We sometimes get calls in spring from folks who claim that some kind of bug is leaving hundreds of black fecal spots or tiny eggs or something strange on the siding of their house. We’re usually able to rule out insects pretty quickly. While there are other possible causes, at this time of year, black
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These bees are familiar, you think. Then you remember that they seem to show up every spring at about this time and in the same place, too. They’re pretty aggressive, noisy, and diving and swooping at you when you come near. It may seem like there’s a whole hive of bees when they’re chasing you
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When I first heard about a new invasive tick species, the Asian Long-horned tick, I have to admit I thought maybe it was fake news! Now, I’ve been following the news about the Asian Long-horned beetle for many years, and it is a devastating forest pest. The presence of ALB has resulted in the destruction
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I didn’t see this species at all last summer but throughout my tenure in this industry, I usually have at least a couple clients troubled by these odd little ants. I’ll classify them as a structure infesting ant. I’ve seen them excavating out foam insulation in walls and ceilings and have found them nesting under
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The fall invading insects like wasps, lady beetles, and conifer seed bugs are sort of universally troublesome for homeowners and owners of commercial real estate but throughout the sultry summer months another cast of characters dubbed “Occasional Invaders” can reach major nuisance status. These are the pillbugs, sowbugs, millipedes and springtails and they’ll enter homes
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In the yard itself – 1. Move firewood piles away from the house – If you moved your firewood close to the house this winter for convenience, now is the time to get that wood farther away since firewood piles attract all kinds of pests and invite wood-feeding insects that could have an eye on
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As we move into the spring season and a more active time of year outdoors for many, I can’t emphasize enough the importance of doing tick checks. I’ve been following CDC data for years on the reporting of Lyme and there was a record number of cases of tickborne diseases reported for the year 2017.
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As a backyard gardener, and orchardist, I’m always interested in keeping up with new exotic insect species arriving and becoming established in the US, because sooner or later they’ll be showing up at my place. Two of the top four ‘most wanted’ (at least according to one researcher) are present in my yard. One is
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I shouldn’t be too surprised seeing ant activity in a home as we’re moving into late winter, but I sort of was. This observation occurred after some snow and seriously cold weather. Odorous house ant (Tapinoma sessile) is a very elusive and therefore troublesome pest species that I’ve only rarely found actually nesting in homes
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