Pest Control Blog

Serving the Denver Metro Area from Castle Rock to Boulder Signs You Have Wasps Hive: Per structure May have exposed hexagonal cells Yellow jacket hive is half-football shapes Sightings: Some species are more than an inch long Often striped May aggressively fly around and land on your plate to feed Less furry than bees Doesn’t […]

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Mice and rats may be popular pets, and some people even find them cute, cuddly and lovable, but when they are unwelcome guests in your home, there is absolutely nothing appealing about these animals. In fact, when these critters invade your home, they can wreak havoc that can cost hundreds, and even thousands of dollars, […]

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Have you seen a mouse or rat in or near your home? Have you seen signs that there may be mice or rats in your home? If so, help is just a phone call away. If you want to try to handle a rodent problem yourself, we encourage you to learn as much about how […]

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If you have a squirrel in your home, it’s time to call a trained pest control specialist who has experience eradicating these animals from yards, gardens, and homes, but if you insist on trying to get rid of this little guy yourself, we encourage you to follow our suggestions here. Squirrels, when feeling threatened, can […]

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If you have a squirrel problem at your house, you’re just a phone call away from help from professional pest control specialists, who will be necessary if you have discovered a squirrel inside your home. Many people insist on trying to get rid of squirrels that have invaded their home without the help of trained […]

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How to Get Rid of Yellow Jackets Yellow jackets, (Dolichovespula and Vespula), obviously get their name from the coloring on their bodies, and they measure about 10-16 mm in length. Most yellow jackets are black and yellow, although some may have white and black coloring instead of yellow and black. The yellow jacket’s waist is thinner and […]

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What Are Earwigs and How Are They Controlled? The earwig has an interesting name but that’s about the only “cute” thing about this common garden pest that drives some landscapers and lawn caregivers absolutely bananas. Mostly found throughout North America, the earwig is a glossy, flat insect that’s usually black or brown in color and […]

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Sleep tight and don’t let the bed bugs bite! Ewwwww—the mere thought of bed bugs makes most people’s skin crawl, even if you’re the toughest of the tough! No one ever wants to think about creepy crawlies being on their body (or worse—in your hair!!) while you enjoy some Zzzzzzz’s.

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If you travel frequently, you probably know that bed bugs are an absolute nightmare—you may come across them in hotel rooms, and you may have even brought them home with you unwittingly. If you have experienced bed bugs, you know full well how difficult it is to get rid of these nasty bedfellows on your […]

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If you need pest control in Castle Rock or a surrounding area, you’re in luck because Animal & Pest Control Specialist, Inc. has some tips to help you keep bugs out of the house this summer. There are a number of home remedies to keep the pests away, and many of them are very inexpensive […]

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When ants form ant hills and start marching toward the doors and windows of your home, it’s time to take action to ensure these pests don’t make their way into your lovely abode. There are many easy, inexpensive ways to keep ants away from you home this summer. If you need pest control in Castle […]

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Do you have a vole problem in your backyard? No, that’s not a typo and supposed to read “mole.” Today, we’re going to talk about a little creature known as a “vole,” which is very much like a mole in that it can ruin a yard and leave you with thousands of dollars worth of […]

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The mere mention of the word “spider” will send some people (even some of you men out there) into a state of fright. There are those who are so afraid of spiders that they suffer physical symptoms when they see a spider or even think one may be nearby. If you have seen the movie […]

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Fire ants are a scary sounding invasive insect that has been spreading across the country and causing some significant anxiety, including a number of anxious calls to pest control specialists in Castle Rock. But one of the best ways to counter anxiety is to get knowledge. Here are some things you should know about fire […]

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Cockroaches are one of the most hated pests in our homes, and, unfortunately, they are also among the hardest pest control jobs. It’s very hard to completely get rid of roaches, and even harder to keep them gone, especially if you live in an apartment.

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Arachnophobia is common in the US and most of the West, where perhaps 18% of men and 50% of women suffer from a disproportionate fear of spiders. But why is this so? Why should we be so afraid of spiders?

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If you are out in your yard or at a park for a picnic and you see a medium-size insect buzzing around, you might be afraid that it’s a wasp. And with good reason, the yellowjacket type of wasp accounts for 90% of all insect stings that people seek treatment for in Colorado. These insects […]

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Ants are attracted to sugar for the same reason we are: it’s a dense source of energy that’s relatively rare in nature. If you’ve ever watched ants running around your yard, you get the idea that ants need a lot of energy. Not as much energy as bees, to be sure, but still a lot. […]

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Ticks are arachnids. That is, they are close relatives of spiders, but they are not spiders. They are blood-sucking parasites that come in hundreds of different types, of which only a few are of concern to humans. But those that are of concern have to be treated very seriously because they can carry disease. Anatomy […]

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The most obvious physical difference between mice and rats is their size, although juvenile rats are often mistaken for mice. But a closer look at these widespread rodents reveals additional distinctions. One similarity shared by rats and mice is that both can be invasive pests that pose health risks to you and your family. While […]

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Bed bugs often go unseen, but they make their presence known in the form of patchy red bites and other signs. The tiny insects are not known to spread disease, but their bites can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions. There has been a resurgence of bed bugs throughout Colorado and across the country over […]

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Colorado is home to dozens of insects and other pests that can invade your home and become an annoyance; some even pose a health risk to you and your family if not eliminated. Many pesticides, however, can also be a health hazard to people and pets if not used properly. Following are some natural, chemical-free […]

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At just a few millimeters in length, fruit flies are among the smallest flies. But once they enter your home, fruit flies can be a big nuisance. In Colorado, fruit fly populations tend to swell from late summer through early fall, although the flies can linger through winter if they establish themselves indoors. Following are […]

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There are a number of cricket species in Colorado, but the types most commonly encountered around (and sometimes in) homes are the “singing” black crickets often referred to as field crickets. While field crickets that wander into homes generally do not reproduce and are not considered pests, they can become an annoyance—especially when you’re trying […]

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Insects in the home can be a mere annoyance, but some bugs and other pests may damage your house or pose a health risk to you and your family members if they are allowed to establish themselves. Following are some tips to prevent insects from invading your home. If you have a pest problem, or […]

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Wasps can be effective at controlling other pest insects, but they can also become nuisance pests themselves when sizable colonies develop. Unlike bees, which feed on nectar and pollen, and generally establish themselves away from residential areas, wasps feed on other insects, and they often colonize spaces around homes and other man-made structures. This brings […]

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Although spiders feed only on insects and other arthropods, and provide effective pest control in gardens and around homes, they are often considered pests themselves. Colorado is home to dozens of species of spiders, a handful of which may find their way into homes, and only a couple of which pose any risk to people […]

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Once cockroaches have settled in your home, they can be difficult to eradicate without professional help. But there are some often-effective measures you can try before calling pest control experts. Steps to Cockroach Control According to the Colorado State University Extension, the key elements of cockroach management are: prevention, sanitation, detection and chemical control. Roaches […]

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In Colorado, most ants that make it into homes are wingless workers that are searching for food or water. However, some types of ants found along the Front Range and throughout the state can become problematic pests if they begin to nest in your home. Colorado Ants Thanks to its geographical location, Colorado is home […]

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If you’re a friend of man’s best friend, you likely saw the blog that went viral on Facebook and other social media outlets just in time for summer and carried the warning/plea “No Ice Water for Dogs … Please Read ASAP.” A growing number of veterinarians, however, have since responded that ice cubes and ice […]

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Colorado is home to a number of moths, including the so-called “Miller” moths that emerge en masse between spring and early summer, but most of the moths found along Colorado’s Front Range are more nuisance than harmful pest and will not feed, breed or lay eggs in your home. Miller Moths Miller moths are the […]

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Cicadas may not wreak the devastating effects of locusts, with which they are often confused, but these seasonal pests can damage some Colorado trees and shrubs when large populations emerge. Cicadas vs. Locusts Cicadas, particularly the periodical cicadas of the 13-year and 17-year varieties, are sometimes mistakenly referred to in America as locusts. This error […]

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Although the much-maligned periodical cicadas also known as 17-year and 13-year “locusts” primarily exist east of Colorado, the Centennial State is home to a number of cicada species, a couple of which may be considered pests due to their ability to damage plants. In Colorado, cicadas are heard more often than seen. Of the 26 […]

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In Colorado, it is not legal to keep prairie dogs as pets. In addition to all the large-rodent-related issues we talked about in regards to squirrels as pets, there is the small matter that prairie dogs can carry a number of diseases. Bubonic Plague and Prairie Dogs The disease most commonly associated with prairie dogs […]

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Squirrels seem so cute, so it’s tempting to think about taking them home as a pet. However, when you consider the consequences of having a squirrel for a pet, it’s not a good decision for most of us. Is It Legal to Have a Squirrel for a Pet? It is illegal to have a squirrel […]

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First, it’s important to know that raccoons are prohibited as pets in Colorado. They are among the wildlife species that cannot be owned as pets within the state. Colorado Parks and Wildlife maintains a complete list of wild animals prohibited as pets in Colorado. Raccoons are explicitly listed, and this includes all species in the […]

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When thinking about pets that chase mice and keep them under control, most people think about cats. Cats can be good for controlling mice, but they’re opportunistic predators that may or may not be mousers. Many cats take up a laissez faire attitude toward the presence of mice, especially as they age. Dogs, on the […]

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Mice are persistent pests. Once they get into your home, as they often do once the weather turns cold in October across the Front Range, they can breed prodigiously and lead to a major problem. They will browse from many food sources, damaging packaging, making a mess, and spoiling food. However, if you are persistent, […]

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Raccoons can be a nuisance. They make a mess, can damage property and your garden, and they carry diseases. They are the number one carrier of rabies in Colorado. If you have a raccoon problem, here are some of the ways to get rid of them: Cut Off Food Supply The first step in getting […]

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In Colorado, 90% of reported insect stings come from yellowjackets, so it’s unlikely that most of us have been stung by too many different kinds of insects. However, one insect researcher has been stung by at least 150 different kinds of insects (maybe more—he admits it’s sometimes hard for him to tell species apart based […]

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There are some places where it may be hard to tell venomous snakes from non-venomous snakes, but here in Colorado, it’s easy. There are only a few venomous snakes around. (Two, three, or four depending on the source. Reports vary because there are disagreements about the ranges of snakes that rely on field identification reports, […]

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Snakes can be very scary, but, in general, they are harmless. Of the 25 or so species of snakes in Colorado, only a few are venomous. Here are some tips for living with snakes. Know the Dangerous Snakes Although most snakes are harmless, venomous snake bites can be deadly, so it’s important to be able […]

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What’s that buzzing around your picnic table? Is it a relatively harmless bumblebee or a dangerous yellow jacket? Here’s your guide to find out. Bees and Wasps Are Closely Related Bees actually evolved from wasps, so it’s no surprise that they share many features. They both have four wings and the typical three body parts […]

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Box elder bugs are very common in Colorado. They are black insects with red lines on their body and wings. Box elder bugs, like many insects, overwinter as adults in warm, sheltered places. If the warm, sheltered places they choose are in your house, you will notice them coming out as soon as the weather […]

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The answer to this question depends on where your pill bugs, also called sow bugs or roly-polies, are and what they’re doing. If they are a pest, pest control methods can be used to reduce or eliminate them. Pill bugs mostly live outdoors, preferring moist environments that give them the resources they need, namely water, […]

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  Ahh . . . there’s nothing like natural wool clothing for keeping warm in the winter. Unfortunately, wool is the material that most attracts moths. While you’re wearing them, they’re not in danger, but when it comes time to put them away for the spring and summer, there are several things you should do […]

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  Carpet beetles are a nuisance because they consume anything of natural animal origin they can find. Pest control is rarely necessary to keep these insects in check. Carpet beetles get their name because they used to be commonly found in carpets made of wool, though nowadays they are more often found in clothes or […]

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Mouse traps can be an effective part of mouse control, if properly used. This means you have to place the mouse traps in areas where mice frequent, and you have to use the right kind of bait. What’s the right mouse trap bait? Ask ten people and you’ll likely get twenty different answers, all of […]

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Most of the time, snakes are not a major concern. Nonvenomous snakes are beneficial because they eat rodents and other pests in the environment, so if you know a snake is not venomous and you can live with it, let it stay around. However, if you cannot live with a snake, you should contact a […]

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The first question you should ask is, “Are they really squirrels?” If they are squirrels, you might attempt to remove them yourself. If they are trapped and cannot get out of the chimney, you can let them out by lowering down a rope or a bunch of old clothes or towels tied together so that […]

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When you planted your garden, you started looking forward to all the peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash you were going to harvest. Now, though, it seems like your garden is under siege. Something is eating everything in sight and if you don’t do something you won’t have anything to show for your efforts. Don’t worry, […]

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Did you suddenly notice you have a wasp problem? Did your recent barbecue get disrupted? Do you see them every time you go outside now? Are they beginning to swarm kids with popsicles and ice cream? Don’t wait until someone gets stung—now is the time for wasp removal. Wasps in Denver and other places along […]

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Serving the Denver Metro Area from Castle Rock to Boulder​ Signs You Have Pigeons Sightings: Pigeons are active during the day Grey birds with pale rumps About a foot long Generally strut around like they own the place Sounds: Cooing Thrumming Doesn’t match the signs you see? Return to Pests Page. If you think you […]

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Serving the Denver Metro Area from Castle Rock to Boulder​ Signs You Have a Honey Bee Problem Sightings: Bees are about a half inch long Black and yellow striping Pollen collects in a ball around hind legs Have hairy eyes Hive location: Major factor in determining problematic bees Hive near frequented area can increase stings […]

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Serving the Denver Metro Area from Castle Rock to Boulder​ Signs You May Have Prairie Dogs Mounds: Conical mounds up to 2 feet high and 10 feet in diameter Will stand on mound as lookouts About 30-50 mounds per acre in mature colony Sounds: Make short, barking sounds Sightings: Active during the day, but stay […]

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Serving the Denver Metro Area from Castle Rock to Boulder​ Signs You Have Woodpeckers Noise: Use their beak to tunnel into trees for food or nest creation More often, they are “drumming,” pecking to make the most noise possible, often on resonant surfaces such as metal gutters Doesn’t match the signs you see? Return to […]

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Serving the Denver Metro Area from Castle Rock to Boulder​ Signs You Have Gophers Tunnels: Average about 3” in diameter Prefer dry soil End in many mounds—a single gopher may make up to 300 mounds a year Mounds: Have a characteristic “C” shape, with dirt fanning out on three sides of the hole Unused mounds […]

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Serving the Denver Metro Area from Castle Rock to Boulder​ Signs You May Have Snakes Sightings: Most likely will accidentally disturb snakes in the undergrowth Check sunny stones or pavement in the morning Shed skins: Shed skins are the most definite proof of snakes Look like the snake, but empty Tracks: Snake tracks generally look […]

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Serving the Denver Metro Area from Castle Rock to Boulder​ Signs You Have Rabbits Tracks: Five toes on the front, four on the back Generally oval, with no visible pads A bounding gate gives clumps of tracks Droppings: Spherical droppings Brown or green in color About a half inch in diameter Feeding Feed only on […]

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Serving the Denver Metro Area from Castle Rock to Boulder​ Signs You Might Have Rats Trails: Leave oily smudges on baseboards or walls Make well-worn trails in grass and low vegetation Prints can be seen in dust Droppings: Up to 1 inch long Bullet-shaped Burrows: Outside they like burrows in grassy embankments and under sheltering […]

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Serving the Denver Metro Area from Castle Rock to Boulder​ Signs You Might Have Mice Droppings: Very small Along the wall or in cupboards Sometimes urine can be found Feeding Gnaw through packages Carry food to stash in nest Damage Gnaw on seemingly random objects Gnaw to make entrances/exits to nest Carry away soft material […]

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Serving the Denver Metro Area from Castle Rock to Boulder​ Signs You Might Have Bats Staining: Discoloration at entry points No visible tracks or claw marks climbing to the entry Droppings: Around the entry Ammonia or musky smell Shiny black Contain insect parts Small 1/8-1/4 inch Sounds: High-pitched squeaking Scratching Doesn’t match the signs you […]

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Serving the Denver Metro Area from Castle Rock to Boulder​ Signs You Have a Skunk Smell: Strong, pungent, sulphurous Strongest in the morning Check several days in a row to see if it lives in your yard or just passing through Tracks: Look like little dog or bear prints Front paws 1 inch by 1 […]

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Serving the Denver Metro Area from Castle Rock to Boulder​ Signs You Have a Raccoon Problem Look for tracks: Like small human hand prints with claws, 2-4 inches long Tracks or mud smudges can often be seen where they climb to gain access to their den, such as the side of a wall, often beside […]

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