There they are again — those strange scratching and skittering sounds that might be coming from the wall. Surely, it’s not what you dread most — a rodent infestation (ugh!). Unfortunately, mice, rats, and other rodents do move into buildings, seeking warmth, food, and shelter. While winter’s cold is a primary force driving these critters indoors, storms, rain, and drought can do so, too. Before you panic over the sounds, look for other signs of a rodent infestation. Rest assured, if you need rodent control, Mosquito Joe® will handle it for you. Droppings If you discover dark gray, brown ..read more

Are All Scorpions Poisonous? If you just encountered a scorpion, you may wonder whether all scorpions are poisonous. While every one of the nearly 2,000 scorpion species worldwide is venomous, just 30 to 40 species are potent enough to be deadly to healthy adult humans. In the United States, the deadliest scorpion is the Arizona bark scorpion found throughout the Southwest, particularly in Arizona, Nevada, southeastern California, and parts of New Mexico. Due to medical advances and the accessibility of antivenom, deaths from the Arizona bark scorpion are rare. Scorpions are fascinating creatu ..read more

  Even in parts of the country buried under snow, our gardens remain busy places in winter. Flower bulbs root in, and shrubs replenish their energies in preparation for glorious spring blooms. Wildlife forages for food, and overwintering insects employ various survival strategies. While some winter pests enter a state akin to hibernation, others are actively eating and growing, ready to produce huge broods when spring arrives. Let’s take a look at the most common overwintering pests and see what they may be up to in your garden. Most Common Overwintering Pests The most common overwinterin ..read more

Overwintering Insects — How Do Insects Survive the Winter? Winter is a challenging time for all forms of life. We bring precious plants indoors to protect them from winter’s chill. Some people retreat to warmer climates, while others turn up the thermostat and bundle up in warmer clothes. Birds, animals, and insects face the same choices, with some migrating and others sheltering in place. Some even go dormant to pass the winter in slumber. Let’s take a look at overwintering insects to see how these winter pests survive the cold. (Spoiler alert: some of them come indoors to spend the winter in ..read more

  Walking around your property, you may spy little eggs on leaves and in your garden area. There’s a high likelihood you’re looking at insect eggs just waiting to hatch. Understanding some basic insect egg identification can help you know what types of eggs they are and when you should be concerned about their presence. At Mosquito Joe®, we know all about insect eggs and the nuisance they can cause. Our tell-all guide will provide further insight. Why Should You Care About Insect Eggs? You should care about insect eggs because insects lay eggs in large quantities. The sooner you can remov ..read more

  Have you considered adding flowers or other plants to your backyard? It’s a great way to spruce up the area and really embrace what the summer is all about. But before you begin, you should be aware of potential issues you might face, and we’re not talking about insects. The tree of heaven is an invasive plant species that could already be growing in the soil around your home or near plants in your yard. Either way, if you come across this plant, it’s essential to let the qualified service professionals at Mosquito Joe® remove it from your property. Although we specialize in outdoor pes ..read more

  When discussing potentially harmful pests, a common one you’ll often hear about is ticks. These strange creatures latch onto a host through physical contact. You might be out enjoying nature and inadvertently come in contact with them in the grass or by brushing against one on a tree branch. These opportunistic pests can also be transferred onto you by another person or your pet. Unfortunately, these pests can negatively impact your health. While mosquitoes are known to carry certain diseases like West Nile or Zika, infected ticks can transmit Lyme disease, which can cause serious healt ..read more

  Flea bites are itchy and obnoxious — but what can you do? If you have pets, you have to deal with fleas. Right? After all, how dangerous are fleas, anyway? Aren’t they a small, irritating price to pay for the company of our beloved pets? Unfortunately, flea bites can cause more serious problems than you might think. For both you and your pet(s). For those who are sensitive to them, flea bites can range from irritating to maddening for animals and people. They can also pose serious health issues for your pets, family, and you. The dangers of flea bites go well beyond skin deep. Let’s tak ..read more

  You might know ticks as annoying pests that you need to worry about throughout the summer. They aren’t the most pleasant guests because they can carry diseases that harm your health. However, tick control services and other solutions are readily available. It’s just a matter of learning how to get rid of ticks in your yard using the method that’s right for you. Get Rid of Ticks with Natural Remedies Before you go on a tick-eliminating spree, it’s important to consider the best way to deal with these pests. Of course, you can blast them with pesticides. But those can be a bit harsh, espe ..read more

  When fall rolls around every September, aren’t we able to bid farewell to all the creepy crawling bugs and rodents that have been invading our space all summer? Unfortunately, no. The fall season is the time that pests mate, hibernate, and take shelter from the cooler weather. In this article, the pest control experts at Mosquito Joe® share information about the fall pests you’re most likely to find in your home and garden this year and some simple ways to prevent them. Pests That Infest Homes in the Fall Did you think mosquitos hightail it to Florida when the weather gets cooler? Unfor ..read more