Tyler

Featured Posts

Am I Dealing With Wasps or Hornets?

. Posted by in • Tyler
a yellowjacket

Do you know how to tell the difference between a wasp and a hornet? These stinging pests are often mistaken for each other; however, there are some key differences you can use to tell them apart.

Letting pest control professionals deal with the problem is the most effective option when dealing with stinging pests like wasps or hornets.

Am I Dealing With Wasps or Hornets?

Wasps, pictured above, and hornets are both intimidating, stinging pests, and it can be difficult for homeowners to tell the difference between them. Luckily, it is easy to distinguish them once you learn a few identifying facts about each pest.

Learning whether you are dealing with wasps or hornets is important because it will allow you to take the right pest control and prevention methods to control these unwanted intruders on your property. Some wasps can even live in the ground, so it’s important to control them quickly.

You can … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Norway Rat Identification Guide

. Posted by in , • Tyler
a Norway rat on the ground

Do you know how to spot a Norway rat and how to tell these pests apart from other rodent species? Norway rats are common, so it’s smart for homeowners to become aware of them.

Norway Rat Identification Guide

If you spot Norway rats in your home or on your property, do not hesitate to contact a pest control specialist. This species can spread diseases and wreak havoc on your home, so it’s important to deal with the problem as quickly as you can.

Norway Rat Appearance

Norway rats are considered medium to large-sized rats, and their bodies typically measure between seven and nine inches long. Unlike other types of rats or mice that are more slender, Norway rats are considered heavily-bodied.

They also have tails that are slightly shorter than the length of their bodies. From tip to tail, most Norway rats measure around 16 inches and weigh one pound. Norway rat tails are scaly … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How To Identify Different Types of Carpet Bugs

. Posted by in • Tyler
a carpet bug

Carpet beetles are destructive pests that no homeowners want to deal with. The first step in getting rid of carpet beetles, often called carpet bugs, is identifying and understanding the various species.

Next, it’s important to catch the signs of a carpet beetle infestation, such as holes or thinning areas of your carpets and rugs. Keep in mind that these pests infest all types of natural fibers.

Finally, keep reading to learn a few do-it-yourself methods that can help reduce a carpet beetle infestation. Since these pests reproduce rapidly, it’s best to use a professional pest control service to fully control the problem before more damage is done.

How To Identify Different Types of Carpet Beetles

Carpet beetles are small beetles that like to infest carpets to lay their eggs. While they are most commonly found in carpets, these pests will also infest wool, leather, felt and silk.

These fibrous materials make perfect places for … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Best Mulch To Avoid Termites

. Posted by in , • Tyler
termites in dirt

Are termites taking up residence on your property? There are several places where termites can hide outdoors, including in your garden and flower beds. One substance that termites have been known to infest is mulch. Thankfully, there are types of mulch that you can use to help avoid termites.

If you suspect that a termite colony is taking up residence on your property or inside your house, call a professional pest control service to implement an effective treatment.

Choosing the Right Mulch to Avoid Termites

Mulching your flower and garden beds is a great way to keep your yard healthy and beautiful. However, it can become frustrating when you find termites in your mulch. These pests can make their way from your yard to your house and cause severe and costly structural damage.

Homeowners always want to know the best mulch to avoid termites, but the truth is that mulch does not inherently attract … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Identifying a Paper Wasp Versus a Yellowjacket

. Posted by in , • Tyler
A paper wasp

When the weather starts to get warmer, that means it’s time for homeowners to be diligent about wasp activity around their home. However, it’s common for homeowners to confuse wasp species, such as paper wasps and yellowjackets.

This guide will go over paper wasps versus yellowjackets regarding their appearance, behavior, diet and nesting habits.

Next, it’s helpful to understand that several types of paper wasps are common in the United States. Thankfully, there are simple ways that homeowners can learn to tell them apart.

Finally, every homeowner who has experienced a paper wasp problem wants to know how to control them. While there are some methods homeowners can try on their own, the best way to get rid of paper wasps is to contact a professional. These pests are quick to sting when they feel threatened.

Once the paper wasps are gone, there are several preventative actions that homeowners can take to keep them … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How Long for Mosquito Eggs To Hatch?

. Posted by in , • Tyler
mosquito eggs

Are mosquitoes causing problems for you and your family? These pesky insects can quickly become troubling because some species can lay hundreds of eggs in the span of a few weeks.

It’s important for homeowners to understand the life cycle of mosquitoes so that they can treat them at each stage. The best way to reduce populations of mosquitoes is to control mosquito eggs along with treating for adults.

Mosquito eggs typically hatch into larvae within a few days of being laid; however, some will remain in their eggs to wait out cold weather. Mosquitoes hatch in water and go through the stages of larvae and pupae before becoming adults. Once adults, they fly and mate.

They are thousands of mosquito species, and one problematic species are the Aedes mosquito. Aedes mosquitoes are known as “ankle biters” because they prefer to bite human ankles. They can also live and mate indoors, which makes … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How To Get Rid of Mice Outdoors

. Posted by in , • Tyler
brown mouse outside on wooden garden border

Most homeowners stress over an indoor mouse infestation; however, an outdoor infestation can become just as much of an annoyance. Outdoor mice can wreck havoc on your lawn and garden. They also leave droppings that can spread disease, and their urine has an unpleasant smell. 

It’s important for homeowners to understand why mice are drawn to their lawns so that they can take the necessary steps to get rid of them. An outdoor mouse problem can also quickly lead to an indoor infestation, so it’s important to be able to recognize the signs.

If you suspect that there are mice taking up residence on your property or inside your home, contact a pest control expert.

Why Do Pests Like My Lawn?

The first step in getting rid of outdoor mice or any type of outdoor pest is to make your lawn inhospitable to them. There are several reasons why mice may be attracted to … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

What Are the Signs of a Rat Infestation?

. Posted by in , • Tyler
a rat in a garden

A potential rat infestation is an unpleasant reality of being a homeowner. However, when you know the signs of rats, you can catch an infestation in its early stages.

For example, it’s important to know what rat droppings look like and how they differ from the droppings of other rodents. You should also know about their nests and the materials they use to form them. Understanding their habits and hiding spots will also help you identify the source of your rat infestation.

Next, it’s important to know about the diet of a rat so that you can take measures to keep them out of your kitchen and lawn. Additionally, there are simple ways to make your home inhospitable to rats that all homeowners should remember.

Finally, it’s valuable to know about the sleeping patterns of rats. Rats are hard to catch because they are active at night. This guide will tell you everything … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How To Identify Cicada Killer Wasps in Texas

. Posted by in , • Tyler
a cicada killer wasp in texas

Cicada killer wasps rarely harm humans, but they can still make people worried due to their large size. They can also cause annoyances to Texas homeowners when they burrow into the ground to build their underground tunnels, leaving a wake of dirt behind them.

Gardens, lawns and even patios are at risk of damage when cicada killer wasps are around. Their tunnels also draw larger pests, like skunks, to your property.

Even though female cicada killers largely ignore humans and males do not have stingers, there is still the possibility of getting stung if the female wasp feels threatened. While their stings are mild, they can hurt your pets.

The first step to getting rid of these pests is to know how to detect them by their appearance and behaviors. It’s also important to be able to tell them apart from more harmful stinging bugs like hornets.

A few cicada killer wasps on your … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How To Repel Mosquitoes

. Posted by in , • Tyler
a mosquito biting someone

As the weather warms up in spring and early summer, most people want to start spending more time outdoors. But if there’s one thing that can chase even the biggest nature lover right back inside, it’s mosquitoes. These annoying, biting pests can make yard work, patio time and outdoor adventures downright miserable. If you’re wondering how to repel mosquitoes, you need to know the most effective ways to keep these pests at bay.

The thing about mosquitoes is that they aren’t just annoying. They can actually be dangerous for both people and pets. Mosquitoes are known to carry diseases that they can transfer to humans when they bite us. Some of these diseases can make us very ill, including viruses like malaria, Zika and dengue.

And, mosquitoes bite dogs too! Dogs can contract heartworm from a bite from an infected mosquito. Excessive mosquito bites can also cause allergic reactions and hives in … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed