Earwigs are those insects with the ominous-looking pincers on their rear end. They are outdoor insects that sometimes end up inside. Despite their appearance, earwigs are relatively harmless and are considered to be occasional nuisance pests. 18 Earwig Facts The species that most commonly infest homes are the European earwig (an introduced species about ½-inch
VIEW MOREHouse fly Question Why would I have house flies inside my house? I know they’re associated with garbage, but the kitchen garbage can is covered and I take the garbage out regularly. I see them mostly in the upstairs bedrooms, sometimes several each day.—T. Y., Chichester, NH Answer You sound like a candidate for a
VIEW MOREDogs and cats can get tapeworm from eating poop infected with tapeworm, but more commonly they get tapeworm from swallowing a flea. If your pet has fleas, it’s not unusual for a flea to be ingested during self-grooming. If that flea is infected with a tapeworm larva, the larva is now able to develop into
VIEW MOREGnat Question I’m a receptionist in a large office building in downtown Boston. In the main lobby, we have several indoor plants in a large brick planter. We have an ongoing problem in the lobby with little gnats. We had an exterminator spray but the gnats came back. I’m responsible for watering the plants and
VIEW MOREWood decay or wood rot is not only a problem in itself, but it also contributes to insect damage. Insects that feed on, or nest in, wood often start their infestation in softer, decayed or damp wood. In any home, there will be uncountable fungal spores, waiting in dormancy for the high moisture level needed
VIEW MOREQuestion We’ve seen a couple of flies inside the house and now I’m finding these white worms crawling up the walls in my kitchen! Do you think flies are breeding in our food somewhere? What do fly maggots look like?—A. D., Amesbury, MA Answer No, I don’t think flies are breeding in your food, but
VIEW MOREWe’ve seen this scenario happen more than once. A family goes on vacation. They close up the house and board the family dog and cat. When they return a few weeks later and settle back in to their home, they are attacked by fleas. What happened? They didn’t have fleas in their house when they
VIEW MOREThe size and shape of an insect’s legs vary according to the insect’s habits. While the basic leg type is the simple walking leg seen on cockroaches and most beetles, many insects have at least one pair of legs that are modified for a special purpose. Legs may be short and stout for digging (mole
VIEW MOREQuestion When I was opening up a wall in our basement, I discovered a slow plumbing leak and wet wood that has some kind of damage. The wood is soft and crumbly. Is there any way to tell if that is old termite damage (I don’t see any insects), or if it’s wood rot?—M. W.,
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