Some insects are experts at blending into their surroundings. Camouflage helps them avoid predators and, in some cases, capture prey. While many of these insects stay in your yard rather than inside your home, it’s helpful to recognize them. Some even play a role in natural pest control.
Stick Bugs
Stick bugs, or phasmids, resemble twigs or branches, helping them stay hidden from birds and other predators. They are found throughout North America, though their small size can make them difficult to spot. Stick bugs are herbivores and generally do not harm gardens. If you see one in your yard, it can be left alone without concern.
Leaf-Mimicking Insects
Leaf-mimicking insects, such as katydids, resemble green leaves and feed primarily on deciduous trees. Their natural predators include birds, frogs, bats, and spiders. While katydids rarely cause significant damage, large populations can impact fruit trees by eating leaves or fruit. In cases of infestation, professional pest management can help assess and reduce damage safely.
Thorn Bugs
Thorn bugs are insects that resemble the thorns of certain plants. In warmer climates, they can be found year-round and may affect trees such as tamarind, date palms, and Jerusalem thorns. Populations are often sporadic and unpredictable. If thorn bugs become a problem, professional pest management is the safest and most effective approach for control.
At Abell Pest Control, we emphasize awareness, prevention, and professional solutions. Recognizing camouflaged insects in your yard allows you to differentiate between harmless species and those that may require intervention. When pest activity is significant, trained professionals can safely manage populations while protecting beneficial insects and the surrounding environment.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
