Get matched with top pest control specialists in Leon, IA

If the nest is on or in your home, you should have an exterminator remove it. However, if the wasp nest is in an area of your yard that you don't frequent, you can leave it alone as long as the wasps don’t bother your household members. Wasps are very active during the summer months, but they will vacate in the fall and not return until the following year. So, if it's safe to do so, you can leave it, but if it poses a threat of being stung because it's in an area that you use frequently, consider having it removed.

Yes, stink bugs can play dead. Stink bugs don’t just release bad odors, they have a defense mechanism to pretend to be dead, even when flicked over and swept into a trash bin. That’s how stink bugs may keep coming back even if you thought you got rid of them.

Exterminators can get rid of your current ant problem, but they won’t prevent ants from coming back. So it’s important to implement ant preventatives to avoid future infestations.

The primary reason ants enter your home is to find food. If they can’t find any, they won’t survive. So, the most effective way to prevent ant infestations is to clean, clean, and clean some more. 

Keep your kitchen sparkling and wash your dishes immediately (or at least give them a quick rinse and wash off leftover food). Take out your garbage and compost as often as possible and tightly seal all your kitchen containers, especially the mason jars you use to hold your sugar—sugar is gold to ants.

You can also hire a local handyperson to help you prevent future ant infestations. The handyman can seal cracks and fix leaks throughout your home, which will keep any ants from entering.

In certain cases, yes, the bees may go away on their own, but it’s a risk. Some bee types, such as bumblebees, create seasonal nests and then die out as their new queens seek homes elsewhere. But in most cases, you can’t count on the bees leaving naturally. It’s also not a great idea to leave openings in your walls any longer than you have to, which can attract other pests or cause moisture damage.