If you notice small teardrop-shaped insects in your home that have long antenna and are white to bluish-gray in color, you may be dealing with silverfish. While silverfish have a cosmopolitan distribution — meaning they can appear in many areas across the world — they can be a big problem if you live in Illinois. Read on to learn more about this insect, why it’s a pest, and what you can do to rid your home of them.
Why Are They Prevalent in Illinois?
If you notice that your clothes are mysteriously deteriorating whenever you store them away for a long time, or you notice small worm-like creatures in your drawers and closets, then you might have clothes moths. Clothes moth larvae are extremely destructive and don’t discriminate between expensive and inexpensive fabrics.
Learn more about clothes moths, how to identify them, and what you can do to prevent them from destroying your clothes.
Any time you shop secondhand, such as at a thrift store, you’re taking the risk that the previous owner of the item may not have been as particular about keeping things clean as you are. And even if the previous owner kept them clean, thrifted items could cross paths with infested items on their way to you.
If you buy a previously owned item, you risk brining home tiny hitchhikers. Here’s how to avoid pest infestations when thrift shopping.
Chicago has a long history of dealing with rats and other rodents. But when rats threaten to invade and take over your house, you should take the situation seriously. Rats carry various pathogens that can harm the adults, children, and pets in your home.
Many different symptoms can signal a rat problem, including damaged personal items. Learn why rodents damage your personal items and what you can do about it. Continue reading
When homeowners are getting their houses ready for winter, they may not initially think of pest control. And it’s true: a lot of pests aren’t a problem in the winter because once they’ve laid eggs, they die off but that is not true for all insects. Ants will go inactive waiting for spring again and some insects like the Monarch Butterfly will migrate south to warmer climates.
However, pests like ladybugs will actually stay around during the winter months and overwinter inside your home. Take a look at why this is possible and how to keep them from infesting your house.
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If you suspect rats or mice have taken up residence in your home this fall, you are not alone. According to a survey by the National Pest Management Association, 29 percent of Americans have dealt with a rodent infestation at home, and 45 percent — almost half — of those infestations happened during the fall or winter.
While spring and summer do have their share of rodent infestations, rodents are most common in the fall since mice and rats will seek cozy places where they can escape the upcoming cold. Once a few rodents find their way inside, their population can increase rapidly. A female mouse can give birth to up to 12 offspring every three weeks, and rats reproduce just as quickly.
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Bed bugs — they’re one of the most feared household pests, and rightfully so. They cause itchy bites, keep you up at night, and are difficult to get rid of. However, as fearful as many homeowners are of bringing home bed bugs, many don’t know very much about these tiny pests. The following are four interesting statistics to expand your knowledge and understanding of bed bugs.
250: The Number of Eggs a Bed Bug Lays in Her Lifetime
Bed bugs reproduce very quickly, which is one reason why you should call a pest control professional immediately if you begin to suspect you have an infestation. If you wait a week before calling, your home will have many more bed bugs and bed bug eggs for the exterminator to get rid of.
Cockroaches are nasty little bugs that no one wants to find in their house. Seeing one in your home doesn’t necessarily mean that your house is dirty because it could have come from a neighbor. But seeing one in your house does mean that you have a lot more. Illinois is home to four common types of roaches. If you can ID the type that is in your house, the exterminator will be much more prepared when they come.
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Summer is not the only time of the year for pest prevention. As the seasons change, take a look at what you need to know about the fall weather prevention strategies that can save your home from insect invaders.
Don’t Assume Pests Disappear in the Fall
Do you have an existing pest problem? If so, the cold weather likely will not make it go away. That means you cannot expect the fall chill to kill the spiders, fleas, or other insects that have already invaded.
Summer in the city means more than warm weather and long day — a whole host of pests are common in Chicago during the summer months. Prepare yourself for the summer and the pests that come with it; preventing pests — big and small — in the first place is far easier than coping with an infestation.
Reduce your risk of infestation with a few basic tips and tricks. Continue reading
