Venomous Pest Identification

Venomous pests produce venom that they use to help paralyze the prey they are hunting or as a way to defend themselves from danger. The venomous pests that are most common in our area are all predators and are beneficial to the ecosystem. They help to control populations of nuisance insects and other small pests. Wasps, spiders, and scorpions are venomous pests that can be found living in Cedar Hill, TX & the surrounding areas.

Scorpions

Scorpions are a type of arachnid. They have a long segmented tail that curves over their body. At the end of the tail is a stinger that they use to deliver painful, venom-filled stings. Other physical features include well-developed claws used for holding onto their prey, eight legs that help them climb and move quickly, and many eyes.

Spiders

Like scorpions, spiders are also a type of arachnid. Also like scorpions, spiders have a less than cuddly appearance. Spiders have two body segments, eight legs, many eyes, and a lack of antenna and wings. These arachnids have spinnerets that they use to produce the silk they are well-known for. They also have fang-like structures that are used to inject their venom.

Wasps

Wasps have a distinctive pinched waist and long thin legs that hang below their body as they fly. They have grayish wings and a black or brown body. Depending on the species, they may have yellow or orange markings. From the abdomen extends a smooth stinger; having a smooth stinger means they are capable of delivering multiple stings.

Unfortunately, spiders, wasps, and scorpions all have venom that is strong enough to affect people’s health negatively. Keeping your distance and avoiding contact with venomous pests is always important.

While most spiders do not have venom strong enough to harm people, a couple of species in Texas are considered dangerous. Spiders are shy and do their best to stay away from people, but they will bite as a means of defense if it becomes necessary.

Wasps tend to be most problematic for people; those individuals allergic to their venom can experience a life-threatening allergic reaction.

Scorpions deliver painful stings, but like spiders, most species don’t have venom strong enough to cause serious harm to a person. There are, however, exceptions to this rule, and like with any venomous pest doing your best to avoid contact with them is essential to protecting yourself from harm.

The most likely reason that venomous pests live in large numbers on your property is that they have discovered a reliable food source.

The gardens, flowerbeds, grass, weeds, trees, woodpiles, rock piles, and leaf piles that are in most of our Texas yards provide shelter for the insect prey these predators hunt.

The more insects you have living in your yard or home, the more likely you are to experience problems with unwanted venomous pests.

Spiders, scorpions, and wasps all live in areas that provide them with nesting and burrowing spots that protect them from the elements and the prying eyes of people and predators.

Some wasps prefer to nest in the ground using the abandoned nests of small animals; others nest aerially in trees, roofs, doorways, and the corners of windows.

Scorpions and spiders live in the same areas both outside and inside our homes. Mulch, woodpiles, dense landscaping, trees, and rock walls are places where they will hang out. Scorpions also like to gather around trashcans and outdoor lighting fixtures.

Spiders enter our homes while following their prey. Scorpions move inside following their prey or after being attracted by areas of moisture. Once inside our Texas houses,  basements, crawlspaces, attics, utility rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms are places these pests hide and hunt their insect prey.

Venomous pests should always be removed from your Texas property with the help of a trained and experienced professional. At Proactive Pest Services, our friendly professionals are committed to removing these dangerous pests and helping you prevent their return. We want to provide you with peace of mind to know that your family and property are safe from venomous pests. We are committed to always going above and beyond and providing the most thorough and comprehensive pest control services possible.

“Protecting What's Important” is our daily mission! Through innovative services, we offer long-term solutions to rid Texas properties of wasps, spiders, scorpions, and other pests. To learn more about our residential or commercial pest control offerings, give us a call today!

Take action to prevent problems with venomous pests by partnering with the professionals at Proactive Pest Services and implementing our helpful prevention tips.

• Remove clutter from your yard where venomous pests can hide or nest, like overgrown shrubs, woodpiles, and construction debris.
• Cut tree branches back away from your roofline.
• Keep lids on trash cans and recycling bins to keep wasps from foraging for food in them and the insects that venomous pests feed on from gathering around them.
• Keep them out of your home by replacing damaged weatherstripping, making sure screens are tightly in place, and installing door sweeps.
• Turn off outdoor lights whenever possible to avoid attracting insects and predators like spiders and scorpions to the outside of your house.