All About Wood-Boring Bees: Carpenter Bees in AL
We talk a lot about getting rid of termites because they are so destructive and can devastate a home. But there’s another wood-boring insect that can also wreak havoc inside your walls. We’re talking about carpenter bees. August is Honeybee Awareness Month, but homeowners should really be on the lookout for carpenter bees that are making a…
Read MoreHow to Properly Fill and Clean Hummingbird Feeders
Few things are as majestic as fluttering, jewel-colored hummingbirds. These pint-sized birds are fascinating to watch as they hover above flowers looking for nectar. Another common food source that attracts hummingbirds is a man-made feeder. Even if you don’t have much yard space for flowers, a hummingbird feeder can be hung to encourage the little…
Read MoreTypes of Scorpions in Alabama
When you hear the word “scorpions” one of two things may come to mind – the German powerhouse rock band and the desert. In reality, scorpions can be found all over the U.S., including Alabama. In 2014 alone, the Regional Poison Control Center reported 196 scorpion stings. In fact, scorpions dole out more venomous stings…
Read MoreWhat to do When Your Trees Are Full of Silk Worms
In mid-summer caterpillars and worms are in abundance. It’s also the time of year when massive webs begin showing up in trees. These webs aren’t the result of a horrifically huge spider. They’re the byproduct of fall webworms, also commonly referred to as silkworms. However, true silkworms feed solely on the leaves of white mulberry…
Read MoreBuilding a Bat House in Your Yard
Bat in the tropical rainforest Malaysia Langkawi. Bats have really gotten a bad wrap. Thanks to horror movies and fear of rabies, most people mistakenly believe bats are out to swoop down and attack a person, which couldn’t be further from the truth. The vast majority of bats want nothing to do with humans and…
Read MoreAlabama Pests: All About Catalpa Worms
Alabama’s insect population includes thousands of bugs. Some of them are common while others are completely unknown to the general population. One bug that many locals have seen before but know little about is the catalpa worm, which actually isn’t a worm at all. Today, we’re giving catalpa worms the attention they deserve. Some people…
Read MoreWhy You Shouldn’t Trim Your Bushes in the Summer
As the electric hedge trimmer whirs to life, the only thing on your mind is shaping your bushes so they don’t look like an unruly mess of leaves. You’re already envisioning how immaculate they’ll be when they’re trimmed down and perfectly manicured. What you may not realize is there’s something just beneath the outer edges…
Read MorePlan Your Fall Garden: Plants That Ward off Pests
It’s hard to believe, but it’s already time for Alabama residents to start planning their fall gardens. If you plan things right you can use plants to keep garden pests under control. It’s a process known as companion planting. Gardeners can put certain plants in and around their garden to deter specific bugs that are…
Read MoreHow to ID Alabama Bugs: Spiders, Snakes & More
You’ll find a lot of insects in Alabama, but do you know what they are? At Vulcan Termite and Pest Control Inc., insect identification is an important part of our business. Before one of our technicians put together a custom pest control plan, they have to know what they’re up against. Below are a few…
Read More5 Ways to Celebrate Summer (Without Biting Bugs)
It may have felt like summer a month ago, but June 21st is Summer Solstice, the official start to summer. We’re getting geared up for tons of fun in the sun, which includes getting insects under control and taking a few extra precautions. Here are some of our top tips on how to keep bugs away…
Read More