While not as issue for New England states, a 17-year cicada cycle will conclude in May when billions of cicadas emerge from the earth. The three affected eastern U.S. epicenters are in Washington, D.C. and surrounding suburbs, Indiana, and Knoxville, Tennessee. Don’t make the common mistake of confusing cicadas with locusts. Locusts are a species… Read more »
When you hear about hornets in New England, it’s probably regarding the bald-faced hornet or the European hornet. But the European hornet is the only true hornet found in North America. Both insects are in the family Vespidae, but they are different genus and species. The bald-faced hornet is more closely related to yellowjackets than… Read more »
Chances are you’ve seen a larder beetle before. If someone described a small, oval bug with a dark-colored body and a light stripe around, it would probably sound familiar. Larder beetles are a common and frequent guest in both residential and commercial settings. The name comes from their presence in dried, cured meats stored at… Read more »
We know that ticks are vectors of terrible diseases like Lyme and Rocky Mountain spotted fever in humans. But what about cats? In this blog, we’ll explore what diseases ticks spread to cats, how to spot them, and how to prevent your cat from getting them in the first place. You want to keep your… Read more »
The first signs of termite season are swarmers. Swarmers are winged young adult male and female termites that have left to start a new colony. Swarmers are also called reproductives. Termites can cause $5 billion in damage annually, and it’s usually not covered by insurance. Keep reading to find out more about swarmers, and how… Read more »
Experts predict that 2019 could be a busy season for carpenter ants. “A winter with a large snowpack usually leads to an uptick in carpenter ant activity in the spring,” said Joe Hyland, one of Modern Pest’s Associate Certified Entomologists (A.C.E.). Snowfall totals throughout Maine were above average, with Northern Maine well above average. Snowpack… Read more »
Spring’s mix of warmth and moisture is practically an alarm clock for pests to emerge from their overwintering spots. Activity increases inside and outside of homes as pests seek food and water. Many are looking to mate. The warmer weather also wakes up pests that are already inside your walls from last fall. Some will… Read more »
Mosquito, flea, and tick season is upon us. When temperatures reach a consistent 50 degrees, mosquito eggs begin hatching and mosquito season begins. This means that in New England, the season starts in late April and early May. Early spring is also when fleas and ticks become active. Their bites, stings, and mere presence can… Read more »
Termite Awareness Week is usually the second week of March. It’s a national observance where the pest control industry educates the public about termite risk and prevention. Following an unusually warm winter, professionals are predicting an early termite season. Termites are one of the most destructive pests and can cause $5 billion in damage annually.… Read more »
The four most common tick species found in New England are American dog ticks, Brown dog ticks, Black-legged (deer) ticks, and Lone Star ticks. The highest risk of being bitten by a tick is during spring and summer. Infestations have been on the rise over the past few years, which is a concern for pest… Read more »