Autumn house fly

Autumn house-flies look a lot like house-flies but can be distinguished by the clearly striped yellow with grey abdomen and the eyes of the males that almost touch each other on top of their heads.

Lifestyle
Female autumn house-flies lay their eggs on manure in meadows. The larvae develop in the manure and pupate in the surrounding soil. The adult flies feed on body secretions of the cattle and sometimes drink blood, although they can’t bite through the skin of people or animals. The overwintering behaviour of the autumn house-fly is almost the same as that of the cluster fly and both species can jointly use the same building.

American cockroach

Appearance
With a length of 28 – 44 mm (excluding the long antennas) are American cockroach is the biggest cockroach species that is frequently found in the Netherlands. Both genders are shiny red brown and have wings, but the males have longer wings. The nymphs (younger stages) look a lot like the adult animals, but do not have wings. The egg package is pale to red-brown in colour and contains about 16 eggs on average.

What causes cockroaches?
The cockroaches that occur in buildings originate from the tropics and can hide in the packaging of tropical products. In addition, cockroaches can be found in packing boxes, boxes from the supermarket, second-hand goods / household appliances and eve rented videotapes. Cockroaches can also simply ‘hitch-hike’ with clothes or luggage.

General
American cockroaches are hardly ever found in houses in the Netherlands. Because this species needs a high temperature and high humidity, they cause the most nuisance in factories, zoos, aquariums, food companies, bakeries and restaurants. Like all cockroaches they are undesired, because they contaminate food and can transmit bacteria and fungal spores. They spread an unpleasant odour and are a big nuisance due to the great numbers in which they can exist.

Lifestyle
Cockroaches can move very quickly, even across the ceiling, walls and other surfaces. American cockroaches can also fly at higher temperatures. Once cockroaches have invaded a building, they look for a warm, dark hiding place. The reason for this is that cockroaches shun the light. In a dark, warm and moist place they can easily survive and reproduce.

Cockroaches are omnivores. They can even survive in a clean, hygienic environment. The reason for this is that adult cockroaches can last 40 days without food! If your house if very dirty, the cockroach will thrive and reproduce very quickly due to the abundance of food.

Prevention: How do I repel the cockroach?
Check your goods for cockroaches before you take them into your home; Properly ventilate your house and don’t raise the temperature too high. The cockroach is very comfortable at 25’C; Store your food and waste properly so that cockroaches can’t reach them.   If you use canisters, that prevents other vermin to reach your food as well. Clean your kitchen frequently and thoroughly. Seal cracks, seams and conduit openings of pipes.

Control
After a thorough inspection and inventory of the relevant object, a control plan is drawn up. In consultation with users / residents of the building time of action, preparation etc are agreed on. To kill the cockroaches, a bait gel is applied which will be applied to all possible hiding places. These substances, which are permitted by the government, can only be used by control professionals. The people involved will be informed in advance of the measures to be taken.

German cockroach

Appearance
This cockroach species is light brown of colour and has two clearly black longitudinal stripes on the breastplate. Long antennae, large wings. Approximately 12 – 16mm long. The nymphs (younger stages) are 2 – 12mm long, wingless. The egg package is light brown and about 8 mm long.

What causes cockroaches?
Cockroaches originate from the tropics and can hide in the packaging of tropical products. In addition, cockroaches can be found in packing boxes, boxes from the supermarket, second-hand goods / household appliances and eve rented videotapes. Cockroaches can also simply ‘hitch-hike’ with clothes or luggage.

General
Cockroaches are very common in centrally heated buildings, food production companies and aboard ships. These insects are undesired, because they contaminate food and can transmit bacteria and fungal spores. They spread an unpleasant odour and are a big nuisance due to the great numbers in which they can exist.

Lifestyle
Cockroaches can move very quickly, even across the ceiling, walls and other surfaces. Once cockroaches have invaded a home, they look for a dark hiding place. The reason for this is that cockroaches shun the light. In a dark, warm and moist place they can easily survive and reproduce. You can always crush cockroaches or pour boiling water over them. There are male and female cockroaches. The female carries an egg package containing about 30 eggs. One cockroach couple can – in optimal circumstances – produce about 400.000 offspring in one year.

Cockroaches are omnivores. Still they can survive in a clean, hygienic house. The reason for this is that adult cockroaches can last 40 days without food! If your house if very dirty, the cockroach will thrive and reproduce very quickly.

How do I repel the cockroach?
Check your goods for cockroaches before you take them into your home; Properly ventilate your house and don’t raise the temperature too high. The cockroach is very comfortable at 25’C; Store your food and waste properly so that cockroaches can’t reach them. If you use canisters, that prevents other vermin to reach your food as well. Clean your kitchen frequently and thoroughly. Seal cracks, seams and conduit openings of pipes.

Prevention
Good hygiene and being alert to the presence of cockroaches in received goods and products, can help prevent cockroaches from multiplying into large numbers in objects. Properly carried out control can resolve the nuisance.

Control
After a thorough inspection and inventory of the relevant object, a control plan is drawn up. In consultation with users / residents of the building time of action, preparation etc are agreed on. To kill the cockroaches, a bait gel is applied which will be applied to all possible hiding places. These substances, which are permitted by the government, can only be used by control professionals. The people involved will be informed in advance of the measures to be taken.

Oriental cockroach

General
Except in houses, these cockroaches are common in food companies, bakeries, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, laundries etc. in large numbers. They spread an unpleasant smell that is also absorbed by the food; the smell is caused by the secretion product of a back gland.

Oriental cockroaches (also referred to as the water bug) are omnivores and feed on our food, however they can also survive by eating dead animals, droppings and waste. Cockroaches can be carriers of bacteria and mites. They can also transmit certain diseases because they come into contact with all kind of dirt. Their presence in the immediate vicinity of people is utterly undesired. In the tropics, they are a cleaning crew of nature and they also serve as food for larger animals such as birds.

Appearance and lifestyle
An adult oriental cockroach is 20-27 mm long. Their colour is red-brown to black, the larvae are the darkest. Only the male has well-developed wings, but cannot fly. The wings often makes the male lighter in colour. The oriental cockroach doesn’t just live in bakeries, but also in restaurants, hotels, laundries and houses. Its preferred temperature is 20’C – 29’C.

Many cockroach species shun the light, this also includes the oriental cockroach. During the daytime, they hide in dark, war, places: behind the heater, oven or central heater, in kitchen cabinets, heated cellars, wall cracks near hot water pipes, in bathrooms and drains, near aquariums etc. During the night, they look for food via openings and holes along heating and water piping. They don’t stock up, but they feed every night, during which they move very fast. If they can’t find food, they gnaw in paper (books) and leather.

Development
The development of this insect takes fairly long. The female carries the eggs in an egg package (cocoon) which contains about 16, for a maximum of 5 days at the abdomen, before she drops it at a favourable location.

On average, adult females produce about 8 egg packages during their 35-180 day lifespan. About 2-3 months after dropping the cocoon, the wingless larvae hatch, that, via 7-8 moult processes go through a very long development period, of 1-4 years, depending on the circumstances, before they reach adulthood. The transformation is incomplete, meaning that the larvae look like the adult insect (imago) at birth and only differ in size and lack of wings. During the last moult, the wings are fully grown, however for the eastern cockroach this only applies to the males. The egg package is grey-brown, 10x5x3 mm and has a serrated edge at the top, which breaks open as the larvae hatch.

That the temperature plays an important role in the development is demonstrated by the fact that a difference of just several degrees, can accelerate or slow down the development with several months. They are sensitive to cold; a temperature of -4’C for a period of about 15 hours is usually fatal.

Prevention
The spreading of cockroaches takes place by bringing in frequently used boxes, caskets, crates, containers etc, with luggage and by with moving and transports. In addition to try and prevent the insects from being brought into the area, it can also help to limit the food supply, due to careful hygiene.

Make sure that no food or food residue is to be found in places where cockroaches find their food at night, which usually is the kitchen. Keep food in properly closed dishes, cans, plastic boxes or in the refrigerator. Get rid of food residue and kitchen waste. Carefully seal garbage cans and preferably take them outside for the night. Sealing pipe conduits etc may contribute to limiting the spread of cockroaches in a building.

When planning new construction and the configuration of kitchens, bathrooms, restaurants, bars, hospitals and nursery homes, one should avoid creating ideal shelters for insects. In addition, kitchens of companies and institutions should be situated as favourably as possible compared to the other parts of the building and the food should be stored in a dry cool storage.

Control
Before proceeding with a control action, the extend of the spread of the cockroaches within the relevant building and the adjacent buildings must be investigated. In apartment buildings, the spread first takes place in a vertical direction via pipe ducts etc. Glue traps can be used for this investigation. After this inventory, EWS can proceed to draw up the control plan (order of the treatment, control method to be applied and permitted substances etc) and the information provision to the parties involved. More information is available on our page for cockroach control.

Aftercare
It is recommended to have an expert of EWS check about 6-8 weeks after the treatment whether a post treatment is necessary. The residents/users of the treated areas must be alert to cockroaches after the inspection / treatment and report any detection of them as soon as possible. After the control action has been carried out, one can identify cockroach infiltrations in vulnerable objects such as food companies with glue traps for instance.

House fly

General
The house-fly and the small house-fly are the two fly species that are most common indoors in the Netherlands. The house-fly is 7-8 mm long, has a grey breast plate (thorax) with 4 black stripes and an abdomen with a yellow base (less so in the females). The small house-fly is thinner and is 5-7 mm long, has a brown thorax and an abdomen with three yellow rings and triangular faces on its back. Both fly species are herbivores and are common in manure, waste, dead animals and food.

Lifestyle
All fly species undergo a complete transformation (metamorphosis). This means that these insects go through 4 life states during their development into adult fly, being egg, larvae, pop and imago (adult insect). The female of the house-fly lays about 600-2000 eggs of about 1mm long in series of 100-150. The female of the small house-fly lays 200-600 eggs in groups of 30-70 each. The eggs are laid on all kinds of rotting material such as droppings or waste. After 1-3 days, the larvae crawls out of the egg and starts pupating after about 1 week. The pupal stadium takes about 3-8 days in the house-fly and 10-30 days in the small house-fly. The males die briefly after mating, the females live 2-3 months.

Damage
In addition to the fact that flies can be very annoying, they are also known as notorious disease spreaders. They carry all kinds of pathogens and viruses on their legs, mouth and hairs and their droppings which pose a hazard for people and pets.

Prevention
Fly nuisance can often be minimized by taking the proper control measure such as: timely removal of waste. Using properly sealable waste bins and containers. In farms, dispose of manure as soon as possible and keep manure gutters and stable floors clean. Don’t leave food and ingredients for food uncovered. Where possible, apply mosquito nets, fly screens, ribbon curtains or flap doors.

Control
Fighting flies is only useful after the necessary prevention measures have been taken. There are a lot of methods for exterminating flies, such as fly strips, electrical fly swatters, fly traps for indoors or outdoors, treatment of resting places of flies with insecticide and treatment of fertilizer to eliminate maggots. The EWS exterminator is happy to inform you about what methods are most suitable for your situation.

Cluster fly

This general fly species thanks its name to its habit to overwinter in buildings in large numbers. The cluster fly looks like a very big house-fly with a lot of golden hairs on its thorax (breast plate).

Lifestyle
The adult females lay their eggs on a moist floor, under rotting leafs etc. After about a week, the larvae hatch and start actively looking for rain worms, which they then hang onto and drill a hole in. The maggot develops inside the body of the rain worm. If the rain worm is dead or nearly dead, the maggot drills a way out and pupates in the soil. The life cycle of the cluster fly strongly depends on the weather conditions, two generations per year is normal. However, in hot summers there can be four generations per year. The adult cluster fly feeds off of the nectar of flowers.

Damage/nuisance
During the summer and the beginning of the fall, cluster flies hardly ever cause nuisance. When the weather turns cooler, they seek shelter in nooks and crannies in houses and other buildings. As the temperature drops further, they look for better shelter and often form clusters of thousands of flies. It is not uncommon for the same building to be used year after year for purposes of overwintering. Cluster flies do not cause any damage, but due to their great numbers, they are very annoying.

Latrine fly

General
The representatives of the Sphaeroceridae family to which the latrine fly belongs, are called small dung flies in America. It has rightfully earned this name, because these flies are often found in large numbers on and near animal droppings.

Appearance and lifestyle
These small, dark coloured flies develop on very humid places, where the soil is contaminated with rotting organic material. Such breeding places are formed in houses where the drain of the sink is leaking or when something is wrong with the drain of the toilets. The flies can also develop in the vicinity of houses, such as in manure heaps and in stables.

Prevention / control
The only effective control measures are to find the breeding place(s) and to sanitize them. In case of sing or toilet leakage, one can try to remove the contaminated material from the crawling space or to cover it with a layer of clean sand. The the flies develop outside of the house, the focus should be on prevention, for instance by applying fly screens in open windows. Manure store in the immediate vicinity of houses should be avoided or the manure must be properly covered. In stables, proper hygiene should be observed. The fly larvae (maggots) in the manure can be eliminated with the help of authorized insecticides.

If the control measure, carried out based on this advise, does not lead to the desired result, you can always contact EWS.

Firebrat

General
The firebrat Thermobia domestica Packard is fairly common in heated buildings. It is easy to confuse the firebrat with the silver fish.

Appearance
A wingless insect, up to 12 mm long; the body is covered with fine scales; the insect has 2 long antennas on its head and 3 long appendages to its abdomen crawls with fast, snake-like movements, grey in colour and clearly speckled on its back.

Development
Incomplete metamorphosis. Egg stadium: the eggs are dropped in heaps; dimensions about 1 x 0.8 mm in temperatures below 22°Celsius the eggs can’t get beyond the larvae state: the number of stages is variable (up to 13 stages); under optimal circumstances (37° and 80% rel. humidity) the younger stages take about 2-5 days and the older stages up to 8 days. Lifespan: depending on temperature and humidity 2.5 to 3 years; during the adult stage, moult still takes place (up to 60 times).

Lifestyle
Light shunning; hide during the day food: mainly carbohydrates, such as starch, sugars etc. In addition, there is a (limited) need for protein and fats. Temperature: preferably 32 – 38°Celsius; 42°Celsius is bearable as well relative humidity: eggs can still hatch at 11% rel. humidity; however, 33% and higher is preferred. Total development takes place at 50% rel humidity.

Damage
When firebrats exist in great numbers (dry, warm area) they can cause significant damage to paper, wallpaper, books, posters, products of synthetic material, such as clothing, wall covering etc.

Spreading
Firebrats are very common and can easily hitch-hike on all kinds of products and materials.

Prevention & Control
Keep temperature as low as possible, general hygiene. A treatment of all seams and cracks in the house with a residual-acting pesticide (in linked houses, all linked houses should be treated)

Springtails

General
Springtails are very small insects, hardly ever larger than 5mm. They owe their name to the fact that almost all species have a forked attachment to their abdomen, allowing them to make great leaps. A springtail of, for instance 5 mm long, can jump about 8 cm far. A number of common species that show great similarities in their stylise belong to the Entomobryidae, Isotomidae, Onychiuridae and Sminthuridae families (globular springtails).

Lifestyle
Spring tails mainly live in places with a high relative humidity. They feed on rotting vegetable material, but also moss, algae and fungi. They are mainly found in the top soil layer, between litter, grass, gravel etc. In greenhouses in particular, when the soil is silted, the springtails are comfortable, because it means there is a lot of food for them. Spring tails are wingless insects. In small numbers, they are hardly noticed, because of their small size. However, they can also exist in great numbers. The latter mainly occurs in hot weather. However, certain species can also be active at temperatures around the freezing point. Springtails are harmless to people and animals. They don’t sting or bite. Nor are there any cases known of skin irritation caused by these insects.

Prevention & Control
In case of springtail nuisance in buildings, the development place will have to be tracked down. Three possible development places can be:

In the litter layer of the garden, possibly along the facade of the building, moss growth on the facade or (mainly) on closely packed heavy trees; on flat roofs and in gutters. Especially when water occasionally remains and there is algae or moss growth, this development place is perfect for these insect; in the house, when the atmosphere is very humid due to the presence of a lot of plants, they can be found in decorative pots.

The best way to get rid of them is to prevent their presence. Get rid of algae, fungi, or moss. Keep flat roofs and gutters clean. In the house, springtails cannot survive due to too dry conditions. Any springtails that are found can be vacuum. All this makes the use of chemical substances unnecessary.

Dust lice

General
The name dust lice is confusing, because these insect are not related to lice and have nothing to do with dust. They belong to a separate order within the insect realm. Al lot of species are very common. The presence of a couple of dust lice in an area or stored products is harmless in itself. They do not pose a health risk. However, their presence is a clear sign that the area in which they are found or the product in which they live, is too humid.

Appearance
Dust lice are small insects. Their are max. 4 mm long. Their colour is white, grey or brown. Some species are winged; other species have wing stumps or are wingless. They can move quickly, but do this jerkily so. The young stages of dust lice look a lot like the adult versions.

Development
The duration of the development from egg to adult insect depends on temperature and humidity and can differ greatly per species. In optimal circumstances this development can however be completed within a month. When kept in mind that every female can lay up to a 100 eggs, it is not surprising that they can multiply at an amazing pace.

Lifestyle
Dust lice live on fungi that develops on material stored in moist conditions or in humid areas. They sometimes exist in large numbers in humid houses, warehouses and farms. In addition, they can exist in herbariums, insect collections, between humid papers, in old books and in old moist stuffing of mattresses and pillows, in rush matting and other vegetable flooring. When dust lice exist in great numbers, they can cause some material damage. In thatched roofing of houses and farms, dust lice can sometimes exist in great numbers. In case of proper ventilation a natural balance will be created between the dust lice and the predator insects and mites that feed on dust lice.

Prevention & Control
The only effective control method consists of cleaning or drying of the material in which the fungi exist and drying the area in which they live and keeping it dry. The latter can be achieved by ventilating in hot weather or through dry firing.

Recently built houses often have a concrete floor that is not yet entirely dry. Sometimes a stagnating ventilation of crawling space and / or hollow wall is the cause. Rising damp in an exterior wall or condensation of water vapour on a wall can be a cause as well. In such cases, architectural advice may be necessary.

A source for fungus growth can be unfinished particle board in kitchen islands or cabinets, mainly the sides of counter tops and the bottom of cabinets. This materials absorbs moisture by cleaning it with water, causing fungus Proper drying, for instance with a hot air heater, blow-dryer etc and then sealing it with appropriate material, will resolve the problem.

Applying insecticide is useless, because dust lice will simply come back after a while. This means that the area would have to be sprayed multiple times, which is not preferable. A permanent solution can only be achieved by reducing the relative humidity in the areas with dust lice. Moist pallets can be dried by heating them for at least half an hour up to 50 C. which will kill any dust lice present.