As your trusted integrative pest control partner, we’re here to empower concerned families and business management professionals with practical strategies to safeguard their yards or indoor spaces at their homes or offices from pesky carpenter bees.  This comprehensive guide will teach you how to protect wood from carpenter bees. We’ll explore chemical-free and chemical methods to combat carpenter bee invasions, ensuring a pest-free environment for your loved ones or employees. With Vulcan Termite and Pest Control services and guides on our blog, you can rest assured knowing your ..read more

Is your yard covered in anthills and their many tenants? You’re likely ready to evict these unwanted guests, and we can’t blame you. Not only do anthills blemish the overall look of your landscape but their rapid construction also makes it easy to find yourself stepping into one that wasn’t there the day before, and facing the pain of the furious ants inside.  Whatever the reason anthills are causing you trouble, our experts in integrative pest management are here to help. Learn how to get rid of anthills in your yard effectively! How to Get Anthills Out of Your Yard Here are a few DIY m ..read more

Weevils are notorious for being the bugs that get in flour. To the naked eye, weevils moving in a bag of flour can look like buzzing grains of rice because of how tiny they are. Are you having trouble with bugs in flour? Find helpful weevil advice from our experts in integrative pest management below! Signs of Flour Bugs (Weevils) Even though weevils are tiny and sometimes hard to spot, they can leave behind signs when they are around. Have you seen cobwebs on the floor? They might not be cobwebs but overlapping trails of the yeasty, viscous secretions that larvae leave behind when crawling ..read more

Do Swimming Pools Attract Mosquitoes? Mosquito Repellent for Pools All kinds of flying pests love pools for different reasons. For example, wasps, bees, and hornets have strong senses of smell, are drawn to chlorine-treated pools, and enjoy taking a dip to cool off and bring some water back to their nests or hives. So, what about mosquitoes? Why are mosquitoes always congregating around my pool? Do swimming pools attract mosquitoes and for what reason? Do Swimming Pools Attract Mosquitoes? Yes, swimming pools attract mosquitoes, especially if the water is stagnant, still, or standing. Mosquit ..read more

How to Keep Wasps Away from My Pool: Tips and Tricks Why Do Wasps & Other Flying Insects Love My Pool? Every living creature needs water to survive, and your pool is a large, predictable water source for nearby insects.  In the summer, hornets, bees, and wasps don’t just drink the water they can find: They often bring it back to their nests for the rest of their broods. Pool floats and other accessories out in the sun can be intriguing places for them to build nests and lay eggs. Wasps, in particular, are a little peculiar: They crave pool water because they love the smell of chlorin ..read more

  Summer 2024 will go down in U.S. history for a wildlife event occurring for the first time in at least 200 years: The simultaneous summer “awakening” of five-year (also known as annual), 13- and 17-year periodical cicadas. “Look through the following sections for all the facts you need to know about cicadas, this summer’s massive emergence, and humane cicada control solutions!”    —Our specialists, Vulcan Termite & Pest Control of Birmingham, Alabama  Cicadas 101 Periodical cicadas are winged insects, considered “true bugs.” More than 150 species of periodical c ..read more

Today, we’re taking a deep dive into carpet beetles, an invasive pest in Alabama and the rest of North America. What Are Carpet Beetles? Carpet beetles are insects of the Anthrenus genus and verbasciare species.  What Are Carpet Beetles Like in Each Life Stage? As a “true insect” with a metamorphic life cycle, each carpet beetle has four stages of life: egg, pupa, larva, and imago (adult). Their entire cycle of life lasts ~150 to 420 days. Let’s break down the appearance, duration, behavior, and more about carpet beetles in each life stage: Egg Days Spent in this Stage: In a warm environ ..read more

  Skunks are notorious for digging up yards and gardens. Their famous defense mechanism makes them a tricky foe to deal with. While they often don’t want to have to spray you or your pet, the stench can linger for weeks. It’s best to watch for these creatures that may have made themselves at home near yours. Below, we will give some clear signs of a skunk as well as what you can do. Why You Might See Skunks More Often Skunks are commonly misunderstood creatures. As more and more people move to residential areas, skunk’s natural habitats are taken from them. For this reason, they tend to ..read more

  Houseplants can often be a major attractor for pests. Many wonder why these plants draw so much attention. Gnats are a common culprit, drawn to the damp soil of houseplants where they lay their eggs. These annoying bugs, who more specifically are often fungus gnats, can also cause major damage to houseplants through their feeding habits. What Are Gnats Anyway? Commonly mistaken for tiny mosquitoes or fruit flies, gnats are flies that are slender and have long legs. They are actually a part of the Orfelia and Bradysia species. Gnats will not bite people or pets, but they can do damage t ..read more

With nearly 5,000 species worldwide, you’ve likely seen your fair share of lizards. Here in Alabama, there are 17 species of lizards, 13 of which are native to the state. Lizards are fascinating reptiles, and many people keep them as pets. However, even if you appreciate these scaly reptiles as we do, we understand that you may want to keep them off your property—or at least reduce their abundant presence. If you want to learn more about lizards and how to keep them off your property humanely and harmlessly, just keep reading! Reasons to Love Lizards You likely are here because you’re asking ..read more