ABC Blog

Where Do Fleas Bite Humans?

a flea on skin

Did you know that fleas bite humans as well as pets? These pests can cause significant itching and annoyance. Homeowners should know where fleas are likely to bite humans and how to identify flea bites.

The fastest and most effective way to control a flea problem is to work with a professional pest control service. The experts have the experience and tools to control fleas.

Where Do Fleas Bite Humans?

When you think about flea bites, you most likely think about them biting animals such as pets. However, these pests also bite humans and can quickly become a major annoyance for homeowners. Homeowners can even notice that they have fleas in the house but no pests.

Fleas are known for biting humans and animals for a blood meal. When you have a flea problem, the biting can feel relentless.

Humans can experience flea bites on any part of their body; however, fleas are more likely … Read Full Post »

Do Chigger Bites Spread? Your Questions Answered

a chigger

When you’re walking your dog through a field or just in your yard and suddenly feel an itching sensation, it could be because of chiggers, which are also sometimes called grass mites. Within hours of being bitten, you can feel an intense itching sensation around the affected area. One thing that might be stopping you from scratching is the question that you can’t get out of your head: do chigger bites spread?

If you’ve spent enough time outside in warmer parts of the country, you’ve probably already fallen victim to chigger bites. These microscopic pests, which are red, orange, yellow or straw-colored, latch onto passing people and animals. The chigger larvae, with six legs, are what actually attach to your clothing and skin. Once these creatures become adults, they are referred to as mites. They also gain another set of legs.

When you pass through an area with chiggers, you could have … Read Full Post »

Mosquito Prevention for Yard: Tips and Tricks

a group of mosquitoes

Do you dream of sitting out in your backyard, enjoying the weather or a beautiful sunset, without fear that mosquitoes are lurking about and waiting to bite? You’re not alone!

Mosquitoes are a common pest found in nearly every part of the world. In fact, more than 3,000 species of mosquito have been identified around the globe.

Mosquitoes can be a major nuisance, ruining outdoor relaxation and gatherings, and generally making gardening and other yard tasks miserable. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to reduce the number of mosquitoes in your yard, in addition to contacting a pest control professional to help.

Tips for Mosquito Prevention

Your outdoor spaces should be enjoyed without the annoying buzz of mosquitoes. A few common tips for mosquito prevention include:

  • At least once a week, remove, cover or throw out any items that can hold standing water. Look for tires, buckets, planters, toy pools, birdbaths, etc.
  • Ensure you … Read Full Post »

Why Do I Have Yellow Spots in My Grass?

A lawn that has brown patch, which is a common cause of yellow spots in grass

After putting lots of hard work into taking care of your lawn and creating a lawn care schedule, it’s frustrating to see that all that effort was for nothing. There are unsightly yellow spots in your grass and you’re unsure of what went wrong. You want to know what you can do to fix it.

There are several reasons why you might have yellow spots in your grass. These can include certain fungal diseases that various types of grass can be prone to, as well as pest infestations. Grubs and chinch bugs can cause patches of discoloration. If you have pets, particularly dogs, their urine can also cause yellow spots in grass, especially if they typically “do their business” in one area. Fortunately, there are steps you can take in each of these cases to mitigate the discoloration and help return your grass to a thick, green state.

Pet Urine

One of the … Read Full Post »

Do Mice Sleep?

a mouse

If you think you have mice at home, it can be hard to confirm your suspicions. You might hear their squeaking and scurrying, but it’s rare for homeowners to see these sneaky pests in action. That’s because their sleeping habits help them stay concealed from people and grow their population without us knowing.

Here’s everything to know about mice, including the answer to the question: “Do mice sleep?”

It is best to contact pest control professionals if you suspect or have discovered a mouse infestation on your property. They have the tools and expertise to control these rodents.

When and Where Do Mice Sleep?

Just like humans, mice need to sleep. But their sleeping patterns are different from ours. When these pests are active in a home, mice are typically nocturnal creatures, meaning they’re active at night. However, that can change depending on their environment and when their predators are active.

Mice in the wild … Read Full Post »

What Do Rats Like To Eat?

a rat on a pipe

Rats are voracious eaters who spend most of their time looking for food. Most people assume that these unwanted pests will eat anything they find. However, rats have preferred types of food and even favorite food items. Keep reading to learn more about what rats like to eat.

The best way to control rats is to enlist the help of professional pest control services. An expert can provide a treatment plan that is tailored to your home and rat infestation.

What Do Rats Like to Eat?

Rats are big eaters with what seem like insatiable appetites. They are considered omnivores, which means they prefer to eat fruits, vegetables and meat.

If they had their way, rats would prefer a diet of sweet fruits such as berries, apples and bananas. For vegetables, they like carrots, lettuce and broccoli. They will eat any type of meat and they enjoy grains.

However, rats are not picky when they … Read Full Post »

Do Bed Bug Bombs Work?

two bed bugs on a rug

Bed bugs can wreak havoc in any home, biting us and leaving itchy bite marks. These pests can spread like wildfire because of their small size and impressive hiding skills. It can be tough to control them once they have invaded your space.

If bed bugs are ruining the peace in your home, it might be tempting to use a bed bug bomb. But there are better ways to manage an infestation. The best option is to contact a pest control professional. Pest control specialists have the expertise and tools to get the situation under control.

Are Bed Bug Bombs Effective?

Do bed bug bombs work? They may seem like a fast and convenient way to eliminate pests in your home. But unfortunately, they’re ineffective against bed bugs. They might even do more harm than good.

Bed bug bombs are aerosol cans that contain pesticides. Once you activate them, they spray the pesticide as … Read Full Post »

Do Crane Flies Eat Mosquitoes?

a crane fly

You’ve seen them flying around the porch at night. They look like enormous mosquitoes. Their bodies are an inch long or more, and their long, spindly legs can be three inches across. They’re crane flies, but they have a lot of names.

Common names for crane flies include:

  • mosquito hawks
  • skeeter eaters
  • gallinippers
  • gollywhoppers
  • Texas mosquitoes

Some people are put off by their size; others think they’re giant mosquitoes. Crane flies do look like Jurassic mosquitoes, after all. There is a large mosquito called the gallinipper, but it’s nowhere near the size of a crane fly. Just to add to the confusion, many people like to see them around because they think they eat mosquitoes.

What Exactly Are Crane Flies?

There are over 15,000 species of crane flies. They’re classified in the order of “true flies,” like mosquitoes, but they’re in separate families. That’s why they look so much alike, but that’s where the similarities end.

So they’re not mosquitoes, … Read Full Post »

Do Roaches Shed?

a roach on a neutral background

Cockroaches are excellent at adapting to their environment, making them difficult to control. Most homeowners have had a run-in with cockroaches at some point, but it can be frustrating when you notice more and more of them making your house their home.

Learn how roaches infiltrate a household, how to identify the breed and what you should do to control them.

Do Roaches Shed?

Many homeowners are surprised to learn that roaches do shed. They shed their skin multiple times throughout their life to accommodate their body’s growth. You may find cockroach exoskeletons in their nests, beneath electrical equipment, furniture, closets, drawers and corners of rooms.

The exoskeleton is a solid outer coat that protects roaches. Roaches cannot grow over the limitations of their hard shell, so they have to molt to become larger. Cockroaches will molt anywhere from 6 to 14 times in their lives, depending on the species.

Cockroaches lose their old skin … Read Full Post »

What To Do About Ants in Your Lawn

ants in a lawn

Are ants invading your lawn? Ants are pesky nuisances, but there are ways you can manage their population to protect and preserve your lush lawn.

Ants in lawns are often an annoyance for homeowners during warmer months, particularly as nest-building ants may damage your lawn by building nests and tunnels in it. Some species can even bite or sting. Therefore, it’s important that you act when you see ants in your lawn.

What Conditions Attract Ants?

Ant species typically prefer lawns with dry, well-drained soil and low water-holding capacity. These conditions allow ants to easily build nests for food storage, colony defense and protection.

Ants are drawn to lawns that contain organic matter, such as dead leaves, grass clippings and debris. These materials give them the essential nutrition needed to survive and reproduce.

Finally, ants need water for survival. That’s why they are drawn to lawns with access to collected sources of moisture like sprinkler … Read Full Post »