Barnes Lakeside Exterminating

10/12/2026

Below you will see photos of a Black Widow with her egg sac and a Brown Widow with her egg sac. The egg sac of a brown widow has multiple silk spicules projecting out from the surface. You can see the obvious difference in coloration of the two spiders here as well.

This time of year we recommend keeping your eyes open for widow spiders. They often stay in undisturbed areas such as the back of mail boxes, beneath kids outdoor toys and in garages.
Most injuries to humans are due to defensive bites delivered when a spider gets unintentionally squeezed or pinched and they can not escape.

10/12/2026

🕷️ Joro Watch is just 2 weeks away!

From October 12-18, you can help scientists track the spread of the invasive Joro spider while competing in the 5th Annual Joro Spider Spotting & Photo Contest. Whether you're a casual observer or an avid photographer, every verified report helps us better understand where Joro spiders are and how their range is changing.

📸 Spot. Snap. Submit.
✅ Report sightings at JoroWatch.org, EDDMapS.org, or through the EDDMapS app
✅ Attach clear photos of the spider
✅ Compete for awards like County Champ, Super Spotter, and Golden Lens

Mark your calendars and get your cameras ready. Is your report the first Joro spider spotting in your county?

🔗 Learn more: JoroWatch.org

UGA Extension University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Clemson University Invasive Species Program Alabama Extension NC State Extension University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture UGA Department of Entomology Ohio State University Extension Penn State Extension University of Maryland Extension

09/23/2026

Commensal rodents, a term that means “sharing one’s table.”

The three most common rodents are the House Mouse, the Roof Rat and the Norway Rat. These rodents have been coexisting with humans for many years, sharing food and shelter.
Rodents are notorious vectors of disease. From the fleas they carry, to the trash they walk through, rodents are bad news for human health.
They can also gnaw on wiring and gas lines to sharpen their teeth. This can cause serious or even fatal damage, especially through fire hazards.
If you suspect rodent activity, have your home inspected right away.

09/10/2026

We love receiving photos to share!
This is a Pale Green Assassin Bug nymph. This little critter will soon earn its wings as it becomes an adult, and their appearance will change.
When it comes to assassin bugs, we certainly admire their stealth in stalking and capturing prey. The mother leaves a sticky fluid behind on each egg. The babies then dab the egg mass with their legs and use the sticky fluid to capture their prey.
You can find them hanging out in foliage and flowers waiting for their next meal.
As beneficial as they are in the garden, assassin bugs will bite if handled or disturbed. Though not considered threatening, it can pack a powerful sting. It's best to always admire from a distance.

Be sure to send us photos of the critters you run across so we can discuss them. See less

09/02/2026

08/17/2026

We've been keeping an eye on our local Argiope Aurantia, also known as a garden spider. In order to grow, a spider must periodically shed their skin. It's not often that we get to actually see it, so this makes for a pretty cool picture. Spiders have an exoskeleton to help with structural support and protection from predators. Since the exoskeleton doesn't grow along with the spider, they must shed it to get bigger. Some species may molt nearly a dozen times during their lives.
These spiders are a natural controller of insects and help keep the population in check. While there are a few species of spiders that can be hazardous to our well-being, most spiders are harmless to humans.
Orb Weaver spiders are considered beneficial and are quite common in our area: Yellow & Black Garden spiders, Golden Silk Orb Weavers, Spotted Orb Weavers and Joro spiders. You will start to see them more as we move into the Fall season. Feel free to send us pictures if you need help with identification of your 8-legged friends.

08/06/2026

This is a Pale-bordered Field Cockroach, often called a firefly roach.
These little roaches are not your typical pests; they only live outdoors where they feed as scavengers and on plant matter, like pollen and decaying vegetation.
They do not harm plants and, if they happen to be found indoors, it is only because one wandered in from outside; they don't establish infestations indoors.
I do have to say, I believe that they would be a strong contender for the “prettiest roach in the state" title.
Be sure to send us your insect photos for ID and discussion. 😁

07/14/2026

Most of us don't know ALL of the insects, but we are always eager to help out. If you have an insect that you would like to receive a proper identification on, feel free to send us a pic. You can even drop off a secure sample outside in our office drop box. Proper identification is the most important step in pest control.