Pest Library

Pest Library

Family Home Pest Control offers a full pest library for our clients to know exactly which type of pest they are dealing with in our area. Please contact our professional with any questions about pests, our services, or for a free consultation.

Carpenter Ants

Also known as Camponotus, there are three different common species in the northwest:

  • Componotus Modak
  • Componotus Vicenus
  • Comopontus Essaguy

Varying from brown to black with and without wings these ants like to nest in damp locations and prefer to excavate wood that has been damaged by water. From their nests in the beams, floors or walls, they scavenge a house for food. One of the largest members of the ant family, carpenter ants take their name from their habit of chewing passageways (called “galleries”) inside wood. They live in these galleries and make excursions, most often at night, to hunt for food and water, setting up satellite colonies inside homes from a primary parent colony located outside. Most nests are likely to be found around sinks, bathtubs, poorly sealed windows/door frames and poorly flashed chimneys. Since often there will be no external signs of damage, probing the wood with a screwdriver helps reveal the excavated galleries. Read More..

Odorous House Ants (Tapinoma sessile)

These ants are about 1/8-inch long and brown in color. If crushed, the ant will smell like a rotten coconut odor or cleaning product, hence their name.

Odorous house ants may develop huge colonies containing thousands of workers and numerous queens. This ant can be difficult to control because it establishes multiple sub colonies and may nests in such a wide variety of sites. Regular service is necessary to find and treat new colonies as they move in from neighboring properties. This species is common in California north to Washington. They mostly nest outdoors under items on the ground, within landscape mulch, beneath loose bark on trees, under ground cover, in potted plants, and within piles of items such as lumber, firewood, or bricks. Nests may readily be established inside homes, in walls, beneath carpeting, and other suitable voids or spaces.

General tips for limiting ant infestations include:

  1. Eliminate piles of lumber, bricks, or other debris that could serve as a nesting site for ants.
  2. Keep landscape mulch less than 2 inches thick and at least 12 inches away from foundations.
  3. Ensure the sprinkler system does not spray directly onto the foundation.
  4. Seal as many cracks in the home’s exterior as possible.
  5. Keep tree and shrub branches trimmed to prevent from touching the building (best 12″ away).

Cockroaches

Cockroaches reproduce quickly and can wreak havoc on your home. The few cockroaches you see by day could mean they were likely forced out by overcrowding; a possible sign of severe infestation. Your home is an ideal breeding ground for most species of cockroaches. With plenty of food, warmth, water and nesting sites, they can remain active all year round. They can enter your home in many different ways, from the outside through cracks and crevices, vents, sewer and drain pipes. We even bring them in on products like grocery bags, boxes, purses and on our person! Because cockroaches are nocturnal, if you’ve seen one, you probably haven’t seen them all. The dust created by cast-off cockroach skins, dead bodies and droppings can aggravate allergies, especially in children and sensitive individuals. Cockroaches are better at hiding than you are at finding them, and their eggs are naturally protected from insecticides. Without special equipment, materials and know-how, cockroach control can be a losing battle.

Spiders

There are many varieties of spiders all with eight legs known as “arachnids”. Different sizes, colors and webbing. A Northwest common is the Aggressive House Spider also known as the Hobo Spider. They travel far and fast. Their bite which is not too painful can cause severe symptoms such as headache, weakness, nausea and vision impairment. Some people have even lost fingertips from these spider bites. Contact your doctor if you have these symptoms. Read More..

Why Choose Family Home Pest Control?

What Makes Us Different

Serving Portland, OR Since 1999

  • Quality Assurance Warranties
  • Experienced & Friendly Exterminators
  • Family, Veteran & Locally Owned
  • Years of Industry Experience
Get to Know Us
Learn about our company history and who we are.
  • "Couldn't Be Happier!"
    - Carol S.

Rodents

There are House Mice and Deer Mice as well as Norway Rats and Roof Rats usually found in the Northwest area.

Rodents like to gnaw with their incisor teeth because they continue to grow and are hard as steel. Rodents obtain nesting material from upholstery, books or paper, or insulation damaging homes or business. Sometimes chewing on electrical or telephone wires creates hazards. They urinate in their territory and that attracts other rodents and can stink for months. They scavenge for food contaminating our food sources leaving the potential of making a person sick. Read More ..

Bees

Honeybees (Apis Mellifera) are golden in color usually seen around and on flowers. They don’t sting unless provoked with their barbed stinger. Bees produce honey in their nests, and when nests or wild swarms are noticed, it is best to contact Family Home Pest Control. Read More..

Bumblebees

Bumblebees are fuzzy black insects with a white or orange tip on the abdomen usually seen on and near flowers during spring and summer. They are not aggressive and rarely sting unless provoked. Nests should be left alone, unless they are located in a high people traffic area such as by doors or where children play.

Wasps

Wasps rarely sting unless provoked. They are long and slender, black and with sometimes orange or yellow markings. They usually build nests in the open under eaves and may make several nests.

Our FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 503-300-5054 today!

  • How do you prevent pests?
    Pest prevention depends on what you’re trying to prevent. Some best practices we always advise customers to follow are to keep all food items (including those for pets) in air-tight containers. Make sure there are no leaks in your home (including the attic and basement). Mechanical exclusion involves sealing off all entry points into the home. This is difficult for homeowners to accomplish without help, but you can keep your lawn and surrounding areas clean and free of debris. If there are any trees or bushes that provide roof access for pests, move these away from the home or trim them shorter than the roof line.
  • How do you control pests?
    Our exterminators use the right method for the job. We take into account the property, pest type,
    and residents of the home. Certain methods aren’t used when small animals or children are present. We always target our efforts as well. That means identifying paths your pest uses, where they are present, and using their feeding areas and times against them to achieve the fastest and most complete results.
  • How is pest control done?

    There are three types of pest control procedures:

    • Biological pest control: This uses chemical agents and may involve baits, pheromones, sprays, and repellants.
    • Physical pest control: Exterminators manually remove pests and use control methods like barriers, sealants, and environmental manipulation to control pests.
    • Mechanical pest control: Mechanical devices include traps, bait stations, and other devices designed to prey on the behavior of a specific pest.

Family Home Pest Control's Blog

Recent Posts

Want all the latest news or updates? Browse through our blog to read our most recent posts and featured articles.