Bees and wasps are both creatures that fly and have painful stings, so it’s easy to get them confused. However, a person might wonder, What is the difference between a bee and a wasp? Knowing the difference can help them determine what’s in their yard and make sure they’re taken care of appropriately.

Difference Between Bees and Wasps

Bees are generally more of a round shape and tend to have hair all over their bodies. Wasps tend to have hourglass shapes and do not have hair. Of course, there are exceptions to these, which can mean it’s difficult for a homeowner to know what they’re finding around their home. Wasps tend to be more aggressive, but both are capable of stinging and the stings can be dangerous, especially if the person is allergic to stings.

Damage From Bees Around Homes

Bees are often seen around homes as they love to gather the nectar from the flowers in the yard. Carpenter bees are one type that is often found near decks and other wooden structures. These bees are named after their ability to bore into a piece of wood to build their nest. This damages the structure and could lead to stings if a person accidentally comes in contact with a carpenter bee while they’re near it.

In addition to carpenter bee damage, other bees can damage a property depending on where they choose to build their hive. They can completely take over an area and destroy it because of the honey they create. If this happens in a structure, such as in the walls of a home, a significant amount of work will need to be done to fix the home after they’re removed.

Harmful Stings From Bees and Wasps

Bees are not known to be very aggressive, but they will sting if they believe a person has come too close to their home or if they believe they’re being attacked. Bees, however, can only sting one time because their singer breaks off when they sting something. Wasps, such as yellowjackets, on the other hand, are generally seen as more aggressive and can sting more than once. An allergic reaction from a bee sting or wasp sting is common nowadays, so those who are allergic should take extra precautions.

Having the Bees or Wasps Removed

For many people, encountering a bee or a wasp is frightening because both can sting, especially if the person is allergic or might be allergic. It’s a good idea for the person to contact a professional to inquire about removing the bees or wasps from the property. Both can be removed easily by a professional and this is often a better idea than using sprays to kill them that could damage other beneficial insects.

It’s also more beneficial to remove bees than to kill them as the number of honey bees is still in decline and this can impact food sources if there are not enough of them. Moving them allows them to be relocated to a place that needs them.

If you’ve noticed bees or wasps around your home, being able to determine what kind they are and whether they might be beneficial is important. However, if there are more than a few or you’re worried about the destruction of your property, make sure you can contact a professional for bee and wasp removal in Lake County IL. They’ll be able to identify the insect and have it safely removed for you.

While the majority of people are not intimately familiar with their fireplace or the features of their chimney, this is an important part of their home. Cleaning it annually is a good idea; however, there is another way to protect it and minimize damages – by installing a chimney screen. Some of the benefits of installing a chimney screen can be found here.

Keep Animals Away

Many animals, such as squirrels, raccoons, and birds can try to make a home in a chimney. In some situations, the critters will get into the chimney but won’t be able to find their way out. When this happens, they may die, which can attract flies, maggots and create unpleasant odors in the home. A great way to prevent this issue is by installing a chimney bird screen. Having the professionals install this will ensure the proper size is selected and that no animals will be able to enter.

Block Downdrafts

If the wind starts to blow hard in a specific direction, it may introduce a downdraft. If there is no chimney screen installed, and a wood burning fireplace is being used, the wind caused downdraft may blow smoke into the home. The majority of chimney screens have a flat top, which means they can help prevent any type of wind caused downdraft.

Prevent the Build Up of Debris

As mentioned before, it is completely possible to keep birds out with chimney screens; however, there are other things they can keep at bay, as well. A properly installed screen can also help to keep twigs, branches, leaves and other types of debris out of the chimney. If these items are allowed to build up inside a chimney, they can result in a fire starting and even result in a house fire. This is all preventable with a chimney screen.

Why Hire the Professionals for Installation?

When it comes to chimney screen installation, it is best to leave the job to the professionals. If a homeowner wants to reap all the benefits that are highlighted here, then the professionals should be hired. They will install the right size and ensure it is working properly.

Additional information about chimney screens is available but as anyone can see, the benefits are vast. Protecting the home and integrity of the chimney is simple with this piece of equipment. Being informed can help a homeowner see why installing this is such a good idea.

Squirrels may be cute when they’re chasing each other up and down trees, but they aren’t so adorable when they end up in your attic or walls. If a squirrel infestation gets out of control, it’s important to take immediate action. Otherwise, these creatures can cause all sorts of damage to your home and create an unsafe environment for your family.  Plus, the sounds of scurrying squirrels in the walls can keep you up all night.  You might also have a squirrel nest in the attic.  

Got a hunch some squirrels have moved in? You’ll want to pay close attention to this brief guide.

What are some common signs of a squirrel infestation?

If you’re worried about squirrels making your home into their home, you’ll want to keep a sharp eye, ear, and nose out for some common signs of squirrels in the attic or in the walls of your home. They include:

• Strange noises
• Droppings
• Chewed or damaged entry points
• Damage to insulation, duct work, soffits and fascia, roofing, or other areas
• Nests
• A foul odor
• Increased squirrel activity around the property

If you’ve seen one or more of these signs, squirrel removal (or even carcass disposal) may be in order. To be sure, you’ll want to call a professional animal control specialist ASAP.

What are the dangers of having a squirrel infestation?

Squirrels in attics or walls pose many risks for homeowners, but a squirrel infestation can be especially serious. Squirrels will gnaw through almost anything, including electrical wiring. Their presence could easily lead to a devastating fire in your home. Their urine and fecal matter will create uncomfortable and unsanitary conditions for your family. And if a squirrel dies while in your home, the odor can lead to headaches and nausea. That’s why it’s so important to pursue professional help for removal and carcass disposal.

Can I remove the squirrels myself?

You can try, but it’s not recommended. You may think you’re saving money by going the DIY route, but you’re actually putting yourself and your home at further risk. The tactics you try may not be effective in the long run and you could potentially be hurt.

According to SFGate,com:

“Squirrels, like any wild animal, can attack if they’re cornered or feel threatened. Wear protective clothing, such as leather gloves, a long-sleeved shirt and long pants, while trying to catch or remove the animal from your home.”

Last year, the revenues of pest control services in the U.S. were projected to reach $12.29 billion, and these experts know how to handle rodent issues correctly. Whether you need live or dead squirrel removal or not, it’s better to get some assistance from professionals.

How can I prevent a squirrel infestation?

Inspect the exterior of the house and determine areas that might allow access for squirrels. Repair any holes and gaps.  Use chimney caps and attic vent screens to seal any openings. Make sure you don’t trap any animals in the attic. If you think squirrels might have already entered your attic, stuff newspaper in the holes first.  If the newspaper hasn’t been disturbed after a day or two, it is likely that the attic is clear.  Then, go ahead and perform the screen installation or repairs.

Don’t make it easy for squirrels to get on your roof and into the attic or chimney.  Keep all tree limbs growing over or near the roof to within about 8-10 feet of the edge of the roof.  This will prevent squirrels from jumping from the tree limbs onto your roof.  Also, squirrels love to hang around bird feeders.  If you see squirrels near your bird feeder, it might be necessary to remove the feeders.

Are you wondering who to call for squirrels in the attic or elsewhere in your home?  If you find that squirrels have already moved in, you should contact animal control specialists immediately.  You could be at risk for hundreds or thousands of dollars of damage to your home.  If you allow squirrels to take up residence in your attic you could wake up to new residents in your living space.  Squirrels won’t confine themselves to just your attic.  If you think you might be dealing with a squirrel infestation, take care of the problem sooner rather than later. Get in touch with your local pest removal professionals to have them inspect your property and make their recommendations.

When it comes to wildlife removal, sometimes there’s an unpleasant aftermath. This is true in the case of skunks, who can shoot their sulfur-smelling defense mechanism up to 10 feet out of their anal glands. If you’re dealing with the aftermath of a skunk removal, don’t panic. Here are some of the first steps you should take to rid your home of that nauseating dead skunk odor.

1. Do The Laundry:
   Doing the laundry should be one of the first steps you take when ridding your home of dead skunk odor. Make sure to thoroughly launder all fabrics, including bedding, towels, drapes, pillows, and any clothing that is affected by the smell. It’s generally advised to use warm water instead of hot due to the fact that the odor can easily spread through the steam released during washing. It’s also important to use a degreaser to remove the oil, as detergent alone will not do the job. Finally, make sure to hang-dry clothes instead of drying them in the dryer as an extra precaution.
2. Air Out Your Home:
   Another important aspect of getting rid of skunk odor is to open all doors and windows in your home. This does wonders in improving air flow and getting the smell out, but it does take some time. However, it’s important to note that if the outside of your home is affected as well, this method won’t work until the outside of your home has been thoroughly treated.
3. Spray With Vinegar:
   Finally, once you’ve taken the first two steps, mix three parts water with one part vinegar in a spray bottle and fully spray down your home’s walls and mop the floors with the solution. Hunker.com says, “The acetic acid in the vinegar will help break down the skunk oil and will remove much of the odor from those surfaces. Wear protective eye glasses, rubber gloves and an apron while deodorizing.”
4. Deodorize Your Pet:
   Has your dog been outside and now smells like skunk?  You need to take action immediately, otherwise, you might re-introduce that foul smelling skunk odor throughout your house.

Ultimately, skunk odor is one of the most common skunk complaints, and it does take some time. For more information about skunk removal services, contact Animal Control Specialists.

No matter where you live, you’ll probably run into nuisance wildlife at some point in time. Even in urban areas, you may need local animal control help. This is especially true when it comes to raccoons. These little bandits can often be found in cities and suburbs, and cute as they may be, they can also be a heap of trouble. Here are just three of the most common raccoon complaints we hear from homeowners.

Raccoons in the attic

One of the more common raccoon complaints we receive is that these creatures have taken refuge in someone’s attic or crawl space. In most cases, this will occur when a mother raccoon is about to give birth to a litter. You’ll probably know you have raccoons in your attic if you hear scratching, thumping, chirps, or other noises in your ceiling or another hidden area of the house, especially at night when they’re most active. And if there are babies up there, you might hear their whines and cries. Because raccoons are excellent climbers, they can easily make their way into almost any attic in existence — especially if there’s an obvious vulnerability or trees nearby. That’s why you should keep surrounding tree limbs trimmed back at least six to eight feet from your roof. But if a raccoon has already made its way inside, you need to call a professional to determine if there’s a litter of babies and remove them safely. Your pest control professional can also show you the point of entry, which you’ll need to seal after the animals are removed.

Raccoons in swimming pool

It might surprise you to learn that raccoons actually love the water. While their swimming and washing can be pretty adorable, when they do it in your pool, it’s anything but. Not only does their mere presence pose a health hazard to human swimmers, but this is made worse by the fact that raccoons like to defecate in swimming pools, too. You might try keeping raccoons away from your pool is to cut off nighttime access to your pool steps, but since raccoons are quite clever, this might not always be effective. The best way to keep the offenders out? Trap and relocate. Be sure to call a professional who will handle this problem in a humane way.

Raccoons in trash cans

This may seem cliche, but it’s true: raccoons love to forage in your garbage bins! It’s probably one of the most common raccoon complaints there is. Fortunately, this isn’t as serious as a raccoon family making your home their own. There are some methods to deter raccoons from getting into your trash. You can secure your garbage can lids with bungee cords or locks, keep your cans in the garage until garbage day, or use lights or sound (like string lights or a portable radio) to keep them away. You can also sprinkle garbage bags with a little bit of ammonia. If you continue to have a persistent raccoon problem after trying these methods — or the issue just gets worse — call in the professionals.

These common raccoon complaints can keep you from fully enjoying your home and can be a potential health concern. If you have a suspicion you’re dealing with a raccoon infestation, you should call a raccoon removal service immediately.

Although wild animals might be cute from a distance or on YouTube videos, it’s a much different matter when they make their way into your home. This is especially true if the animal dies while in or around your house. If this happens to you, you shouldn’t handle it yourself. Instead, you should call licensed pest control operators for their dead animal removal services. Not only can locating the creature be tricky, but it can be a messy process that could potentially be hazardous to your health. Carcass disposal should be taken care of by experienced professionals. That being said, you’ll need to know when to call for assistance. If you’re experiencing any of the three following signs, be sure to call us right away. Otherwise, the problem will only get worse!

1. Awful Odor The most obvious sign that you need to contact the experts for the removal of dead animals.  A terrible smell inside or outside your home. Decomposition is always accompanied by an odor, so at some point, you’ll likely be hit in the face with the smell. It’s not just smelly animals who give off a stench, either! While dead skunk odor can be awful, little squirrels and mice can produce a huge stink, too. And considering that a female house mouse can give birth to a handful of babies every three weeks, you could soon have a big pest problem on your hands. However, if an animal has died inside your home, you may not notice a constant odor; it often ebbs and flows with the air flow. As professionals, we know where animals are most likely to go when they’re about to die, but we also understand how to locate the source of an odor within or around your home.
2. Swarms of Flies The odor given off by decomposing animals may smell foul to you, but it attracts other animals. If an animal dies in your home and is allowed to remain there for a period of time, flies and other insects may reproduce and could lead to an infestation. Obviously, this makes for disgusting conditions and should be taken care of as soon as possible. If you notice more flies or insect activity in your home with no explanation, a dead animal could be the cause.
3. Wall or Ceiling Stains Another gross effect of a dead animal in your home can be fluid seepage. Of course, you may notice staining from other sources, like water leakage and mold (which are concerning in and of themselves). But left unattended, decomposing animal tissue can permeate into your walls, ceilings, floors, or even your duct work. It sounds like something out of a horror film, so you’ll want to avoid this at all costs. And speaking of costs, the repair and cleaning required for these kinds of leaks can be quite expensive and extensive. It’s best to take care of dead animal removal before it ever gets to this stage.

Experiencing any of the above? It’s time to invest in professional dead animal removal. For more information on our pest control services, please contact Animal Control Specialists today.