Hold their abdomen over their head or thorax when excited, hence the common name, acrobat ants. They are yellowish-brown or black, with a heart shaped abdomen which is flattened on the upper side and curved below. Usually an outdoor ant but will come inside in search of food usually decayed or partially decayed wood. Many species are black, perhaps with some faintly grayish bands on the abdomen. They are quite large measuring 1/4 to 3/4 inch long. They can be distinquished from other 'black' ants by a single node between their upper torso and rear section. These can do great damage to buildings because even though they do not use wood for food, they hollow it out for nesting. This nesting can resemble the work of termites, but are distinguished by their entirely clean and almost sandpapered appearance. Light yellowish to reddish-brown in color with workers measuring 1/15 to 1/12 inch long. Their small size which enables them to get into almost anything and their very wide food preference make them difficult to eradicate from structures. The colonies tend to be very large with tens or hundreds of thousands of workers and many queens. They have a double node on the section between their torso and rear section. These ants are brownish-black in color. This ant is frequently confused with the Argentine ant but can be easily distinguished by its darker color and the fact that the front of its abdomen overhangs and hides the petiole. When crushed, this ant gives off a very unpleasant odor. They tend to move indoors late in the year. Workers are 1/12 to 1/8 inch long and are light to dark brown in color. Queens are much larger. Nests are typically located in moist soil next to or under buildings. They prefer sweet foods. They are a very hardy species and will survive where others may not. Very small, 1/15 of an inch, jet black in color. Most of their feeding is on plant secretions, but will occasionally invade houses for food such as sweets, meats, bread, grease, vegetables and fruit. Dark Brown in color and their legs and antennae are much longer than normal for other ants. It is common in the northern states but can not survive the northern winters outdoors. It's habit of running aimlessly about the room accounts for its name. Feeds on animal matter, grease and other insects but will eat sweets as well. The key is distinquishing the swarmer from a flying ant. The wings on the swarmer are not clear but have a milky, translucent appearance. Termites are broad waisted compared to the ants very narrow 'waist'. Ant antennae are elbowed where a termites are straight. Ant's front pair of wings are noticeably larger than the rear pair. The termite swarmer's are close to the same size. The termite swarmer loses it's wings after mating. The key is distinquishing the swarmer from a flying ant. The wings on the swarmer are not clear but have a milky, translucent appearance. Termites are broad waisted compared to the ants very narrow 'waist'. Ant antennae are elbowed where a termites are straight. Ant's front pair of wings are noticeably larger than the rear pair. The termite swarmer's are close to the same size. The flying ant does NOT lose it's wings. They build rather simple nests consisting of only one tier or layer. The cells open downward and are not covered. This is called a comb and rarely is over a foot in diameter. Nests are suspended under horizontal surfaces, eaves of houses, and beneath window ledges or porch roofs. Eastern species are typically a dusky brown color, marked with various shades of orange, or blackish with yellow markings. It's body is brownish and marked with orange. It does not build exposed nests, but nests in natural cavities such as hollow logs or stumps, or in cavities within buildings. This is the only true hornet present in the United States. These are relatively small (1/2 inch or so) and typically built their nests in the ground. They forage on live prey such as flies, caterpillars and other insects but most will forage on food from carcasses, garbage, picnic tables and sources of sugar like beer, fruit and sweet beverages. Found in dark, damp and warm places. They frequently congregate in colonies in more or less open spaces, rather than cracks and crevices. They are often found near steam pipes, in sewers, grease traps, floor drains, pipe chases and damp basements. Body is slightly rounded and they have a pattern of white, brown and yellow scales on the upper surface of their wing covers. Eggs are laid in various locations, where they hatch in 17 to 18 days. Larva molt 7 or 8 times over about 7 to 11 months. They are scavengers and feed on woolens, carpets, hides, feathers, horns, bone and insect pupae. A brown, cylindrical beetle about 3 millimeters long (1/4 inch). Has distinct longitudinal lines on the wing covers. Adults are good fliers. The larva is about the same size and grub-shaped or c-shaped and near white in color. Feeds on flour, breakfast cereals, red pepper amongst others. One of the most commonly infested materials is kibbled dog food. Easily recognized by the pinchers or forcep-like appendages at the end of the abdomen. They sometimes build up to large numbers in warm temperatures and then may invade homes or other structures. They primarily feed on dead animals and plant material. They are active at night and are sometimes attracted to light. Fleas are small, dark insects that jump and are usually found on dogs and cats but can be found on other rodents. The typical skin reaction to flea bites on humans is formation of a small, hard, red, slightly raised, itching spot. The single puncture point caused by the flea's mouthparts is generally apparent in the center of each spot. Reddish-Brown in color, it is often confused with the red flour beetle, but the antenna of the confused flour beetle is gradually enlarged to form a four-segmented club. The small size enables it to get into very small containers. It feeds on a wide variety of foodstuffs and likes flour the best. The adults do not fly and can live as long as 3 years. This is the most common cockroach. Adults are pale to medium brown and about 1/2 to 5/8 of an inch long. They can be distinquished from other cockroaches by the two dark stripes on the pronotum. Young cockroaches are darker in color, almost black and have a single light stripe running down the middle of the back. They have blood-sucking mouthparts and the larva live in the mud or decaying plant material in which they hatch. These insects can inflict severe bites which may take several weeks to heal. A relatively small, brownish beetle that can be identified by the six saw-like projections on each side of the thorax. May live for up to 3 years and cannot fly. It is small enough to penetrate tiny cracks and crevices to get into packaged foodstuffs. Lives outdoors but may invade houses in great numbers. Adults are usually 3/4 inch long with 3 dark bands on the head and long thin antennae. The body is light yellowish-brown and is active at night. They will eat almost anything and in the house can damage silk items, woolens, paper products and eat fruits and vegetables. Adults have a wing span of about 3/4 of an inch. The front wings are tan on the front third and reddish-brown with a coppery luster on the back two-thirds. The mature larva is about 1/2 inch long and a dirty white color with a sometimes greenish or pinkish tint. They can be mistaken for clothes moths. They normally only live for 2 or 3 weeks and are night fliers. Has a uniform silver color all over the upper surface. Likes temperatures between 70 and 80 and moist conditions. Eggs are laid in protected situations like behind baseboards and hatch in 20 to 40 days. The antennae is long and slender. Three long, slender appendages are found at the rear of the body. They generally live close to the source of food; so are generally found in the kitchen. It's web is an irregular mass of fibers with a small central area to chich the spider retreats while waiting until its prey becomes ensnared. These webs are frequently constructed underneath boards, stones, or the seats of outdoor privies. They are also found along foundation slabs, behind shrubs and especially where brick or wood siding extends close to ground level. They usually do not enter into residences. Black with red under a large, round rear section.
