Many people don’t realize that they can prevent ticks in ways other than wearing repellent and protective clothing. No only can you have your property treated by a professional exterminator, but there are steps you can take in the management of your property that will make it less attractive to ticks (see Ticks Should Be
VIEW MORELyme disease remains the most commonly reported tick-transmitted disease in the U.S., but newly recognized tick diseases seem to be appearing all the time. Babesiosis is a relatively new tick-borne disease, occurring in the Northeast and upper Midwest (see Emerging Tick Disease in Our Area). Two other tick diseases have appeared in Massachusetts recently: anaplasmosis, and the even newer miyamotoi.
VIEW MOREI can’t get my kids to play in the backyard because of little green worms that are dropping out of the trees and landing on them and on everything else. Now I’m remembering that these worms and their silk threads were all over decks and sidewalks last spring, too. What are they? R.N., Hampton, NH
VIEW MOREAccording to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health Services, most cases of Lyme disease in the state occur between May and August when the nymphal stage of the black-legged tick is most active. Nymphal feeding activity begins in April, peaks in June or July, and by fall the nymphs have molted into adult ticks.
VIEW MORECarpet beetle larvae remain hidden in or under their food source. They’re rarely seen unless you have a seriously infested item and the infestation eventually becomes obvious. After the larvae pupate and the adult beetles emerge in early spring, they are attracted to light in an attempt to get outside to mate. At this time, carpet beetles are climbing walls and flying to windows. You can find them dead on windowsills or caught up in spider webs near lights
VIEW MOREFortunately, spring is a good time to find out whether your powderpost beetle infestation is still active. The adult beetles emerge from the wood in the spring, leaving behind tiny round, exit holes. The little dark beetles are rarely seen but they are attracted to windows and lights.
VIEW MOREClover mites can end up inside homes in fall, late winter, and early spring. Find out how to control an invasion of clover mites.
VIEW MOREMy wife is not really fond of insects, and on our recent trip I was reminded of this fact once again. After I tore apart our room at the resort and pronounced the all clear for bedbugs, that didn’t mean there were not insects in the room. There were some, but I just didn’t care about
VIEW MORE“Snow Fleas” are Springtails Once the ravages of the Northeastern winter begin to subside, insects of all types begin to emerge from their long sleep. Springtails, sometimes called “snow fleas,” are often some of the first to wake up and be noticed. Belonging to the Order Collembola, springtails are some of the most primitive and
VIEW MORE32 Lake Ave.
Worcester, MA 01604
47 Thames Rd Ste 6&7
Hooksett, NH 03106