ABC Blog

Why Are There So Many Birds in My Yard?

birds in yard

To some homeowners, birds are beautiful guests who bring life to their gardens. However, you don’t want to draw flocks of birds to your property because some of their behaviors can be destructive. They’re fond of nesting in and around our homes, all while damaging outdoor furniture, structural materials and wiring.

In addition, they can make a mess, digging up lawns and tearing up flowerbeds in search of food. Excessive bird waste can also cause a nitrogen imbalance in the soil, hampering vegetation growth in your garden. Not to mention, bird droppings are corrosive, damaging your roof and car. While they’re pleasant to hear and look at, birds can be as annoying as pests like ground moles, mice and skunks.

If you have more birds on your property than you’re comfortable with, bird control specialists can help you manage their population. They will find what’s drawing the birds to your home and … Read Full Post »

How to Get Rid of Pigeons

a pigeon

While pigeons live their best life around humans, they can be quite a nuisance to us. No homeowner wants their yard filled with these birds or their vehicles covered in droppings. While their cooing can be pleasing, it can quickly escalate to noise when they gather in large groups.

If pigeons are invading your property and causing a stir, we have some tips that might help deter them. We also cover how homeowners can remove pigeon nests to keep their population from growing. If these birds continue to bug you, let bird control specialists take over. They have the tools and expertise to get these birds in line.

How to Get Rid of Pigeons

Pigeons may seem like harmless creatures, just bobbing their heads and minding their business on the streets. However, these communal birds can cause excessive noise when gathered in large groups. Their droppings cause problems, too. Because they’re acidic, they … Read Full Post »

How Big Can a Wolf Spider Get?

a wolf spider

If spiders creep you out, you won’t like the wolf spider. They have hairy bodies with three rows of beady eyes. They’re also larger than other common household spiders, with some species growing as big as tarantulas.

While you probably don’t want anything to do with them, it helps to know how they look and behave. That way, you can identify their presence in your home and take the necessary measures to control them. Let’s review some of their traits, including size and appearance, and what draws them to your living space.

If wolf spiders keep giving you jump scares, pest control specialists can help manage their population. They have the tools and expertise to keep these spiders in check and bring peace back into your home.

How to Identify Wolf Spiders

Wolf spiders are common household pests, with over 240 species in North America alone. They’re especially rampant when temperatures drop outside in … Read Full Post »

Wolf Spider Size: How to Identify These Arachnids

a wolf spider

Unless you’re a fan of arachnids, you probably don’t like seeing spiders in your home. These eight-legged creatures usually give homeowners the creeps with their long limbs and hairy bodies. One species you might encounter indoors is the wolf spider. While wolf spiders don’t cause any particular harm, they are on the larger side and can be frightening to spot at home.

Here are some characteristics of wolf spiders to help you identify them. A pest control specialist can manage spiders in your home so you can relax and not have to worry about facing one at every turn. They can also help with other types of spiders, like grass spiders.

Wolf Spider Size, Habits and Other Characteristics

Wolf spiders are a widespread group, with 240 species thriving in North America alone. They got the name “wolf” because they chase their prey and pounce on them. This sets them apart from other spiders, … Read Full Post »

How Many Legs Does a Centipede Have?

a centipede

Centipedes are fascinating insects known for having many legs. But how many legs do centipedes actually have? It may surprise you to know that the answer is not 100.

How Many Legs Does a Centipede Have?

Given their name, most people assume that centipedes have 100 legs. However, that is not the case. Centipedes can have anywhere from less than 15 legs to over 300 legs. Interestingly, they will always have an odd number of pairs of legs.

Centipedes have an odd number of leg pairs because they have one pair of legs per body segment, and they always have an odd number of body segments.

The number of legs that centipedes have also varies based on the species. For example, common house centipedes often have 15 pairs of legs, or 30 legs total. On the other hand, many tropical centipede species have around 150 pairs of legs or around 300 legs in total.

Since … Read Full Post »

What Do Carpenter Ants Eat?

a carpenter ant

Carpenter ants are often compared to termites because they tunnel through wood. However, unlike termites, carpenter ants do not eat wood. They are fierce predators with a diverse diet that includes insects and plant matter.

What Do Carpenter Ants Eat?

Carpenter ants are known for building their nests in wood; however, they do not eat wood. Instead, they eat a wide variety of food that changes depending on whether they live outside or indoors.

Outdoor Carpenter Ants

Outdoor carpenter ants feed on living and dead insects, honeydew and various plant materials. These pests are predators and scavengers, so they are skilled at hunting down other living insects or finding dead insect carcasses. Carpenter ants prefer to eat other insects because they contain plenty of protein and nutrients.

However, carpenter ants are attracted to honeydew’s sweetness, which aphids and other sap-sucking insects secrete. Surprisingly, ants do not hunt and kill the insects to access the honeydew. … Read Full Post »

Carpenter Ant Queen: Behavior and Identification

a carpenter ant queen

Do you know how to tell a carpenter ant queen apart from other ants? While all ant species share several similarities, carpenter ant queens have a few distinctions that make them stand out.

Carpenter Ant Queen: Behavior and Identification

The easiest way to identify carpenter ant queens versus other carpenter ants is by their size. Carpenter ant queens can grow up to an inch in length, which is much longer than worker carpenter ants, which range from one-fourth to one-half of an inch.

Next, much like other ant species, carpenter ant queens can range in color. Most of them are reddish-brown but can be black, dark brown and yellow. Their color makes them hard to distinguish from other types of ants, so it’s important to use other factors to identify them.

For example, carpenter ant queens are known for having wings until they reach adulthood, which is a distinguishing factor. Female carpenter ants use … Read Full Post »

How to Identify Possums Versus Opossums

What is the difference between possums versus opossums? These animals have many similarities, and mixing up their names is easy. However, there are major differences between each species, and homeowners need to be able to identify possums versus opossums.

The first major difference between these pests is their geographical location. They also have several differences in appearance and behavior.

Contact a pest control specialist if you’re dealing with an opossum problem on your property. They can find the opossum’s shelter and help you put prevention measures in place to deter them from returning.

How to Identify Possums Versus Opossums

Do you know the differences between possums versus opossums? While these critters are very similar, there are a few key differences you can use to tell them apart. The major one is where they live. Possums are native to Australia, while opossums, pictured above, are native to North and South America.

Keep reading to learn about … Read Full Post »

Ground Moles: Identification Guide

a ground mole

Do you know how to identify moles? These pesky creatures live most of their lives underground, making a mole sighting rare for homeowners. However, it’s important for homeowners to understand mole behavior.

You can try several at-home remedies to deter moles from entering your yard. However, once the moles are there, you need to work with a pest control specialist to control them.

An expert will have the right tools and expertise to deal with the problem. They can also help you implement prevention methods to minimize the likelihood of moles coming back in the future.

Ground Moles: Identification Guide

Did you know that ground moles are mammals? These critters feed on grubs, worms and insects and can ingest 60 to 80% of their body weight daily.

Because they eat bugs, ground moles are incredibly beneficial to the ecosystem. However, that doesn’t mean that you want them living on your property.

Ground moles live in tunnels … Read Full Post »

Interior Paint Ideas for Your Home

paint swatches

Do you want to paint your home’s interior but are unsure how to choose the perfect color? Several factors should be considered when choosing a paint color, such as the room you are painting, the mood you want to set, the rest of your decor and furniture and more.

Choosing a paint color can be fun but difficult. However, once you make your choice, you can make the task easier by hiring a handyman to do the painting for you. A professional paint job is guaranteed to look great, saving you time and hassle.

Interior Paint Ideas for Your Home

Choosing the right paint color can transform a room. For example, a simple coat of paint can make a small room feel larger and more open. Lighter shades reflect natural light and create the illusion of space, which is why interior designers recommend light colors for tight spaces.

On the other hand, paint colors … Read Full Post »