Gray flesh fly

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Sarcophaga carnaria

The gray flesh fly measures 10-16 mm, is slender and the abdomen is checkered with light and dark gray spots. The larvae develop into adult flies in feces and on animal carcasses. Preys on protein-rich foods such as meat, cheese and fish. But also seeks out animal carcasses and excrement in the wild. The alternating stay on carrion, feces and food is not only unappetizing, but also makes this fly a carrier of harmful germs and a source of questionable contamination of food.

Brown band cockroach

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Supella longipalpa

This species also survives in a dry habitat such as closets, computers, bookshelves or cardboard boxes. It reaches a size of 10 to 13mm and although the wings are quite well developed, this species cannot fly. The animals are generally dark brown in color, only the pronotum is brown and has the two light, characteristic horizontal stripes. The brownbanded cockroach or furniture cockroach is mainly found in commercial kitchens, bakeries, canteens, hospitals, swimming pools and greenhouses. At a temperature of 30°C, development into an adult, i.e. sexually mature insect, takes 54 to 56 days. At 22°C, this period is extended to up to 355 days, with an average life expectancy of 200 days Brown-banded cockroaches cannot overwinter outdoors under Central European climatic conditions. Under appropriate conditions, up to three generations can develop per year. The females lay around 80 to 200 eggs in the course of their lives; the number of egg capsules (oothecae) is around 13.

Oriental cockroach

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Blatta orientalis

The Oriental cockroach, also known colloquially as the cockroach, grows to 20-28 mm in size. The males are chestnut brown, their wings slightly shorter than the abdomen. The females, on the other hand, are almost black and only have wing stubs. They are rather poor climbers and are therefore usually found near the ground, in damaged masonry, behind wall paneling, door frames, skirting boards, in pipe shafts or sewage pipes. Although the preferred temperature of Blatta orientalis is 20 to 29°C, reproduction is still possible even at 15°C. The egg packet with 16 eggs is laid randomly after only 2-5 days. Larvae only hatch after 2-3 months. Their development is completed after 22 weeks at high temperatures, but normally only after 1 year, although there are significant fluctuations depending on sex. Otherwise like the German cockroach, but more thermophilic. In contrast to other cockroach species, it also likes to penetrate electronic systems, e.g. computers, and can cause damage there.

Large housefly

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Musca Domestica

The housefly is black, 7-8 mm long, its proboscis is directed downwards and ends in the easily recognizable sucking pad. The inner edges of the wings overlap when at rest. The female lays about 600 eggs mainly in dung, faeces, compost heaps and garbage heaps, i.e. wherever organic matter decomposes. This fly has a preference for human and animal bodily excretions (sweat, feces, festering wounds) and thus transmits infectious diseases such as typhus, cholera, salmonellosis, polio, foot and mouth disease, etc.). Home furnishings and food are soiled and may be contaminated with pathogens.

Fire bug

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Pyrrhocoris apterus

Firebugs can appear in large numbers in gardens and parks during the summer months. This insect family owes its name to its striking coloration. Predominantly fiery red with a black head and shield, the pronotum with a black central spot. The body is flattened and elongated oval. Length: 9-13 mm Development: Mating takes place from April to May. The females lay 50-60 eggs under old leaves. Like the bug, the larva is red-black in color. One generation per year, the adult bugs overwinter. Feeding: Sucks on fallen seeds, especially from lime trees, but also on other insects. Distribution: Central and southern Europe, Asia.

Woodlouse

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Porcellio Scaber

Woodlice are slate-grey to yellow-grey colored, flat crustaceans. Adult about 15 mm long. They can be found in laundry rooms, cellars, behind shelves, boxes, between piles of potatoes and other material stored in damp places and live on plant provisions. In homes and cellars, the damage is generally not extensive – only small feeding spots on potatoes, vegetables and fruit.

Cricket

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Acheta Domesticus

Also called house cricket, grows to about 20 mm long, straw yellow in color with leathery brown markings. Crickets are related to field crickets and grasshoppers, but are only capable of small jumps. They reproduce in hiding places in houses, especially where it is warm, damp and dark (cellars, kitchens, etc.). They hide there during the day and forage at night as omnivores. During the warm summer months, they often live outdoors and particularly like to breed in garbage dumps. From there they migrate into warm houses when it gets cooler. The damage caused by feeding is low, but infested food is soiled with excrement and empty larval skins. The chirping of the males is perceived as a nuisance.

Blue flesh fly

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Caliphora erythrocephala

The flesh fly is about 10-14 mm long, heavily bristled, predominantly black with bluish longitudinal stripes on the thorax and a dark blue shiny abdomen. Over 1000 eggs are laid in individual piles on protein-rich substances, e.g. meat. The white maggots often hatch on the same day.

Lawn ant

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Tetramorium Caespitum

The workers are 2-3.5 mm long and brown to dark brown in color. The nests are found in sandy, sunny places in gardens, on roadsides, under stones and slabs, often with soil. Ants live on sugary substances and meat, among other things. In homes and storerooms, they are attracted by sugar, fruit, honey, food and fresh meat products. The ant trails lead to the nests. In older buildings they can destroy wood.

Matte black trail ant

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Lasius Niger

Similar to the grass ant, the workers are 2.5-4 mm long. They are predominantly brown in color. Their nests are also found in gardens, as well as under stones, tree bark, in lawns, in cracks in walls and similar places. The black path ant is the most common species in homes and gardens. Damage as with lawn ants.