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How can I tell if those are flying ants or termites swarming at the foundation of my house?

Ant alate
  • Ants have a thin waist (a narrow area between the thorax and first abdominal segment).
  • Front pair of wings is larger than the hind pair.
  • Wings have few veins and are usually clear.

Termite alate
  • Termite thorax and abdomen are broadly connected.
  • Four wings are approximately the same size and shape.
  • Wings have many veins and may be milky-colored.
Anatomical differences between ant alate (top) and termite alate (bottom).  Drawings courtesy of University of Florida Extension.
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What to do if you have a squirrel in your attic?

There are several species of tree squirrels in North America, and the particular mix varies from region to region. Nationwide, they include the

  • gray squirrel (Scirus carolinensis),
  • fox squirrel (S. niger),
  • red squirrel (Tamiascirus hudsonicus),
  • flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus and G. volans).

While there are important behavioral differences among these species that affect their management, this article will discuss a general framework for controlling squirrel problems in buildings.

The laws regarding squirrel …

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How can I get rid of rat burrows around my house?

First, you need to make sure that it is in fact a rat/rodent burrow you are observing around your home.

Rats create underground pathways or burrows from their nest to food sources and to escape predators. These burrows are often located under bushes or other types of dense vegetation. Rat burrows usually contain a main entrance and 1 or 2 exit holes away from the main entrance. Check along walls and grass for runways. Rats run along the same …

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Should I spray around the outside of my house to keep insects from coming in?

spraying perimeter of a homeBarrier spraying is NOT the most effective method of preventing insects from entering a home. Insects have a part in the ecosystem, so measures should be taken to exclude the pests from the home, not kill all insects, as some can be beneficial.

Having a home that is tightly sealed, following good sanitation measures, and checking packages entering the home is the most effective way to prevent insect entry.

Here are some tips to prevent insect entry:

  1. Make sure all
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How do Bed Bug Sniffing Dogs Work?

Bed bug sniffing dog.

Do you suspect that you have a bed bug problem? This might just be exactly what you are looking for. This video from the University of Nebraska Lincoln does a great job of explaining exactly how a bed bug sniffing dog works.

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