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Paper wasps look similar to other wasps, like yellow jackets. They have narrow, but not thread-like, waists with black or brown bodies and yellow colorations. You can better identify paper wasps by their nests, which are made with regurgitated wood pulp. The nests look like they are made from paper and usually have visible hexagonal holes, like a honeybee hive.

They build their nests in places like eaves or branches, and their removal more often warrants the help of a wasp control specialist near you.

No, mulch itself does not necessarily attract termites even though it’s usually made of shredded wood. Some types of mulch like cedar or cypress resist termites because they’re toxic or unappetizing to the wood munchers. However, when the mulch is deep enough, say three inches or more, it creates a perfect habitat for insects of all kinds to build nests.

Brown recluse spiders are attracted to homes in search of warm, dry, and dark spots that provide easy access to insects. An existing bug problem is a primary attractant, as spiders follow their food source. Other factors that attract brown recluse spiders include the presence of anything that might lure insects, such as food left out or poorly sealed trash cans. They are also drawn to excessive outdoor lighting, untended wood or cardboard boxes, and dark areas with nooks and crannies for nesting, like woodpiles or dirt piles.

Ticks love to hide in long grass, mulch beds, leaf piles, and wooded areas, so minimizing these things in your yard can help stop them from making a home there. If you live in an area with lots of wildlife, it's also helpful to put up a fence so that deer and other animals don't bring ticks into your yard.