Pest Library

A Guide To Maine’s Most Common Insect, Rodent & Wildlife Problems

Ants

For years the National Pest Management has surveyed homeowners and pest control companies across the country and have found that ants continuously rank as the number one nuisance pests in America. Really, it’s not surprising given there are so many types of ants in existence. 

Found in and around homes and businesses, in campgrounds, parks, schools, and really just about anywhere in Maine, ants are probably the easiest pest for property owners to identify. They have bodies that are divided in three, noticeable sections – the head, thorax, and abdomen. Size and coloring are dependent on the type of ant and varies by species. 

Below is a list of the most common types of ants in Maine as well as quick reference to their size and coloring. Please note, that size and coloring is based on the ants you are most likely to see foraging on your property and doesn’t represent every member of an ant nest.

• Acrobat ants – Light brown to black in color, these ants typically grow to about an 1/8 inch in length.

• Carpenter ants – Large black ants that range in size up to ¾ inch in length.

• European Fire ants – Very small red ants that are about 3/16 of an inch in length (queens may be slightly larger).

• Odorous house ants – Ranging in color from brown to black, these nuisance ants grow to about 1/8 of an inch in length. 

• Pavement ants – Dark brown to black in color, pavement ants are typically an 1/8 of an inch in length. 

• Pharaoh ants – Light yellow to reddish brown in color, Pharaoh ants are almost transparent and grow to about 1/16-inch long. 

While any type of ant infestation is concerning, most ants in Maine are typically considered nuisance pests and do not inflict damage to property. Of course, there are always exceptions and carpenter ants and Pharaoh ants make the list of ants to be more concerned about. Carpenter ants are wood-destroying ants that are capable of damaging structures. Pharaoh ants are notorious for getting into things and they are known to transmit many pathogens including Salmonella, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus. For this reason, they are an increased risk in medical facilities. 

Find out how Advanced Pest Solutions can help you get rid of ants in your home or business.

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are small insects that feed on blood – specifically blood of humans and warm-blooded animals. Most active at night, bed bugs will seek a host in order to feed. They accomplish this by piercing the skin of their victims and withdrawing blood through their elongated proboscis. You may not notice you’re on the receiving end of a bed bug bite while it’s happening because these biting pests inject a saliva that contains a numbing chemical. 

Adult bed bugs are approximately 3/16 – ¼ of an inch long (similar to the size of an apple seed), are long and brown with flat oval-shaped bodies. After a meal, they will swell in size and may look more reddish-brown due to the blood they take in. 

While bed bug bites may present as itchy red welts, they do not transmit any disease to people or animals. In some cases, and typically when an individual has been bit several times, an allergic reaction can occur. Also, secondary skin infections have been reported as a result of excessive itching.  

Quality of life seems to be the most adversely affected when bed bug problems persist. An infestation can be quite distressing, embarrassing, and costly to remediate. 

You cannot ignore a bed bug problem; it will not go away without proper treatment. Find out how Advanced Pest Solutions’ bed bug control services eliminate bed bugs no matter how severe the infestation.

Boxelder Bugs

Adult boxelder bugs are black with a single red line running on each side of their bodies and diagonal lines on their wings. They are approximately ½-inch long. Boxelder bug nymphs are mostly red with black on their heads, legs, and fronts of their bodies. 

Boxelder bugs usually feed on leaves, flowers, and boxelder trees as well as other trees but cause little damage to their host plant. They do not bite, sting, or spread disease to people or damage property. Like lady beetles, boxelder bugs infiltrate homes and buildings in the fall to escape the cold weather. 

To prevent boxelder bug infestations, you should seal every potential opening on the exterior of your structure, especially sides that face south and west where the sun hits. For help getting rid of boxelder bugs, you can also contact Advanced Pest Solutions. 

Cluster Flies

The cluster fly is a bit larger than the common house fly and has golden-yellowish hairs on the thorax (the section of body that is attached to the legs and wings). You may also be able to identify cluster flies by their sluggish movements and tendency to group together in large clusters. 

Cluster flies typically start looking for protected overwintering sites once late summer arrives. To avoid the cold Maine weather, they’ll seek shelter in attics, walls voids, and other areas that offer suitable shelter inside homes. Turning on the heat or on warm, sunny days after a period of cold often causes cluster flies to become active inside. This typically happens in early and middle winter as well as early spring.  You’ll realize this is happening when you find these flies buzzing around windows trying to get outside or when the effort fails, you see dead cluster flies littering the floor or on the windowsills. 

Cluster flies are not a dangerous pest; they do not bite or transmit disease. You also do not have to worry about them reproducing inside. 

Mice 

Finding mice droppings in your kitchen cupboards, in the basement, or even the garage is never a pleasant experience. Unfortunately, it happens to a lot of Maine property owners because there are several types of mice active in the state. Defined as mammals that have continuously growing incisors, the most common types of mice in Maine include:

• Deer mice

• House mice
  Meadow mice

• White-footed mice

While size and coloring vary by species, most mice are only a few inches long (not including their tails) and are gray, brown, black, or a combination of those colors.  They also typically have large ears, small eyes, and pointed muzzles.

Mice should be considered harmful to people and destructive to property. Not only are they carriers of disease that can be transferred by their urine and feces, but they are also capable of damaging buildings, machinery, and even personal belongings. What’s more, mice can be a fire hazard. 

If you’ve seen a live mouse in the house or found signs of a mouse problem, don’t waste time or money buying mouse traps or other DIY mouse control products. Contact Advanced Pest Solutions for assistance!

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are the bane of our existence here in the Pine Tree State once the warm weather arrives. These biting insects are actually flies that have long legs and narrow, hairy wings. 

While there are over 3,000 species of mosquitoes found worldwide, there are approximately 40 types of mosquitoes in Maine and they all breed in standing water. Fresh water ponds, salt marshes, and tree holes are among the common places these pests breed but they are also just as capable of breeding in stagnant water in flower pots, tires, and other items that collect water in yards. 

In Maine, the mosquito-borne illnesses that residents should be aware of are West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). Not everyone who is bit by a mosquito that is infected with either virus experiences symptoms, but others may have a fever or feel like they have the flu. 

The best way to protect against illness spread by mosquitoes is to sign up for seasonal mosquito control from Advanced Pest Solutions.

Occasional Invaders

Occasional invaders are often defined as a group of pests that make their way into homes from time to time. Most of the insects and arthropods that make up this collective are considered nuisance pests and do not pose a significant threat to health or property.  That said, most homeowners don’t want to share their home with any of the pests listed below. 

• Box elder bugs

• Carpet beetles

• Centipedes

• Click beetles

• Clover mites

• Earwigs

• Ground beetles

• House crickets

• Millipedes

• Powder post beetles

• Silverfish

• Sow bugs

• Stink bugs

• Western conifer seed bugs

To keep occasional invaders out of your home, Advanced Pest Solutions recommends signing up for one of our Premium Care plans. A year-round home pest control service, it is the ideal way to eliminate and prevent occasional invaders and other more serious pests from infesting your Maine home.  

Rats

Mice are not the only rodents causing issues in and around homes and businesses in Maine. Rats are also found in our state. The most common type of rat in our region is the Norway rat, also known as brown rats, common rats, and sewer rats. However, the roof rat is also present.

Rats are typically several inches long and their color can range from brownish gray to black, depending on the species. Their underbellies may be paler than the rest of their bodies. Norway rats have shaggy fur, while roof rats have smooth fur and hairless tails.

Unfortunately, rats can spread diseases such as salmonellosis and leptospirosis, and they often carry ticks that increase the risk of Lyme disease. Moreover, these large rodents can cause structural damage, chew wiring, contaminate food, and damage equipment and belongings. 

If you’re concerned that rats have infested your home or business, contact Advanced Pest Solutions for help! 

Stinging Insects

Common summertime pests in Maine, stinging insects are a group of pests that are notorious for their stings. Below is a list of the most common types of stinging insects in Maine as well as a guide to their appearance and behavior. 

• Baldfaced hornets – Black bodies with a white pattern on most of the face, baldfaced hornets resemble wasps and grow up to ¾ of inch in length. They are aggressive but typically only sting if threatened. 

• Bumble bees – Black with yellow stripes, bumble bees are large (appox. 1 inch in length), fuzzy, and oval-shaped. Though not as aggressive or prone to stinging as yellow jackets, they will defend their nest and are capable of stinging more than once. 

• Carpenter bees – Yellow or black in coloring, oval-shaped carpenter bees group up to one inch in length. Solitary bees, they are often found drilling holes in decks and wood that has not been stained or painted. Female carpenter bees are capable of stinging but will only do so if directly provoked. 

• Paper wasps – Brownish in color with yellow markings, paper wasps range in size from 5/8 – ¾” in length. Their shape is similar to yellow jackets but slimmer with a more defined “waist”.  These stinging insects have the ability to be aggressive but they usually only attack if their nests are disturbed. 

• Yellow jackets – Black abdomens and yellow bands are the hallmarks characteristics of yellow jackets. These social insects grow up to 5/8 of an inch long. They are very territorial and will sting if threatened. Unfortunately, they are able to sting multiple times. 

While stings may only result in mild discomfort, it can prove life threatening for individuals who are allergic to stinging insects. They can also cause damage to structures, both on the interior and exterior. 

If you’ve found a stinging insect nest on your property, we highly caution you against removing it yourself. Without the right personal protective gear and equipment, nest removal can turn lethal. For help with stinging insect problems, contact Advanced Pest Solutions.

Spiders

Not insects but arachnids, all spiders have eight legs but vary in size and color by species. Here in Maine, the types of spiders we most commonly encounter are listed below. 

• Barn spiders – Light brown to dark brown bodies, they have abdomens that are reddish-brown and covered in tiny hairs. Females grow up to 7/8”; males grow up to ¾”.  Frequently found in barns and sheds, they also inhabit other areas with wooden beams and rafters. 

• House spiders – Yellowish brown bodies, they have abdomens that are dirty white with dark stripes. Females grow up 5/16 of an inch in length; males grow up to 3/16 of an inch in length. Typically found in and around homes.

• Wolf spiders – Typically dark brown with paler stripes or markings. Females grow up to 1 3/8” and males grow up to ¾”. Typically wolf spiders burrow in the ground but may infest homes and structures when the weather grows colder. 

• Wharf spiders- Brownish gray bodies, they have black and lighter brown markings and leg bands that alternate between black and brown. Females grow over 1”; males may grow a little over ½”. Wharf spiders, or fishing spiders, are typically found on wharfs, docks, and near water. 

Though not native to Maine, we should mention that venomous brown recluse spiders and black widow spiders have been found here but typically arrive inside boxes of produce and other shipments from out of state. 

Spiders are normally harmless but if you’re finding them in or around your home, that means there’s plenty of insects to keep them fed. To prevent spider infestations, you must eliminate their food source. The best way to accomplish this task is to sign up for year-round pest control services from Advanced.

Ticks

If you’ve lived in Maine for any length of time, you probably already know what ticks are. A seasonal pest problem from April – October (the season may start earlier and last longer depending on the weather), ticks are not insects but rather arachnids. They are relatives of spiders, scorpions, and mites. If you look closely, you’ll see they have the requisite four pairs of legs that classify them as such. Another distinguishing characteristic of ticks is that they feed only on blood. 

According to the University of Maine (https://extension.umaine.edu/ticks/maine-ticks/), fifteen different tick species have been found in the state. The three most commonly encountered ticks we encounter are described below.

• Blacklegged ticks
  More commonly known as deer ticks, the size of adult deer ticks is really dependent on whether or not they’ve had a meal. Typically, adults of this species are flat and quite small, measuring 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch in length. They are also normally brown in coloring. After a blood meal, their size will grow larger and their coloring will change to a more reddish-brown. 

Deer ticks in Maine are known vectors of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Powassan virus. 

• American dog ticks
  Sometimes referred to as wood ticks, adult American dog ticks are flat, oval-shaped arachnids that are approximately ¼ of an inch long when they’ve not taken a blood meal and up to ½ inch or more after they’ve fed. Both male and female of this species are reddish-brown in color, but females have a creamy-white dorsal shield on their backs, right behind their heads. Males have cream or gray colored markings that span their entire backs. 

American dog ticks are known vectors of Rocky Mountain spotted fever and transmitters of the causative agents of tularemia, and canine tick paralysis.

• Brown dog ticks
  Also known as kennel ticks, adult brown dog ticks are typically reddish-brown in color. Female adults measure anywhere from 1/8 of an inch to ¼ of an inch long while males are slightly smaller. As their name suggests, brown dog ticks are often found in kennels and are not actually found in natural environments like deer ticks and American dog ticks are. 

  Brown dog ticks are vectors of disease in dogs, transmitting canine ehrlichiosis and canine babesiosis. 

• Lone star ticks

  The female lone star tick can be identified by a white dot at the center of her back. On the other hand, male lone star ticks have white lines or streaks around the edges of their body, which are less noticeable than those on the female. Adult female lone star ticks are approximately 1/8 inch long but can grow bigger after consuming a blood meal. Males are smaller than females, and nymphs are about the size of a pinhead.

Lone star ticks can cause human ehrlichiosis, tularemia, and Southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI).

Ticks are a major concern here in Maine because of the number of residents affected by tickborne diseases. In fact, preliminary reports for 2020 (recorded April 13, 2021) show over 1,100 cases of Lyme disease, more than 400 cases of anaplasmosis, and just over 65 cases of babesiosis. To protect your family and pets from ticks in Maine, be sure to take precautions when hiking or spending time outdoors and talk to your vet about prevention treatments for pets. We also recommend signing up for seasonal tick control from Advanced Pest Solutions to drastically reduce the tick population on your property while the weather is warm.

Multi-Colored Asian Lady Beetles

Adult multi-colored Asian lady beetles are approximately 1/4-inch long, oval-shaped, and convex. These nuisance pests come in a wide range of colors, from tan to orange to red. Usually, they have several black spots on their wing covers, although some beetles may have indistinct spots or none.

Although these beetles have an annoying habit of invading homes and structures in massive numbers in the fall, they are not considered harmful. They will not cause damage, nor reproduce inside. They’re simply looking for a warm place to spend the winter. 

If you’d rather not share your home with lady beetles or other house-infesting insects, Advanced Pest Solutions offers effective pest control solutions in central and coastal Maine. 

Nuisance Wildlife

Nuisance wildlife in Maine are those animals that are drawn to urban and suburban areas for the food, shelter, and safety homes and buildings offer. Below is a list of the most common nuisance wildlife problems Maine residents have to deal with. 

• Chipmunks 

• Eastern gray squirrels

• Flying squirrels

• Gophers

• Ground hogs

• Little brown bats

• Opossums 

• Pest birds including pigeons, starlings, and swallows

• Raccoons

• Red squirrels

• Skunks

All wildlife infestations are concerning because these animals not only damage property when they invade, often times they introduce serious health risks. For example, large accumulations of little brown bat droppings may expose occupants to histoplasmosis which can result in a lung infection. What’s more, bats, raccoons and skunks are known carriers of rabies and there are other health and safety concerns associated with wildlife. The bottom line is this – you DO NOT want to share your home or business with any wildlife. 

If you’re worried about a wildlife problem in or around your home or facility, contact Advanced Pest Solutions for effective wildlife control today.