Stored-Product Pest
These insects usually are brought into your home in packages that are already infested. Most people will notice the presence of small beetles or moths shortly after storing away foods consisting of grain, beans, dried fruit, nuts, macaroni, spaghetti products, and rice, just to name a few. In our areas we most encounter (starting with the most to least frequent), Indian Meal Moths, Saw-toothed Grain Beetles, Drugstore Beetles, Mediterranean Flour Moths, Rice Weevils, and Psocids (Book lice). No criticism is intended by this observation, but most infestations arrive through products purchased at so-called "Organic Food" outlets.
Fleas
Several Years ago, fleas were a major pest problem, particularly during the warmer months of Summer and Fall. At that time, flea calls to our office made up about %60 of our pest elimination activities. Since the advent of direct-to-pest monthly applications, fleas have become a minor invader. Most infestations are now vectored by contact with squirrels, possums, feral cats, pigeons, and rodents, to name a few. The fleas are still out there, but house hold infestations have diminished drastically.
Spiders
These are only mentioned because a vast majority of our population suffers from some degree of Arachnophobia. All spiders are naturally beneficial to our environment. Its been written that, globally, they eat more insects, by weight, than the entire weight of the human population. Although people fear spider bites, there is only one species that can cause any physical damage in our LA County Area. It's the Black Widow and Brown Widow spiders. Though not deemed to be lethal, if bitten, an adult might feel a little discomfort for a few days. However, bites are rare because these spiders are not aggressive and prefer to lounge around in out-of-the-way, dark corners waiting for a meal to drop by. News Flash: Contrary to popular belief, there are no Recluse (Loxosceles) spiders in our area! Source: University of California, Riverside. Department of Entomology.
Bed Bugs
Although Bed Bugs (Cimex Lectularius) have not been a major pest in our area during the last twenty years or so. The press and our trade journals have been trumpeting their pending return. Factors for the resurgence of bed bugs center around immigration of population from bed bug infested regions and foreign travel increases in general. Also, the loss of most organophosphate, carbamate and chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides are attributed to this resurgence. Fortunately, the author of this website has vast experience in bed bug elimination, where most of our industry members have not confronted this problem. Stay tuned........
Other Casual Invaders
There are a host of other little creatures that occasionally invade buildings and property. Bees and wasps can be a concern if in close proximity. The concern with the influx of Africanized Bees has somewhat diminished since they are thought to have adapted to our noisy., motion filled environment.
Of lesser importance we sometimes confront Silverfish, Crickets, Earwigs, Clothes, Moths, Bird Lice, Flies and Gnats, Mites, Ticks, Book Lice, and sometimes Springtails.