What Bug is This?!? Challenge

I, Laurie Jo Jensen, the Entomologist at The Termite Guy, welcome from you the challenge to identify any unknown pest, bug, critter or insect that you may have. If you send it to me (yes, the actual bug in an envelope in the mail) I will identify it for you, for free. Yes, free. I just love looking at bugs that much (and I am not being facetious!). I look forward to the challenge, so wrap up your mystery critters and send them off to:

The Termite Guy
What Bug is This?!? Challenge
106 W. Canada Ave
San Clemente, California 92672

Ask Laurie Jo The Entomologist

Very Agressive Critter in my Home!

Q: Hello, this critter was crawling on my sons back as he lay watching tv on the floor of our living room! We just had new carpet installed last month. I was thinking maybe the cat brought it in??? It is at least an inch long and very aggressive!! Please respond soon!! My name is Laurie too. Thanks for your help.
From,
Laurie Teters in California

Hi Spider Woman,

A: This appears to be a Solpugid and it has it’s own Order: Solpugida. The name is derived from Latin and means "those that flee from the sun." Common names include camel spider, wind scorpion and sun spider. They are not true spiders, which are from a different order, Araneae. Like scorpions, they belong to a distinct order.
Solpugida are carnivorous or omnivorous, feeding on termites, beetles and other small arthropods, although they've been videotaped eating larger prey like lizards. Prey is located with the pedipalps (kind of like big forearms), killed and cut into pieces by chelicerae (mouth parts). The prey is liquefied and ingested through the pharynx. They use their formidable jaws to clip hair from humans and animals to line their subterranean nests. Although they do not normally attack humans they can penetrate the skin, delivering painful bites. Yikes!

Possible Mite Infestation?

Q: Everyone in the house is constantly itchy, including the dogs. It has been going on for over a year. We don't see any bugs, but, that doesn't mean that something didn't infest the house since we had construction done a couple of years ago or when we put in new carpets around the same time.
We keep the house pretty clean and vacuum with a bagless vacuum at least twice a week. Nothing helps. Got any ideas how we can find out what is going on in the house? Thanks for your help.
From,
An Itchy Situation
Huntington Beach, CA

Dear Itchy Situation,

A: Any number of mites can attack mammals. A rat infestation may be the reservoir for mites...or birds. Even bats can harbor mites or other bloodsucking vermin such as bedbugs. I would suggest contacting health care professionals for the itching. Have your physician do a skin scrape (have the vet do one for the dogs as well) to see if any of your skin lesions or affected areas will yield any specimens.
Also, you should get a full inspection of your property to see if there is a resident population of animals that would be a host for parasites. Attics and eaves will harbor bats, rats, and birds. Bed frames and nightstands will harbor bedbugs. And don't dismiss fleas as a source of itching.
Your best bet is to contact the professionals...your physician, your veterinarian, and your licensed pest control specialist.

At-Home Bed Bug Remedy?

Q: Hello, I am a homeowner in Laguna Beach. I read your tips on pest control prevention, and have always made a habit of performing all the cleaning and self-help steps you talk about. Despite that, I have an infestation of bed bugs.
Is it necessary to have an exterminator come out or are there over the counter (so to speak) sprays or home cures that I can do on my own?
Thank you,
Bed Bug Bitten in Laguna Beach

Dear Bed Bug Bitten,

A: Unfortunately, on established bed bug populations, keeping it "clean and simple" alone will not usually have much impact. I have to be honest: you do need the help of a pest control professional (and I am not just saying that because I am one).
A successful elimination strategy will require a thorough inspection of your bed bug infestation, as well as sound knowledge of their biology and exact harborage locations. It's also necessary to know the strategies, techniques and products (effective, safe & legal) used to control bed bugs. I doubt you want to be up Googling bedbugs all night, so save yourself the hassle and leave it to the pros.
A U.S. EPA-approved residual insecticide is needed to effectively control them, and it must be used properly and applied to the right places (in the proper formulations and concentrations) for it to be effective. No "over the counter" cures I have encountered so far have much effect against bed bugs.

Can I "Catch" Termites From My Neighbor?

Q: I'm so worried because my neighbor in the house to our left has termites. He is about to have you folks come out to treat it (next week). I heard somewhere that the termites will attack my house next, fleeing from his house to mine.
Does my house need to be treated now too?
Please advise!
Catching Termites, San Clemente, CA

Dear Catching Termites,

A: Termites move randomly through the soil searching for a source of food, which is wood. They don't have the ability to know exactly where your house is. So, if your neighbor has The Termite Guy treat his home for termites, your house isn't automatically the termites' next meal.
So no, your house does not need to be treated; but, if there are active termite infestations in your neighborhood, it is a good idea to have it inspected. Did you scheduled a free inspection with us yet? I highly recommend this as your next step. It will put your mind at ease.

Termites Feeding on Wood in Yard?

Q: OK, my question is a bit in response to the one above about catching termites from a neighbor. I was cleaning up some firewood and wood mulch in my yard and I found termites in some landscape timbers.
Should I have my house treated, or I guess just inspected at least?
Thank you for your help.
From,
A Yard Full of Termites in Irvine, CA

Dear Yard Full of Termites,

A: It sounds like you already know the answer to this one. Yes, you should absolutely have your house inspected! And the sooner the better. But here's the upside: just because you have termites in your yard doesn't mean that you'll need to treat your house.
I do suggest that you move these sources of wood elsewhere so that they're not near the house, and of course, get that inspection scheduled!