Perimeter Invaders

In pest control, the term "perimeter invaders" is a catch-all phrase for the miscellaneous insects and related arthropods who walk, crawl, or slither their way in from outside your home. All of these pests have one thing in common: For the best control, the conducive conditions in which they thrive must be eliminated. Among other things, this means...

 

• Eliminating harborage (places where they live) by removing debris, raking up dead leaves, and cutting back ground cover.

• Considering the use of inorganic materials (such as crushed stones or artificial, plastic wood chips) rather than organic ones, since many of these pests thrive in decaying organic matter.

• Correcting high-moisture conditions by fixing leaky rain gutters and downspouts, and landscaping in such a way that collected water has a means to flow away from the house.

• Where possible, excluding pests by sealing cracks and filling holes leading from the exterior to the interior of you home.

 

These steps will minimize, but may not eliminate, the need for chemical pest control.

When chemical control is needed, it may consist of interior and/or exterior treatments, depending upon the pests, where they are found, and their habits and biology.

 

Common Perimeter Invaders

Earwigs Earwigs are dark in color, about 5/8" in length when full-grown, and have distinctive pincers at the rear end of their abdomens. There are many species, but most share similar habits. They are primarily scavengers, feeding on decaying animal and plant matter; but some species prey upon smaller insects or attack living plants. They favor warm, moist, protected living areas that are rich in organic matter. They can commonly be found under rocks or in decaying leaves or mulch.
Sowbugs and Pillbugs These creatures are not insects; they're crustaceans. They're usually a bit less than 1/2" in length when full-grown and resemble tiny armadillos. Pillbugs have the amusing habit of rolling up into a tiny ball when they are touched. Pillbugs and sowbugs need very moist surroundings to survive. They commonly live in very moist areas such as under rocks, in leaf litter, or in organic mulches. Occasionally, they wander into areas such as garages and basements, where they typically die within a few hours due to lack of moisture.
Crickets There are several species of Crickets in the Greater Boston area. Some prefer to live outside, like the field cricket (shown at left). Others will infest dark, damp places inside homes, such as crawl spaces or voids under porches and decks. All crickets are characterized by highly developed rear legs, with which they can jump to extraordinary heights considering their small size. Control methods vary depending upon the specie, the location, and the severity of the problem.
Ground Beetles There are thousands of species of beetles. The most successful order of animal on earth, one out of every five living animals in the world is a beetle. Ground beetles usually become a problem only when they infest homes. The beetle at the left, commonly called a "click beetle," sometimes enters homes and is often mistaken for a cockroach by frantic homeowners. Control measures vary depending upon the specie, the location of the infestation, and the severity of the problem.