Common Questions — Page 9
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 9 of 41
Flies & GnatsDo phorid flies bite humans?No. Phorid flies have soft, spongy mouthparts that only soak up liquids, so they cannot pierce skin. They feed on moist decaying film.Woodlice / Pillbugs & SowbugsDo pill bugs eat plants?No. Pill bugs prefer dead and rotting plant debris and only nibble on plants that are already dying. Here is when seedlings are at risk.Woodlice / Pillbugs & SowbugsDo pill bugs have gills?Discover whether pill bugs have gills, how they actually breathe air, and how to keep these damp-loving land crustaceans out of your home.TicksDo seed ticks carry disease?Seed ticks hatch free of Lyme bacteria, but some species pass other pathogens to their eggs. The risk depends on the tick species and your region.SkunksDo skunks carry rabies?Learn the facts about skunks and rabies, how to identify behavioral signs safely, and what steps to take after an encounter.SkunksDo skunks dig burrows in the ground?Learn whether skunks dig burrows, how to identify their presence, how to exclude them safely, and when to call professionals.SkunksDo skunks kill chickens?Learn whether skunks kill chickens, how to identify coop intruders, and practical ways to protect your flock safely.SlugsDo slugs have shells?No. Garden slugs have no outer shell, at most a tiny internal remnant. That is why they dry out easily and feed at night or in rainy weather.SpringtailsDo snow fleas bite?No. Snow fleas are springtails 1 to 2 mm long with no mouthparts able to pierce skin. They eat decaying organic matter and are harmless.SpidersDo spider mites live in soil?No. Spider mites live on the undersides of leaves. Adult females only go into the top of the soil to hibernate or to leave a dying plant.SpidersDo spider mites make webs?Learn why spider mites spin webs, how to identify them correctly, and what steps to take when an infestation hits your plants.SpringtailsDo springtails bite?Learn whether springtails bite, why they enter homes, and how to control these harmless moisture-loving pests.SpringtailsDo springtails eat mold?Yes. Mold and fungi are a core part of the springtail diet, along with algae, bacteria and decaying matter. Lots of them can mean hidden moisture.SpringtailsDo springtails jump?Yes. Springtails snap a fork-like organ under the body and pop several inches into the air to escape. They are harmless and under 1/8 inch long.Flies & GnatsDo stable flies bite?Yes. Both male and female stable flies bite, using a rigid beak to pierce skin, usually on the ankles and lower legs.StarlingsDo starlings kill other birds?Yes. European starlings fight other birds for nest sites in spring, puncturing eggs and killing nestlings inside birdhouses.Moths & ButterfliesDo tent caterpillars kill trees?Tent caterpillars rarely kill healthy trees, which grow new leaves. Defoliation two or three years in a row can weaken a tree, though.ThripsDo thrips bite people?No. Thrips feed only on plants. On warm days one may land on your skin and give a brief pinprick probe, but they do not feed on blood.ThripsDo thrips live in soil?Yes. Thrips feed on the plant, but the young drop into the top inch or two of soil to pass through resting stages before becoming adults.VolesDo voles eat grubs?Discover whether voles eat grubs, how to identify yard damage, and practical ways to manage vole problems safely.Other True BugsDo western conifer seed bugs bite?No. Western conifer seed bugs have straw-like mouthparts made for conifer seeds and do not bite or sting people. They are a nuisance only.SpidersDo wolf spiders eat black widows?Do wolf spiders eat black widows? Find out how these predators interact, how to identify them, and when to call for professional help.SpidersDo wolf spiders eat brown recluse spiders?Wolf spiders will kill a brown recluse they meet in the open, but they will not clear out an infestation. How to tell the two apart and what actually works.SpidersDo wolf spiders make webs?Learn why wolf spiders do not build webs, how to identify them correctly, and what steps to take when you encounter them indoors.Flies & GnatsDo yellow sticky traps help with fungus gnats?Yellow sticky traps catch adult fungus gnats and cut the number of egg layers, but they cannot reach the larvae in the soil. Here is what else to do.Beetles & WeevilsDoes a carpet beetle rash prove the larvae are in the bed?Find out if finding a carpet beetle rash means the larvae are living in your bed, along with identification cues and safe cleanup steps.Wasps & HornetsDoes a suspected Asian hornet nest need to be reported?Learn why a suspected Asian hornet nest needs to be reported, how to correctly identify the invasive insect, and what steps authorities take next.RaccoonsDoes bleach belong in water used by wildlife, pets or plants?Explains why bleach does not belong in water used by wildlife, pets, or plants, and how to safely handle outdoor contamination.Flies & GnatsDoes BTI work for fungus gnats?An explanation of whether BTI works for fungus gnats, covering identification, application, and safety.Flies & GnatsDoes drain cleaner kill drain flies?No. Chemical drain cleaners flow straight past the slime where drain fly larvae live. Scrubbing or a biological gel is what removes them.MosquitoesDoes finding mosquito larvae prove the water is the only breeding site?Discover why finding mosquito larvae in one container does not mean it is the only breeding site on your property.TermitesDoes home insurance cover termite damage in Australia?Find out whether Australian home insurance covers termite damage, why policies exclude white ants, and what you can do about it.TermitesDoes homeowners insurance cover termite damage?Standard homeowners insurance does not cover termite damage or treatment. Insurers treat infestations as preventable maintenance. Here is why.TicksDoes spraying a yard help with ticks?Spraying a yard helps with ticks only as a targeted barrier along shaded edges, leaf litter and brush. Treating open, sunny lawn wastes money.TermitesDoes termite damage in a ceiling differ from wall damage?Learn how termite damage in ceilings differs from wall damage, how to identify it, and what practical steps to take next.Flies & GnatsDrain flies vs fruit flies: how can you tell?Learn how to tell drain flies and fruit flies apart by examining their appearance, flight habits, and breeding sources, and discover how to clear them safely.