The Insect Nothing Messes With: Meet the Velvet Ant

Big or small, most creatures end up on something else's dinner menu. But the velvet ant combines a ton of defenses into one very unappetizing package. 

Hosted by: Michael Aranda

Pest Control: How to Prep for the Exterminator

Pest Control: How to Prep for the Exterminator

Pest Control: The What, Why, and How of Finding Reputable Services in Your Area

Insects and wild animals contribute to the spread of disease-causing bacteria that can be harmful to the health of your family. Pesky critters can also cause serious, expensive structural damage to your home. Protect your family and your home by employing a reliable pest control service and scheduling regular maintenance inspections.

Benefits of Inspections

Pest control experts provide a range of services. If your home hasn't had an inspection in a while or if you need extermination services for a specific nuisance, you'll need to call a provider for a primary inspection and request an initial estimate. Many service providers will do their primary inspection for free. After the primary inspection, your exterminator will work with you to rid your home of natural intruders. Once your home is clean, continue to have regular maintenance inspections to keep it that way. Regular building inspections can also protect your home from other structural threats such as dry rot, which occurs as a result of a fungus.

Types of Pests

Exterminators can rid your home of various nuisances, including cockroaches, termites, bees, ants, fleas, wasps, flies, and ticks. Many also provide wildlife management services for the removal of dangerous wild animals. In addition, inspections can also protect your family pets by deterring harmful fleas and ticks. Rodents such as mice, rats, and squirrels can nest in your walls, and you need an exterminator's trained eye to determine the best way to protect your home.

Signs You Need a Specialist

Bugs and animals leave evidence that is easy to spot if you know what to look for, so if you notice any of the following in your home, contact a pest control specialist as soon as possible:

- Droppings or entry points
- Dead insects or insect wings
- Live insects or insect nests
- Gnaw marks or holes in wood
- Dried blood spots on bedding from bed bugs

Finding the Right Company

To find an exterminator, ask your peers for recommendations and do some online research. Online search engines can be helpful when searching for providers and comparing prices. Select an exterminator with an established reputation and good reviews, and remember these important factors when selecting a pest control company:

- Make sure the company you select is a member of a national, state, or local pest management association.
- Before entering a contract, understand the seriousness of any problem infestations. Costs can increase once an exterminator gets into the removal process and uncovers the extent of the problem.
- If your provider offers a guarantee, make sure you understand the terms and hold up your end of the agreement. Infestations can be tricky to get rid of, so make sure you're covered.

Use these tips to aid in finding the right exterminator. If you believe you have an infestation, begin contacting and comparing providers today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9154414

A New York City Exterminator Tells Us The Places He'd Never Live

New York City is full of people — and pests. But while cockroaches, rats, and mice are everywhere, some places are more infested than others. We asked a professional exterminator to tell us what to watch out for, and where in the city he would simply never want to live.

Out of Sight - Rat Crawling Under UV Light

Watch as a rat scurries around under a UV light, leaving its mark along the way.

Why are Bed Bugs Attracted to Humans?

As their name suggests, bed bugs are most commonly found in and around beds. However, have you ever wondered why these pests are drawn to the bedroom and humans in particular?

The World’s Most Painful Insect Sting - Justin Schmidt

Find out whether a honeybee, a tarantula hawk wasp, or a bullet ant has the most painful insect sting, and what each of their stings feel like.

One of these three creatures is thought to possess the world’s most painful insect sting: there’s an ant that forages in rainforest canopies, a bee that protects a hive of delectable honey, and a wasp that paralyzes tarantulas. So which has the nastiest sting? Justin Schmidt describes and ranks the pain inflicted by each insect.

 
Lesson by Justin Schmidt, directed by Nicholas Paim, Alopra Studio.

The Life Cycle of a Tick

While small in size, ticks are dangerous pests capable of transmitting serious diseases at increasingly alarming rates. To properly identify a tick, it’s important to know what they look like at each of their four life stages. Visit TickTalk.org to learn more about these tricky pests.

5 Fascinating Facts About Rats

You are probably familiar with rats because they live pretty much everywhere. But here are 5 facts you DIDN’T know about rats!

Daddy Longlegs Risk Life ... and Especially Limb ... to Survive | Deep Look

When predators attack, daddy longlegs deliberately release their limbs to escape. They can drop up to three and still get by just fine.