Ants are some of the oldest living fossils in the world, and one of the most abundant critters on the planet. But something that has perhaps fascinated people even more than the ants are their mounds. The term “ant mound” can have a few different meanings and not all ants build them. Those that do … Read more
There are more than 12,000 species of ants in the world, 700 of which are in the US. Thus, it should be of no surprise that there are a LOT of ant species in California alone. Let’s take a look at just a few of the more common ants in California, including some you may … Read more
Ants are among the most common macroscopic (i.e. visible) life forms in the world. They’re found in every continent except Antarctica, and are so old that we may yet find fossils of ants even in that remote place. Texas is no exception to this rule and is home to hundreds (if not more) species, many … Read more
Unlike roaches and termites, bed bugs, fleas, and lice are three indoor pests that can transmit disease by drinking blood. Of these three, fleas are perhaps the most misunderstood – and dangerous. Fleas breed quickly and can even kill kittens or endanger babies, so identifying an infestation quickly is vital. But there’s more than one type … Read more
Roaches may be a valuable part of the ecosystem, but that doesn’t mean you want them in your home. The good news is that most species of cockroach would rather avoid human structures. But what kind of roaches live in Florida? It would honestly take a small encyclopedia to list all the different cockroaches you … Read more
California has a lot of problems, but you probably haven’t thought about bugs being one of them. However, roaches can be found throughout the state, and we’re not talking the smokable kind. What makes this fact less apparent is the fact that most types of cockroach never bother to enter your home. There are around … Read more
The cockroach is perhaps first on your list of kitchen bugs to avoid. However, another species often makes the rounds in kitchens and can get entire restaurants shut down the moment one is spotted. We are, of course, talking about the silverfish. There are more than 120 species of silverfish in the Order Zygentoma, as … Read more
Everyone knows the sound of crickets, but few know how varied they can be. Perhaps that’s because the scientific world spends more time letting us listen to crickets than they do telling us about all of the neat differences between species. So let’s interrupt that familiar sound by looking at 17 different types of crickets … Read more
Skunks have a very long love/hate relationship with humans. Considered a symbol of love in some cultures and a dreaded pest in others, it’s no wonder modern North America tends to hate all types of skunks in one breath. And in the other breath, they once treasured Pepé Le Pew, the skunk who loved to … Read more
Love them or hate them, mice are quite common in nature. In fact, there are over 1,100 species worldwide. Of those, 200 call North America home. Many of these have adapted to living among humans and may even be nesting somewhere in your home. Don’t worry, these critters are far less likely to be hanging … Read more