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.

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 …
Read More »

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 …
Read More »

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 …
Read More »

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.

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 …
Read More »

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.

Summer is just around the corner, which means your pets and home may soon be plagued with fleas. Your home can become infested with fleas even if you have no pets in the household, since human clothing, rodents, and other vectors can introduce fleas to your indoor spaces. Here are three facts to help you fight fleas this summer. Fleas Grow in Four Life Stages