Ticks are the worst kind of pest. Tiny and hard to spot on bare skin, they look like freckles or moles to the naked eye but latch onto hosts, sucking their blood and possibly spreading diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, rabbit fever (tularemia) and Lyme disease. In 2022, the Centers for Disease Control…

If you want to know how to get rid of roaches it’s likely out of necessity, not curiosity. Or perhaps you’re about to move to a new house and want to take preventive measures to keep roaches out of it.  Thirteen percent of homeowners reported cockroaches as the last pest they dealt with — ants…

Termites are small but mighty and can cause costly damage to buildings and infrastructure. Often, homeowners insurance does not cover termite damage, according to Joe Malinowski, vice president of pest management at Pest Authority. Luckily, several treatment options can remove termites from your home. But how long will these treatments last? Typically, termite treatments last…

Carpet beetles may be tiny, but they can wreak havoc on your home and belongings. If you’ve ever found mysterious holes in your favorite sweater or noticed strange larvae crawling around your carpeted bedroom floor, you might have a carpet beetle infestation on your hands. Carpet beetles, scientifically known as Anthrenus verbasci, originated from Europe…

Seeing an earwig scurry across your floor is enough to give you shivers. But before reaching for the nearest shoe or bug spray, take a moment to understand what you’re dealing with and how to tackle these pincer-waving pests. Earwigs are small insects known for their distinctive pincers at the end of their abdomens. Scientifically…

Wasps help the ecosystem with pollination and pest control, but unlike other creatures, these insects are not friendly neighbors. Unlike honeybees, butterflies or other winged pollinators in your backyard, many types of wasps don’t have an easygoing nature. If they feel their hive is threatened, they will sting repeatedly. While wasps and bees do look…

Japanese beetles are metallic, green-and-copper insects that have scuttled across North America since the early 1900s. This invasive species is a common nuisance to gardeners and romantics alike — Japanese beetles are known for eating beautiful rose blooms as well as grapes, ornamental fruit trees and hundreds of other plants. Luckily, there’s no shortage of…

Although there are more than 20,000 species of bees on the planet — including an estimated 3,600 species in North America — very few are likely to take up residence in the American home. Bee problems are likely linked to honeybees since they tend to interfere with your structures. “Honeybees are the only kind of…

Having critters make their way into your home is an unpleasant experience that often requires pest control experts. Birds are no exception. While most of us love to see birds cascade through the sky, having a woodpecker set up shop in your attic is a different story. While birds can find their way into your…

Termites are sneaky creatures. Concealed by the wood and soil where they reside, termites feast away on your home. These wood-destroying insects (WDIs) often go unnoticed as they feed on structural components such as studs, rafters and floor joists from the inside out. “Unaddressed termite damage can greatly affect the structural integrity of a home,…

The German cockroach is a survivor, with ancestry predating the dinosaurs and the mobility to outpace the panicked stomps of your shoe. They distinguish themselves from more beefy American roaches through their tiny size — no larger than the width of your index finger — and quick reproduction cycle. This means they can hide easily…

Brown recluse spiders are venomous — bites from these pests can lead to illness, tissue necrosis and, in rare cases, death. As their name suggests, brown recluse spiders often reside in undisturbed areas of the home, particularly if there is a nearby food source. While they’re not known to be aggressive, they can bite if…

Knock, knock! Who’s there? It’s your neighborhood woodpecker, a bird known for its strong beak and ability to peck holes in various surfaces. Unfortunately, these birds sometimes go after your home instead of nearby tree trunks. Woodpeckers, including the yellow-bellied sapsucker, may drill holes in your wooden siding or trim, or damage your home’s exterior…

Fungus gnats are among the most common types of flying pests found in homes in the United States. “There are many species of gnat, but the most encountered inside homes is the fungus gnat,” said Craig Sansig, certified associate entomologist and service director for Viking Pest Control. Fungus gnats don’t bite humans, but they are…

Finding snakes on your property or in your home can be startling. They can also present a serious threat to you, your children and your pets if they’re venomous. “The best way to get rid of snakes in your yard and garden is to get rid of food sources and shelter,” said Brad Woods, an…

Stink bugs get their name from the unpleasant odor they produce when they feel threatened. Generally, they emit this smell to deter predators from eating them while they’re outside. However, they can enter your home and unleash this same scent. So, it helps to know how to get rid of stink bugs. “You don’t want…

Twenty-one percent of the 1,000 respondents in our February 2024 survey of homeowners listed price as the primary factor they considered when choosing a pest control company. With affordable monthly rates, attractive new-customer discounts and friendly customer service, Hawx Pest Control is a great choice if you’re a price-conscious homeowner. We conducted in-depth research into…

Fruit flies aren’t dangerous, but they’re certainly annoying. According to Oklahoma State University, they can multiply rapidly in your home by laying up to 500 eggs at a time. Getting rid of fruit flies involves preventing breeding and eradicating the adults. You need “a multiprong solution for an infestation,” said David Price, associate certified entomologist…

Whether you live in a big city or a small rural area, you’ve likely heard or possibly even smelled mice at some point. You may have seen one or two scurrying across your home. And unless you’re a pest control expert, getting rid of mice in your walls can be tricky. “Since mice can carry…

Chipmunks, which primarily inhabit North America and are drawn to wooded areas, may be charismatic and cute, but they’re also unwanted pests. While they can help disperse tree and fungi seeds, these mischievous creatures can’t resist helping themselves to the fruits of gardeners’ labors — quite literally. The striped rodents from the squirrel family are…

Fleas bite pets and people and can cause severe itchiness and allergic reactions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fleas can also transmit diseases to and from humans and pets, including typhus, plague and cat scratch disease (CSD). The CDC also maintains that getting rid of fleas is complicated, as flea…

Mosquitoes can quickly ruin a backyard barbecue and outdoor relaxation time, but more importantly, they can transmit dangerous diseases. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), these parasitic insects can spread West Nile virus, Zika virus, dengue, and malaria and cause allergic reactions. “Creating an effective mosquito control plan involves a combination of prevention, protection…

Bats are misunderstood — if you spot one near your house you might wonder how to get rid of bats pronto. Lacking the movie star allure of sharks or the cuteness of bears and raccoons, they are generally regarded with fear and distaste. But bats are pretty amazing creatures. According to Bat Conservation International, bats…

Your kitchen is where you enjoy meals and sip your morning cup of joe — it’s not a dining hall for ants. But these resourceful little pests love a good snack as much as you do. That’s why it’s not too far-fetched that crumbs could lead to ant infestation. So how do you get rid…

Spotting a trail of large black carpenter ants will give anyone the creepy crawlies. But the Camponotus genus, known for several species of carpenter ants, is not only pesky, it can wreak havoc on your house — and your bank account.  Carpenter ants excavate extensive galleries, or burrows, inside wood. This is why you want…

You’ll likely experience an inconvenient pest infestation at some point during homeownership. One option you have besides applying homemade pest treatments is hiring a full-service pest control company. These companies specialize in eliminating a wide variety of pests safely and promptly. Our team researched, reviewed and rated national pest control companies to determine which brands…