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What You Need to Know About Black Carpet Beetles

. Posted by in • Austin
a black carpet beetle

As a homeowner, you might be worried about black carpet beetles, since their larvae can cause damage to your belongings. The black carpet beetle, or Attagenus unicolor, is a common household pest. Black carpet beetle larvae eat just about anything, from animal by-products (wool, hides and feathers) to natural fibers and plant products (vegetables, grains and cereals).

If you’re dealing with a black carpet beetle problem, your best option is to contact pest control professionals to handle these pests. You can also ask them questions like, “When do mosquitoes come out?”

What Do Black Carpet Beetles Look Like?

Adult black carpet beetles are small, oval-shaped insects, typically one-eighth to three-sixteenths of an inch long. They are dark brown or black, with a shiny, smooth appearance. Their larvae are light brown to black and covered in bristly hairs, growing up to a quarter inch long. The larvae have a long, elongated and carrot-shaped body … Read Full Post »

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Do Carpenter Ants Have Two Sets of Wings?

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
a carpenter ant with wings

Can you identify carpenter ants? The more homeowners know about their appearance, the easier it is to spot and control a carpenter ant infestation. One interesting feature of carpenter ants is that some of them have two sets of wings while others have no wings at all.

If you have a carpenter ant problem, contact a pest control specialist. They will find the nest, treat the colony and can put prevention methods in place to stop the carpenter ants from returning.

Do Carpenter Ants Have Two Sets of Wings?

Do carpenter ants have two sets of wings? The answer depends on the type of carpenter ant. For example, worker carpenter ants do not have any wings.

Reproductive carpenter ants, on the other hand, do have two sets of wings. This type of carpenter ant is also known as the alates. They are the ants that leave their colony to mate and form new colonies.

Alates … Read Full Post »

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What Is Flea Dirt?

. Posted by in , • Austin
flea dirt on a pet

What is flea dirt, and does it mean a flea infestation is nearby? Unfortunately, the answer is yes.

Flea dirt is the feces of fleas, and it’s made up of their waste and the blood of the host they feed on. It looks like regular dirt, but it’s an undeniable sign of a flea infestation. If you see flea dirt on or around your pet, you need to treat the flea problem.

The most effective way to deal with a flea problem is to call in a pest control specialist. The experts can treat the fleas and put prevention methods in place to deter them from coming back.

What is Flea Dirt?

Have you spotted mysterious flecks of black or dark brown dirt in your pet’s fur? It could be flea dirt, which is the feces of fleas. When fleas feed on the blood of their hosts, they excrete black, crumbly flecks that resemble … Read Full Post »

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Can Scorpions Climb Walls?

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
a scorpion

Merely looking at the body shape and appearance of scorpions, one might think they can’t scale vertical structures like walls. But that is not true.

Just like other arachnids, scorpions can climb any rough surface using the small pincers on their feet. These pincers, sometimes called chelae, allow them to firmly grip rough surfaces such as rocks, stucco walls and trees.

However, the fact that scorpions are great wall climbers does not mean they can climb any surface. They have difficulty climbing glass, plastic, metals and other smooth surfaces. These surfaces do not provide sufficient foothold for their pincers to latch on.

If you notice scorpions in your home, contacting pest control professionals is best. Deterring scorpions on your own can be overwhelming as these pests are resilient and difficult to locate. Pest control specialists can deal with the situation. You can even take advantage of their visit to ask other pest-related questions, … Read Full Post »

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What Do Fleas Eat?

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
a flea on skin

Fleas are parasites that feed on the blood of humans and animals. However, you may be surprised to learn that blood is not the only thing fleas eat. Flea larvae have a different diet from flea adults. It’s helpful for homeowners to understand the feeding habits of these pests so that they can quickly identify a flea infestation.

The most effective and efficient way to deal with a flea problem is to call in a pest control service . The experts have the tools and experience to reach even the most hard-to-find fleas.

What Do Fleas Eat?

Fleas are parasitic insects that attach to a host to feed on their blood. They have various host options but primarily attach to household pets like cats and dogs.

Pets who spend time outside are more susceptible to flea infestations, so it’s important to remember to give your pets their flea-prevention medication. Understanding what flea bites look … Read Full Post »

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How Many Legs Do Scorpions Have?

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station
a scorpion

If spiders make you jump and your hairs stand on end, you won’t like their cousin, the scorpion. Armed with claws and a stinger, scorpions scare many homeowners. With around 50 species living in the US, you may spot one of these creepy crawlies wandering around your home.

The good news is most scorpion species are harmless to humans. However, their stings are still painful. Contact pest control professionals if you see this arachnid in your home. That way, the experts can manage the scorpion population on your property. Aside from scorpions, pest control specialists also know how to deal with other creepy crawlies like the southern house spider .

Here’s How to Identify Scorpions

Scorpions look like lobsters and crabs because they belong to the same group, Phylum Arthropoda. However, not many people know that scorpions have even closer ties to spiders, belonging to the same subgroup Arachnida. It may not be … Read Full Post »

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Do Rats Have Bones?

. Posted by in , • Bryan-College Station
two rats

Rats are acrobatic creatures that can squeeze through tiny spaces, which leaves many homeowners asking if they have bones. The answer is yes, they do have bones. However, their bodies have a unique structure that gives them special skills.

Do Rats Have Bones?

Just like any other vertebrate animal, rats do have bones. However, it’s common to question if rats have bones because they are extremely agile and flexible creatures. They can bend and manipulate their bodies to fit through tiny holes and cracks.

If you’ve ever seen a rat squeeze through a tiny opening, you understand it’s an impressive feat. They easily fit through holes that seem way too small for their bodies. Rats only need an opening to be the size of a quarter, about an inch wide, to fit through it.

It may look like rats don’t have a skeletal structure, but the truth is that they have a spinal system … Read Full Post »

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Are Rats Nocturnal?

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
a rat

Rats are among the most hated pests, and no homeowner wants to run into one inside their house. Not only do rats carry diseases, but they also have destructive habits that can damage properties.

So, how likely is it that one of these rodents will give you a jump scare during the daytime? Here’s what you should know about their active hours and sleeping habits.

Don’t let a rat problem steal your peace. Contact rodent control professionals to handle the infestation. They have the tools and expertise to manage the rat population on your property.

Here’s Everything You Should Know About Rat Behavior

Are rats nocturnal? They are, meaning they do their rodent business at night. They are the most active at night, dawn and dusk, particularly 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise. These resourceful pests will travel 100 to 300 feet away from their nests each night to locate food. … Read Full Post »

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Do Opossums Dig Holes?

. Posted by in , • Corpus Christi
an opossum

There’s nothing more frustrating and puzzling than leaving your yard pristine at night, only to find holes the next day. These mysterious holes could be in your yard, outside your garage, under your deck or around your fence. If you’re wondering what creature is causing this havoc, opossums might be to blame.

With their white faces, pink noses and beady eyes, these animals might look innocent. However, they have capable paws that can do some damage. If you suspect opossums are the culprit behind the unsightly holes around your home, contact the experts. Wildlife control specialists will confirm the presence of opossums on your property and take the necessary measures to deter them. These pros also help you with other problems, like how to get rid of mice in your garden.

Do Opossums Dig Holes? Here’s What You Should Know About These Marsupials

Do opossums dig holes? Are they responsible for the mess … Read Full Post »

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How Long Can a Mouse Live Without Food?

. Posted by in , • Austin
a mouse

If mice are scampering around in your home and stressing you out, you’re not alone. These resourceful rodents can be challenging to control because they rely on our homes for food and shelter when temperatures drop. They can thrive even if resources are scarce.

If you have a mouse problem, you might wonder if starving them out will encourage them to leave your house. It’s best to contact pest control professionals if you want these rodents out of your life. These experts know how to manage the mouse population in your home and keep them from bugging you. They can also answer questions like “How many mice are considered an infestation?”

How Long Can a Mouse Live Without Food? Here’s What You Should Know

Mice depend heavily on food for survival, and that’s likely why they are in your home. They’re scouring for whatever food they can get their paws on.

Depending on their … Read Full Post »

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