Common Questions
Browse all questions alphabetically, choose a setting, or search for a common or scientific name. Each answer links to related reading so you can follow the evidence.
1460 questions · Page 1 of 41
CockroachesAmerican cockroach droppings vs mouse droppings: what should you check?Learn how to tell American cockroach droppings apart from mouse droppings using simple physical cues, and find out what steps to take next.Moths & ButterfliesApple maggot vs codling moth: what kind of fruit damage differs?Learn the key differences in fruit damage between apple maggots and codling moths, including identification, management choices, and safety warnings.Flies & GnatsAre “sand flies” the same species in New Zealand and North America?An exploration of whether sand flies in New Zealand and North America are the same species, featuring identification, practical control, and safety advice.AntsAre “sugar ants” in the kitchen the same species everywhere?Examine whether sugar ants in the kitchen are the same species everywhere and learn how regional differences change pest management.Beetles & WeevilsAre all lawn grubs the same insect?Lawn grubs are the larvae of many different beetles, plus a few lookalikes. Why the difference matters for treatment, and how to check your own lawn properly.AntsAre all red ants fire ants?No. Many harmless ants are reddish. True fire ants have two waist nodes, 10-segmented antennae with a two-segment club, and a working stinger.AphidsAre aphids bad for plants?Yes. Aphids drink sap, causing curled leaves, stunted growth and sooty mold. How much harm depends on numbers, plant age and natural predators.AphidsAre aphids harmful to humans?No. Aphids do not bite, sting or carry diseases that affect people. Their mouthparts are too delicate to pierce skin.TicksAre apparent “tick eggs” on a dog really tick eggs?Discover why tiny clusters on a dog are almost never tick eggs, and learn how to identify seed ticks, flea eggs, and mites.MosquitoesAre Asian tiger mosquito bites different?No. An Asian tiger mosquito bite looks like any other mosquito bite. How big and itchy it gets depends on your immune reaction.Moths & ButterfliesAre bagworms common in Oklahoma?Yes. Bagworms are common in every part of Oklahoma, and eastern redcedar, junipers and arborvitae take the worst of it. How to spot them and when control works.Wasps & HornetsAre bald-faced hornets aggressive?Bald-faced hornets ignore people away from the nest, but disturbing their paper nest sets off a fast, coordinated attack.Wasps & HornetsAre bald-faced hornets found in Washington State?Yes. Bald-faced hornets are native and common in Washington State. They are black and white, 1/2 to 3/4 inch long, with an ivory face.ScorpionsAre bark scorpions found in Florida?No. Arizona bark scorpions are not established in Florida. The state has its own native scorpions, so one found there is likely one of those.ScorpionsAre bark scorpions found in Texas?Discover whether bark scorpions live in Texas, how to identify them, and what practical steps to take if you find one inside your home.Bed Bugs & Related BugsAre bed bug stains on sheets different from stains on a mattress seam?Learn the key differences between bed bug stains found on bed sheets versus those discovered along mattress seams.AntsAre black ants in the house necessarily carpenter ants?Learn how to distinguish ordinary black nuisance ants from destructive carpenter ants, what signs to look for, and when to call a professional.Wasps & HornetsAre blue mud daubers aggressive?Learn the truth about blue mud daubers, their docile nature, how to identify them, and when removal or medical attention is necessary.BookliceAre booklice harmful?No. Booklice do not bite, carry disease or damage structures. They eat microscopic mold, so they are a sign of humidity rather than a threat.Other True BugsAre boxelder bugs harmful?No. Boxelder bugs do not harm people, damage drywall or hurt shade trees. They are nuisance pests looking for a warm spot for winter.Other True BugsAre boxelder bugs in Ontario homes a seasonal entry problem?Yes. Boxelder bugs gather on warm walls in late summer and autumn and slip through cracks to spend the winter inside Ontario homes.Other True BugsAre boxelder bugs invasive?No. Boxelder bugs are native to North America. They do not damage trees or bite, though crushed bugs can stain surfaces.SpidersAre brown widow spiders dangerous?Learn the truth about brown widow spider bites, how to identify them, and when you actually need medical help.SpidersAre brown widows poisonous?Brown widows are venomous, not poisonous. Their bite can cause pain and cramping, but these timid spiders bite only when pressed against skin.Beetles & WeevilsAre bugs in rice dangerous?Find out if bugs in rice are dangerous, how to identify pantry pests, and what practical steps to take when you find an infestation.Beetles & WeevilsAre carpet beetle larvae found in cars?Yes. Car interiors collect pet hair, human hair and crumbs. Adult carpet beetles fly in through open windows and lay eggs there.MitesAre chiggers a type of tick?Explores whether chiggers are ticks, explaining their true biology, life stages, feeding mechanisms, bite patterns, and key differences.Other True BugsAre chinch bugs causing brown patches in a Florida St. Augustine lawn?Find out if chinch bugs are ruining your Florida St. Augustine lawn, how to identify them reliably, and what steps to take next.Wasps & HornetsAre cicada killer wasps dangerous?No. Cicada killers are big but do not guard their nests. Males cannot sting, and females sting only if stepped on or squeezed.Wasps & HornetsAre cicada killer wasps found in Kansas?Discover whether cicada killer wasps are found in Kansas, how to identify them safely, and when you actually need to take action.Wasps & HornetsAre cicada killer wasps found in Texas?Learn how to identify cicada killer wasps in Texas, understand their behavior, and decide when you need professional help.Moths & ButterfliesAre clothes moths damaging wool in a UK wardrobe?Find out if clothes moths are damaging wool in your UK wardrobe, how to identify the culprits, and practical steps to stop them.MitesAre concrete mites harmful to humans?No. The bright red mites on sunny concrete are clover mites that eat algae and moss, not people. Itchy bites after yard work usually have another cause.AntsAre crazy ants common in Florida?Yes. The tawny crazy ant is confirmed in at least 26 Florida counties, and a second species is common in towns. They run in zigzags and form huge colonies.AntsAre crazy ants common in Texas?Yes, crazy ants are common in southern, eastern and central Texas, mainly the tawny crazy ant and the longhorn crazy ant. Here is how to tell them apart.TermitesAre dark winged insects near a window ants or termite swarmers?Learn how to distinguish between ant and termite swarmers found near indoor windows and understand the practical steps to take next.