ABC Blog

How Many Times Can a Skunk Spray?

a skunk

Skunks are the last thing you want wandering into your yard. They dig up lawns, make dens under houses and, as we all know, they stink.

If you see one on your property, don’t panic. Skunks only spray if they have to. Here’s everything you need to know about these smelly creatures, including their behavior, what causes them to spray and what draws them to your home.

If skunks invade your property, don’t hesitate to get professional help. Pest control specialists have the tools and skills to manage skunk populations and deter them from your home. They can also address other pest issues, like how to get rid of rodents in the attic.

Here’s Everything to Know About Skunk Behavior

In cartoons, we see skunks spraying stink clouds whenever they can. However, that’s far from their real-life behavior. Spraying is a last resort for them, and they only do it when they’ve exhausted other … Read Full Post »

What Does a Squirrel Nest Look Like?

a squirrel's nest

Squirrels are persistent creatures that meticulously build their nests using all-natural materials. Squirrel nests are often camouflaged and difficult to tell apart from regular debris.

However, there are some easy ways to distinguish a squirrel nest, especially once you know more about squirrel behavior.

Squirrels can cause damage to your property, so it’s important to be vigilant about squirrel activity around your home. Call in a wildlife control specialist to control squirrels on your property.

What Does a Squirrel Nest Look Like?

Squirrel nests, also called dreys, can be challenging to identify because they often look like small, round bulbs of leaves and twigs bunched together. It’s common to mistake a squirrel nest for a random clump of debris. However, there are a few ways to tell a squirrel nest apart from debris.

For example, squirrel nests are built in specific locations where squirrels prefer to rest. They are often located in high places, such … Read Full Post »

Understanding Different Types of Ants and How to Control Them

Mosquito Control service - ABC Home & Commercial Services - Houston, TX

Ants are one of the most prevalent household pests, known for their persistence and ability to infiltrate homes and businesses in search of food and shelter. Understanding the different types of ants and how to control them is essential for maintaining a pest-free environment. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed information about various ant species, their behaviors, and effective strategies for managing and preventing infestations.

Different ant species have unique characteristics and nesting habits, making it important to identify the type of ant infestation you are dealing with. For instance, carpenter ants are notorious for damaging wooden structures as they build their ant nests, while other ant species might be in search of food. Recognizing the signs of an ant infestation early on can help in implementing the right ant control measures.

To effectively kill ants and get rid of them from your home or business, it’s crucial to locate their nests. … Read Full Post »

How Long Can a Mouse Live Without Food?

a mouse

If mice are scampering around in your home and stressing you out, you’re not alone. These resourceful rodents can be challenging to control because they rely on our homes for food and shelter when temperatures drop. They can thrive even if resources are scarce.

If you have a mouse problem, you might wonder if starving them out will encourage them to leave your house. It’s best to contact pest control professionals if you want these rodents out of your life. These experts know how to manage the mouse population in your home and keep them from bugging you. They can also answer questions like “How many mice are considered an infestation?”

How Long Can a Mouse Live Without Food? Here’s What You Should Know

Mice depend heavily on food for survival, and that’s likely why they are in your home. They’re scouring for whatever food they can get their paws on.

Depending on their … Read Full Post »

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 »

Are Rats Smart?

rat

Do you have a rat problem in your home? The first thing you’ll likely want to know is how to control these annoying pests. However, it’s important to recognize that rats are smart creatures with savvy survivalist instincts.

Rats use their intellect to adapt to their surroundings, communicate with each other, avoid threats, solve problems and more. Homeowners need to understand that rats are smart and that controlling a rat population is not simple. It’s best to leave the job to a professional pest control service.

Are Rats Smart?

Did you know that rats are considered very smart animals? Their intellect is part of why controlling rats can be challenging. The rodents are excellent at using their wits to stay out of sight and avoid traps.

Rats also use their intelligence to adapt and find ways to survive in rough and changing circumstances. They have great survival instincts and practice extreme caution in unfamiliar … 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 »