It can happen to anyone. You’re tending to your garden or a prized indoor plant and notice a bit of cottony fuzz on one of the leaves. When you go to brush it off, the bit of cotton suddenly moves on its own. And then it hits you – you’ve got mealybugs. These critters are …
One of the most notorious legends in Victorian England was a manlike creature called Spring-Heeled Jack. This creature resembled a tall, thin human with clawed hands and terrorized the countryside for more than 60 years. But what gave Jack his name was the ability to leap impossible heights to evade capture. In the insect world, …
Ants are one of the most common infestations in modern homes, and can appear for a number of reasons. The vast majority are black, red, or occasionally albino ants. However, some species may catch you off-guard with their unique appearance. One of these unusual species is the ghost ant. These little gals are quick and …
Every spring and autumn, southerners begin looking to the skies with dread. But it’s not some large bird they’re watching for, it’s the lovebug. These little bugs are black with a red thorax and an insatiable sexual appetite that causes entire swarms to hover along highways and invade homes. They squish easily, and their bodies …
We usually talk about critters that cause damage to your home or garden, but sometimes even beneficial critters can be considered a pest. Enter the hoverfly, an important species that’s often misunderstood and sometimes even feared. Let’s take a closer look at these critters, what they do, and how to get rid of them when …
Jolly old Saint Nicholas Send some help our way We bought a live tree for this year Now we’ve got to spray Johnny found some black aphids Sally found mites too The cat chased down a small mantis Please tell us what to do! Ahh, Christmas, the time when people around the world celebrate a …
They seem to pop up out of nowhere: tiny bugs the size of gnats that love landing on your food and flying wildly around your head. However, fruit flies aren’t as mysterious as they first seem, and can be fairly easy to get rid of once you know how. Be warned, their presence isn’t simply …
Imagine, pulling down the sheets for a good night’s rest only to discover tiny little worm-like critters in your bed! While this sounds like the stuff of nightmares (and many who’ve encountered bed worms will say it was), these tiny pests are one of the creepiest things you’ll find hiding in the bed beyond a …
Of all the disgust-inducing critters, the one which instills the most frequent hate is the cockroach. But what if we told you not all roaches are malicious invaders? The wood roach (AKA tree roach) is a notable exception to the cockroach stereotype. Of course, even exceptions can be unwanted, so knowing when you’re up against …
Nobody likes ants in the house (especially after a family get-together ends), but some species can be the herald of more than just an annoying line of protein bites marching across your kitchen floor. Carpenter ants have a particularly nasty reputation among homeowners. Just how much should you worry about these tiny critters? Let’s look …
