed plan that’s right for your home. At the end of the day, we want to make sure you’re protected long-term.