Common Pests

• One of the oldest insects, fossil remains of roaches date back to 200 million years ago.
• Crawl around on six legs, have wings and two antennae.
• Like dark, damp places with a plentiful food supply; hide during the day in warm, dark places, such as under sinks, behind dishwashers, stoves, and refrigerators, and inside cupboards.
• Feed on a variety of especially starchy and sugary foods and materials, including book bindings, photographic film, linens, and leather goods; usually forage at night.
• Can survive a month or more without food, but less than two weeks without water.
• Have an acrid odor that may permeate items with which they come in contact.
• Can transmit bacteria and organisms responsible for diseases in humans that include food poisoning, cholera, dysentery, salmonellosis, and strep.
• A study by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a report in the New England Journal of Medicine indicate that exposure to cockroach allergens is a major health concern for asthmatic children.
• Under optimum conditions, cockroaches can produce two-million offspring in one year, with an average breeding season resulting in 350,000 offspring.

• Various species of rat are problematic in the U.S., mainly the Norway rat and Roof rat.
• Bite more than 45,000 people each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
• Can burrow three feet straight into the ground, chew through building materials such as glass, cinderblock, wire, aluminum and lead, and can climb inside pipes with diameters between one-half and four inches.
• Eat and urinate on human and animal food.
• Support many ectoparasites.
• A female house-mouse gives birth to a litter of approximately six mice about 19 days after mating and is capable of mating again in two days.
• Mice can produce 6 to 10 litters a year and are able to mate two months after birth.
• With ideal conditions and no mortality, can produce 2,500 heirs in six months.
• Establish a nesting site near sources of food and feed 15 to 20 times a day.

Skunks

• Are the major carriers of rabies in many parts of North America.
• Can reach lengths of 2.5 feet, and weigh between 1 and 2 pounds. 
• Are active and feed during night hours.
• Generally spray only as a last resort in self defense.

Raccoons

• Often establish dens in chimneys when their den trees are destroyed.
• Can easily maneuver past a flimsy or poorly installed chimney-cap.
• Are very protective of its young and will tear apart a roof if one of its young is trapped inside.
• Will seek shelter under porches or decks.
• Are only dangerous when provoked, trapped, or rabid.
• Are major carriers of rabies in the Eastern and Northeastern U.S.

Squirrels

• Often take up residence in attics or garage ceilings.
• Choose homes for nest building based on the availability of feeding sources.
• Can chew through many structural materials.
• Are generally unaffected by repellents.
• Commonly enter the home via broken screens, roof tiles, and gaps.