Overwintering. It’s a term pest control professionals frequently mention this time of year, but what does it mean? As a homeowner, overwintering is a crucial term for you to know and understand. Dr. Jim Fredericks, chief entomologist for the National Pest Management Association, describes overwintering as the act of bugs, spiders and rodents...

As the weather begins to cool and fall creeps around the corner, many fall festivities are on our minds. Pumpkin patches, hayrides, autumnal leaves… and rodents!? For homeowners (and your friends here at EcoShield!), cooler weather can mean creeping critters moving indoors to beat the chill. Various mice, rats, and even squirrels may see your home...

Mice are common household pests for the typical homeowner, and as such, they are a major concern for homeowners. Prolific reproducers and capable of truly disastrous damage to homes, it’s not surprising that we encounter many questions about mice. Why do I have mice in my home? How can I keep mice out? What are some signs of a mouse infestation?...

It’s almost an American rite of passage to spend your childhood catching ladybugs or watching them scoot across the playground slide as you stare quietly from the edge. One of the most identifiable commonly encountered bugs, ladybugs are known for their delicate red-orange shell and adorable black polka dots. When looking at a ladybug, “danger” or...

According to the Cleveland Clinic, up to 15% of the world’s population has arachnophobia, otherwise known as the intense and often irrational fear of spiders. Even for those of us without arachnophobia, the sight of a large spider skittering by in close proximity is probably enough to send a shiver down your spine. The truth of the matter is, that...

Like most insects and bugs, the boxelder bug makes an appearance in the spring and hangs around until the temperatures begin to drop. This means that the summertime is the peak season for boxelders (outdoors), which may not come as a surprise to some. It may feel as if there are boxelders EVERYWHERE during the summer… trust us, it’s not just in...

It’s cookout season which means freshly grilled burgers, late nights with friends, and… yellowjackets? Unfortunately, yellowjackets enjoy summer for many of the same reasons we do: warm weather, longer days, and delicious food. These unwelcome guests may come crashing your party in search of sugary sweets to feed on. Melted popsicles, drips from...

Known for their large size and notably painful stings, bald-faced hornets are warm-weather pests with a reputation that precedes them. While these hornets become active as soon as the weather starts to become mild, it’s not until mid-to-late summer that the population grows abundant. When this happens, it may be tempting to take matters into your...

Stick insects, sometimes referred to as “stick bugs” or “walking sticks,” are among the more peculiar-looking bugs one might encounter. Stick bugs are prevalent throughout the world, living on every continent, with the only exception being Antarctica. Stick bugs are very likely all around you, your home, and your property at any given moment, but...

Rising temperatures can mean a lot of things to many people. It can mean summer break, beachside vacations, or afternoons sipping lemonade by the pool. Maybe it means water skiing at the local lake or fishing late into the evening, hoping for one more bite. But for homeowners, it means the arrival of numerous troublesome pests, each one more...