It’s cicada season in many parts of the country! And by “cicada season” we mean “the first time many areas have seen the bugs in over 17 years.” In honor of the cicadas’ 17-year swarm cycle we’ve put together a short list of interesting facts you didn’t know about cicadas… Continue reading
Category Archives: Summer Pests
How to Mosquito-Proof Your Home
It’s that time of year again. As the weather heats up, mosquitoes will be out in full force, particularly if you live in a hot, humid part of the country. Mosquitoes shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the outdoors with your family, however, and they certainly shouldn’t bug you while you’re in your home.
Here are a few easy tips on how to mosquito-proof your home so when summer comes you’ll have no qualms about getting outdoors or sleeping without a mosquito net! Continue reading
Gigantic Mosquitoes Invading Florida
Mosquitoes are bad enough. They come in droves this time of year, invading picnics and camping trips and generally just being a nuisance. Common mosquitoes feed on blood of animals (both humans and pets) and are becoming more brazen and less deterred by pesticides and citronella candles. But the insect community has yet to see mosquitoes like the ones set to invade Florida later this year.
Florida has a reputation for large, unusual fauna, bugs being one of the favorites of tourists. But larger-than-life mosquitoes, by all accounts a distinct species, are set to take flight all around The Sunshine State in a matter of weeks…and residents are worried. The so-called “Gallnippers,” massive mosquitoes measuring the size of a quarter, have a ferocious sting and are impossible to miss. They’re stronger than their common mosquito counterparts and feed all day and night – most mosquitoes only feed a couple hours a day. Known for biting anything from wild animals to fish, Galnippers are revving up to wreak havoc in Florida. Continue reading
Mild Winter Means More Bugs Come Spring
Many parts of the country have experienced a milder than normal winter with less snowfall and shorter freeze seasons than in years past. From Texas to Chicago, some of the country’s most unpredictable climates have recorded warm, unseasonal winter months. What could be bad about that?
Unfortunately, milder winters often lead to particularly bug-heavy springs and summers, specifically in warmer regions of the country. Without hard freezes to kill off colonies and with flora opening up earlier than normal, bugs have a plethora of places to live and eat. Continue reading
Is Insect Repellent Losing its Effectiveness?
For decades people have relied on various forms of insect repellent to keep clear of bugs and enjoy the outdoors unbitten. From citronella candles to lotions to aerosol sprays, bug repellents come in many different forms and are designed to keep all types of species at bay. One of the more controversial insect repellents of the last 40 years is DEET, a colorless, oily concoction used to keep bugs away.
DEET has been around since the 1950s and scientists continue to question whether or not it’s safe for human use. While the EPA’s official stance on DEET is that it’s fine when used in moderation they remain concerned about traces of the chemical found in some water sources as DEET can be harmful to fish and wildlife. One thing no one questions, however, is DEET’s place as the most effective insect repellent on the market. That is, until now. Continue reading
Questions to Ask When Interviewing Pest Control Providers
Whether you’ve moved to a new area, bought your first home, or even noticed an infestation you’re just not sure how to tackle, hiring a pest control company is a big decision to make. As any seasoned homeowner will tell you, securing regular pest control maintenance is good for the life of your home as well as your peace of mind. There’s nothing worse than being caught off guard by pests when you’re unprotected.
If you’ve begun the process of interviewing pest control companies for home monitoring and treatment services, keep in mind these few questions you should be sure to ask. Continue reading
How to Avoid Bedbugs during Your Summer Vacation
Major bedbug infestation found on a matress http://www.flickr.com/photos/cuttlefish/3333707314/
Bedbugs are a growing and persistent problem in the United States and as summer vacations mean increased travel, these pests have even more opportunity to spread and infest your home. Not only does an encounter with bedbugs spoil a vacation, it can also make coming home a nightmare, if you bring these biting critters home as an unwanted souvenir. Here are a few tips on how to protect you and your family from bedbugs this season.
- Pack smart: Though it seems impractical, packing as many items as possible in Ziploc bags will help keep bugs out. A hard suitcase is also a safer option than a cloth, duffel bag. If you are going to be doing extensive travel and staying in several different hotels, it’s a good idea to just live out of your suitcases (and plastic bags) so you don’t give the bugs a chance to get inside your belongings.
- Look up the hotel first: Before you book a hotel, visit The Bedbug Registry to see hotels in the area you will be traveling that have had reports of bedbugs. You may also find similar reports on reviews of hotels. Continue reading
Summer Rain Brings the Pests
For many regions of the country, the worries of drought are what preoccupy our minds during the summer. However, powerful storms are also common occurrences in many areas. To state the obvious, with most storms comes a heavy rain. Unfortunately, rain can intensify many pest problems in and around your home.
Fleas and mosquitoes both thrive in moist environments, because both pests need water, or at least a moist atmosphere, for successful reproduction. A good rain can drastically increase the breeding rate of fleas and mosquitoes. Continue reading
Is There Such a Thing as a Good Snake?
Eastern garter snake-a non-venomous snake found in the eastern United States http://www.flickr.com/photos/7147684@N03/1054559796/
To save you from the guesswork, the resounding answer is yes! Snakes get a very bad reputation as creepy, slimy, lethal predators. Whether this comes from ancient references to them as evil and satanic, their unusual means of transportation or the fact that the worst of them are incredibly dangerous, remains unclear. The phrase “the only good snake is a dead snake,” is quite common in popular culture, but that’s actually not the kind of good snake we’re referring to. Even though most people associate all snakes with deadly, flesh eating bites, the number of non-venomous snakes in the US far outweighs the venomous ones. There are approximately 12 snake-bite related deaths in the United States every year and many of these occur as a result of humans handling or owning venomous snakes. Wanting to avoid close encounters with snakes is understandable, but we have a few enticing reasons why you should generally leave snakes alone. Continue reading
What to do When the Bed Bugs Bite
Bed bugs are a major problem throughout the United States, and this problem escalates during the summer as travel increases. To preface this topic, it’s important to mention that anytime you discover or suspect bed bugs, you should seek the help of a professional, because these pests will plague yor home and are very difficult to get rid of. With that said, if you encounter a bed bug problem and you or someone in your family has bed bug bites, you will likely be in search of a remedy. These bites are painful and very uncomfortable, but there are some remedies to try until you can get the problem resolved.
- Oatmeal Bath: This is a great remedy for itch relief from a variety of issues including bed bug bites. All it takes is a bathtub full of warm water and a box of oatmeal for some serious itch relief.
- Baking Soda Paste: A simple combination of water and baking soda will create a great, homemade cream that can be applied to bites. This paste can be left on for about an hour to provide a soothing, itch relief.
- Aspirin Paste: Taking an aspirin orally can have some effect, but creating a paste with a small amount of water and a crushed aspirin can bring more immediate relief.
- Ice: As with many stings and bites, ice is a great way to reduce swelling and temporarily relieve pain. Some bed bug bites are quite small but some bites can swell up to be very large, which is when the ice comes in handy.
- Aloe: If you happen to have an aloe plant, you can cut off the tip of one of the plant’s leaves and squeeze out the gel inside. This can be applied to the bites for instant, soothing relief.