ABC Blog
Dallas-Fort Worth

Featured Posts

Are Termites Attracted to Light?

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth
termites

Termites are elusive pests that are hard to spot, which is why it’s important for homeowners to learn as much as possible about their behavior. Whether or not termites are attracted to light is a common question because homeowners often spot flying termites around light sources.

Some termites are attracted to light, but turning your lights off is not an effective way to deal with a termite problem.

Are Termites Attracted to Light?

Are termites attracted to light? The answer is yes, termites are attracted to light when they are swarming.

Swarming can occur during the spring and summer when swarmer termites leave their colonies to mate and start new colonies. Unlike soldier and worker termites, swarmer termites have wings and will find a mate in the air.

If there is an active termite colony on your property during swarm season, you may see a termite swarm or notice the aftermath of a termite swarm. … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

What Bird Builds Nests on the Side of the House?

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth
a house sparrow

Ever woken up to chirping right outside your window, only to find a messy nest tucked under your eaves? While birds bring charm to the outdoors, their nesting habits can wreak havoc on your home. You might worry about damage to your home, health risks or the mess they leave behind. Knowing what birds build nests on the side of the house and how to handle them makes it easier to protect your property.

What Birds Build Nests on the Side of the House?

Several bird species are known for their tendency to build nests on or around houses. Identifying the culprit can help you tailor your deterrent strategies.

House Sparrows

These non-native birds, pictured above, are highly adaptable to urban environments. They favor building messy, globular nests made of grass, string, paper and twigs in any available opening, including vents, gutters and eaves.

European Starlings

Like house sparrows, starlings, pictured above, are non-native birds that … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Are Raccoons Nocturnal?

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth
a raccoon

Some people find raccoons adorable, while others think they are terrifying. Whatever you think, most of us can agree that we don’t want raccoons taking over our property. These intelligent and curious creatures can quickly become nuisances, raiding garbage bins and creating messes in our yards. They can also damage our homes and gardens, and carry rabies and leptospirosis.

Even if you find these masked, bushy-tailed creatures cute, keeping them off your property is important. Contact wildlife control specialists if you have raccoons loitering in your yard. These professionals have the tools and expertise to manage their population and determine them from your property. They can also answer other pest-related questions like, “ How many times can a skunk spray?”

Here’s What You Should Know About Raccoons

If you suspect raccoons are wreaking havoc in your yard but you can’t catch them in the act, that might be because of their sleeping habits. … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Can Weevils Fly?

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth
a weevil on a leaf

Weevils are tiny beetles known for infesting dried foods such as grains and flour. But can weevils fly? The answer depends on the species.

Weevil infestations spread rapidly, so it’s important to act quickly if you spot weevils in your food. Throw the infested food away immediately, clean out your pantry and call in a pest control specialist to control the weevil population.

Can Weevils Fly?

Can weevils fly? The answer is not cut and dry, as some weevil species can fly and some cannot. However, the two weevil species that commonly infest pantry items, the rice weevil and the maize weevil, do fly.

One way that weevils can reach your panty items is by flying. They can also enter a home if you have purchased a package at the grocery store that they have infested. They enter your home by flying through your vents, windows or doors and then find their way to … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Do Birds Eat Cicadas?

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth
a bird

Are you seeing an uptick of cicadas around your yard? These noisy pests come out in droves during the warmer months.

Many bird species enjoy eating cicadas because they are abundant during the summertime. Their size makes them easy to trap and provides nutritional value to birds.

It’s also important to know that having too many birds on your property has downsides. Birds are noisy, can cause property damage, and may become aggressive when they feel threatened.

Do Birds Eat Cicadas?

Many bird species do eat cicadas, including chickadees, bluebirds, cardinals, sparrows, woodpeckers, crows, hawks and more. Birds are carnivores that seek high-protein meals, which cicadas can provide. Cicadas are also easy for birds to catch, especially in the summer months when they’re everywhere.

If you’ve noticed an influx of pesky cicadas on your property, birds may help keep the population in check. However, even though birds may help reduce the number of cicadas on … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How Many Legs Do Spiders Have?

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth
a spider

Whether you like it or not, spiders are part of our world. And sometimes, they enter our homes without permission. These arachnids are known to give homeowners the heebie-jeebies, although most of them don’t pose a threat to humans.

If you’re one of the many who don’t want to share your home with spiders, we have some ways to make your space less appealing to these creepy crawlies.

If spiders continue to give you a scare at home, let pest control specialists come to the rescue. These professionals have the tools and expertise to manage the spider population on your property and stop them from bugging you. They can also answer other concerns you might have, like how big a wolf spider can get.

How to Identify Spiders

This fact might gross you out, but we share our planet with around 50,000 spider species. You can find them in almost any habitat, including deserts, … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Why Do I Have Silverfish in My House?

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth
a silverfish

While being a homeowner is rewarding, there are some frustrating parts. Finding silverfish in your home is one of them. Dealing with pests is an inevitable part of being a homeowner, and silverfish could be one of the insects wreaking havoc in your home.

While these creepy crawlies don’t pose any danger to humans, they can cause damage to your property and belongings, so it’s important to address the situation promptly. Here are some possible reasons they’re attracted to your home and how to find their nests.

If the silverfish infestation in your home is hard to manage, get professional help. Pest control specialists have the tools and expertise to keep these pesky insects in check. They can also help with other pests, like carpenter ant queens.

Dealing With Silverfish in the House? Here’s What’s Attracting Them

While you generally don’t have to worry about silverfish harming you, they have some off-putting habits you … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Can Skunks Climb?

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth
a skunk

While different wildlife can wander into our yards, a skunk might be the most unwelcome. No one wants the smell of one lingering on their property. Aside from their odorous scent, they have other habits that can rile up homeowners. They become a nuisance when they burrow under homes, get into garbage cans and dig up holes in lawns to search for grub.

If you have these smelly creatures in your yard, you might be wondering how they got there in the first place. Can skunks climb? Here’s a closer look at how they move about and what you can do to keep them away.

If you need backup, don’t hesitate to contact wildlife control specialists. They have the tools and expertise to manage the skunk population on your property. These experts can also address other pest issues, like identifying possums versus opossums.

Can Skunks Climb? Here’s How They Get Onto Your Property

Skunks … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Do Ticks Fly?

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth
a tick

Ticks are creepy-crawling insects that no one wants to encounter, especially since they are parasitic pests that carry diseases. The more you understand about tick behavior, the easier it will be to avoid them.

Do Ticks Fly?

Ticks do not fly and do not have wings. Instead, these parasitic insects latch onto animals and humans by crawling onto them. The most common way to encounter a tick is when you’re walking through tall grass or bushes.

The process of a tick attaching to a host is called “questing.” They patiently hide out in a bush or tall grass until a potential host walks by, and then they crawl onto them. They then use their hosts for their blood meals.

While ticks do not fly, researchers have discovered another unique way that they hoist themselves onto a new host. Instead of crawling, they use static energy to launch themselves into the air. They can shoot … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Do Opossums Hibernate?

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth
an opossum

Did you know that opossums do not like cold weather? While these creatures do not hibernate, they take special care to stay warm during winter. In warmer areas, they can even stay active year-round.

Understanding opossum behavior is the first step in identifying an opossum on your property. For example, what they eat, how cold they can tolerate and where they shelter are key to understanding their movements. Contact a wildlife control specialist if you suspect an opossum is on your property.

Do Opossums Hibernate?

Do opossums hibernate in the winter? The short answer is no. Opossums do not hibernate. However, they often den in warm places during winter, such as hollow trees and brush piles.

While opossums remain active all year long, their habitats change with the seasons. During the colder months, they seek shelter in enclosed areas, such as under decks or sheds, to stay warm.

A unique aspect of opossums is that … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed