Most of us already know that getting stung by an insect is less than a pleasant experience. But how much do you really know about insect bites and stings, and have you ever heard of the insect sting pain index? In this article, we’re laying out the basic facts behind several common insect stings and
There’s just something about a bug with lots of legs that gives the average person the heebie-jeebies. Some research has found that people’s fear of creepy crawly bugs stems from a natural survival instinct; some leggy bugs are, after all, venomous. However, most critters, and even a bug with lots of legs, are less harmful
Many people have an inherent fear of creepy crawlies. Most of these fears are unfounded, and most insects in the world are beneficial and essential to a healthy ecosystem. However, there are some insects that are dangerous, and having a healthy fear of these types of bugs could wind up keeping you out of harm’s
Commonly known as the house gecko due to his propensity for sneaking into our homes, the gecko is more of a beneficial animal than a pest. However, his presence in your home could be a sign of a more serious infestation of insects. Worse, if a house gecko dies in your home without your knowledge,
Bagworms are unique pests that can cause serious damage to over 120 species of trees in the United States. Native to North America, bagworms have long been a problem for gardeners and landscapers, though they remain a mysterious pest to many. Are you dealing with bagworms? Identifying an infestation can be tricky if you don’t
I once had a bug bite I was blissfully unaware of on my forearm. My mother, the ever-present jokester, gave it a scratch and then looked at me, totally dead-eyed and said, “I activated it”. She laughed, I laughed, we all laughed. But then I slowly realized that what she’d said was true; she had
You spend a good amount of time in your garden nurturing your plants and vegetation, and it can be unnerving when you notice damage to your plants. It can be worse when you discover that the culprits are little white bugs on plants that you don’t quite recognize. There are thousands of different plant-eating pests
Earwigs are some of the least appealing insects to come across for a number of reasons. They’re fast, damaging to gardens in large numbers, and they pinch! The good news is that earwigs are not dangerous to people or pets. You’re also not very likely to run into an earwig infestation inside or outside of
There’s no greater fear than the fear of the unknown. At least that’s what people say. We’d have to agree, especially when it comes to dealing with tiny black bugs in your home. If you don’t know what these critters are, you can quickly find your imagination spiraling out of control. What are these tiny
Have you noticed bugs in rice? If so, you’re not alone. Bugs in rice, also known as rice weevils, are considered some of the most common and destructive pantry pets in the United States. Likely originating from India, rice weevils are common now throughout most of the world. It can be difficult to manage a
It’s certainly no fun when you’re trying to enjoy the outdoors alongside little black bugs that bite. But what exactly are these annoying pests? Small, hardly noticeable, and with a big bite, these little bugs are almost worse than mosquitoes. What’s more, it seems like there’s been an influx of these pests the last couple
When you think of moths, do you think of those boring, brown pests that beat against your screen at night or flutter around your porch lights? If so, you’re not alone. Most of us regard moths as common pests, and while these mostly nocturnal insects have been around nearly 50 million years longer than their
There’s almost nothing as horrifying as pouring a bowl of cereal or reaching for the flour to bake some homemade goodies only to find them crawling with bugs. Talk about getting the heebie jeebies! If you’re wondering how to get rid of flour bugs, then chances are you’ve just been through this very scenario. First
“Ouch! What just bit me?” This is a phrase uttered by hundreds, if not thousands, of Americans each and every day. Bug bites occur regularly and can happen almost anywhere on your body you can imagine. Of course, some bug bites are more common than others, especially here in the United States. Are you looking
It’s summer, which means your fun in the sun is about to be combated with a plethora of flying and biting insects. Mosquitoes, gnats and midges, oh my! There are plenty of insects to contend with in the summer heat, but midges are some of the most annoying. Their bite can be painful and they
Closely related to and often mistaken for silverfish, firebrat bugs are a common household pest in many American homes. That said, they are nothing to fear. Firebrats don’t carry any diseases and are harmless to people and pets. When they stay outside, they play an important role in our environment as natural decomposers. Still, firebrats
Springtail bugs are a common pest throughout the United States. Attracted to moisture, they often congregate outside in gardens, mulch, soil, garden sheds, and sometimes beneath dog houses. While they typically go unnoticed, springtail bugs can become problematic when they enter our homes, where they can multiply quickly and congregate in the thousands. Luckily, these
Though they thrive in regions with higher humidity, Silverfish are a year-round pests common in many households throughout the United States. While silverfish pose no dangers to humans or pets and while they do not bite, they can still be destructive and annoying. These small insects, named for their silvery color and fish-like body shapes,
Summer is June bug season and if you live anywhere in the eastern United States or southern Canada, you’re already sick and tired of these annoying and garden-destroying pests. Often associated with warmer weather, the presence of June bugs typically indicates the beginning of summer. In fact, the June bug’s infamous pitter-patter against windows at
Scorpions are certainly intimidating creatures. They have elongated bodies, two dangerous looking pinchers, and their curved tail totes a built in stinger that is filled with venom. Though most scorpions in the United States are not considered dangerous to humans, there are two species of poisonous scorpions you should know about. Of course, even if
Considered by many pest experts to be the most common pest in the United States, the Indian Meal Moth is an invasive species of moth famous for its incredible reproduction rate and talent for destroying pantry foods. With a ravenous appetite and knack for stealth, it may be difficult to realize you have an Indian
Are you wondering how to get rid of palmetto bugs? These insects are a common pest throughout the United States. Palmetto bugs may go by many names, but regardless of what you call a palmetto bug, the reality is the same – these insects are unsanitary, problematic, and sometimes even dangerous to human health. But
Are you wondering how to get rid of chiggers? You may not be able to see chiggers with the naked eye, but if you have chiggers hanging around your yard or property, you’ll likely know. Infamous for their itchy, welt-like bites, nearly microscopic size, and knack for feeding on people and pets, chiggers are one
The potato bug is a formidable foe, especially for those attempting to grow their own crops. Mostly attracted to potatoes but also known to chow down on other types of vegetation in the nightshade family, the potato bug can wreak havoc on gardens and is not only a destructive pest, but a stubborn one. Many
The box elder bug, named for the tree it prefers to live and feed on, is a nuisance pest that may not be poisonous, threatening, or even damaging, but can still cause serious issues when it chooses to overwinter in your home. Because they congregate in such large masses, box elder bugs are generally seen
If you’re dealing with waterbugs, you’re probably not a very happy camper right now. These nasty insects are not only unnerving but also often a sign of bigger issues like water leaks, clogged drains, and otherwise unsanitary conditions. Waterbugs are also the most difficult of the cockroach species to get rid of. But that doesn’t
For some of us, pest control options can feel limited. This is especially true for those of us looking for all natural pest control options that don’t contain harsh chemicals or ingredients that can be harmful to our family and pets. Unfortunately, not all natural pest control options work as well as commercial repellents with
If you have a stink bug problem in your garden or home, don’t worry. These pests are not poisonous or harmful to humans or pets. That said, they can wreak havoc on our gardens and are especially damaging to edible plants like vegetables and fruits. In fact, stink bugs have been known to eradicate crops
For many people, the presence of a lizard or two in their garden or near their property is no big deal. After all, these little reptiles serve as natural pest control, feasting on all kinds of pests like roaches, beetles, flies, and ants. However, when the lizard population grows out of control and they’ve taken