Often mistaken for bees, due to their yellow-and-black coloring, yellow jackets are actually wasps. At about 1 1/2 inches long, they triple the average honey bee in length. Although the end of the warm-weather months means larvae production stops and males die off after mating, the yellow jacket is at its most active during the…
We’ve previously written about the movement to save important pollinators like bees, and maybe that article caused you to think twice about breaking out the insecticide in your Illinois garden. But it’s difficult to muster that same sympathy for their winged brethren – wasps. Not only are they sting-happy and easily agitated, they just look…
You may already be aware that bed bugs are a threat when traveling. Unfortunately, they’ve now become a scourge in public settings ranging from hospitals to college campuses. Bed bug populations can easily spread via our belongings, and international travel hubs like Chicago, IL are especially vulnerable. As you head to school this fall, try…
The Great Lakes are an amazing collective resource for Wisconsin and the rest of the region. Lake Superior and Lake Michigan supply parts of the state with diverse wildlife, recreational opportunities, and even drinking water. Unfortunately, the many benefits we experience also come with a price. If you own a home near a Great Lake…
Summer is in full swing, with people in Illinois and all over the country getting outside and soaking up some sun. Unfortunately, with the arrival of warm weather comes one major downside: mosquitoes. These pests not only have an annoying bite, but have been carriers of diseases harmful to humans for centuries. In the U.S.,…
Summer is all about outdoor fun. Holiday barbecues, weekend pool parties, and summer-break sleepovers fill our time. Take full advantage of sunny days and warm evenings by gathering your family and friends for some serious celebrating. Unfortunately, ants have the same idea – they’re most active during the summer months. Take these measures to prevent…
They scare the kids, sting your guests and pets, and act as an overall nuisance at family gatherings. Whether they’re flying around to munch on your sugary snacks or inhabiting a nest near your patio table, no one knows how to ruin a party like wasps. By utilizing the proper pest control methods, you can…
Picture this: It’s the dead of winter in Illinois. Just when you think you’re safe from the mob of insects that disappeared after the first frost, you spot a fly on your windowpane. You move to swat it, but then another appears. And another. And then you begin to hear a low hum coming from…
Ever had a fly land on your face when you’re talking? It’s pretty revolting, isn’t it? These pests have no regard for your personal bubble. They fly around your face, land on your food and invade your home like they own the place. Flies thrive in Illinois and on every continent, and they live for…
Shut your doors and windows – there’s an army headed your way. It’s not an angry mob or foreign invaders attacking Illinois: It’s ants, and they’re looking for food. With more than 3,000 species in the United States, you’re bound to see these tiny invaders wherever you go. Although they tend to stay outside where…
Spring has sprung in the Midwest! People are finally packing away their heavy winter coats and emerging from their homes after another frigid winter to find the sun shining and flowers already in bloom. But something else out there is emerging, too. And for some Illinois residents, it’s enough to make them shun the springtime…
It’s happened to us all: We’re enjoying a good time on our patio when a wasp comes swooping in and sends us ducking and running back indoors. Stinging pests like wasps don’t always invade our space with evil intentions. In fact, they’re highly curious and just want to get a closer look of the large…
