
How to get rid of this?.To get rid of pest problem under control, inspection is the first and foremost step.
BLACK WIDOW SPIDER
Color: Black with red hour glass on back
Size: 3/8 inch diameter
Habits: Spin asymmetrical webs. Feed on insects.
Habitat: Webs asymmetrical. Spin webs near ground level in dark, secluded places such as wood piles, corners of garages and in electrical boxes.
Threat: Bite can cause severe pain and can be hazardous to young children and the elderly.
Prevention: When moving firewood and other items stored outside, wear heavy gloves to prevent bites.
BROWN RECLUSE
Color: Light to dark brown with dark fiddle marking.
Size: 5/8 inch long body
Habits: Hunts at night. Feeds on insects. Makes silken ‘nests’ in secluded areas such as behind furniture, in closet corners and wood piles outdoors.
Habitat: Is not native to New Jersey but may be shipped in on rare occasions. Many spider resemble the brown recluse.
Threat: May bite when provoked. The bite can cause an open, ulcerating sore which requires medical treatment.
Prevention: Wear gloves when moving things from storage. Do not store shoes on the floor in Brown Recluse country.
CENTIPEDES
Color: Varies. House centipede is gray-yellow with three dark stripes.
Size: Varies. House centipede approximately one inch.
Habits: Hunters which feed on insects. Active at night.
Habitat: House centipede prefers dark, damp areas. Other species live outdoors.
Threat: House centipede and outdoor species in New Jersey harmless to humans.
Prevention: No practical method of prevention.
CRICKETS
Color: Pale brown to black
Size: 1/2 to 1-1/4 inches
Habits: Feed on various organic materials including green plants outdoors. Live outdoors but the house cricket may migrate in during the fall months. Active at night.
Habitat: Live outdoors in dumps and fields. Indoors they seek dark, damp areas.
Threat: No threat to human but may feed on soiled clothing.
Prevention: Seal openings to prevent entry in the fall.
EARWIGS
Color: Dark brown
Size: 1 inch
Habits: Active at night. Feed on a variety of green plants and decaying organic matter such as mulch.
Habitat: Live outdoors in gardens, mulch, compost piles, etc. May migrate indoors during dry weather or when populations explode.
Threat: Contrary to folklore, earwigs do not crawl into peoples ears and their ‘pinchers’ are harmless and only used for mating.
Prevention: Seal entry points in buildings. Keep compost piles away from building.
HOUSE SPIDER
Color: Brown to gray
Size: Body less than 1/3 inch with very long legs
Habits: Spins thin, asymmetrical webs. Feeds on small insects.
Habitat: Spins webs in dark, damp areas such as basements.
Threat: Harmless
Prevention: Regular cleaning to remove webs.
MILLIPEDES
Color: Dark red-brown
Size: 1-1/2 inches
Habits: Live in decaying organic matter and feed on it. Active at night. May migrate indoors when weather becomes dry or population explode.
Habitat: Outdoors in decaying organic matter. This includes mulch, compost piles and thick grass clippings.
Threat: No threat
Prevention: Seal opening to prevent entry
SILVERFISH/FIREBRATS
Color: Silvery dark gray scales. Some species have stripes.
Size: 1/2 to 3/4 inch
Habits: Feed on a wide variety of proteins and carbohydrates including paper, linens, starches and dried pet feed.
Habitat: Live in dark, damp areas. Attic and roof insulation are favorite habitats.
Threat: Can damage some linen and paper products which are left untouched for extended periods of time.
Prevention: Regular cleaning helps but not always practical.
SOWBUGS/PILLBUGS
Color: Dark gray to black
Size: 3/4 inch
Habits: Most active at night. Feed on decaying organic matter such as mulch.
Habitat: Live outdoors in damp areas under stones, logs and in mulch and compost piles. May migrate indoors but cannot survive indoors.
Threat: No threat to humans
Prevention: Seal entry points and keep organic materials away from buildings.
WOLF SPIDER
Color: Body up to 1-1/2 inches
Size: Body up to 1-1/2 inches
Habits: Wolf spiders are hairy and resemble tarantulas. They are hunters and do not construct webs. Feed on other insects.
Habitat: Usually live outdoors but do enter buildings. May live in dark basements and crawl spaces.
Threat: Harmless to humans
Prevention: Seal openings to prevent entry.