Are Termites Attracted to Light?

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 »

What Is Flea Dirt?

What is flea dirt, and does it mean a flea infestation is nearby? Unfortunately, the answer is yes.

Flea dirt is the feces of fleas, and it’s made up of their waste and the blood of the host they feed on. It looks like regular dirt, but it’s an undeniable sign of a flea infestation. If you see flea dirt on or around your pet, you need to treat the flea problem.

The most effective way to deal with a flea problem is to call in a pest control specialist. The experts can treat the fleas and put prevention methods in place to deter them from coming back.

What is Flea Dirt?

Have you spotted mysterious flecks of black or dark brown dirt in your pet’s fur? It could be flea dirt, which is the feces of fleas. When fleas feed on the blood of their hosts, they excrete black, crumbly flecks that resemble … Read Full Post »

Can Scorpions Climb Walls?

December 13, 2024. Posted by Holt Myers in Pest Control • Corpus Christi

Merely looking at the body shape and appearance of scorpions, one might think they can’t scale vertical structures like walls. But that is not true.

Just like other arachnids, scorpions can climb any rough surface using the small pincers on their feet. These pincers, sometimes called chelae, allow them to firmly grip rough surfaces such as rocks, stucco walls and trees.

However, the fact that scorpions are great wall climbers does not mean they can climb any surface. They have difficulty climbing glass, plastic, metals and other smooth surfaces. These surfaces do not provide sufficient foothold for their pincers to latch on.

If you notice scorpions in your home, contacting pest control professionals is best. Deterring scorpions on your own can be overwhelming as these pests are resilient and difficult to locate. Pest control specialists can deal with the situation. You can even take advantage of their visit to ask other pest-related questions, … Read Full Post »

What Bird Builds Nests on the Side of the House?

December 10, 2024. Posted by Russell Jenkins in Pest Control • Dallas-Fort Worth

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 »

What Do Fleas Eat?

December 9, 2024. Posted by Holt Myers in Flea & Tick Control, Pest Control • San Antonio

Fleas are parasites that feed on the blood of humans and animals. However, you may be surprised to learn that blood is not the only thing fleas eat. Flea larvae have a different diet from flea adults. It’s helpful for homeowners to understand the feeding habits of these pests so that they can quickly identify a flea infestation.

The most effective and efficient way to deal with a flea problem is to call in a pest control service . The experts have the tools and experience to reach even the most hard-to-find fleas.

What Do Fleas Eat?

Fleas are parasitic insects that attach to a host to feed on their blood. They have various host options but primarily attach to household pets like cats and dogs.

Pets who spend time outside are more susceptible to flea infestations, so it’s important to remember to give your pets their flea-prevention medication. Understanding what flea bites look … Read Full Post »

How Many Legs Do Scorpions Have?

December 6, 2024. Posted by Holt Myers in Pest Control • Bryan-College Station

If spiders make you jump and your hairs stand on end, you won’t like their cousin, the scorpion. Armed with claws and a stinger, scorpions scare many homeowners. With around 50 species living in the US, you may spot one of these creepy crawlies wandering around your home.

The good news is most scorpion species are harmless to humans. However, their stings are still painful. Contact pest control professionals if you see this arachnid in your home. That way, the experts can manage the scorpion population on your property. Aside from scorpions, pest control specialists also know how to deal with other creepy crawlies like the southern house spider .

Here’s How to Identify Scorpions

Scorpions look like lobsters and crabs because they belong to the same group, Phylum Arthropoda. However, not many people know that scorpions have even closer ties to spiders, belonging to the same subgroup Arachnida. It may not be … Read Full Post »

Are Raccoons Nocturnal?

December 2, 2024. Posted by Russell Jenkins in Pest Control, Rodent & Wildlife • Dallas-Fort Worth

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?

November 25, 2024. Posted by Russell Jenkins in Pest Control • Dallas-Fort Worth

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?

November 11, 2024. Posted by Russell Jenkins in Pest Control • Dallas-Fort Worth

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?

November 7, 2024. Posted by Holt Myers in Pest Control, Rodent & Wildlife • Bryan-College Station

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 »