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Wolf Spider Size: How to Identify These Arachnids

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth
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 »

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How Many Legs Does a Centipede Have?

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth
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 »

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What Do Carpenter Ants Eat?

. Posted by in , • Tyler
a carpenter ant

Carpenter ants are often compared to termites because they tunnel through wood. However, unlike termites, carpenter ants do not eat wood. They are fierce predators with a diverse diet that includes insects and plant matter.

What Do Carpenter Ants Eat?

Carpenter ants are known for building their nests in wood; however, they do not eat wood. Instead, they eat a wide variety of food that changes depending on whether they live outside or indoors.

Outdoor Carpenter Ants

Outdoor carpenter ants feed on living and dead insects, honeydew and various plant materials. These pests are predators and scavengers, so they are skilled at hunting down other living insects or finding dead insect carcasses. Carpenter ants prefer to eat other insects because they contain plenty of protein and nutrients.

However, carpenter ants are attracted to honeydew’s sweetness, which aphids and other sap-sucking insects secrete. Surprisingly, ants do not hunt and kill the insects to access the honeydew. … Read Full Post »

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Carpenter Ant Queen: Behavior and Identification

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth
a carpenter ant queen

Do you know how to tell a carpenter ant queen apart from other ants? While all ant species share several similarities, carpenter ant queens have a few distinctions that make them stand out.

Carpenter Ant Queen: Behavior and Identification

The easiest way to identify carpenter ant queens versus other carpenter ants is by their size. Carpenter ant queens can grow up to an inch in length, which is much longer than worker carpenter ants, which range from one-fourth to one-half of an inch.

Next, much like other ant species, carpenter ant queens can range in color. Most of them are reddish-brown but can be black, dark brown and yellow. Their color makes them hard to distinguish from other types of ants, so it’s important to use other factors to identify them.

For example, carpenter ant queens are known for having wings until they reach adulthood, which is a distinguishing factor. Female carpenter ants use … Read Full Post »

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How to Identify Possums Versus Opossums

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth

What is the difference between possums versus opossums? These animals have many similarities, and mixing up their names is easy. However, there are major differences between each species, and homeowners need to be able to identify possums versus opossums.

The first major difference between these pests is their geographical location. They also have several differences in appearance and behavior.

Contact a pest control specialist if you’re dealing with an opossum problem on your property. They can find the opossum’s shelter and help you put prevention measures in place to deter them from returning.

How to Identify Possums Versus Opossums

Do you know the differences between possums versus opossums? While these critters are very similar, there are a few key differences you can use to tell them apart. The major one is where they live. Possums are native to Australia, while opossums, pictured above, are native to North and South America.

Keep reading to learn about … Read Full Post »

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Ground Moles: Identification Guide

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth
a ground mole

Do you know how to identify moles? These pesky creatures live most of their lives underground, making a mole sighting rare for homeowners. However, it’s important for homeowners to understand mole behavior.

You can try several at-home remedies to deter moles from entering your yard. However, once the moles are there, you need to work with a pest control specialist to control them.

An expert will have the right tools and expertise to deal with the problem. They can also help you implement prevention methods to minimize the likelihood of moles coming back in the future.

Ground Moles: Identification Guide

Did you know that ground moles are mammals? These critters feed on grubs, worms and insects and can ingest 60 to 80% of their body weight daily.

Because they eat bugs, ground moles are incredibly beneficial to the ecosystem. However, that doesn’t mean that you want them living on your property.

Ground moles live in tunnels … Read Full Post »

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When Do Mosquitoes Come Out? How To Avoid These Pests

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
mosquitoes on a person's arm

As winter winds down, the days grow longer and the weather slowly begins to warm up. The beauty of it all almost makes us forget that it’s about time for mosquitoes to come out again. As many people know, mosquitoes are more active when it’s warmer outside. This is unfortunate because the same is also true for humans. Many of us, especially those of us with pleasant outdoor spaces, hope to get in as many comfortable afternoons and evenings outdoors as we can before mosquitoes come out in full force once again.

Of course, different people react to mosquito bites differently. Not everyone finds them terribly itchy and annoying, though many people do. Additionally, these pests seem drawn to certain people more than others—is it due to differences in pheromones? Carbon-dioxide output? Body heat levels? Do some people just have sweeter blood? Are mosquitoes attracted to perfume? As you feel yourself … Read Full Post »

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What To Do About Bed Bugs in Your Furniture

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth
a bed bug

As their name implies, bed bugs love your bed. They hide in your mattress seams, bed sheets and headboard. While they usually stay near the bed, you can still find bed bugs in your furniture. These pests are no thicker than a credit card and can squeeze themselves through tiny cracks and openings.

If you suspect you have bed bugs at home, here are some signs to look out for and measures to control them. However, the best solution is to call in pest control specialists. These pros have the tools and expertise to control the bed bug population in your home so you can get your beauty rest again.

Signs You Have Bed Bugs in Your Furniture and What You Should Do

Bed bugs are small, flat and wingless insects that are around a quarter of an inch long. Bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed but will swell … Read Full Post »

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How To Identify Red Fire Ants

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth
a red fire ant

Do you know how to identify red fire ants? These pests are stealthy, and they can inflict pain with their bites. It’s important for homeowners to understand what they look like, where they nest and how they behave so that they can get in front of a red fire ant problem.

While working with a pest control company is the best way to deal with a red fire ant colony, there are prevention measures that homeowners can take to help deter these pests from their homes.

How To Identify Red Fire Ants

Fire ants are a major nuisance for homeowners, so it’s important to learn how to identify red fire ants to deal with an infestation. However, identifying these pests goes beyond knowing what they look like. It’s helpful to be able to recognize their behaviors and nest patterns.

Red fire ants are known for their reddish-brown bodies and large eyes. Their bodies have … Read Full Post »

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Mosquitoes in Texas: What Homeowners Should Know

. Posted by in , • Corpus Christi
Mosquitoes in Texas

https://blog.abchomeandcommercial.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mosquitoes-in-Texas.mp4

You’re proud of your home. You’ve spent years caring for it, improving it and making it suit your style. Your home and landscape have never looked better. But there’s still a problem you’ll encounter, simply because you live in Texas: mosquitoes.

In addition to being an annoyance, these tiny biting creatures pose a risk to you, your family and your pets. Maybe you’re starting to feel their presence every time you step outside, or you’re tired of getting covered in itchy bites. You might find yourself wondering: what mosquito species live in Texas?

Mosquitoes in Texas: What Homeowners Should Know

You probably can’t spend much time outside without feeling the itch of new mosquito bites. New reports of cases of mosquito-borne diseases, such as the Zika virus, don’t seem to be going away.

Now may be the time to rethink the measures you take to protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes. Pest control professionals can … Read Full Post »

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