ABC Blog

Are Raccoons Nocturnal?

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 »

Can Weevils Fly?

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 »

Do Birds Eat Cicadas?

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 »

Do Rats Have Bones?

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 »

How to Keep Birds off Your Porch

birds on a porch

If you love hanging out on your front porch to find peace, you probably don’t want noisy birds invading your space. Unfortunately, porches seem to attract these creatures for various reasons. Birds initially come for the flowering plants and colorful furniture and might stay if they find leaves, strings, lint and twigs for their nests. Your porch is even more appealing to them if there are surrounding tree branches, food sources and standing water.

If birds are stressing you out with their constant noise and nesting, here are some ways to keep them away. However, the most effective way to restore the peace on your porch is to call in bird control professionals. They will assess the situation on your property and provide a long-term solution to manage and deter birds. They can also return for regular maintenance checks to locate and remove hidden nests on your porch. Plus, these experts … Read Full Post »

How Many Legs Do Spiders Have?

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 »

Why Do I Have Silverfish in My House?

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 »

Are Rats Nocturnal?

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 »

Can Skunks Climb?

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 »

Do Ticks Fly?

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 »