Pest Library

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    [content] => <p>Almost everyone has experienced a bee sting or bug bite at some point in life, and it&rsquo;s never fun. To help you better identify (and avoid) stinging insects, we&rsquo;ve put together this round-up of the most common stinger here in North Carolina!</p>

<h3><br>Treating insect stings&nbsp;</h3>

<p><br>For most stinging insects, the most general reactions include swelling, redness, and itching. To treat a sting, carefully remove the stinger if needed, wash the sting with soap and water, apply a cold pack to reduce swelling, and take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce pain or an antihistamine to reduce the chance of an allergic reaction. If any of the following symptoms develop, see a medical professional immediately: &nbsp;&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>● &nbsp; &nbsp; Trouble breathing or a tight feeling in the throat<br>● &nbsp; &nbsp; Severe reddening or swelling of the skin<br>● &nbsp; &nbsp; Nausea or vomiting&nbsp;<br>● &nbsp; &nbsp; A rapid heartbeat&nbsp;<br>● &nbsp; &nbsp; Dizziness&nbsp;<br>● &nbsp; &nbsp; Loss of consciousness</p>

<h3>Stinging Insects Round-Up</h3>

<h4>Bumble Bees</h4>

<p><img alt="Bumble bee flying toward flower" height="366" src="https://bcms-files.s3.amazonaws.com/Rv4pXBZmdK-1114/images/www.maxpixel.net-Insect-F-Bumble-Bee-Bumble-Bee-Bumblebee-2361336.jpg" width="550"></p>

<p>Up first is the most well-known stingers, the bumblebee! Bumblebees are generally peaceful and will only sting if they&rsquo;re feeling threatened or if their hive is distributed. So, if one is flying around you (maybe smelling your perfume), try to leave it be and not swat it away. Did you know only female bees have stingers? Their smooth stingers allow them to string multiple times. Another fun fact is that bees are technically <a href="/blog/post/venomous-and-poisonous-what-s-the-difference">venomous</a>, and the venom within their stinger is actually what causes your body to react.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>● &nbsp; &nbsp; Fun fact: Only female Bumblebees can sting</p>

<h4>Bald-faced Hornets&nbsp;</h4>

<p>Up next is the Bald-faced Hornet, which is closely related to the Yellow Jacket (and is not technically considered a hornet). They are black in color with a white-patterned face and long, thin, wasp-like bodies, between 1/2 and 5/8th of an inch long. Bald-faced Hornets are much more aggressive than bumblebees, so if you see an infestation, be sure to <a href="/home-pest-control">call a professional</a> to remove them properly. You&rsquo;ll know you have an infestation if you see a nest, which are &ldquo;<a href="https://asknature.org/strategy/nests-made-of-paper/">paper carton</a>&rdquo; style nests, typically found at 3 or more feet off the ground in trees, shrubs, houses, sheds, or other structures.</p>

<p>&nbsp;<br>● &nbsp; &nbsp; Fun fact: Bald-faced Hornets colonies can contain between 100-400 members at their peak&nbsp;</p>

<h4><br>European Hornets &nbsp;</h4>

<p><img alt="European Hornet hanging from leaf" height="366" src="https://bcms-files.s3.amazonaws.com/Rv4pXBZmdK-1114/images/european-hornet-3612231_640.jpg" width="550"></p>

<p>Another &ldquo;hornet&rdquo; common to North Carolina is the European Hornet, which is the only true hornet species found in the US. They are brown in color and large in size, &frac34; and 1 &frac12; inch in length. Like Bald-faced Hornets, they are very aggressive. Their nests are typically located in a cavity, such as a hollow tree, wall void, or in between rocks, so definitely don&rsquo;t go sticking your hands in places they don&rsquo;t belong. Instead of harvesting nectar from flowers, European Hornets prey on other insects including grasshoppers, flies, Yellow Jackets, and honeybees. This helps control the population.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>● &nbsp; &nbsp; Fun fact: European Hornets were introduced from Europe to the United States in the 1800s&nbsp;</p>

<h4><br>Mud Daubers</h4>

<p><img alt="Mud Dauber on leaf" height="360" src="https://bcms-files.s3.amazonaws.com/Rv4pXBZmdK-1114/images/wasp-1589895_640-1.jpg" width="550"></p>

<p>A Mud Dauber is a very unique-looking wasp, with a &ldquo;thread-waisted&rdquo; body, between their thorax and abdomen that causes them to look like they have been &ldquo;stretched&rdquo; out. They get their name from their nests that are made from mud and other natural materials. Certain types of Mud Daubers make long, tube-like nests resembling an organ pipe. Another fun fact is that, unlike most stinging insects, they are actually a solitary species, meaning they do not live in colonies or support a queen. Mud Daubers also do not defend their nests and will rarely sting.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>● &nbsp; &nbsp; Fun fact: One type of Mud Daubers is the Organ Pipe Mud Dauber that makes nests that resemble organ pipes&nbsp;</p>

<h4><br>Paper Wasps</h4>

<p><img alt="Paper Wasp in nest" height="367" src="https://bcms-files.s3.amazonaws.com/Rv4pXBZmdK-1114/images/insect-5634051_640.jpg" width="550"></p>

<p>Paper Wasps have a typical wasp-like appearance with a pinched waist and long thin legs that can be seen dangling below their body as they fly. Their bodies are black or brown in color and can have orange or yellow markings with gray wings, though other species of Paper Wasps can be different colors. Their name comes from the paper-like material with which they make their nests. They&rsquo;re also called the umbrella wasp for the shape of their nests. They are semi-social insects, and typically live in small colonies with a queen, but don&rsquo;t follow the &ldquo;worker bee&rdquo; system like Bumble Bees. They eat nectar and other insects including caterpillars and flies.</p>

<p>In the fall, future queens will seek places to spend the winter and may find their way indoors, so<a href="/home-pest-control"> make sure your house doesn't have any entry points</a>. In the spring, they&rsquo;ll emerge and build their umbrella-shaped nests, usually on branches of trees and shrubs, in porch ceilings, windows and door frames, attic rafters, and more safe places. Paper wasps are generally not aggressive but will sting if their nest is threatened.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br>●&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Fun Fact: Paper Wasps are semi-social, meaning they live in smaller colonies than other bees</p>

<h4>Yellow Jackets</h4>

<p><img alt="Close-up of yellow jacket" height="413" src="https://bcms-files.s3.amazonaws.com/Rv4pXBZmdK-1114/images/nature-wing-photography-wildlife-insect-macro-700267-pxhere.com.jpg" width="550"></p>

<p>Another well-known stinging insect is the Yellow Jacket. Their face is a combination of black and yellow colors, and their body has a well-defined yellow and black striped pattern. At first glance, they might look like bumblebees, but Yellow Jackets are skinnier with a segmented body with a thin waist. They will do some pollination of flowers, but they&rsquo;re mainly known as being a predatory species and they prey on other insects, such as caterpillars, grubs, and flies, meaning they help control other pests in your gardens and lawns. They also love sweets and proteins, which will attract them to your summer BBQs. They&rsquo;re most active in the late summer/early fall time. The colony queen will pick either an underground or aerial site to build her nest; common areas being bushes, trees, or eaves of homes. Fun fact: A colony can have up to 4,000 worker bees! Yellow Jackets tend to be territorial, so if you intrude on the entrance of their nest, they can become aggressive. Always seek professional help before trying to investigate a Yellow Jack nest.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>● &nbsp; &nbsp; Fun fact: A colony of Yellow Jackets can have up to 4,000 worker bees &nbsp;</p>

<h4>Carpenter Bees</h4>

<p><img alt="Carpenter bee resting on wood" height="366" src="https://bcms-files.s3.amazonaws.com/Rv4pXBZmdK-1114/images/carpenter-bee-5059892_640.jpg" width="550"></p>

<p>Up next is the black and yellow Carpenter Bee, which often gets mistaken for the Bumble Bee. You can tell the difference by the Carpenter Bee&rsquo;s shiny, hairless abdomen, as opposed to the furry-looking Bumble. They get their name because they drill and tunnel into the wood which they use for their homes. The best sign of a Carpenter Bee infestation is round, smooth holes in wood. Carpenters prefer bare wood so painting and staining outdoor wood can help deter them. These bees are solitary and do not build traditional nests with colonies, but instead build individual nests in the wood of trees, door frames, eaves, or sides of buildings. Carpenters can cause significant structural damage on houses and buildings if felt untreated and can even attract woodpeckers that will do even more damage. Male Carpenters don&rsquo;t sting, but they can be territorial and will hover around you. Females can sting, but only when provoked. So, if you spot Carpenter Bees, chances are your house is in more danger than you are.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>● &nbsp; &nbsp; Fun fact: Carpenter bees are solitary and build individual nests &nbsp;</p>

<h4>Cicada Killer</h4>

<p><img alt="Cicada killer on a leaf" height="363" src="https://bcms-files.s3.amazonaws.com/Rv4pXBZmdK-1114/images/MaxPixel.net-Bee-Insect-Sphecius-Speciosus-Wasp-Cicada-Killer-5400940.jpg" width="550"></p>

<p>Finally, to round out this list we have the <a href="https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/cicada-killer-wasp">Cicada Killer Wasp</a>! The Cicada Killer is the biggest wasp we have here in NC. They have a black abdomen with three yellow bands and a rust or brown-colored head. As the name suggests, they do hunt and eat cicadas. The females paralyze cicadas with her stinger and bring them back to her nest for her male offspring. They are solitary and the females build nest burrows in the ground, which can be up to 40 inches deep and include many different chambers. If you see dug-up dirt in vegetable gardens, flower beds, or on a brick patio, this could be a sign of a Cicada Killer tunneling in the ground. Like carpenter bees, the males cannot string. Generally, Cicada Killers are not territorial or aggressive, so you can walk by them, and they won&rsquo;t take notice.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>● &nbsp; &nbsp; Fun fact: Cicada Killer tunnels can range from 30-70 inches long and 12-15 inches below the surface, with up to 15 &ldquo;chambers&rdquo; where she lays her eggs</p>

<h3>Stinging Prevention Tips</h3>

<p>Now that we&rsquo;ve learned all about the stringing insects you might come across, here are some tips to make your property less attractive to these bees and wasps.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>● &nbsp; &nbsp; Always: Check areas around the exterior of your house/property and caulk up any entry points that are found.<br>● &nbsp; &nbsp; Always: Make sure that all chimneys have tight-fitting covers on them.&nbsp;<br>● &nbsp; &nbsp; Always: Make sure that trash cans have tight-fitting lids on them to prevent stinging insects from foraging for food into them.<br>● &nbsp; &nbsp; For Carpenter bees: Stain or paint wood surfaces to deter them from drilling holes.<br>● &nbsp; &nbsp; For Yellow Jackets: Don&rsquo;t leave sugary foods outside.<br>● &nbsp; &nbsp; For Carpenter Bees &amp; European Hornets: Remove old trees and stumps and fill in holes that could be nesting spots.&nbsp;<br>● &nbsp; &nbsp; For Bumble Bees: Avoid wearing floral prints or perfumes when spending time outside.<br>&nbsp;<br>To learn more about stinging insects, <a href="/pest-library/profile/stinging-insects">visit us here</a> and check out our Home Shield packages to control bees, wasps, and other stinging insects so you and your family can feel safe and secure!&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>Source: <a href="https://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/">https://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/</a>&nbsp;</p>
    [postTitle] => The Stinging Insects of North Carolina  
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    [content] => <p>It&rsquo;s summertime in North Carolina. You know what that means&hellip; road trips to the Outer Banks, or your favorite swimming hole, fishing, tubing, rafting, and of course&hellip; <a href="/pest-library/profile/flies">fruit flies</a>. Yuck. While you&rsquo;re focusing on having fun this summer, fruit flies will be trying to find food to lay their eggs. Here&rsquo;s how you can prevent fruit flies in your house and property this summer!&nbsp;</p>

<h3>What are fruit flies?&nbsp;</h3>

<p><img alt="" height="384" src="https://bcms-files.s3.amazonaws.com/Rv4pXBZmdK-1114/images/fruit-fly-219392_640.jpg" width="544"></p>

<p>Fruit flies are tiny with black and gray bodies and translucent wings. They most commonly have red eyes, but some species can have brownish or black eyes. Fruit flies attempt to build their numbers during the spring and summer until they reach their peak during the fall harvest season.&nbsp;</p>

<h3>What do fruit flies eat?</h3>

<p><img alt="Fruit flies on a piece of fruit " height="357" src="https://bcms-files.s3.amazonaws.com/Rv4pXBZmdK-1114/images/PIXNIO-31741-550x357.jpg" width="550"></p>

<p>These flies feed on and lay their eggs on ripe, decaying, or fermenting food meaning it&rsquo;s essential to make sure they can&rsquo;t get to food, garbage, sticky drinks, or other debris.&nbsp;</p>

<h3>What attracts fruit flies?</h3>

<p>As their name suggests, fruit flies are attracted to ripened fruit and vegetables, but also alcohol, sugary drinks, and <a href="https://www.terro.com/articles/fruit-fly-questions-answered">cleaning supplies</a> such as damp mops, moist cleaning rags and sponges, and buckets of wastewater. They only need a small amount of moist film of fermenting material to thrive and multiply. Here are some areas and objects that are likely to attract fruit flies:&nbsp;</p>

<ul>

<li>Indoor or outdoor garbage cans without locking lids</li>

<li>Open beverage containers</li>

<li>Fruit/food out on the kitchen table/counter</li>

<li>Dirty or clogged drains</li>

<li>Moist organic materials like open compost piles or animal feces&nbsp;</li>

</ul>

<h3>Fruit flies spread disease</h3>

<p>Though a fly here or there can seem harmless, flies can spread more than 100 pathogens and parasites to humans. While buzzing around your food and garbage, they pick up bacteria and parasites on their bodies and legs and transfer them to your kitchen counters, surfaces and directly on the food you eat. So, how can we prevent fruit flies?&nbsp;</p>

<h3><br>How to prevent fruit flies at home</h3>

<p>If you&rsquo;re noticing fruit flies around your property, here are some steps you should start taking right away. Not seeing any? Prevention is key!&nbsp;</p>

<ul>

<li>Eliminate potential water sources by fixing leaky outdoor pipes or fixtures and make sure that gutters are clean and are working properly to direct water away from the outside of your home.</li>

<li>Empty trash cans frequently and secure outdoor garbage cans with tight-fitting lids. If you have a dumpster, do not fill to overflowing and do not pile up crates, boxes or other trash outside of it.</li>

<li>Clean your kitchen drain/garbage disposal with boiling water and wipe down the inside of trash cans often.</li>

<li>Change sponges and dishcloths regularly.</li>

<li>If you have fruit trees or a vegetable garden, harvest fruits and vegetables often and remove any that have fallen to the ground.</li>

<li>Do not let pet feces accumulate outside (<a href="https://pestcontrol.a-1pc.com/buster">sorry, Buster</a>).</li>

<li>Replace or repair screens covering doors and windows and seal any holes or openings on the exterior of your home.</li>

</ul>

<h3>More tips and home remedies to prevent fruit flies</h3>

<p>Keeping your house clean is the best way overall to prevent fruit flies. Here are some more steps you can take if you&rsquo;re looking for eco-friendly solutions.&nbsp;</p>

<ul>

<li>Don't store fruits and vegetables on your countertops. It&rsquo;s always best to keep fruit and vegetables in the fridge, but if you have to keep them out, wash them well and cover them with a cloth as soon as you get home from the store.</li>

<li>Make an <a href="https://www.thespruce.com/get-rid-of-fruit-flies-1388144">apple cider vinegar trap.</a></li>

<li>Love <a href="https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/make-sure-you-never-have-fruit-flies-again/">essential oils</a>? Fruit flies hate basil, peppermint, eucalyptus, lemongrass, lavender, and clove. Use a diffuser to deter them.&nbsp;</li>

</ul>

<p>So, before you leave for your big vacation this summer, don&rsquo;t leave dishes in the sink and the trash out! Keeping tidy around the house and doing frequent wipe downs and outdoor inspections will help keep flies away. If you're still having problems after following these tips, give us a call. Our Home Shield plans will help keep out flies plus a lot more.</p>
    [postTitle] => How Your Home Might Be Attracting Fruit Flies
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    [content] => <p>The words &ldquo;venomous&rdquo; and &ldquo;poisonous&rdquo; are often used interchangeably - or used as a catch-all to describe &ldquo;bugs and animals I don&rsquo;t want to be around.&rdquo; But do you know the difference?&nbsp;</p>
<p>According to Britannica, &ldquo;the term venomous is applied to organisms that bite (or sting) to inject their toxins, whereas the term poisonous applies to organisms that unload toxins when you eat them.&rdquo; &nbsp;While most people think of snakes as being poisonous, they are actually venomous because they need to bite you to inject their venom. Examples of poisonous animals include amphibians like frogs, toads and salamanders, which carry toxins on their skin to protect them from being eaten by other animals (or humans). &nbsp;</p>
<p><br>It&rsquo;s pretty easy to avoid eating or licking frogs, but what happens if you come across a venomous snake?&nbsp;</p>
<h3><br>Venomous Snakes in North Carolina&nbsp;</h3>
<p><br>In North Carolina, there are six kinds of venomous snakes, the most common being the Copperhead and Cottonmouth Snake. You can read more about dangerous snakes and pests here.&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Cottonmouth</strong> snakes have bodies with dark crossbands with light olive or brown colored centers. They are almost always found near a water source.<br><br></li>
<li><strong>Copperheads</strong> have stout bodies, typically between two and four feet in length. They are colorful, with patterned dark bands that create an hourglass-like shape. They typically live in wooded areas.<br><br></li>
<li>Read more on Cottonmouth and Copperheads <a href="/pest-library/profile/wildlife">here</a>.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<p>Snakes are most active between May and September, and they usually come out around dawn and dusk when the heat isn&rsquo;t as intense. Copperheads can appear in both urban and rural environments. Though snakes don&rsquo;t want to bother humans, they can move into human inhabited areas in search of food or shelter. If you see snakes in your yard, get rid of messy areas like wood piles, tarps or upside-down plastic swimming pools. You&rsquo;ll also want to make sure they don&rsquo;t have access to any food - including <a href="/pest-library/profile/mice">rodents</a> - and pet or animal feed. Since snakes like cool dark places, make sure access to your basement or any crawl spaces are sealed. Check out more tips for managing snakes around the house here.&nbsp;</p>
<p><br>If you accidentally disturb a snake, they will usually try to get away from you, but if they do hold their ground, back away slowly.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>How to treat venomous snake bites&nbsp;</h2>
<p><br>If you can&rsquo;t avoid being bitten, call 911 immediately. <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-snake-bites/basics/art-20056681">According to the Mayo Clinic</a>, while you&rsquo;re waiting for medical help:&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li>Move away from the snake&rsquo;s striking distance</li>
<li>Try to remain still and calm to slow the spread of venom.</li>
<li>Remove jewelry and tight clothing around the area.</li>
<li>Position yourself so that the bite is at or below the level of your heart.</li>
<li>Clean the wound with soap and water and cover it with a clean, dry dressing.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<p>In humans, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/snakes/symptoms.html">venomous bite symptoms include</a>:&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li>Redness</li>
<li>Swelling</li>
<li>Bruising</li>
<li>Bleeding, or blistering around the bite</li>
<li>Nausea</li>
<li>Vomiting or diarrhea</li>
<li>Changes in heart rate or blood pressure,</li>
<li>Disturbed vision</li>
<li>Numbness and more.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<p>Do NOT use a tourniquet, apply ice, cut the wound or attempt to remove the venom. And definitely DO NOT try to <a href="https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/news/20180525/how-to-survive-snake-season-even-if-you-get-bitten">suck out the venom</a> (this is a myth that is very dangerous). Similarly, if your cat or dog gets bitten, bring them to an emergency vet immediately and don't try to treat them yourself.&nbsp;</p>
<h2><br>Venomous Spiders in North Carolina&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Besides snakes, you should also watch out for venomous spiders. In North Carolina venomous <a href="/venomous-spiders-of-north-carolina">spiders</a> include:&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li>The Black Widow</li>
<li>Brown Recluse</li>
<li>False Black Widow</li>
<li>Yellow Sac Spider</li>
</ul>
<p>Read more about common spiders in North Carolina <a href="/pest-library/profile/spiders">here</a>. Some of the <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/spider-bites#black-widow">symptoms</a> of venomous spider bites include an itchy, painful red spot or blister and reaction such as fever, chills, headache, nausea or vomiting. Especially if you see two puncture wounds you should see a doctor.&nbsp;</p>
<h2><br>Are bee stings venomous?&nbsp;</h2>
<p><br>Another common venomous insect is the bee! <a href="/pest-library/profile/stinging-insects">Bees, wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets</a> all contain venom within their stinger. This is what causes pain and swelling in the area. A mild reaction can result in a sharp, burning pain to the site, a red welt, and slight swelling. These stings don&rsquo;t need medical attention and usually get better in a few hours.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>If you&rsquo;re allergic to bee stings, however, a sting could lead to a life-threatening reaction. Severe allergic reaction <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bee-stings/symptoms-causes/syc-20353869">symptoms</a> include:&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li>Skin reactions</li>
<li>Hives and itching</li>
<li>Flushed or pale skin</li>
<li>Difficulty breathing</li>
<li>Swelling of the throat and tongue</li>
<li>A weak, rapid pulse</li>
<li>Nausea</li>
<li>Vomiting or diarrhea</li>
<li>Dizziness or fainting or loss of consciousness</li>
</ul>
<p>You should seek medical care immediately if you have any of these reactions to a bee sting.&nbsp;</p>
<p><br>Similar to snakes, bees don&rsquo;t want to bother humans, but will be attracted to food, water and shelter. To deter bees from your property you should maintain your yard, don&rsquo;t plant flowers too close to your house and don&rsquo;t leave out food or trash.&nbsp;</p>
<p>If you&rsquo;re concerned about potentially venomous creatures in your house or yard, <a href="/contact-us#schedule">contact us</a> for a free estimate. Although most animals do not want to attack humans, sometimes you want peace of mind, and that&rsquo;s when you call A-1. &nbsp;</p>
<p><br>For more info on wildlife control: <a href="/wildlife-control">https://www.a-1pc.com/wildlife-control</a>&nbsp;</p>
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