ABC Blog
Choose a City

Bed Bug Size: How To Identify These Pests

. Posted by in , • Houston
a bed bug

We all need quality sleep to function our best. But something as small as a bed bug can ruin a good night’s sleep. These tiny pests can leave itchy bite marks during the night, causing skin irritation.

If you think you have a bed bug infestation at home, identification is the first step in treating the problem. Here’s a guide to help you recognize bed bugs and confirm their presence in your home. After identification, the next step is to contact pest control professionals. They know how to control bed bugs so you can enjoy your sleep again.

Bed Bug Size, Color and Habits

Bed bugs can be hard to recognize because they may be confused with other insects. But, there are ways to set these pests apart from other household pests.

You can identify adult bed bugs by their wingless, reddish-brown bodies. They’re around a quarter of an inch long and are flat … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

What Do Rats Like To Eat?

. Posted by in , • Austin
a rat on a pipe

Rats are voracious eaters who spend most of their time looking for food. Most people assume that these unwanted pests will eat anything they find. However, rats have preferred types of food and even favorite food items. Keep reading to learn more about what rats like to eat.

The best way to control rats is to enlist the help of professional pest control services. An expert can provide a treatment plan that is tailored to your home and rat infestation.

What Do Rats Like to Eat?

Rats are big eaters with what seem like insatiable appetites. They are considered omnivores, which means they prefer to eat fruits, vegetables and meat.

If they had their way, rats would prefer a diet of sweet fruits such as berries, apples and bananas. For vegetables, they like carrots, lettuce and broccoli. They will eat any type of meat and they enjoy grains.

However, rats are not picky when they … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

What is the Life Span of a Mosquito?

. Posted by in , • Orlando

How long do most mosquitoes live? Understanding the lifespan of common mosquito species can help you better control mosquitoes around your property. To understand the mosquito lifespan, you need to learn about their life cycle and the phases they go through.

Next, there are key differences between female versus male mosquitoes. Understanding how each sex looks and behaves can help homeowners keep them at bay.

Finally, mosquito bites are uncomfortable, and everyone reacts to them differently. Keep reading to learn how to treat a common mosquito bite.

What is the Life Span of a Mosquito?

Two of the most common species of mosquitoes are the Aedes and the Anopheles mosquitoes. It’s important for homeowners to understand the life span of both species since they are most likely to encounter these pests.

The best way to treat a mosquito problem is to control them at all stages of their life cycles, from egg to adult. Keep … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Identifying & Controlling Anopheles Mosquitoes

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth
an anopheles mosquito

It’s important for homeowners to know the difference between anopheles mosquitoes and other mosquito species, especially when it comes to their appearance and habits. Luckily, there are several ways to tell anopheles mosquitoes apart from other species.

If you have a mosquito problem on your property, it’s best to call a pest control specialist.

Identifying & Controlling Anopheles Mosquitoes

Anopheles mosquitoes differ from other species in several ways. First, their bodies are slimmer and they often position themselves at an angle. While other mosquitoes remain parallel to the ground at rest, anopheles mosquitoes perch at a 30 or 45-degree angle. They also keep this exact position when feeding on humans and animals.

Their angled position makes their body shape look like an arrow. In general, their bodies are much smaller than other mosquito species. Anopheles are black or dark brown in color, and they have three body sections: the head, thorax and abdomen.

Anopheles mosquitoes … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Identifying Flying Fire Ants Versus Termites

. Posted by in , • Houston
flying fire ants

Have you noticed small insects with wings around your property and wondered whether they are termites or fire ants?

Although distinguishing the two can be tricky, knowing which pest you are dealing with can help you better control them. If you’re dealing with any pest problems, contact a pest control professional. These experts have the knowledge and experience to tell the difference between flying fire ants, pictured above, and termites and can help you control both of these pests.

Flying Fire Ants

Flying fire ants are often known as reproductives, and they are the members of the colonies that reproduce and create new colonies. Unlike worker fire ants, who don’t have wings, reproductive flying ants’ wings allow them to move independently and take flight.
Appearance

Flying fire ants’ wings can extend twice the length of their bodies. Their body color is usually reddish-brown or dark brown. These insects possess segmented bodies with distinct head, thorax … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Do Roaches Die in the Cold?

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth
a roach on its back

A roach infestation is every homeowner’s nightmare. These pests are extremely resilient and can live for a long time. They are also very hard for homeowners to control on their own.

Many homeowners notice a decline in roach activity during the winter and wonder if the cold got rid of the population. While roaches do not like cold weather, they have ways of surviving it.

Roaches enjoy living indoors, but they may also infest your yard. An outdoor roach infestation should still be taken seriously.

Finally, understanding the signs of a roach infestation, such as spotting roaches on the wall, is important for homeowners. Bringing in professional pest control services is the best way to reduce roach populations.

Do Roaches Die in the Cold?

Homeowners with an annoying roach infestation often hope the pests will be gone as soon as the temperatures drop. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. While roaches do not like … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How To Identify Different Types of Carpet Bugs

. Posted by in • Tyler
a carpet bug

Carpet beetles are destructive pests that no homeowners want to deal with. The first step in getting rid of carpet beetles, often called carpet bugs, is identifying and understanding the various species.

Next, it’s important to catch the signs of a carpet beetle infestation, such as holes or thinning areas of your carpets and rugs. Keep in mind that these pests infest all types of natural fibers.

Finally, keep reading to learn a few do-it-yourself methods that can help reduce a carpet beetle infestation. Since these pests reproduce rapidly, it’s best to use a professional pest control service to fully control the problem before more damage is done.

How To Identify Different Types of Carpet Beetles

Carpet beetles are small beetles that like to infest carpets to lay their eggs. While they are most commonly found in carpets, these pests will also infest wool, leather, felt and silk.

These fibrous materials make perfect places for … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Do Bed Bug Bombs Work?

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
two bed bugs on a rug

Bed bugs can wreak havoc in any home, biting us and leaving itchy bite marks. These pests can spread like wildfire because of their small size and impressive hiding skills. It can be tough to control them once they have invaded your space.

If bed bugs are ruining the peace in your home, it might be tempting to use a bed bug bomb. But there are better ways to manage an infestation. The best option is to contact a pest control professional. Pest control specialists have the expertise and tools to get the situation under control.

Are Bed Bug Bombs Effective?

Do bed bug bombs work? They may seem like a fast and convenient way to eliminate pests in your home. But unfortunately, they’re ineffective against bed bugs. They might even do more harm than good.

Bed bug bombs are aerosol cans that contain pesticides. Once you activate them, they spray the pesticide as … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How To Identify Fire Ants With Wings

. Posted by in , • Orlando
fire ants with wings

Fire ants are annoying pests that can cause pain when they bite and sting. It’s important for homeowners to understand the different types of fire ants, particularly winged fire ants versus non-winged fire ants.

Fire ants with wings are the reproductive members of the colony. You may see them swarming between the spring and fall seasons when they mate. Spotting a fire ant swarm is a sign that a fire ant colony is nearby. Keep reading to learn more about how to identify fire ants with wings.

How To Identify Fire Ants With Wings

Fire ants with wings are called “reproductives” because they are the sexually mature male and female members of the ant colony that reproduce. Unlike other colony members, they have wings so they can fly away from the nest to mate and establish new colonies.

Reproductive fire ants look similar to other fire ants with the addition of wings. They have … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Are Wasps Active at Night?

. Posted by in , • Houston
a wasp

Wasps are unwelcome and aggressive pests that many homeowners find challenging. However, it is helpful for homeowners to learn about wasp behavior to control and deter infestations. One of the main questions homeowners have about wasps is whether or not they are active at night.

While wasps are most active during the day and are known to sleep at night, it is still possible to encounter wasps after dark. Homeowners should know where they might see wasps at night to avoid them.

Luckily, you can avoid being stung by a wasp at any time of the day. While wasps can sting through thin clothing, wearing thicker fabrics and covering exposed skin is one way to avoid an unfriendly encounter.

If you have a wasp infestation on your property, leave it to the experts. Contact a wasp and bee control service if you have any issues with wasps.

Are Wasps Active at Night?

Homeowners need to … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed