ABC Blog
Choose a City

Black Spiky Caterpillars: Should You Be Worried?

. Posted by in , • Austin
black spiky caterpillars

You’ve probably seen one at some point–a black spiky caterpillar with red stripes. Those fuzzy little creatures can be quite intimidating if you don’t know much about them. You have probably stayed away because you were worried about these fuzzy creatures being poisonous.

Worry no more–the giant leopard moth caterpillar is just looking for a quiet space to get ready to turn into a beautiful white moth with black circular designs, creating a leopard-like pattern. This type of caterpillar is both harmless and beautiful to look at, which makes them a welcome visitor to your outdoor spaces.

What Will I Learn?

  • What is That Red and Black Caterpillar?
  • Are Fuzzy Caterpillars Poisonous?
  • Giant Leopard Moth
  • How to Attract Caterpillars to Your Yard
  • Get Professional Help to Attract Caterpillars

What Is That Red And Black Caterpillar?

Also called an eyed-tiger moth caterpillar or commonly a “woolly bear”, this type of caterpillar has black spikes all over its body, … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Jadera haematoloma: What You Need to Know About This Bug

. Posted by in • Orlando
Jadera haematoloma

“Unknown insect – Jadera haematoloma” by Eugene Zelenko is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

If you’re like most people, the term or phrase “Jadera haematoloma” means nothing. There’s even a chance you’ve never even heard it before. As with most insects, the bug connected with this term is often known by its common name, not scientific. Instead, most people refer to this bug as either the red-shouldered bug, the goldenrain tree bug, or simply the Jadera bug. Do any of these names ring a bell?

Jadera haematoloma: What You Need to Know About This Bug

Found across the United States, the Jadera bug is easily identifiable and quite common. But because of this name confusion, we thought it would be an excellent time to dive deeper into the facts about this species to understand a bit more. Let’s explore together.  

First, What Do They Look Like?

As you can see in the photo … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Everything You Need to Know About Lawn Bugs, From A to Z

. Posted by in , • Corpus Christi

 

The new furniture is all in place. The moving boxes are (mostly) emptied and put away. Your house is finally coming together. You even made time to plant some flowers in the front and veggies in the back. But one evening you’re sitting out and enjoying the view, and you notice it. Holes and other signs of biting all over your leaves and petals. Upon closer examination, you spot some aphids, so you order some ladybugs to help you deal with the problem. But those two types of bugs are just the tip of the iceberg. Do you know everything you need to know about lawn bugs? 

Everything You Need to Know About Lawn Bugs, From A To Z

We have an extensive guide to the many different types of bugs that can infest your yard, what type of damage they can do, signs you might have them and how to prevent or get rid … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

What You Need to Know About An Assassin Bug Bite

. Posted by in • San Antonio
Assassin Bug Bite

You wake up feeling itchy around your mouth. When you look in the mirror, there’s a little red bump there. It looks like a bug bite so you shrug it off. But over the next few days, you feel awful. Fever. Nausea. The works. When you head to the doctor, you don’t even mention the bug bite around your mouth. But thankfully, they notice the swelling and ask. “Just a bug bite,” you say, but they immediately order tests because that looks like something from an assassin bug, one of the most underestimated insects.

What You Need to Know About An Assassin Bug Bite

What you learn makes you wish that you hadn’t put off bug-proofing your new house: assassin bugs. Chagas disease. Heart problems. Enlarged organs. Luckily, your doctor says you didn’t actually contract Chagas. And thank goodness, because it’s incurable, and according to researchers, somewhere north of 60% of these pests carry the disease.

Some … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Are Frogs Poisonous to Dogs?

. Posted by in , • Austin
are frogs poisonous to dogs

Pets can be unpredictable. Dogs, in particular, can often do what you least expect as they are exploring every inch of your outdoor spaces and the tiny creatures that inhabit the grass and trees. It can be difficult to keep a close eye on your pups as they dig up your plants, bark at curious noises and eat whatever they can get their paws on. Once the warmer months start to bring out the sunshine, many animals come out of hibernation, meaning more potential problems for your pets. Of all the animals dogs come across, humans are most puzzled by the risks frogs might pose to their furry family members.

Are Frogs Poisonous to Dogs?

Unfortunately, dogs don’t always know what’s best for them, and an amphibian hopping in your grass could be mistaken for a fun chew toy. What happens when a dog bites a frog? Are frogs poisonous to dogs? … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Should You Be Worried About Tarantulas in Texas?

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station
Tarantulas in Texas

You and your family are still settling into your new home. There are boxes that need to be unpacked, but you need a break so you decide to walk around the property. It’s gorgeous out and you enjoy looking at the birds, pointing out butterflies and ladybugs, watching squirrels play. But then you see it: the largest spider you’ve ever come across and you realize, there are tarantulas in Texas. It seems as big as your hand and it looks terrifying.

Should you be worried? Will it hurt your kids? Are other tarantulas around? How do you keep them from getting in your house?

Should You Be Worried About Tarantulas in Texas?

First, let’s get something out of the way. Tarantulas are about as dangerous to people as bees are. In fact, that’s a really good comparison. If you’re bitten by a tarantula, it’s probably going to feel–and look–a lot like a bee sting. There will be … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Animals That Eat Mosquitoes

. Posted by in , , • San Antonio
Animals That Eat Mosquitoes

The first mosquito bite of the year is never a celebrated occasion. At the very least, mosquitoes are annoying, but at their worst, they can bring diseases such as West Nile virus, the Zika virus, and in more tropical climates, even malaria. This is why it can be beneficial to keep animals that eat mosquitoes in your yard to help protect your home.

Animals That Eat Mosquitoes

Protecting yourself from mosquito bites can mean everything from citronella candles to mosquito repellents containing DEET. But what about building an environment in your backyard that attracts animals, insects and birds that eat mosquitoes?

A Mosquito’s Natural Enemies

Most insects have natural enemies and finding the ones that make your backyard comfortable just takes a little research. For mosquitoes, their most common natural enemies, other than man, are bats, dragonflies, birds, fish and turtles.

Bats: Man’s (Other) Best Friend?

Bats have had a bad reputation since the … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Will Lime Keep Rodents Away? Does Lime Deter Snakes?

. Posted by in , • Orlando
will lime keep rodents away

Having a yard is one of the many benefits of being a homeowner. A peaceful outdoor space can be a welcome break from a hectic week. However, your moment of zen can easily be disrupted if you notice a movement in the grass that indicates something much more significant than an ant or a butterfly has come for a visit. In what might be the worst-case scenario, you could have an unwelcome guest in the form of a rat or a mouse—or even a snake.

When you find yourself in this situation, you probably want a quick solution to keep any rodents or snakes off your property. When you think about your options, you might have a few questions: What do I have handy to keep these creatures from sticking around? Will lime keep rodents away? Does lime keep snakes away? What else can I do to enjoy my property without … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Everything You Need to Know About Stink Bugs in Texas

. Posted by in • Houston
Stink Bugs Texas

More than half of the animals found on Earth are insects. Of the 100,000 species native to the United States, more than 1/3 are found here in Texas. In fact, Texas has more different species of insects than any other state. One insect that is still relatively new to Texas’ list of critters is the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. Although this pest isn’t from here, let’s explore everything you need to know about dealing with stink bugs, Texas-style.

Everything You Need to Know About Stink Bugs in Texas

Originally from Asia, this bug is widespread on the East Coast of the United States but arrived in Texas just a few years ago. And while this bug isn’t known for biting or harming its human neighbors, the stink bug is known for the unpleasant odor it releases when disturbed or crushed.

What do Stink Bugs Look Like?

The stink bug is actually relatively easy to … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Check Out ABC’s Ultimate Orlando Lawn Care Guide [FREE DOWNLOAD]

. Posted by in • Orlando
Orlando Lawn Care Guide

Keeping your grass, plants, and trees healthy and well-maintained can be challenging. First, you have to have the time to dedicate to your lawn. You also need to ensure you have the right equipment and that everything is in working order. Finally, it would be best if you had the expertise to know which types of plants work best in which environments, how often to water, and how to spot signs of lawn pests and diseases. For homeowners in southern states, the warm climate, lack of rainfall, and intense sun make it even more challenging to care for your outdoor spaces.

ABC’s Ultimate Orlando Lawn Care Guide

ABC Home & Commercial Services is dedicated to making homeowners’ lives easier. Our team of pest control pros has compiled their best advice and tips into the Ultimate Orlando Lawn Care Guide. This 8-page downloadable PDF resource includes sections on:

Comments Closed