Each year we get a number of calls related to Sowbugs and Pillbugs. These ubiquitous little creatures are the only crustaceans that are able to live out of water. In fact, sowbugs and pillbugs actually have gills similar to crabs and lobsters. Due to their close relationship to ocean dwellers, sowbugs and pillbugs require a
VIEW MOREJust because it’s almost winter, don’t think that you’re safe from deer ticks and the diseases that they transmit. In fall, the most common stage seen is the adult tick which remains active all winter, seeking blood from deer (or you, if you’re handy). Deer ticks don’t hibernate; they are not killed by frost or
VIEW MOREQuestion We need your advice desperately! We’ve lived in our new home for 3 months now. About three weeks ago, we started seeing these really tiny beetles everywhere. They’re in almost every room and they fly to lights at night. They’re driving us crazy and we can’t figure out where they’re coming from. Answer I
VIEW MOREWith summer and baseball season approaching, it seems like a good time to ask that eternal question, “Why do flies like beer?” That’s just what entomologists at University of California Riverside did, and they came up with the answer. In case this sounds like frivolous research to you, know that Anupama Dahanukar, whose lab conducted
VIEW MOREI recently saw this tiny brown bug with pincers walking on the ceiling in my bedroom. What is it? It sounds like a pseudoscorpion. The first thing you might be thinking is eek! Scorpion! Danger! Not to worry, but I agree with those sentiments about real scorpions and am quite happy they’re not up here
VIEW MOREWhen last we spoke, I said that next time I’d take a look at other invasive insect pests. Since my livelihood as an entomologist revolves around the ‘structural pest’ control industry, easily the most important invasive insect pest is the Formosan termite (Coptotermes formosanus). This highly destructive termite species has large colonies, and consumes wood
VIEW MOREWhat exactly is meant by the term invasive? Here is a good definition and could be applied to any non-native (plant or animal) species. “Invasive species” means an alien species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. Problems arising from the accidental or intentional introduction
VIEW MOREMoisture attracts pests, there’s no doubt about that. And we’re not just talking about insect pests, but also pests such as mold which can destroy wood just as easily as insects. Insects that infest wood, like carpenter ants and termites, often begin their infestations in wood that is damp—usually from a plumbing leak, roof leak,
VIEW MOREQuestion We recently moved into a new home right on the shore of a large lake. When we try to use our deck, we are plagued by swarms of small flies that the locals call midges. Sometimes it seems like there are hundreds of them sitting on the side of the house. Would it help
VIEW MORE32 Lake Ave.
Worcester, MA 01604
47 Thames Rd Ste 6&7
Hooksett, NH 03106