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Carpenter Bees

In the spring of the year many homeowners begin to notice large furry bees with black and yellow coloring hovering and “bouncing” off of their wooden siding, overhangs and fences. These are female Carpenter Bees that have already mated and are in search of a suitable wooden surface to bore into for the purpose of laying their eggs.Their ability to penetrate numerous finished and unfinished wooden surfaces accounts for their common name. Old (dark) and new (light) Carpenter Bee holes can be seen on wooden siding, wooden overhangs and facia boards, window sills,…continue reading →

It’s Small Ant Season!

Of all the insects that are commonly noted in our area, few are more prevalent than the small pavement ant. They are subterranean (their colonies exist below ground) and they are widely dispersed in a variety of soil types throughout the Midwest. In the spring, fall and summer they can easily be seen outside in limitless quantities building ant hills on sidewalks, driveways, parking lots and in yards. These exterior infestations are typically a non-issue for most people who seldom identify this activity as troublesome. It is when these insects and their sand…continue reading →

Don’t let the Bedbugs Bite

“Sleep tight, don’t let the bedbugs bite.” A forgotten phrase that was once common place, now carries new meaning. Almost eliminated in the U.S. due to the widespread use of harsh chemical that are no longer EPA approved, Bedbugs have come back in force. Hopefully you will never have to share a bed with them, but should you encounter these troublesome pests, education is the first step towards prevention and if necessary, elimination. Bedbugs are flat reddish-brown insects about the size of an apple seed that require a blood meal/host to survive. They…continue reading →

Rodents

As temperatures start to decline Rodents, such as Mice, start looking for their Winter homes. Instead of using tools to build a mouse house, they move into attics and other low traffic areas within our homes. These areas allow rodents to move undetected until activity is noticed and a call to action is needed. Proper identification is critical to determine hazards, control methods and future requirements to rid a home or business of a rodent infestation. House mice and Norway Rats are the more frequent rodents found in our service area. The House…continue reading →

Mild Winter Leads to More Insects

Ants, Wasps, Ticks and Termites have all survived the mild winter and are on the move early! Treating attics for Wasps, yards for Ticks and houses for Ants and Termites are almost unheard of at this time of the year, but with the temperature above freezing most of this winter, it has become part of the common theme. Additional effects of the mild winter relating to insect development is that more generations form in the spring producing greater infestations lasting through the season. This also leads to early emergence, longer life and more…continue reading →

Moles

For those who take pride and invest heavily in the appearance of their home, lawn and gardens, the appearance of mounds and ridges due to a mole infestation is extremely frustrating. Their foraging tunnels disfigure well-manicured grass, dislodge and injure plant roots and facilitate the germination of weed seeds.   Moles feed mainly on earthworms and beetle grubs both of which thrive in lawns and mulch gardens where regular watering and fertilizing are conducive to their presence. It is for this reason that well- maintained grounds will always be highly attractive to moles…continue reading →