Acrobat Ant: Inside structures acrobat ants typically nest in wood which has been subjected to high moisture and fungal decay, the same wood conditions are favored by carpenter ants.  Similarly, they will nest in Styrofoam insulation panels and in wall voids.  Outside most species nest under rocks, or in logs, firewood, or trees where decay enables them to tunnel under the bark and/or into the wood.  They will occasionally will nest in abandoned termite and carpenter ant galleries as well as in old wood borer, powder post beetle or wood wasp tunnels.

Acrobat ants feed on honeydew from aphids and mealy bugs which they usually tend or “herd”.  They also feed on live and dead insects, including termite swarmers.  Indoors they show a slight preference for sweets and high-protein foods such as meats.

When disturbed or alarmed, workers of all but the smallest colonies tend to quite aggressive.  They are quick to bite, and give off a repulsive odor.

Argentine Ant: Inside, these ants usually nest near a moisture source such as water pipers, sinks, potted plants, etc.  The workers follow regular trails when foraging and winged queens can sometimes be found among trailing workers.  Workers commonly tend honeydew-producing insects.  The preferred foods are sweets such as sugars and syrup but they will feed on almost every kind of food including meats, eggs,  oil, fats, etc.

Outside, Argentine ants typically live in shallow news located in moist situations such as under boards and stones, beneath plants, along sidewalks, etc.  This ant prefers sweets such as honeydew, fruit juices and plant secretions, but also steals seeds, attacks poultry chicks, disrupts bee hives, etc. 

Argentine Ants invade buildings in large numbers when conditions outside are either too wet or too dry for them to live.  Also, a decrease in their honeydew supply sends them indoors seeking sweets.  They will readily trail along tree and shrub branches, as well as utility lines/wires to gain entrance.

Bed Bug: typically 4-5 millimeters long, are ectoparasites that feed on humans while they sleep. Bedbugs can be found around mattress buttons and beading, in boxsprings or their coverings, and in any crevice of a wooden bed frame, however in heavy infestations bed bugs may be found in wall voids or any other enclosed locations and will crawl considerable distances to obtain a blood meal. Bed bugs have been found to be infected with some 25 different disease organisms and can lay up to 12 eggs per day.

Big Headed Ant : These ants get their common name from the exceptionally large head of the major workers in relation to their body size.  Various species are found throughout the United States including Hawaii.  A few species serve as intermediate hosts of tapeworms which infect turkeys, chickens and domestic fowl.

Big headed ants only occasionally invade structures and usually nest in the soil surrounding structures.  Most species nest in the soil in protected situations such as under stones, patio blocks, slabs, firewood and landscape timbers, although they will nest under leaf litter or mulch around building foundations.  A few species will nest in rotting wood and stumps.  With regard to structures, big headed ants will often nest under slabs and enter the structure via expansion joints and cracks in the slab.  They will occasionally nest in crawl spaces, and are known to utilize termite-damaged wood for nesting purposes.

Big headed ants feed primarily on seeds and insects, and occasionally on honey dew.  In homes, they will feed on meats, grease, liver, molasses, peanut butter and fruit juices.  They usually show a preference for high-protein foods.

Black Widow spider: one of Oklahoma’s most venomous spiders, its venom a neurotoxin. Color typically a shiny black with the orange or red hourglass shape on underside of abdomen. The Black widow commonly lives outside the house building their webs in protected areas like overhangs, woodpiles, or under decks but can be found in seldom used parts of garages, basements and crawl spaces.

Boxelder: primarily a nuisance pest because they enter the house during the winter months in large numbers and also feed of seed bearing trees. Inside the house they leave fecal material that cause a red stain.

When crushed they produce a strong, disagreeable odor. They occasionally bite, causing a skin irritation and produce a red spot similar to a small ulcer.

Brown Recluse spider: most commonly referred to as the Fiddleback spider due the dark fiddle shaped marking starting from the head trailing to its thorax. The brown recluse is Oklahoma’s most venomous spider. Injection of their venom produces necrosis or dead tissue resulting in an ulcerating sore. Inside the home they can be found in almost any undisturbed area such as boxes, seldom used clothing and shoes, or storage areas.

Carpenter Ant: most common carpenter ant in Oklahoma is big and black. These ants get their name from their habit of hollowing out galleries in pieces of wood for nesting purpose which can result in structural damage. Indications of an infestation usually are expelled debris consisting of sawdust-like shavings and/or fragments of insulation and insect parts. They prefer to attack wood softened by fungus and are often associated with moisture problems.

Carpenter Bee: get their common name from their habit of boring into wood to make galleries for the rearing of young. They closely resembles the bumble bee except that the abdomen is black and shiny instead of partially covered with yellow hairs. Carpenter bees will nest in a wide range of woods, but prefer weathered and unpainted wood. Male bees tend to be more aggressive when humans approach but have no stinger. Females however have a potent sting which is rarely used.

Crazy Ant : This ant’s name comes from the worker’s habit of running haphazardly about a room/building in search of food.  The crazy ant is found throughout the United States, but is confined to the indoors in the northern states because it cannot survive the winter outdoors.

Inside, these ants usually nest underneath floors and in wall voids, especially near hot-water pipes and heaters.  The workers visit food sources following regular trails, foraging up to 100 feet or more.  The preferred foods are insects and sweets, but they will feed on almost any household food.

Outside, the nests are shallow and usually located in soil under objects in such places as cavities in plants and trees, trash, refuse, mulch, and in potted plants.   Here, they feed primarily on insects, seeds, fruits, and honeydew from aphids, mealy bugs and scale insects.  They most often enter homes in the fall or after a rain because both conditions reduce their supply of honeydew.

Earwig: about 5- 25 mm with body elongate, flattened in form. Color varies from pale brown with dark markings to reddish brown to black. Earwigs are nocturnal and hide in moist, shady areas and feed on live or dead plants and/or insects. Earwigs can invade homes but the hundreds or thousands.

Fire Ant : These ants get their common name from their ability to inflict especially painful bites and stings.  They are typically ground nesting ants.  However, the Southern fire ant will sometimes nest in the wood or masonry of buildings, especially in areas near the soil or warmth such as fireplace hearths.  When the southern fire ants nest outside near a house, it is usually in the vicinity of the kitchen.  Outside nests are usually situated under stones or other covering objects, or in the soil at the base of a tree or shrub, or in clumps of grass.

The red imported fire ant typically nest outside.  Each colony has it’s own territory and there is usually no movement between colonies.  However, they will sometimes nest in areas of exposed soil within buildings such as bath traps.  They also have the habit of building outside nests adjacent to foundation walls.  They are commonly introduced into new areas via potted or balled shrubs and trees.

Fire ants prefer food with a high protein content but will feed on almost anything, plant or animal. They usually feed on seeds, insects, young tree bark, honeydew and other sweets, preferring oily meats and nuts.

Firebrat: similar to earwigs and silverfish, signs of infestation are yellow stains, scales, and/or feces seen on holes, notches along an edge, or surface etchings. Firebrats prefer high humidity, but temperature is the critical factor; preferably 90 degrees or above. Firebrats feed on both carbohydrates and proteins, attacking such things as rolled oats, dried beef, bond paper, linen, cotton, silk, etc.

Fleas: Fleas are one of the more important groups of insects because they do not only cause discomfort by biting, but they can transmit several diseases such as plague and murine typhus.  It is not necessary to have pets in the building in order to have fleas present. Since fleas can jump about 6” vertically, they can easily hitch a ride on shoe, trousers, etc.

Fleas are typically found where animals sleep or frequent, including along their usual avenue of travel, because this is where the eggs and adult fecal blood accumulate.  Most larvae will be found in similar places but especially in areas with high moisture which is necessary for their survival.

German Roach: most common cockroach in US. In addition to being a nuisance, it has been implicated in outbreaks of illness, the transmission of a variety of pathogenic organisms and allergic reactions in many people. The german roach is light brown except for two parallel stripes. They prefer warm and humid areas and are usually found in kitchens or bathrooms or where people eat.

Ghost Ant : This ant gets it common name from the fact that it is very hard to see because of its pale color and very tiny size.  It is found primarily in central and southern Florida and Hawaii in the United States.  In the northern states it is unable to survive except in greenhouses and in similar heated situations.Ghost ants are highly adaptable in their nesting habits.  Inside, ghost ants typically nest in cavities, which include wall voids, behind baseboards, between cabinets and walls, etc.  They will also nest in the soil of potted plants.  Their nesting habits seem to be similar to those of Pharaoh ants.

Little Black Ant : This ant gets it name from its very small size and jet-black coloration.  It is a native species and is found throughout the United States, especially in the eastern half of the U.S., in the southern half of California and the San Francisco Bay area.

Inside, nests are located in woodwork, decaying wood and masonry. They will feed on grease, oil, meats, fruits, vegetable materials such as corn meal and sweets. Outside, they nest under stones/rocks, in rotting logs, in lawns, or in open areas.   The workers feed on other insects, honey dew, and plan secretions.  They forage in trails, which can commonly be seen on foundation walls and along sidewalks.

Odorous Ant : The pungent, “rotten coconut like” odor given off when this ant is crushed gives it its name.  It is a native species and is found throughout the United States. Inside, these ants usually construct their nests in wall voids especially around hot water pipes and heaters, in crevices around sinks, cupboards, etc.  These ants prefer sweets but also eat foods with high protein content and grease such as meats and cheese.  Outside, they often found in the nest of larger ants, in exposed soil, but mostly under objects.  Workers feed on insects, seek honey dew and plant secretions, and even feed on seeds. They are most likely to enter buildings when their honey dew supply is reduced such as during rainy weather or with leaf fall in the autumn.

Oriental Roach: often referred to as the “water bug” due to their affinity to water. They are usually shiny black but can vary to dark reddish brown. It is typically found under debris, stones, leaf litter, but also in wall voids and porch cracks. They feed on all kinds of food and decaying matter but prefer starchy foods.

Pavement Ant : This ant gets its name from commonly locating its nest in our under cracks in pavement. Pavement ants were introduced from Europe by the early colonist. They are found in most of the eastern half of the United States and in California and Washington.

Inside pavement ants will occasionally nest in walls, in insulation, and under floors.  The most likely place is in ground level masonry walls of the foundations and especially near some heat source in the winter. They often follow pipes which come through slabs for access to upper floors of buildings.  Outside, these ants typically nest under stones, in cracks in pavements and next to buildings. They enter buildings through cracks in the slab and walls, slab expansion joints and the natural openings of buildings. Although not aggressive, workers can bite and sting.

Pharoah Ant : Its name resulted from the mistaken belief of Linnaeus that this ant was one of the plagues of Egypt in the time of the Pharaohs.  Pharaoh ants are thought to be native to the African regions. This ant is found throughout the United States.  Pharaoh ants have been strongly implicated in the spread of various disease pathogens.Inside pharaoh ants nest in warm, humid areas near sources of food and/or water.  Nest are usually located in inaccessible areas such as wall voids, behind baseboards, in furniture, under floors, and between linens.  The workers range widely from the nest in search and establish trails to the food and water sources.  They commonly use electrical and telephone wires as highway systems to travel through wall and between floors.  Pharaoh ants are common problems in commercial food handling establishments such as hotels, grocery stores, hospitals and in apartment complexes.

Scorion: Scorpions are eight legged venomous invertebrates belonging to the class Arachnida, and the order Scorpiones. They are related to spiders, mites, ticks, and harvestmen as well as other members of the Arachnida class. They possess an extended body and a segmented, erectile tail ending with the telson (the sting). There are roughly 1,300 species of scorpions worldwide.

Silverfish: have a teardrop/carrot/fishlike tapering from head to rear and generally covered with scales. Color silvery to gun metal. They can be found in bathrooms, attics, basements, and garages. Silverfish prefer areas of room temperature and high relative humidty.

Thief Ant : These ants get their name from their habit of nesting very near or even in the nest of other ants, which they rob of food and brood (larvae and pupae). Recent research indicates that this is most probably a group of species instead of just on species.  This is a native species and is found throughout most of the United States.Inside, these ants nest in small crevices and in woodwork and masonry. They will wander throughout a building in search of food, but forage in trails. They prefer food of high protein content and feed on meats, breads, fruit, animal fats, oils, nuts, and diary products, but they will readily feed on sweets.  They commonly enter structures during hot weather.  Outside they nest in exposed soil or under objects, in trash, rotten wood and cavities in trees.  Here they feed on almost anything organic including insects, honey dew, seeds and germinating seeds.

Ticks: Although not a structural pest, it is commonly found on dogs and readily attacks humans. It is of medical importance because it vectors the causal organisms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia, and also causes tick paralysis. 

Adults crawl up grass or other low vegetation, cling to it with their 3rd pair of legs, and wave their other legs about ready to grasp onto any passing host. They prefer larger mammals as hosts and these include the preferred dog and other such as man, cattle, opossum, coyote, hog, horse, raccoon, wild cat,  squirrel, sheep, skunk, deer, fox, domestic cat, mule, rabbit, Norway rat, ground squirrel, donkey/burro, weasel, and woodchuck. American dog ticks are attracted by the sent of animals and are therefore most numerous along roads, paths, and trails.

Velvet Ant: color glistening, abdomen velvety black, thorax yellowish red. Inside these ants usually enter in columns searching for sweets and other insects. Their trails may extend several hundred feet from the nest. Outside they are a major pest for picnickers. They are active in trails in the morning and evening, and may swarm and bite when disturbed.