Centipedes

Characteristics:

• 1/8 - 6 inches long
• Yellowish to dark brown in color with dark markings
• House centipedes are greyish yellow, 3 stripes down the back, very long legs, banded with white
• antannae
• Flattened body with a pair of  legs on each of their 15 - 177 segments  
• First segment of legs have poison glands that kill insects and spiders
• Can bite humans, bite is equivalent to a bee sting

History:

• In the summer lay around 35 eggs in or on the soil
• They increase segments with each molt until becoming an adult
• As an adult they live an average of 5-6 years
• They overwinter outdoors
• Live in moist environments
• Nocturnal

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Millipedes

Characteristics:

• 5/8 - 4 inches in length
• Brown or black; some may be orange or red
• Long, cylindrical, 2 pairs of legs on each of the many segments

History:

• Invade structures when habitat is flooded or dry periods / mating
• 20 - 300 eggs laid in nests in the soil
• They molt 7 - 10 x increasing the amount of segments each time
• Life span is around 2 years
• Adults and young can overwinter
• Feed on decaying organic matter
• Prefer outdoors where moisture and food sources are abundant
• Nocturnal
• Produce a foul smelling fluid exiting sides of body that is toxic to some insects and small animals
• The liquid substance can cause blisters on human skin

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Grasshoppers and Crickets

Characteristics:

• 3/4 inches long
• Dark brown - gray or blackish
• nocturnal
• omnivorous

History:

• Related to cockroaches
• Have gradual metamorphisis
• Can cause damage to fabrics such as
• • rayon, linen, and furs
  • paper, all food,
  • rubber

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Earwigs

Characteristics:

• 1/4 - 1 inch long
• Dark brown - black in color
• Body is long / flat/ with pincer like apendages at end of abdomen
• Has fully developed hind wings folded beneath leathery front wings

History:

• Feeds on plant matter
• Lay 50 eggs in a batch under stones or boards
• Gradual metamorphosis (egg, nymph, and adult)
• Molt between 4 - 5 times
• Live outdoors under rocks, stones, etc.
• Nocturnal
• Invades structures in the fall at night
• They produce foul odors when crushed

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Lady bird beatles

History:

• Very beneficial
• Predators of plant eating pests that attack trees, shrubs, flowers, and vegatables
• Asian lady beetles can cause considerable trouble by invading buildings

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Clover mite

Characteristics:

• Smaller than a pin head
• Bright red
• Front legs are as long as the body and longer than the other 6 legs

History:

• Often occur in large numbers
• Stain when crushed
• Migrate into homes when there is an overpopulation and also during drought or cold weather
• Adult mites lay eggs in crack and crevices
• • Foundations, walls, and around trees
• Overwinter in exterior walls
• Inactive during cold weather and very hot weather
• Come out in brief periods of warm weather in winter and spring
• Heavy infestations can also occur in summer and fall

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Pillbugs / Sowbugs

Characteristics:

• 1/4- inch - 5/8 inch long
• Dark gray
• They have a hard shell with segments, 2 antannea, 7 pairs of legs

History:

• Nuisance pest
• Live in areas with higher moisture than normal
• Feed on organic matter
• Active at night
• Females carry eggs on their body in a pouch
• Around 24 - 28 eggs fit inside the pouch
• The young hatch in about 45 days
• Molt every 1 to 2 weeks
• Adults live an average of 2 years

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Spiders

Characteristics:

• Eight legs
• Their bodies have two regions
• • Cephalothorax: Includes (Fused head and thorax)
  • Abdomen
• They have jawlike structures, which has 2 hollow clawlike fangs
• • Venom is injected from these fangs
• Spin webs
• Like moisture

History:

• Spiders are very benificial, because they kill other insects
• Some spiders though can cause pain and even kill humans and animals
• If bitten, victim should bring speciman with them to physician

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