Q: Should I be worried if I find a scorpion in my house?

• <div><p>One scorpion sighting doesn&rsquo;t necessarily mean there&rsquo;s an infestation, but finding a scorpion in your home should always be taken seriously. Don&rsquo;t panic, though, as that will only make the situation more stressful, and you may act irrationally out of fear. Most scorpions have extremely painful stings that cause swelling and redness, but they&rsquo;re not life-threatening.</p><p>However, while not all species are dangerous, the Arizona bark scorpion, which is common in the southwest U.S., is highly venomous and potentially deadly to humans. Never attempt DIY removal if you suspect it may be the Arizona bark scorpion&mdash;instead, contact a pest control professional immediately for safe, effective scorpion removal</p></div>

Question 1

What's the difference between fruit flies and gnats?

Accepted Answer

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The difference between fruit flies and gnats is the foods they eat. Fruit flies eat overripe fruit and high-fructose organic substances. Fungus gnats live in the soil and feed on houseplants. Both are quite small, but if you can discern their appearance, you'll also notice that fruit flies are a lighter tan color, while fungus gnats are a darker gray or black.

Question 2

Can bugs in wood furniture spread to other areas of my home?

Accepted Answer

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Termites, carpenter ants, and wood-boring beetles can move from wood furniture to other areas of your home. If you notice signs of bugs in wood furniture, it's best to remove and isolate it for treatment. Remember that it can be difficult to identify which type of pest you are dealing with, and they can already be in areas of your home.

If DIY methods don’t work or you don’t know which pest it is you should contact an exterminator if you are showing signs of wood-eating pests to prevent further damage.

Question 3

What can I do to help prevent ticks?

Accepted Answer

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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.

Question 4

Should I be worried if I find a scorpion in my house?

Accepted Answer

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One scorpion sighting doesn’t necessarily mean there’s an infestation, but finding a scorpion in your home should always be taken seriously. Don’t panic, though, as that will only make the situation more stressful, and you may act irrationally out of fear. Most scorpions have extremely painful stings that cause swelling and redness, but they’re not life-threatening.

However, while not all species are dangerous, the Arizona bark scorpion, which is common in the southwest U.S., is highly venomous and potentially deadly to humans. Never attempt DIY removal if you suspect it may be the Arizona bark scorpion—instead, contact a pest control professional immediately for safe, effective scorpion removal

Question 5

Do imitation nests work to prevent yellow jackets?

Accepted Answer

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Probably not. Many imitation nests are meant to be hung from trees or other tall places, but not all yellow jackets nest up high—most species, such as the common yellow jacket and the southern yellow jacket, build nests in the ground.