Insect and Rodent Identification
Identify a Pest in Greater Montreal
Recognizing a Pest
Identifying an insect is not always straightforward. To do so, you can bring a specimen to the exterminator or even send a photo by email. Our technicians at Extermination Dynamique will be able to identify it and provide you with a free estimate.
Identify an Insect in Greater Montreal
Spider
This arachnid weaves webs to capture its victims: insects. The spider has 8 legs and several eyes. There are thousands of spider species, but in Quebec, we have nearly 700 species. The spider is responsible for a certain level of biological control since it consumes a large quantity of insects.
Woodlouse
This arthropod is actually a nocturnal terrestrial crustacean. It has 2 pairs of antennae, is dull in color, and possesses 7 pairs of legs. The woodlouse likes dark, damp places and feeds on decaying plant matter.
Ladybug
This beetle is round in shape and is well known for its spots. If the specimen is yellow, orange, or red, it will have black spots, and if it is black, it will have yellow or orange spots. The ladybug hibernates, reproduces in the spring, and its larvae develop during the summer.
Cockroach
Cockroaches are brown or black and have a flattened body. This insect has 2 long antennae and 2 pairs of wings. A cockroach living indoors can lay eggs all year round. The cockroach is a fairly large insect and can become invasive as it eats food in kitchens and carries bacteria, fungi, and parasites. The cockroach adapts quickly to changes and poisons.
Carpenter Ant
Carpenter ants are black with shades of red or brown, depending on the species. The nest is often built in a tree trunk or a stump. After 3 to 6 years, a colony contains more than 2,000 occupants. Carpenter ants like to live in damp wood. They excavate galleries in rotten wood. However, their presence must not be tolerated in a house as they could cause serious damage to the structure.
Wasp
A social insect, the wasp is black and has yellow stripes on its thorax and face. The queen establishes her colony in a paper nest or an underground nest. This insect can be aggressive and does not hesitate to sting with its stinger. When stinging, the wasp injects venom that serves to paralyze its prey. If a human is stung by a wasp, they will feel sharp pain (it is very important to remove the stinger if it is in your skin), but the sting is generally harmless. However, if you are allergic or if you are stung repeatedly, you must go to the hospital as soon as possible.
Fly
This winged insect has 6 legs and its color varies by species. Usually, the fly needs water to develop; the egg, larva, and pupa develop in water. Then, the fly flies. The presence of flies can become quite annoying. Indeed, their buzzing and their persistence in landing on people contribute to this feeling.
Earwig
This nocturnal insect, recognizable by the cerci located at the end of its abdomen, is herbivorous, detritivorous, or omnivorous, depending on the species. Earwigs often feed in vegetable gardens, but since their presence is useful (they eat harmful insects or very ripe plants), one should consider reducing their population rather than exterminating them.
Silverfish
Silverfish and firebrats live outdoors in warm countries, but in Canada they live indoors because it is too cold. Both are elongated, have antennae, and are covered in scales. The silverfish is covered in silvery scales and the firebrat is more beige. They like damp places such as basements, bathrooms, and buildings where there are water leaks. Silverfish are found in cooler areas and firebrats in warmer areas.
Bed Bug
Bed bugs feed on the blood of sleeping people or animals. Two species feed exclusively on human blood, while others also consume blood from birds and mammals. The bed bug is active at night and bites its host while they sleep. Upon waking, the victim will notice small red bites, often aligned or grouped together. These are generally harmless, but they can cause itching or skin rashes. Also, some people may be allergic to them. In any case, it is best to eliminate a bed bug infestation as quickly as possible before they reproduce further and invade your entire home.
Identify a Rodent in Greater Montreal
Bat
This nocturnal flying mammal is distinguished by a membrane attached to its forelimbs that acts as a wing. It moves using sound waves and the cries it emits. Since bats feed on insects, they sometimes settle in attics. It is therefore necessary to make the attic space inaccessible.
Squirrel
This small rodent with a bushy tail is very agile in trees and is capable of jumping very long distances. It is accustomed to storing food for the winter. The squirrel can be a nuisance to humans as it sometimes takes up residence in houses and gnaws on wires or equipment.
Rat
This rodent has a long scaly tail, a pointed snout, and gray fur. It lives in both the countryside and the city. Rats enter buildings; they must be dealt with quickly because they carry diseases and reproduce very rapidly.
Raccoon
The fur of this mammal is gray and brown, its tail is striped, and it has a black mask. Curious and intelligent by nature, it is always looking for food and will try to obtain it by any means. The presence of a raccoon inconveniences many since it can settle in your attic, rummage through your trash, or make a nest under your porch.
Mice
This small omnivorous rodent with white or gray fur is characterized by an elongated snout and a long thin tail. Females can have several litters per year; they reproduce very quickly. Primarily nocturnal, they live in burrows outdoors and also indoors when they manage to enter houses, barns, or other buildings.
An infestation can't wait
Certain situations require immediate intervention: presence of rats in walls, bed bug infestation, dangerous wasp nest, or sudden mouse invasion.
Our emergency team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to intervene quickly throughout Greater Montreal.
Rapid intervention for:
- Sudden infestation
- Affected business
- Urgent sanitary problem
- Presence of animals in the attic
- Situation putting occupants at risk
