Blog

  1. More About Fleas

    Fleas create a lot of concern with customers. The idea of a flea infestation is definitely disturbing, but more information about fleas can help calm concerns and help you know what you're up against. Why Do Fleas Bite Me? Fleas require blood to survive. Fleas become an issue to homeowners most commonly when a dog or a cat gets them and, untreated, they start to really reproduce. Occasionally flea…Read More

  2. Asian Lady Beetles

    Asian Lady Beetles are a relatively new pest in the United States, and though they can be easily mistaken for ladybugs, they are not the same and have distinct and unwanted characteristics that are worth knowing. Ladybug vs. Asian Lady Beetle Ladybugs are harmless and beneficial insects often found around gardens. In fact they are helpful in that they consume other garden pests like aphids. They d…Read More

  3. Mexican Honey Wasps

    If you are seeing a large "beehive" looking structure in your trees, it's probably not honeybees. It's quite possible you're seeing Mexican Honey Wasps. Mexican Honey Wasps can create nests in impressive sizes — larger than a basketball in diameter — up to 20 inches across! These nests in turn can house thousands and thousands of wasps. But before you burn down your trees and move to Greenland…Read More

  4. Do You Have Squirrels, Rats or Mice?

    Usually the first sign people recognize of potential rodent issues in their home is "creatures" stirring, typically above their heads in an attic or wall space. Many times this is a rat or mouse, but it could also be a squirrel that's found it's way into your attic. Or, it may not even be in the attic. It could be running across the roof and making a ruckus. Whatever the case, our experienced rode…Read More

  5. Silverfish Control

    Silverfish can be a fairly common sight around Austin homes. They are small wingless insects about 1/2 to 1 inch long. They get their name from their shimmery metallic-like color and shape and how they "wiggle" when they move. They aren't dangerous and pose little health risk and don't transmit disease. Still, no one wants to see them crawling around their bathtub, bathroom sinks or drawers! Silve…Read More

  6. Christmas Tree “Ticks”?

    A customer recently called in wondering if the bugs crawling around her live Christmas tree were ticks. She had good reason to wonder because she had just pulled an actual tick off her dog! She sent in a few photos and after some insect investigations, it appeared she was just seeing "Christmas tree aphids." Christmas Tree Aphids Aphids are quite small, just 3mm or so in size, and so you often don…Read More

  7. Beneficial Nematodes for Fleas in Austin

    Fleas are one of the most frustrating and upsetting pests for Austin area residents to experience. This is perhaps because they are small and difficult to see, but also of course because they bite and cause actual physical irritation. As with anything, knowledge is power, so we like to educate our customers on fleas before any treatment takes place. You can read a detailed overview about fleas and…Read More

  8. Hackberry Gall Psyllids

    Are you seeing a large number of small "jumping" insects gathering on your siding, windows or front doors? If you have hackberry trees in your yard or Austin neighborhood these are likely "hackberry psyllids." They resemble miniature cicadas and are particularly abundant in late summer and fall, especially on warm days. The insects are attracted to lights at night and, at about 3/16" long, are sma…Read More

  9. Rodents – Rats and Mice in Austin

    As it begins to cool in Austin, we get an increase in calls from homeowners who are hearing things that go bump in the night. It's not a sign that Halloween is lasting longer this year, but it may mean that rodents have made their way into the home. We do a thorough rodent inspection and use a process of baiting and sealing. We'll set up bait in the places where rats will find and consume it. We u…Read More

  10. Murder Hornets – 2020 Strikes Again

    Because 2020 wasn't bizarre and frightening enough, we needed a freakish insect to appear and gain notoriety, and for this insect to be dubbed by the media as the "Murder Hornet." Just in time for the resurgence of drive-in movies. Now showing at the late-night Halloween fright fest: "Attack of the Giant Murder Hornets!" starring Jamie Lee Curtis. Jokes aside, in an attempt to provide a few facts …Read More