Bats are a particularly difficult pest to remove from your home, but maybe not for the reasons you may think. Many of our homeowners fear bats for their ability to spread rabies and their somewhat unsettling appearance – it’s easy to understand why someone may want them out of their attic now. Unfortunately for homeowners, bats are a legally...
Centipedes. Millipedes. What’s the difference? And why should I care? While the centipede and millipede look quite similar (and are often confused for one another) they are far from the same insect. Among the visual characteristics and differences, centipedes and millipedes also differ in their behavior and threat to humans. As a homeowner, it is...
Many homeowners never give their home’s insulation a second thought. What’s there to think about? You know your home has insulation and that insulation is serving its purpose (whatever that may be.) Many of us never stop to consider how well the insulation is serving that purpose or even exactly what the purpose of insulation is. It’s a little...
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...
Picture this: it’s the end of a long day and you sink into the couch, sighing into the long-awaited silence. Finally, some peace and quiet! And that’s when you hear it. It’s unmistakable – the scratch, scratch, scratch of a mouse skittering around your ceiling. You jump up from the couch, infuriated, when you see movement out of the corner of your...