How to control Scud (Amphipoda) pest
#1
07-02-07, 08:29 PM
How to control Scud (Amphipoda) pest
Hello,
I have this (it's not) insect(?)/pest. According to Texas Cooperative Extension (Texas A& M University), this is commonly called "scud". They are from "Amphipoda" order. Here are some links to the picture and information:
http://insects.tamu.edu/images/insects/common/images/cd-43-c-txt/cimg378.html
http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/cimg377.html
They are about 1/4" long. I have seen them in my house only when it rains heavy outside. All other times I don't see them. Till last year I used to see just 4-5 of them on the floor, when it rained outside. two weeks ago when it was pouring outside, I saw about 200 of them in my house...on tiles and on carpet...practically in every room....who knows how many of them were outside. Those outside were all jumping. Those who managed to come inside were jumping too but not too long. They all died in about 3-4 minutes. They never stay alive indoor for more then 5 minutes.
I don't understand from where they all managed to come inside. Since it was pouring outside, I did not open my door at all that day. And yet there were about 200 of them inside. Are they coming from AC vent or walls?
According to those websites these are water pests. I guess that's why they don't live long indoor. But then again if they are water pests then how do they manage to stay alive and come indoor through AC vent or wall?
Does anybody of you have any more information on them about how to control them?
I have this (it's not) insect(?)/pest. According to Texas Cooperative Extension (Texas A& M University), this is commonly called "scud". They are from "Amphipoda" order. Here are some links to the picture and information:
http://insects.tamu.edu/images/insects/common/images/cd-43-c-txt/cimg378.html
http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/cimg377.html
They are about 1/4" long. I have seen them in my house only when it rains heavy outside. All other times I don't see them. Till last year I used to see just 4-5 of them on the floor, when it rained outside. two weeks ago when it was pouring outside, I saw about 200 of them in my house...on tiles and on carpet...practically in every room....who knows how many of them were outside. Those outside were all jumping. Those who managed to come inside were jumping too but not too long. They all died in about 3-4 minutes. They never stay alive indoor for more then 5 minutes.
I don't understand from where they all managed to come inside. Since it was pouring outside, I did not open my door at all that day. And yet there were about 200 of them inside. Are they coming from AC vent or walls?
According to those websites these are water pests. I guess that's why they don't live long indoor. But then again if they are water pests then how do they manage to stay alive and come indoor through AC vent or wall?
Does anybody of you have any more information on them about how to control them?
#2
07-05-07, 09:12 PM
Also known as lawn shrimp and they're coming through thresholds and similar size cracks and gaps
Yu will only see them in periods of heavy rains and usually only if you live near a body of water or a generally wet area
Control is more cultural but you can use insecticides
They feed on decaying organic matter so keep any wood piles away from the home and any leaf clutter cleaned up
Seal the windows and doorways as best as possible
rake back mulch beds and treat with a good residual pyrethroid
They cause no harm and are merely a nuisance so there is no danger of getting bitten
Yu will only see them in periods of heavy rains and usually only if you live near a body of water or a generally wet area
Control is more cultural but you can use insecticides
They feed on decaying organic matter so keep any wood piles away from the home and any leaf clutter cleaned up
Seal the windows and doorways as best as possible
rake back mulch beds and treat with a good residual pyrethroid
They cause no harm and are merely a nuisance so there is no danger of getting bitten
