Insect & Pest Information

Not sure of what you’re dealing with? Are you curious about certain insects or other critters? Oregon has many different types of creatures, here are some of the most common ones that we see. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, we are more than happy to get onsite to evaluate your situation.

For another online resource, our friends at PestWorld have a much more robust insect and bug library.

Carpenter Ants

Carpenter Ants are the most common Wood Destroying Organism that we have in Oregon. They are easily recognizable, varrying in size from 1/8″ to 1/2″ and black to red and black in color. Several species of Carpenter Ants live in Oregon each species, if left unattended will cause damage. Carpenter ants do not eat wood like a termite, but will mine wood and other building materials for a nest.

Signs that you may have a Carpenter Ant Infestation:

  • Individual carpenter ants seen within the living space, especially during the first part of the year (January-April)
  • A line of workers trafficking on the exterior of your building
  • Accumulation of sawdust like debris
  • Sound, sometimes you can actually hear them in the walls removing wood
  • Swarmers. These are the winged reproductive stage. It is completely normal to see these on the exterior during certain seasons, but seeing a large number inside or coming from your home is a red flag of a possible infestation.

Check out our updated article on 8 key signs of a Carpenter Ant infestation HERE!

If you have seen or think you have Carpenter Ants in your home or place of business, contact our office. Carpenter Ant infestations are best handled by a professional Good Earth Pest Company can effectively eliminate Carpenter Ants without placing any materials in your living space or defacing the outside of your structure. (picture by Laurel D. Hansen, PhD)

Small Ants

Small Ants can be quite a nuisance and there are several species (even some species of small carpenter ants) that live in Oregon, the most common one is the Odorous House Ant (OHA). Its name comes from the smell it gives off when crushed. Because they have very large colonies, with multiple queens, that nest in soil or structures and move their colony every 17 to 23 days. OHA typically enter buildings look for resources, most commonly food.

These ants do not cause any structural damage, but they can be quite the nusiance and are one of the most prolific pests we have in Oregon. When they invade kitchen areas, they tend to contaminate food products and food prep surfaces. We often see these unwanted pests showing up in bathrooms, living rooms, and even bedrooms searching for resources!

OHA can be complicated to deal with and it is not advisable to use any over-the-counter sprays, natural oils or cleansers on these ants or their trails as this will potentially scatter them throughout the structure. If you try anything on your own to combat these pesky critters it is advised that you try a liquid ant bait, making sure to always follow the label instructions. Also, make sure to trim back any vegetation touching the home, move any exterior storage away, and clear your gutters and roof of any tree debris.

If these DIY control measures are unsuccessful, contact our office for consultation before trying anything else on your own.

Wasps, Yellow Jackets and Bees

Wasps, Yellow Jackets and Bees can build nests in or around your Home. To be clear, Good Earth does not provide service for Honey Bees or Bumble Bees, even if they are nesting within a structure. For those beneficial pollinators, it is best to work with a beekeeper to fully remove the nest rather than treating it. We have some great people to refer you too if dealing with Honey Bees or Bumble Bees. 

We do offer services for Wasps and Yellow Jackets when they build nests near buildings. For those who are allergic to stings, this can be a dangerous situation. Yellow Jacket, Wasp and Hornet nests can be serviced if the entrance to or the nest is accessible. In some cases the insects may even be collected and their venom used for the production of allergy injections, and this may be free of charge. Before you try anything on your own to combat any of these potential dangerous insects contact our office we will be happy to advise you on what would be best for your situation.

Rodents
Rodents pose a health risk to you and your family, it is advisable that a infestation be dealt with quickly and effectively. Rodents can easily find their way into a structure, in most cases a crack as small as ¼ inch will allow a mouse entry. Typically mice and rats will move into a building looking for food and shelter. Making sure the building is well sealed is one of the most important components of preventing rodent populations to. Not providing a food source for them such as pet foods, bird feeders, compost piles and fallen fruit are just a few items that may need to be attended to if you are having a rodent problem. Good Earth Pest Company provides rodent surveys pinpointing changes needed to make your home or business less attractive to these pesky little critters. We do not advise using baits as a preferred option when dealing with rodents, as they may die in the most inconvenient locations, rodents may move bait and dead rodents will support other pest infestations such as flies and beetles. Because rodents are a health risk to you and your family it is advisable that a infestation be dealt with quickly and effectively.
Roaches
Roaches in your home or place of business can potentially pose a health risk to humans, especially children. They can be brought into your home or business in cardboard boxes, food items or appliances. They like living conditions such as cracks and crevices and will contaminate and destroy stored food products. It is important to maintain food preparation areas in a clean and serviceable condition, this removes possible food sources. Spraying or “bombing” for roaches is very ineffective, it will simply scatter the insects into other areas or adjacent units in apartments. Good Earth Pest Company employs effective methods to deal with roaches that do not involve the application of materials into your living space or place of work. If you suspect you have a roach problem, save a sample of the bug in question and we will come take a look. Proper identification of a insect problem is the first key to dealing with it appropriately and efficiently.
Spiders
Spiders for the most part are beneficial insects, but if you experience bites, dislike their unsightly webs or the spiders themselves, you can take some measures to make your structure less attractive to them. Sometimes removing their webs and keeping vegetation trimmed away from the building may be enough to make a favorable change. Good Earth Pest Company provides spider control measures to all our regular clients.
Termites

Termites in your structure can be a threat to its structural integrity. If you come across what may be evidence of termites it is important that the insects or their damage be properly identified by a knowledgeable pest management professional or home inspector. The species of termite present will determine what corrective measures need to be taken.

Bed Bugs
Bed Bugs Adult bed bugs are brown to reddish-brown, approximately 3/16-inch long, 1/8-inch wide, broadly oval, and flat. Immature bed bugs (nymphs) are tiny and appear translucent or pale in color. The eggs are pearly white in color and only 1 mm in length, thus they can be very difficult to detect with the naked eye. Inspections for bed bugs include looking for live bugs, shed exoskeletons and characteristic black stains created by fecal droppings. Bed bug bites are essentially painless and often go unnoticed while the bugs are feeding. They hide in cracks and crevices, typically associated with beds and sofas, and can be difficult to detect. Therefore, infestations can grow rapidly and persist indefinitely until proper corrective actions are taken. Reactions to bed bug bites can range from no reaction at all to a very severe allergic reaction and the level of reaction tends to vary depending on the person.

Bed bugs do not enter homes from the natural outdoor environment; instead they must be introduced into the home from a previously infested environment. This can occur by picking them up during travel, bringing them in on rented or used furniture, introduction by guests or visitors, or other means. Ways to prevent introducing an infestation into your home is to avoid discarded furniture, inspect used furniture prior to entry into your home, briefly inspect hotel/motel rooms prior to staying in them and to be aware of the signs and symptoms of bed bugs so that you can identify an infestation as early as possible. It is best to leave the treatment of bed bugs to highly trained professionals due to the complex nature of bed bug infestations.

Box Elder Bugs

Box Elder Bugs Box Elder Bugs are a common nuisance pest that does not cause structural damage but for those who deal with them on a regular basis, they can be quite bothersome. If they choose to use your home to sunbathe in the fall or spring their numbers can be mind-boggling. After spending the warm fall days on your home they may crawl under the siding or into the attic space to spend the winter. Sealing around all exterior cracks and installing proper screens on all vents will help keep them out. Good Earth Pest Company provides service that will decrease the numbers and make life more tolerable for you and your family. Regular maintenance service at your home will continually keep the numbers to a level where you can enjoy your yard in the fall and spring.

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Never seen a rodent in my house and don’t want to. I credit Good Earth for keeping the little critters OUT! Best company EVER!!!

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Besides keeping our home free of carpenter ants and rats, the office staff is always super-friendly and helpful when I contact them.

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Good Earth Core Values

These values are the guide to every decision we make.

  1. Going above and beyond expectations for our clients.
  2. Accountability and integrity in everything we do.
  3. Safety for the environment, our clients, and ourselves.
  4. The Good Earth Family: Work as a team and always treat each other with respect and support.

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29030 Hwy 34
Corvallis, Oregon
97333-2220

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    Hard on Bugs. Soft on You.

    A Local Family Business

    Serving Oregon since 1989