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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 »

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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 »

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Do Crane Flies Eat Mosquitoes?

. Posted by in , • Corpus Christi
a crane fly

You’ve seen them flying around the porch at night. They look like enormous mosquitoes. Their bodies are an inch long or more, and their long, spindly legs can be three inches across. They’re crane flies, but they have a lot of names.

Common names for crane flies include:

  • mosquito hawks
  • skeeter eaters
  • gallinippers
  • gollywhoppers
  • Texas mosquitoes

Some people are put off by their size; others think they’re giant mosquitoes. Crane flies do look like Jurassic mosquitoes, after all. There is a large mosquito called the gallinipper, but it’s nowhere near the size of a crane fly. Just to add to the confusion, many people like to see them around because they think they eat mosquitoes.

What Exactly Are Crane Flies?

There are over 15,000 species of crane flies. They’re classified in the order of “true flies,” like mosquitoes, but they’re in separate families. That’s why they look so much alike, but that’s where the similarities end.

So they’re not mosquitoes, … Read Full Post »

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Can Ants Smell Food?

. Posted by in , • Houston
two ants on a rope

Homeowners who have experienced an ant infestation often want to know how ants got into their home, and one way is through scent. Ants can smell food and use their sense of smell to guide them to a food source.

Along with their sense of smell, ants also use their sight and taste to locate a food source. They even use their antennas to find food and communicate with their colony. Once ants discover an abundant food source in your home, it doesn’t take long for the rest of the territory to arrive.

Another unique thing about ants is that they do not sleep for long periods. Instead, they take short naps throughout the day, lasting from a few seconds to a few minutes. This allows them to recharge and continue the task of finding food. Homeowners should understand that they can encounter ant activity all day and night because of this … Read Full Post »

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Do Roaches Shed?

. Posted by in • Austin
a roach on a neutral background

Cockroaches are excellent at adapting to their environment, making them difficult to control. Most homeowners have had a run-in with cockroaches at some point, but it can be frustrating when you notice more and more of them making your house their home.

Learn how roaches infiltrate a household, how to identify the breed and what you should do to control them.

Do Roaches Shed?

Many homeowners are surprised to learn that roaches do shed. They shed their skin multiple times throughout their life to accommodate their body’s growth. You may find cockroach exoskeletons in their nests, beneath electrical equipment, furniture, closets, drawers and corners of rooms.

The exoskeleton is a solid outer coat that protects roaches. Roaches cannot grow over the limitations of their hard shell, so they have to molt to become larger. Cockroaches will molt anywhere from 6 to 14 times in their lives, depending on the species.

Cockroaches lose their old skin … Read Full Post »

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Types of Wasps That Live in the Ground

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth

There are around 100,000 species of wasps, and they all build impressive nests. However, some wasps choose to build their nests underground. It’s important for homeowners to understand the difference between ground wasps and other types of wasps so that they can deal with them properly.

One type of ground wasp is the cicada killer wasp. While they prefer to leave humans alone and focus on hunting cicadas, female cicada killer wasps will sting when they feel threatened. Understanding their appearance and life cycle will help homeowners avoid an unfriendly encounter with cicada killer wasps.

Finally, wasps often appear in gardens because they like to feed on plant nectar. While they can provide some benefits, they can also become an annoyance. Contacting a pest control specialist is the best way to deal with a wasp problem in your garden.

Types of Wasps That Live in the Ground

Wasps are known for building impressive nests, … Read Full Post »

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What To Do About Ants in Your Lawn

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
ants in a lawn

Are ants invading your lawn? Ants are pesky nuisances, but there are ways you can manage their population to protect and preserve your lush lawn.

Ants in lawns are often an annoyance for homeowners during warmer months, particularly as nest-building ants may damage your lawn by building nests and tunnels in it. Some species can even bite or sting. Therefore, it’s important that you act when you see ants in your lawn.

What Conditions Attract Ants?

Ant species typically prefer lawns with dry, well-drained soil and low water-holding capacity. These conditions allow ants to easily build nests for food storage, colony defense and protection.

Ants are drawn to lawns that contain organic matter, such as dead leaves, grass clippings and debris. These materials give them the essential nutrition needed to survive and reproduce.

Finally, ants need water for survival. That’s why they are drawn to lawns with access to collected sources of moisture like sprinkler … Read Full Post »

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Do Bats Hibernate?

. Posted by in , • Orlando
a bat in a tree

Bats are intriguing creatures to learn about. They’re known for their echolocation capabilities and being nocturnal by nature.

Bats possess incredible talents, which could be vital in survival situations like natural disasters. But have you ever considered whether bats hibernate like other mammals do?

Hibernation is an instinctual behavior used by animals during winter to conserve energy and survive harsh conditions. Of the over 1,400 bat species globally, only some hibernate. When they do, they might find comfort within your home or nearby spaces such as backyard sheds or treehouses.

Do Bats Hibernate?

During the winter months, when food becomes increasingly scarce, bats enter a state known as torpor. Their heart rates and breathing slow, their metabolic rates diminish, and body temperatures decrease to conserve energy and resources.

Hibernation allows bats to survive winter weather by tapping into their fat reserves while resting. However, not all species hibernate; some fly south, searching for warmer climates … Read Full Post »

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Wheat Weevil: Identification & Control Guide

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth
wheat weevils on damaged grain

Wheat weevils are pesky pantry pests that can ruin a good box of cereal. As their name suggests, these tiny bugs feast on and live in wheat. They reside in pantries and cupboards where they can access dry foods.

These small pests, which are technically beetles, contaminate food and can become a major headache for homeowners. They reproduce rapidly, meaning a small wheat weevil problem can become a big infestation in no time.

The best thing homeowners can do is educate themselves about wheat weevils so that they can deter them from their kitchens.

If you have wheat weevils in your pantry or kitchen cabinets, the best thing you can do is contact a pest control expert. Using a professional service is the best way to control the infestation.

Wheat Weevil: Identification & Control Guide

Wheat weevils are tiny beetles that typically live in pantries or cabinets. A wheat weevil infestation can become a big … Read Full Post »

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What Do Flea Larvae Look Like?

. Posted by in , • Houston
a flea on skin

If you have furry pets long enough, you will likely encounter fleas. Fleas are incredibly well adapted to living with humans, and the odds are they will find you and your pets at some point.

Your pets can get fleas even if they never leave the house. Fleas are very well adapted to living with us and can come in from outside by various methods:

  • They can hitch a ride inside on pets or rodents.
  • They can hop in through an open door or window.
  • They can come inside through air ducts or unsealed cracks.
  • They can come in on used clothing or upholstered furniture.

Flea Larvae

Fleas follow a typical life cycle. Flea eggs hatch as worm-like larvae an eighth to a quarter of an inch long after one or two weeks. They’re actually more extensive as larvae than adult fleas. The larvae are whitish and often have brown heads. You’ve probably never noticed flea larvae … Read Full Post »

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