Taking The Perfect Pest Photo

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

We get a lot of questions about pests, but often the best way for us to help you identify a pest is with a photo. Unfortunately, many of the photos we receive are out of focus or don't contain enough detail for us to decipher exactly what type of critter we're dealing with. In this video, Rose Entomologists Mark and Shep provide tips for taking the perfect pest photo. Once we can clearly see what kind of pest you have, we can tell you exactly what you need to do to get rid of it.

When people find out we're entomologists they always have questions. Like, "What do you do for big black ants?"

Everyone has questions.

Did you know that sending us a photo is a great way to help us identify the pest you've found?

We appreciate the many great images we receive.

But the thing is we have to be able to really see what's in the photo in order to be able to correctly identify it.

Like what's this? Or that.

To get a good photo, we have a few suggestions.

Shoot with plenty of light.

If there's no light where you are, walk to a window or use a flashlight to illuminate.

Or, if you don't have that, take a white piece of paper and use it as a mirror to shine the light on your subject.

You'll want to steady the phone or camera, but you can rest it on something solid, like a can of soda, and then you get a nice steady shot.

If you don't have something to steady it with, make sure the one edge is touching something solid.

The closer the better but not so close the camera can't focus and doesn't use telephoto. For phone cameras, it doesn't help.

And this is a big one. Make sure you don't smash the bug beyond recognition.

If the insect is moving around too much, put it in a zip-seal bag and hold it steady.

And if that doesn't help, put it in the fridge. That'll chill it out.

I think they're getting the picture.

You framed it up nicely.

Wouldn't wanna ruin my image.

Still can't get a great shot? No worries. Call us to schedule your inspection... Contact your nearest Rose Pest Solutions service center immediately for an appointment.

Back To Blog