in length with a dark reddish brown color. Fire Ants will build their nest in mounds of outdoor soil, landscape areas, open pastures, vegetable gardens or near a building's foundation (occasionally entering through holes or cracks in walls & foundation) and in some instances, they do not build mounds but nest in rotten logs, walls of buildings or under sidewalks. Their mounds are typically dome-shaped (resembling gopher mounds) and can be more than 15 inches high, 15 inches wide and five feet deep (which can cause damage to plant roots and lead to loss of crops). They also have been known to invade air conditioners and traffic lights because of their attraction to electrical current. Fire Ants are omnivores, feeding on vegetation: plants, tree sap, fruit, grass, other insects and small animals that nest on the ground. Fire Ants are more agressive than other ant species and are named for their fiery, burning sting. If disturbed (especially around their mound), they will attack and repeatedly sting the intruder (animals & humans), latching on with their barbed jaws, resulting in painful, raised red welts that become blisters, usually leaving battle scars. If biten, over the counter topical cream, antihistamines and aloe vera will all alleviate symptoms, however, persons allergic to insect bites will react more severely and should seek medical attention. If you suspect a Fire Ant mound nest, avoid it and contact a professional Pest Control Company. In addition, some prevention steps include: Keeping tree branches and other plants cut back from your home, seal cracks & openings around your home and do not store firewood or building materials next to your home. - Interesting Fact: Fire Ants hate water. That's why after a heavy rain, mounds seem to appear overnight. These mounds are raised to keep the eggs and larvae out of the water zone.

mild-mannered European Honeybee, the new Africanized Honeybee had a very aggresive nature, earning them the nickname "Killer Bee". The sting of an Africanized Honeybee is no more potent than another variety of Honeybee and can only sting once, however, what makes them more dangerous is that they are easily provoked, quick to swarm, attack in greater numbers and will pursue victims for greater distances, increasing your chances of a severe allergic reaction which can be life-threatening, especially to people allergic to stings or with limited capacity to escape (the young, the old and handicapped, confined livestock and pets. If stung, seek shelter in a house or car. Do not jump in the water, they will just wait around until you come up for air. Once safe, remove stingers from your skin to reduce the amount of venom they inject and seek medical attention. Even though Bees are potentially dangerous, we need them. They are responsible for the life of our trees, flowers and the food we eat. That being said, avoid Bee hives and if you do see one, report to a local Beekeeper or Pest Control Company for safe handling. Also, look before disturbing vegetation areas and be cautious around old tires, crates, boxes, empty cars, meter boxes, overturned flower pots and crack & holes in walls, Africanized Honeybees nest in these types of areas and will attack very quickly. This is why it is important to clean up debris & seal/caulk holes around your home that might provide nesting sites for these Bees.

currently having work done on it, consult with your contractor to see if you've got termites and don't even know it!

sleep). Once approached, the male will stop chirping, but as soon as you leave, the cycle starts all over again. Females can lay approximately 700 eggs outdoors & 100 eggs indoors. Eggs will hatch in the late summer and by the time fall arrives, adult Crickets start to wander into structures seeking mositure but also looking for a nice, warm palce to pass the winter. Crickets eat just about anything including: Fabrics, other insects, paper, wallpaper, glue and anything that we would eat. Tips to reduce the conditions that harbor and attract House Crickets include: 1) Remove leaf clutter near structure. 2) Direct sprinklers away from structure. 3) Reduce mulch to 2 inches or less. 4) Seal gaps around doors & windows. 5) Repair foundation cracks. 6) Seal around HVAC sysytems. 7) Move compost piles away from structures. 8) Clean all pet food dishes and remove spilled pet food outside. 9) Repair all leaks in structure. 10) Contact a professional Pest Control company for assistance with a treatment/prevention plan.

substances), garbage and other human foods. Known the be agressive defenders of their colonies, Yellow Jackets will attack if they feel threatened. Be careful if you see numerous amounts of them flying in and out of a single area. This will usually indicate where a colony might be located, which may contain thousands of Yellow Jackets. Do not disturb them and stay away from nests once you know where they are. The sting of a Yellow Jacket is painful and each are capable of delivering multiple stings, which can induce severe allergic reactions in some individuals. Because of the danger associated with disturbing them & their nests, never attempt to rid Yellow Jackets by yourself. Call a professioanl Pest Control company for help.

inches (150 times their own height) in either direction. Female fleas can lay up to 50 eggs per day, quickly resulting in a full blown flea infestation. Protecting your pets with a monthly flea treatment is essential in flea control especially since fleas can transfer tapeworms, spread bacterial disease and cause anemia in your pets. The good news is, new veterinary-grade products not only kill adult fleas but prevent young fleas from maturing, therfore resulting in no more eggs. Additinal prevention tips include: 1) Wash pet bedding often or replace. 2) Vacuume frequently and always remember to throw the vacuum bag away, seal in tightly. 3) If your pet lives ouside where fleas are plentiful, you will need to treat the yard as well. 4) in severe infestations, contact a professional Pest Control company for treatment options.

underground colonies or in wet areas above ground and build tunnels to each food. Homeowners are more likely to see "Swarmers" during the Spring & Summer months when groups of reproductive termites fly off to start new colonies, however, keep in mind that they are active 24/7 regardless of the season, that is why they are called the "Silent Destroyers". Unfortunately, once Termite activity is visible, your home may have already sustained significant damage from the these pests. Control tips include: 1) Repair leaking faucets, water pipes and a/c units. 2) Divert water away from foundation. 3) Keep gutters and down-spouts clean. 4) Remove excessive plant cover and wood mulch. 5) Get rid of standing water on roof. 6) Keep all vents clear & open. 7) Seal entry points around water and utility pipes. 8) Keep firewood, lumber or paper away from foundation or crawl space. 9) Get rid of stumps and debris near house. 10) Place screens on outside vents. 11) Never let wood on your home contact soil. - In addition, schedule yearly Termite inspections with a professional Pest Control company. They can identify infestations that you may not know you have.