General Information

  1. Fungus Gnats

    When moving plants indoors during the cooler months, you may see small gnats flying in the house. This is common with indoor plants whether they're houseplants, poinsettias for the holidays or for those outdoors plants being temporarily stored indoors when it's cold. Fungus gnats are small flies that are blackish with two wings & long legs. Fungus gnats may be seen flying indoors around pott…Read More

  2. PAPER WASPS

    Paper wasps are usually viewed as pests, but they are actually considered a beneficial insect. They feed mostly on caterpillars that can be garden pests as well as flies and beetle larvae. These wasps are typically brown/yellow or red with black wings. They make a nest that has honeycomb shaped cells, typically visible along the roofline and other areas that protect them from rain. If the nest is …Read More

  3. BOXELDER BUGS

    In the fall boxelder bugs may try to overwinter on or in homes. Pest control is generally not necessary, or as effective, as sealing/exclusion. Here are some helpful steps to help with these and a variety of other crawling pests. • Inspect the areas where pipes or wires enter your home. Caulk or expandable foam can be used to seal these spots. • Stuff weep holes with aluminum window screen to …Read More

  4. HACKBERRY PSYLLIDS- (gnats on your window screens)

    Have you been finding lots of small, dark flying insects on your window screens or even inside on the window sill? If so,you may be seeing Hackberry Psyllids, sometimes called Hackberry Nipplegall Makers. These insects develop on the leaves of hackberry trees and in the fall when the weather becomes cooler they may try to enter homes to escape the lower temperatures. These small flies are small en…Read More

  5. MOTH OR DRAIN FLIES

    Moth flies, often called drain flies, are small, about 1/8 inch in length and often dark-colored. They are typically found on walls and do not fly well. They do not bite or do damage, but could carry bacteria from the organic material they develop in, usually in drain or sewage lines. The best method of managing these flies is dealing with their breeding sites. In homes this is most often in bathr…Read More

  6. FIELD CRICKETS

    This is the time of year that a plague of field crickets descend upon us and appear around structures and sometimes inside. While they are a nuisance, they do not breed or infest indoors. The worst outbreaks are usually around businesses. The reason for this is that the crickets are attracted to light. Most commercial properties keep lights on all night which attracts them by the hundreds. Reducin…Read More

  7. RODENT PROOFING YOUR HOME

    The best longest-lasting form of rat & mice control in homes is sealing & exclusion. Rodents can get into entry points that are 1/4" or larger so sealing cracks and openings in foundations and any openings for water pipes, electric wires, sewer pipes, drain spouts, and vents is a must. Make sure doors, windows, and screens fit tightly. Their edges can be covered with sheet metal if gnawing…Read More

  8. FIRE ANTS

    If you see a mound of fluffy soil in your yard, usually after a rain you have a fire ant problem. When it is hot and dry these ants are underground and may not be noticed, unless you are stung. When the ants go unchecked in your yard they can eventually go into the house to forage. They are usually found on the floors, around pet food and in laundry. The best way to combat this is to treat the yar…Read More

  9. SCORPION STINGS

    The sting from the scorpions found in Central Texas can be painful but are usually not dangerous, as long as you are not allergic. If you get stung, first put an ice cube on the sting for the pain. If you have some digestive enzymes for protein (you can try meat tenderizer) you can make a paste with it and put it on the sting. This will digest the sting and can eliminate the pain and can work on w…Read More