Pests Archive | Magic Exterminating - Pest Control & Exterminating Services

Powderpost Beetle

Powderpost Beetles in Flushing NY

Powderpost beetles are a broad category of beetles that live within and eat hardwoods, reducing timber to fine powder-like sawdust. These beetles cause millions of dollars in damage each year as they infest dry seasoned wood. In the United States, they are second only to termites in their destructiveness of wood and wood products. Powderpost beetles prefer to live deep within hardwoods, and the only indication of their presence is the sawdust they leave behind, and the pencil-sized “shot” holes that remain after adults emerge in spring. The greatest period of activity occurs during the warm season.

Powderpost Beetle Habitat

Powderpost beetles live and breed in hardwoods, such as the dead branches and limbs of trees. They avoid softwoods and will not attempt to tunnel in varnished woods. Often, eggs and larvae can be sealed within hardwoods, resulting in emerging adults later on. A female powderpost beetle will lay 50 eggs at a time, in the pores of the wood. When larvae of the powderpost beetle hatch, they feed on many of the various hardwoods used in furniture, baskets, hardwood trim, and flooring. Larvae will emerge one to five years later in spring. An adult powderpost beetle will not typically live for longer than a year.

Powderpost Beetle Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Powderpost beetles aren’t a direct threat to humans, but they do cause millions of dollars in damage each year. Adult powderpost beetles most often select and lay eggs in wood such as oak, ash, hickory, mahogany, and walnut, and infestations are most likely to occur in wood paneling, molding, flooring, window and door frames, plywood, and furniture. Powderpost beetles are strong fliers and are attracted to light. Adults are often found near windows or on windowsills when an infestation occurs indoors. Infestations in homes are almost always due to the infestation of the wood prior to construction. If a powderpost beetle infestation is suspected, contact a local beetle control professional.

Striped Bark Scorpion

Striped Bark Scorpion in Flushing NY

Striped Bark Scorpion Habitat

Striped Bark Scorpion Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Sac Spider

Sac Spiders in Flushing NY

Sometimes referred to as a “yellow sac spider”, these spiders are often pale yellow in color and have even been known to have a hint or tinge of green. Similar to most spiders, sac spiders prefer to stay away from human contact and typically only find their way indoors by accident. The sac spider is commonly found in homes and is often mistaken for the brown recluse because it is similar in shape, but the sac spider lacks the “fiddle” pattern of the brown recluse. For the most part, sac spiders prefer to feed on a variety of types of spiders along with other garden insects.

Sac Spider Habitat

Outdoors, sac spiders can be seen in gardens, under vegetation, bark, in rolled leaves, and organic debris. Sac spiders are often shipped in agricultural products such as grapes and can make their way into homes on produce. It is common to see these spiders inside a home during the fall as they begin to seek warmth from the dropping temperatures outdoors. Sac spiders can easily climb slick surfaces and will construct silk, sac-like retreats wherever walls meet other walls or ceilings.

Sac Spider Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Sac spiders are hunting spiders that use their silk sac only for their retreat or for their egg capsules. They are nocturnal, hunting at night for other insects. The bite of a common sac spider can be misdiagnosed as a brown recluse spider bite. Injuries develop in a similar manner but are much less severe. Although the bite of a yellow sac spider can be painful, it is not medically significant except for allergic individuals. Reactions, such as swelling, slow healing, and ulcerated sores around the bite site, are similar enough to be confusing. If you suspect that you have been bitten by a spider, seek medical attention if symptoms persist or intensify.

If you need help with sac spiders, contact your local spider exterminators.

Digger Bee

Digger Bees in Flushing, NY

Digger bees are a species of ground bees commonly found around New York City and Long Island. They’re solitary creatures that are most commonly seen in the early spring, where the males pollinate plants and feed on harmful insects while the females stay underground building the nest and tending to their larvae.

Digger Bee Habitat

Digger bees nest underground in dry areas sparse of grass or mulch. The females live underground for most of their lives, preparing individual chambers with pollen and nectar for their larvae. You can find evidence of digger bees through one or more small mounds on your property with a hole dug in the center.

Digger Bee Behaviors, Threats or Dangers

Out of all the stinging insects, digger bees are some of the most docile. They aren’t known for biting or stinging unless disturbed. Digger bees are also very capable pollinators in springtime, and they feed on ant larvae and other pests. Overall, they don’t cause much damage – not even to your landscaping. But if you want to avoid potential discomfort or an allergic reaction, you can get rid of them with the help of your local bee exterminators at Magic Exterminating.

Furniture Carpet Beetle

Furniture Carpet Beetles in Flushing, NY

Furniture carpet beetles are a familiar pest in the vicinity of New York City and Long Island. They are usually brought in through open doors and windows, but they may also get into your house through infected furniture. In certain cases they may get into the house through cut plants and flower trimmings.

Furniture Carpet Beetle Habitat

Carpet beetles, as their name suggests, are often found in the fibers of carpets. But they can also nest in old bedding left in storage, under seldom-used furniture, or even in floor cracks and ducts. They are most comfortable anywhere with plenty of animal protein to feed on.

Furniture Carpet Beetle Behaviors, Threats or Dangers

Carpet beetles are not physically harmful to human beings, but their presence usually indicates an unclean environment. More than that, they can severely damage your furniture, bedding, and any other fur or fabric. Because of that we’d recommend vacuuming the space regularly – at least once a day, depending on the extent of the infestation. If that doesn’t stop the spread, you can contact Magic Exterminating for professional beetle treatment.

Brown Cockroach

Brown Cockroaches in Flushing, NY

Brown cockroaches are not one of the more common cockroach varieties in New York and Long Island. They prefer warm environments like their homeland of Africa, but they’ve been brought to other parts of the globe by stowing away in imported goods. And, since New York City is a major global port, there’s a very real chance of a stray brown cockroach getting into your home.

Brown Cockroach Habitat

Brown cockroaches have become commonplace in the southern region of the United States. They’re seen less often in houses and more likely to nest in commercial spaces such as grocery stores, restaurants, offices and hospitals. When the weather is warm they congregate in large numbers under leaf litter and in dumps, and when the climate cools they move into surrounding structures.

Brown Cockroach Behaviors, Threats or Dangers

The danger surrounding the brown cockroach is similar to the threat of any other cockroach. They may not bite or sting like other pests do, but their presence is indicative of poor sanitation and they often carry harmful bacteria on them. To put it simply, you don’t want an infestation of brown cockroaches in your commercial or residential property. So stay pest-free with the help of Magic Exterminating, and our expert cockroach exterminators.

"*" indicates required fields

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone*

Street Address*