Common Pests in Louisiana

Louisiana is host to many pest species. Pest prevention, termite contracts, and recurring treatments will help ensure your property in not overrun by creatures such as these. Skeeter Force LLC has you covered when it comes to tackling your pest problems!

American Cockroach

Everyone in Louisiana should be quite familiar with this pest. Of all the common roaches, the American Cockroach has the largest body size and lives the longest ( around 700 days ). They thrive in warmer moist areas which means basically all over southern Louisiana. The American Cockroach is omnivorous and opportunistic. They eat almost anything including hair, dead animals ( including other dead/dying roaches ), rotten food, basically anything in your kitchen, etc.

Roach Facts

American Cockroaches can grow up to 53mm in length making them the largest roaches found in homes.
They have a reddish-brown color with a light yellow and brown shield behind their head.
Both sexes of the American Cockroach can fly short distances. If a normal roach wasn't bad enough, try a flying one.
These roaches can reach about 2 years of age..

Other Louisiana Cockroaches:

Subterranean Termite

There are three major groups of termites in the south including Drywood, Subterranean, and Dampwood. Subterranean termites are the most common and cause billions of dollars in home damage annually. They live underground and construct mud tubes towards food sources ( like your home ). This pest is well known in Louisiana as we have to plan for their annual swarm. The winged termites are flying around to mate and start new colonies.

Termite Facts

Ants are termites top predator.
Termites are packed with calcium, protein, and iron. They are high in nutrition!
Every year termites swarm in Louisiana. Make sure to turn off lights to ensure they become more of your neighbors problem.
Some termite species' queens can produce up to 10 million eggs and year. They may also live up to 50 years.

Other Louisiana Termites:

Fire Ants

Watch out for those mounds! Fire ants ( sometimes known as red ants, army ants, or piss ants ) are an invasive species found everywhere in the southeast. They swarm if their nest/mound is disturbed and deliver a painful sting. What’s worse is they can build their home inside of your outside walls and search for food inside your home. Nothing is worse than having to watch out for fire ants in your carpets.

Ant Facts

Fire ants were brought in by accident via a South American cargo vessel.
It may take a colony months to build up a mound that's visible to humans.
Fire ants only bite to grip their victim. The pain and inflammation comes from their rear stinger.
Ants find food by laying down scents for other colony members.

Other Louisiana Ants:

Mice

These pesky critters usually forage outdoors but sometimes venture indoors during cooler months. They are dangerous because they may spread illness and contaminate food. They are mostly nocturnal and sleep over half the day. House Mice generally live 1-3 years and their death can cause more trouble if it happens in your home, attic, or walls.

Mice Facts

Mice and usually nocturnal animals, have rounded ears, and a hairless tail.
Mice can eat up to 20 times a day.
With many predators, wild mice normally dont live much longer than a year.
A mouse can have up to 120 litters a year. Each litter consisting over 3 to 14 babies.

Other Louisiana Rodents:

Mosquitoes

Its hard to enjoy the great Louisiana outdoors without dealing with mosquitoes. Their bites can cause rashes and itching, and also spread disease. Zika Virus, West Nile Virus, Malaria, and Yellow Fever are all nasty illnesses spread by the mosquito. They lay their eggs on the surface of water so make sure you limit all standing water on your property.

Mosquito Facts

Only female mosquitoes bite. They need the blood to lay eggs.
When a mosquito bites you, they also urinate on you. Talk about insult to injury!
Mosquitoes a responsible for more human casualties than any other animal. This is due to them spreading diseases.
Skeeter Force Can install mosquito misting systems to control their populations around your property.

Mosquito Disease Risks in Louisiana:

Red Wasps

Southeastern Louisiana is host to many species of wasp. The Red Paper Wasp ( or Red Wasp ) is probably the most common seen. They get their name from their paper nests built all around residential yards. They usually emerge during the warmer months to build their nests in higher areas. Paper Wasps deliver a very painful sting and can be life threatening if the victim has an allergic reaction.

Wasp Facts

Unlike bees, wasps can sting repeatedly.
The Red Paper Wasp is an omnivore. It will feed on flowers and other insects.
The females are the ones who sting. The males aren't able to!
Their "paper" nests are usually made of chewed wood.

Other Louisiana Wasps:

Spiders

Spiders are mostly beneficial to have around, until they share the same space as your family. Most species are not harmful to us. Louisiana is home have some dangerous spiders though. These include the Brown Widow, Black Widow, and Brown Recluse. If you believe you have been bitten by one of those critters, go to the hospital!

Spider Facts

Female Wolf Spiders carry their young with them on their abdomen.
You can identify a Brown Widow or Black Widow by the hourglass on the underside of their abdomen.
Brown Recluse Spider's egg sacs are silky balls with spikes.
Wolf Spiders are ambush predators. They do not make webs.

Louisiana Spiders:

Wolf Spider
Jumping Spider
Brown Recluse
Southern House Spider
Black Widow
Orb Weaver
Brown Widow

Silverfish

Protect your photographs, clothes, and books from these pests. Their name comes from a fish-like appearance and their diet includes sugar or starches. They are found all over the world with higher humidity ( Like Louisiana ). You may find these guys in your bathroom, attic, kitchen, or old boxes.

Silverfish Facts

Silverfish have inhabited the planet for over 400 million years!
They absolutely hate light. Turn on the lights and they scatter.
Silverfish can live up to a year without food.
Silverfish can outrun most of their predators.
In the right conditions, silverfish may live up to 8 years!

Earwigs

Usually a nocturnal insect, Earwigs feel right at home inside your house, hiding in moist, dark areas such as bathrooms. Their pincers look menacing but generally cause little to no harm to humans.

Earwig Facts

Earwigs have wings tucked away on their back.
They live around a year and mate in fall months.
Earwigs are on every continent ( besides Antartica )
Earwigs are attracted to light, and can gather on your porches.
Louisiana Earwigs usually feed on vegetation and sugary food.

Southeastern Louisiana Pest Control Done Right.

Common Louisiana Pests Handled.

Skeeter Force LLC provides professional pest control services to remove the pests above any many more. If you live in Slidell, Covington, Bush, Pearl River, Lacombe, New Orleans, Metairie, Mandeville, or Madisonville and need assistance, give us a call today!