For the Love of the Islands — Pest Free and Protected.
TCI Pest Solutions
Pest Library – Turks & Caicos Edition
At TCI Pest Solutions, we specialize in protecting homes and businesses across the Turks & Caicos Islands from invasive pests. Our comprehensive pest library helps you identify, prevent, and eliminate common pests in our region.
Ants
Identification & Behavior
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Appearance: 3 body segments, 6 legs, bent antennae (some have wings)
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Behavior: Social insects that live in colonies; forage for food in trails
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Active: Day and night (depends on species)
Common Species in TCI
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Carpenter Ants (large, black, tunnel through wood)
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Ghost Ants (tiny, pale, sweet-loving)
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Fire Ants (reddish, aggressive stingers)
Why They’re a Problem
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Food contamination
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Structural damage (carpenter ants)
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Painful stings
Prevention Tips
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Seal cracks & entry points
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Store food in airtight containers
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Eliminate standing water
Cockroaches
Identification & Behavior
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Appearance: Oval-shaped, 6 legs, long antennae (some can fly short distances)
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Behavior: Nocturnal, hide in cracks, attracted to warmth & moisture
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Active: Mostly at night
Common Species in TCI
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German Cockroach (small, light brown, 2 dark stripes)
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American Cockroach (large, reddish-brown, found in sewers)
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Surinam Cockroach (dark brown, burrows in mulch)
Why They’re a Problem
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Spread bacteria (Salmonella, E. coli)
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Trigger allergies & asthma
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Rapid reproduction
Prevention Tips
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Fix leaks & reduce humidity
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Clean food/grease spills immediately
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Seal garbage bins tightly
Mosquitoes
Identification & Behavior
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Appearance: Small, slender, long legs, buzzing fliers
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Behavior: Breed in stagnant water; bite humans & animals
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Active: Dawn & dusk (some species bite all day)
Common Species in TCI
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Aedes aegypti (dengue/Zika carrier)
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Culex (West Nile virus risk)
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Anopheles (malaria vector, rare in TCI)
Why They’re a Problem
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Disease transmission (dengue, chikungunya)
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Itchy, painful bites
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Rapid breeding in small water sources
Prevention Tips
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Remove standing water (buckets, tires, plant saucers)
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Use EPA-approved repellents (DEET, picaridin)
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Install window/door screens
Rodents
(Rats & Mice)
Identification & Behavior
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Appearance:
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Rats: Large (8-10 in), scaly tails
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Mice: Small (2-4 in), pointed snouts
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Behavior: Nocturnal, gnaw constantly, nest in walls/attics
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Active: Nighttime
Common Species in TCI
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Norway Rat (burrows in ground)
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Roof Rat (climbs trees into homes)
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House Mouse (tiny, fits through dime-sized holes)
Why They’re a Problem
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Chew wires (fire hazard)
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Spread diseases (leptospirosis, hantavirus)
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Contaminate food with droppings
Prevention Tips
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Seal gaps around pipes & vents
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Store food in rodent-proof containers
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Trim tree branches away from roofs
Termites
Identification & Behavior
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Appearance:
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Workers: Pale, soft-bodied
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Swarmers: Dark, winged (often mistaken for flying ants)
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Behavior: Silent destroyers; eat wood 24/7
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Active: Swarm after rain (spring/summer)
Common Species in TCI
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Subterranean Termites (build mud tubes)
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Drywood Termites (nest inside wood)
Why They’re a Problem
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Cause severe structural damage
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Often go undetected for years
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Thrive in TCI’s humid climate
Prevention Tips
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Reduce wood-to-soil contact
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Fix moisture issues (leaks, poor drainage)
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Schedule annual termite inspections
Sand Flies
Identification & Behavior
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Appearance: Tiny (1-3 mm), hairy wings
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Behavior: Bite at dawn/dusk; painful, itchy welts
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Active: Mostly at sunrise/sunset
Why They’re a Problem
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Extremely itchy bites
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Can transmit leishmaniasis (rare in TCI)
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Hard to keep out (pass through screens)
Prevention Tips
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Use fine-mesh screens (smaller than standard)
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Apply permethrin-treated clothing
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Avoid outdoor activity during peak times
Bed Bugs
Identification & Behavior
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Appearance: Flat, reddish-brown, apple-seed sized
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Behavior: Hide in mattresses/headboards; bite at night
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Active: Primarily nocturnal
Why They’re a Problem
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Itchy, red bite marks (often in lines)
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Hitchhike on luggage/furniture
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Extremely difficult to eradicate
Prevention Tips
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Inspect hotel rooms for signs (blood spots, shed skins)
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Wash/dry clothes on high heat after traveling
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Use mattress encasements
Why Choose TCI Pest Solutions?
Local Expertise – We know TCI’s unique pest challenges
Eco-Friendly Treatments – Safe for families & pets
Guaranteed Results – No pests, no worries