Pest Control Services Since 1954
TPCL 675
INSECT IDENTIFICATION
BED BUGS
Bed Bugs are tricky pest that like to come out more often in the night and feed on their host, AKA, you. They can hide in some of the tiniest of spaces and finding them can often be very difficult. Our technicians have been trained to find the most common living spaces for these elusive creatures.
Bed bugs can multiply very quickly and can very rarely be treated with home remedies and treatments. More often than not, we are called to resolve an issue after multiple attempts of unsuccessful DIY treatments.
ROACHES
A broad description of a roach is that the are typically .25 inches to 2 inches and have a flat, oval shape to them. They have 6 legs, 2 antennae, wings, and are usually tan to dark brown in color. There are 5 species:
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German Roach
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Oriental Roach
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Brown Banded Roach
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American Roach
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Smoky Brown Roach
Roaches can thrive anywhere but are attracted to warm, moist areas where food is plentiful. Not only are they awful to see, they also can carry around able to carry and transmit diseases and cause other health issues.
BEETLES
Appearance: Named for their extra-long antennae, often as long as or longer than their bodies.
Varieties: Thousands of species worldwide; some are harmless, while others are serious pests.
West Texas Concern: Several species attack hardwood trees, ornamentals, and even stored lumber.
Damage & Risks
Tree Damage: Larvae bore deep tunnels in trunks and branches, weakening and sometimes killing trees.
Structural Risk: Infestations can extend into cut wood (firewood, lumber), creating hidden problems in fences, decks, or wooden structures.
Signs of Infestation
Small, round exit holes in tree trunks or branches.
Sawdust-like frass at the base of trees or woodpiles.
Dying branches or canopy thinning.
Clicking or chewing sounds from inside wood.
Spiders
West Texas is home to both dangerous and common spiders, with the black widow and brown recluse spider being the most medically significant due to their venom. Other common spiders include the Southern House Spider, Texas brown tarantula, wolf spider, and various jumping spiders. It's important to be cautious and take precautions in areas where these spiders might be found.
Dangerous spiders
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Black widow spider: Its bite can cause serious health issues.
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Brown recluse spider: Known for its necrotic venom, this spider is common in areas like Lubbock and can cause skin and flesh deterioration from its bite. They often hide in dark, undisturbed areas.
Common spiders
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An agile, nocturnal predator with a striped brown or grayish-brown body for camouflage.
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This diverse group of spiders is known for its ability to jump and comes in many different colors.
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Found in western Texas and eastern Arizona, this is a large, hairy orb-weaver.
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This is one of the most common spiders in Texas and is often found in and around homes, especially in dark, sheltered spots.
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This is the largest spider in Texas, reaching up to four inches in length, and is covered in red hairs.
Scorpions
Texas is home to over 18 species of scorpions.
The Striped Bark Scorpion is the most common one found in homes.
Scorpions are nocturnal hunters — they come out at night to feed on insects.
They love dark, cool hiding spots like woodpiles, rocks, and closets.
Scorpions glow under UV (black) light, making them easy to spot at night.
Their sting is painful but rarely dangerous to healthy adults.
They often enter homes during hot, dry weather looking for water or shelter.
Keep them away by sealing cracks, clearing debris, and reducing clutter.
Even one scorpion sighting can mean many more nearby — call a professional!
Fleas and ticks are blood-feeding parasites that target pets, humans, and wildlife. Both thrive in warm, dry climates like West Texas, especially during spring and summer.
Fleas multiply quickly — one female can lay up to 50 eggs a day.
Ticks can survive for months without a meal, hiding in tall grass or brush.
Fleas often hide in pet bedding, carpets, shaded yards, and under decks.
Ticks prefer grassy or wooded areas, waiting to latch onto passing hosts.
Both pests can transmit diseases such as tapeworms, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Lyme-like illnesses.
Fleas and ticks are most active from April through October, but can survive year-round indoors.
Keep pets protected with vet-approved flea and tick preventatives.
Reduce risk by mowing lawns, trimming brush, and treating outdoor areas.
Even a single flea or tick sighting can indicate a larger infestation — call a pest professional early.
FLEAS & TICKS
ANTS
Texas is home to over 290 species of ants, many thriving in the dry West Texas climate.
Red Harvester Ants are common in open fields — they build large mounds and deliver painful stings.
Fire Ants are aggressive invaders that swarm quickly and sting multiple times.
Ant colonies can contain thousands of workers and multiple queens, making them hard to eliminate.
Odorous House Ants give off a rotten smell when crushed and are often found indoors seeking food or water.
Carpenter Ants can damage wood by hollowing it out for nesting.
Most ants prefer warm, dry soil, and often build nests along sidewalks, driveways, and foundations.
Ants are most active from spring through early fall, but colonies stay alive year-round underground.
Even a few ants inside usually means a larger colony hidden nearby.​
TERMITES
West Texas is home to Subterranean Termites, the most destructive species in the region.
These termites live underground in large colonies and enter homes through soil contact or foundation cracks.
A single colony can contain over a million termites, working 24/7 to feed on wood.
Termites eat cellulose, found in wood, paper, cardboard, and even drywall.
You may spot mud tubes along foundations or walls — a common sign of subterranean termite activity.
Termite damage often goes unnoticed for years, until floors sag or wood sounds hollow.
Swarmers (winged termites) appear in spring and early summer — a sign of a nearby colony.
Unlike ants, termites have straight antennae and equal-length wings.
They thrive in warm, dry climates but need moisture from soil or leaks to survive.
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Prevent termite infestations by:
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Keeping soil and mulch away from wood siding.
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Repairing leaks and moisture buildup quickly.
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Removing dead wood, stumps, or debris near the home.
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Scheduling annual termite inspections to catch colonies early.
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Termites are silent destroyers — by the time you see damage, the colony has already spread.