When you see a centipede crawling around your home, you may have concerns about a possible infestation. These insects are commonly seen in Chicago in the summer months when moisture levels are higher.

Fortunately, centipedes are usually not harmful to humans. In fact, they are beneficial insects. Still, a house centipede is a sign you have a pest insect infestation, not necessarily a centipede infestation. Read on to learn more about house centipedes, why they invade homes, and how to keep them away.

What Are Centipedes? Continue reading →

Nearly everyone has experienced a housefly buzzing about during a barbecue or picnic. Homes almost always seem to have one or two of the pests flying around over the summer. People swat the bugs away and ignore them unless the population grows out of control. With the information below, you can address the issue quickly and keep everyone safe from the bacteria flies carry. Continue reading →

What is an Indian meal moth? This common pest is a pantry predator that can easily invade your kitchen. If you suspect this pest is in your home, take a look at the answers to the top Indian meal moth questions.

Where Are Indian Meal Moths Found?

In a broad sense—everywhere. The Indian meal moth is found across the United States.

More specifically, the Indian meal moth is found in your pantry. Common in-home habitats these invaders enjoy include:

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Bed bugs infesting your hotel can be an unmitigated disaster for your establishment’s reputation and bottom line. Unfortunately, customers who unknowingly carry bugs or eggs on their clothing or in their luggage can introduce bed bugs into your hotel.

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Winter is a time when mice move out of the fields and wilderness and into homes. Knowing the signs of a mouse infestation can help you know when it is time to get help. The following five signs are an indication of mice. Homeowners who notice this problem can manage their infestation by contacting a pest control professional.

1. Mouse Droppings

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With a professional pest control company on your side, you can use pest control products to monitor for and catch any pests before they can establish themselves fully. Often, cold weather means pests will be attracted to your warm, dry home, so monitoring for pests is especially critical during the colder season.

Discover some products to monitor for pests before they develop into a full-blown infestation.

1. Glue Traps

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During the warmer months of spring and summer in Chicago, spiders are busy feasting on insects — and growing. But spider sightings usually begin to increase once the fall season arrives. This is when spider populations are at their peak. This might be one reason you are seeing more spiders in your home this fall — but not the only one.

You could be seeing more spiders in your home for various reasons.

1. It’s Spider Mating Season

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Nobody wants to find a pest in their home, especially in large quantities. Unfortunately, as cold weather approaches, certain critters may find your home as a haven. The boxelder bug is one of these nuisances, and you should understand what they look like, what potential damage they can do, and if they can harm your family. Moreover, you need to know what to when you find boxelder bugs.

Boxelder Bug Identification

Boxelder bugs have an ovular shape and are about a half-inch long. Generally, they’re about as third as wide as they are long. These bugs look slightly flat and are primarily black but have orange or reddish-colored markings on their backs. This bug has six legs and wings with a head that’s thinner than their thorax.

These bugs lay yellow eggs, but the eggs change to red as the nymph develops. Once born, the boxelder nymphs look very similar to the adults but are wingless and tend to be red.

Moreover, boxelder bugs look similar to squash bugs and milkweed bugs. Continue reading →

Millipedes may not present much of a threat to human beings, but they can still be a considerable annoyance in and around your home. These multi-legged creatures can infest houses, lawns, and gardens in enormous numbers, making your residence an unappealing place to live.

If you have limited experience with millipedes, you may not know what drives these pests into homes or what you can do to keep them at bay. To develop a better understanding of these odd-looking creatures, check out the answers to these frequently asked questions about millipedes.

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Even if the current pandemic has you staying home instead of planning your traditional summer camping trip, you still need to watch out for ticks. These small parasites can inhabit any area that provides sufficient hiding places and a plentiful supply of blood, either from pets or from humans.

It pays to understand tick infestations, from why they occur to how proper pest control and preventative measures can eliminate them. Here are some key points to help you protect yourself and your loved ones this summer. Continue reading →