IPM: What Is It And How Has It Changed Pest Control? IPM: What Is It And How Has It Changed Pest Control? Pest control is more than just spraying some pesticides and calling it a day. Actually, let’s rephrase that: great pest control is more than just spraying some pesticides and calling it a day. The best way to consistently eliminate and prevent pests is to use a combination of treatments, rather than relying on one product to do all the work. Enter: IPM. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) started in the 1970s as a way to cut down on pesticide use in agriculture because of the negative ef ..read more

Illinois Cicadas Use What To Defend Themselves?! Illinois Cicadas Use What To Defend Themselves?! It’s time to discuss one of the most unnerving natural events to occur in the Midwest: cicada emergences. In 2024, it’s estimated that billions of cicadas will emerge over the course of a few months. Two broods are synchronized for the first time this century, hence the unimaginable numbers of cicadas popping out from the ground this spring. But there is one more aspect of cicadas that makes their presence even more unnerving, and we’re not talking about their screeching calls. Let’s discuss how ..read more

How To Prevent Rodents From Invading Your Home — No Cheese Required! How To Prevent Rodents From Invading Your Home — No Cheese Required! No pest is a fun presence, but rodents create a certain sense of dread in anyone who has the displeasure of seeing them. Rats and mice have a laundry list of reasons why they are frustrating pests. To name a few: they transmit all kinds of diseases, chew through any household material, contaminate every surface they touch, and reproduce unbelievably fast. Rodent infestations are pretty standard of big cities, and Chicago is no exception. It’s often at the ..read more

Actions to Take Before Receiving Professional Bed Bug Services Actions to Take Before Receiving Professional Bed Bug Services Bed bug services are, believe it or not, a team effort. This sector of pest control is most effective when it’s a joint effort between the technician and the client. All of the treatment is handled by the trained professional providing the service, but there is some basic prep work that should be completed before the technician arrives to apply the products. Not to worry: this type of preparation doesn’t require any certifications or training in the intricacies of bed ..read more

Does This Viral Skincare Product Actually Attract Spiders?  Does This Viral Skincare Product Actually Attract Spiders?  News stories are the most fun to read when it feels like the topics come out of left field. Case in point: a moisturizer that a couple of online Sephora reviews claimed to have attracted wolf spiders. Spiders are generally one of the creepiest pests we see, but wolf spiders are on an entirely different level, what with their furry bodies and hundreds of babies they carry on their backs. With this in mind, it’s understandable how quickly these reviews blew up on so ..read more

The Worst Winter Pests The Worst Winter Pests Winter may seem like a strange time for pest problems, seeing as how there’s more snow on the ground now than any other time of year. But the very weather that winter is famous for is exactly what drives pests inside our homes and buildings every year. These tiny creatures can’t survive the freezing temperatures and harsh storms unless they have a cozy shelter, so they are more determined than ever to force their way inside an insulated place. Any species can become an invasive pest that gives us plenty of stress, but there are certain types that ..read more

5 Types of Holiday Decor that Attracts Pests 5 Types of Holiday Decor that Attract Pests Holiday decor is one of the most popular features of this season because everyone can choose their own decor based on their personal traditions and tastes. Whether you prefer to buy new trendy decor every year or to pull out the countless bins of your family’s decorations, there is certainly no shortage of holiday cheer once the whole house is decorated! It’s fun to look at all of the festive decor in homes and businesses, but we are not the only ones who enjoy holiday decorations. Believe it or not, sea ..read more

How to Shop Secondhand Pest-Free How to Shop Secondhand Pest-Free Shopping at thrift stores and secondhand shops — aka “thrifting” — has become quite the trendy pastime over the past decade. What started as an easy way for people to purchase gently-used items that are far more affordable than retail products is now a popular hobby, especially among the younger population. It is a fun experience to visit a thrift store and peruse the endless racks of vintage clothing, stacked shelves of cookware, and piles of used books.  That being said, there is an additional risk involved when shoppin ..read more

What Would Pests Be Thankful For? What Would Pests Be Thankful For? Happy early Thanksgiving from Pointe Pest Control! This Thursday is one of the most popular holidays in the country, thanks to the exciting traditions of eating delicious foods and having a day off from work and school. Many households have an additional Thanksgiving tradition at the start of the big meal, where all of the guests take turns sharing what they are most thankful for in their lives. Some people take their moment of gratitude seriously (good health, a steady income, this delectable meal), while others use it to s ..read more

Analyzing the Spider Superpowers of the Original Neighborhood Spider-Man – Part 2 Analyzing the Spider Superpowers of the Original Neighborhood Spider-Man – Part 2 Welcome to part two of our mini-series on comparing Spider-Man’s (Tobey’s version) powers to those of real spiders! If you missed the first blog, you can check it out here to have the full analysis of his powers. Today, we are focusing on the other three main superpowers that Spidey exhibits across the trilogy. A nerdy photographer by day and an agile web-slinger by night, this Spider-Man has all kinds of powers that come in handy ..read more