Keep These Cold Weather Bugs Out of Your Home This Winter
Some bugs die off as soon as the last warm day of summer or fall is over; others overwinter by entering a state of torpor, cozying up in cocoons, or carrying on in underground nests. And then there are the bugs who sneak into your house when seeking winter shelter. Today’s edition of our weekly…
Read MoreThe Cellar Spider vs. Brown Recluse Spider: Differences and How to Get Rid of Them
Spiders have many symbolic meanings across cultures throughout history, representing patience, creativity, and resilience. However, when a spider crawls into your home, it means nothing more than the fact you want it out. Many people fear spiders because some types, such as the brown recluse, have potent, dangerous venom. Other spiders, like the cellar spider,…
Read MoreIs the Banded Woolly Bear Caterpillar Poisonous? And Other Facts to Know
Have you ever seen a cute, fuzzy caterpillar and then had someone warn you that all fuzzy caterpillars are poisonous? Although it is true that many fuzzy caterpillars are dangerous to handle, making a generalization about all of them is wrong. You’ve come to the right place if you’re wondering, “Is the banded woolly bear…
Read MoreWasps Hovering Above Your Yard? You May Have a Ground Digger Wasp Infestation
Have you ever seen small, round piles of mud or dirt on the ground with a hole in the middle and wondered what kind of ant makes such a small hill? They’re not ant hills; they harbor ground digger wasps. If you want to learn more about ground digger wasps, you’ve come to the right…
Read MoreFollow These Instructions for How to Keep Centipedes Out of Your House
Centipedes are creepy crawlers with many legs, which sometimes take them to places they shouldn’t be (e.g., your house). If you want to learn how to deal with centipedes, you’ve come to the right place, but we encourage you to take a step back and consider how much you know about the creatures. It’s okay…
Read MoreDo You Need to Remove Bats in the Attic? Why You Should Call an Exterminator for These Winged Mammals
If you’ve never seen a baby bat up close, please Google it; they’re adorable. Still, baby bats—well, bats of any age, for that matter—are not pets. So you shouldn’t let them hang out in your attic like it is their cave, even if it feels like you’re doing good to let nature take its course…
Read MoreWhat You Should Do About Chimney Pests Before It’s Time to Use the Fireplace
The “first day of fall” in the U.S. was Sunday, September 22nd, but here in Alabama (and the rest of the Deep South), we usually have to suffer sweltering summer weather until at least November. That’s why it catches us off guard and underprepared when an unusually early cold front rolls in. When it gets…
Read MoreTips and Tricks for How to Keep Bugs Out of Carved Pumpkin
Welcome to October! Now that it’s October, the Halloween countdown has begun, and spooky decor is adorning homes worldwide, we’re willing to bet someone in your household will soon be carving a pumpkin and placing it on your porch. Unfortunately, people aren’t the only ones who adore the smiling (or grimacing) orange face of…
Read MoreAre Stink Bugs Harmful to Humans and Pets? What to Know About Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs
The kinds of insects that we consider pests when they invade our homes all tend to have a beneficial purpose outdoors in their natural habitats. We can positively appreciate their existence, to a degree—and then there are stink bugs. If you live in Alabama, it is entirely fair to have negative feelings about the Brown…
Read MoreKeep Fall Insects Out of Your Garden: Tips to Prevent Specific Pests
Pumpkins, sweet potatoes, and many types of squash—harvest season is upon us for these crops and many more across gardens here in Alabama. Gardeners aren’t the only ones eager to enjoy the product of their hard work this harvest season; many fall insects see bountiful gardens as a free feast. Don’t worry; our experts in…
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