The Spookiest and Scariest Halloween Pest Stories

This time of year is perfect for all kinds of Halloween trickery. Here at Ehrlich Pest Control, formerly Connor’s, we like to get into the spooky spirit by hanging fake bats from light fixtures and putting giant inflatable spiders on the lawn. But while we’re always up for good trick here and there, if your home or business has a problem with real spiders, bats, and rats, it’s probably time to call Ehrlich Pest Control, formerly Connor’s.

When it comes to choosing between a trick or a treat, we pick treat! So, in the spirit of Halloween, we’d like to treat you to some of the scariest pest stories we’ve heard in our 72 years of business.

The not-so itsy bitsy spider

When it comes to fears, arachnophobia reigns supreme. 50% of women and 18% of men suffer from an extreme fear of spiders. These eight-legged creepy crawlers can swim, fly, and make even the manliest of men scream like little schoolchildren. Hiding in our showers, under the bed, and in every little nook and cranny, this pest causes some serious anxiety. When hunting, spiders will liquefy their prey by using fangs to expel digestive enzymes and then suck the animal’s insides through the hairs on its mouth!

Thankfully most spiders are completely harmless to people, but just the thought of one crawling on your skin will send shivers down your spine.

Bats

Playing a major role in our favorite vampire movies, bats are a scary pest on and off the screen. Not only do these furry flyers have razor sharp teeth to shred prey, they also can consume almost their body weight in food in just one night!

Nocturnal in nature, bats only come out at night and sleep during the day, making it difficult to notice if you even have an infestation. Homeowners may only realize they have a bat problem when they hear scratching and high-pitch squeals coming from inside the walls at night. And if that isn’t enough to give you goosebumps, bats are also known for bringing in bat bugs, which are similar to bed bugs and can bite humans.

Rats

Creeping in the shadows or even in your darkest nightmares, these critters have the ability to make just about everyone cringe. While some homeowners or business owners may believe their property is too airtight for any rodent infiltration, rats are known for their break-in trickery. Rats can swim through water pipes, squeeze in small vents, and even remove small barriers with their teeth. And with female rats having the ability to birth up to 10 litters per year, a small rodent issue can quickly turn into a big problem!

However, rodent infestation is easy to spot and can be taken care of quickly. If you suspect an issue, inspect your baseboards for droppings and food containers for holes that rodents may have gnawed.

So, if you’re throwing a Halloween party this year, make sure you don’t have any of these spooky pests show up as uninvited guests. Call Ehrlich Pest Control, formerly Connor’s today for all your pest control needs!

As Seasons Change, So Will the Pests in Your Home

The summer heat may still be here, but we all know that autumn is right around the corner and with that comes new pests. As the crisp weather arrives, many pests will begin to seek shelter in the warmth of homes because they are the perfect refuge for the chilly winter ahead. It is important to remember to pest-proof your home for extra safety from these unwanted pests.

Here’s a list of Ehrlich Pest Control, formerly Connor’s top five most prevalent pests to watch out for this upcoming fall season!

Rodents

Rats, mice, and squirrels are all common fall intruders. In addition to breaking into your food storage and carrying diseases, rodents will chew on and eat anything and everything. This means electrical wires, wooden supports, and many more home essentials are at risk. Rodents are also experts at fitting into gaps and holes in the home so it is important to have a thorough exterior inspection of the home.

And with rodents come fleas…

Fleas

Fleas can be brought into your home with rodents as well as with pets. Not only are flea bites painful and irritating for them, they can also be dangerous and have the potential to spread throughout your home. Additionally, fleas can be very difficult to eliminate.

Ants

Ants are small but mighty. You shouldn’t underestimate the damage a few can do to your home. They are known to move into the walls of your home or beneath foundations to escape the cold. Various types of ants are typically found in and around the home in the fall season. The worst of them are carpenter ants that chew through the wood of your home and have the potential to cause foundation issues.

Cockroaches

In addition to being the most common pest found in the home during the fall season, cockroaches can also be the most dangerous. These pests have the ability to spread 33 different types of bacteria and cause asthma in children. They are large, fast, and remarkably resilient. They typically hide near pipes or drains making it extremely important for homeowners to keep kitchens and bathrooms sanitized.

Spiders

Unfortunately, the number and variety of spiders creeping into your home increase over the fall and winter months. The most frequent are the typical house spider, wolf spider, and hobo spider. House spiders are the pests responsible for most cobwebs and can usually be seen around windows and doorways. Wolf spiders are a common pest in this region but are far less harmful than they look. Hobo spiders, however, are extremely long and have bites that can be significantly more painful than most spiders.

Now you know what to look out for, don’t let your home be vulnerable to the pesky pests this season! Call Ehrlich Pest Control, formerly Connor’s Pest Control, the trusted industry leader, to protect your home from pests this fall.

Pest Myths: ‘Debugged’

Being in the pest control business for almost 75 years, we’ve heard plenty of tall tales and misinformation about pests. And let’s face it, with over 900,000 known insect species, it’s pretty easy to get your facts mixed up. This season, we’re separating fact from fiction, so we can ensure no one is misguided by false pest information. We want you to make wise pest control decisions.

To ensure you don’t fall for pest fiction, check out these 4 ‘debugged’ myths!

Myth #1: Bed bugs only infest unsanitary conditions

Many homeowners may think they are safe from bed bugs because of rigorous cleaning and housework, but, the fact is, this pest can thrive in any condition. Whether your bedroom is tidy and sparkling or cluttered and grimy, your space could still be infested. Bed bugs are attracted to warmth and carbon dioxide, and they feed on human blood, so a 5-star hotel is just as susceptible to this critter as a dirty dorm room. And while clutter may hide early warning signs of a pest control problem, a clean home doesn’t mean bed bugs won’t find a way to their food source: mammalian blood.

Myth #2: Houses on concrete slabs are safe from termites

The Center for Disease and Control reports that termites are the most destructive insect pests of wood in the United States, causing more than $2 billion in damage each year. With that said, it definitely ‘pays’ to know termite fact from fiction.

The truth is, all homes are built with a wood frame, and termites are sophisticated enough to work their way from the ground to the wood in some way or another. This wood-devouring pest is able to construct tunnels through cracks in concrete slabs to reach a house’s wooden frame, making any home a target of termites. So, while we’d all like to believe our home is safe just because it sits on a concrete slab, that is simply not the case.

Myth #3: Light will scare cockroaches away.

Always fleeing into the shadows as soon as the light exposes them, cockroaches are the age-old pests that can really make your skin crawl. But the truth is, cockroaches are more scared of you than you are of them! In fact, this pest doesn’t have a light aversion at all, but scurries into the darkness because their hiding spot has been discovered. When you enter a room and turn the lights on, cockroaches are able to feel air movement with their cerci, a pair of appendages on their posterior ends, which signals to them to run, hide, and find a new shelter.

Myth #4: No visible pests? No problem.

This myth may cause a homeowner to think twice about foregoing their next pest control treatment. Not being able to physically see a pest outbreak or infestation doesn’t necessarily mean that your pest control situation is well managed and under control. Certain pests, like ants and stinkbugs, are able to cause extensive (and expensive) damage to the internal structure of your home before the issue is noticeable.

Prevent this costly property damage and protect your family or customers with one of our pest control plans, which can provide year-round monitoring so you can stop a pest issue before it even starts. Don’t wait until it’s too late, call Ehrlich Pest Control, formerly Connor’s to check out your property for pests now!

What’s the buzz?

Do you hear it? That sound! Yes, that’s the one. The familiar sound of bees. The buzz that fills your ears in the warm months of summer. In this case, put down your fly swatters because bees are a vital component to our ecosystem. More importantly, they make that sweet sticky stuff called honey that goes perfectly with Grandma’s homemade biscuits. Bees are pretty impressive insects and there are around 25,000 known species worldwide. The most common are bumble bees, carpenter bees, and honey bees.

Let’s take a further look at what these buzzing insects can do for us.

Bumble Bees

Bumble bees have definitely earned the name “busy bee,” as they are the primary pollinators of our plants and flowers. The nectar in these plants and flowers is a sugary liquid that gives bees their energy. They are active from spring to fall and there are 275 different kinds of bumble bees in the world. They are usually located underground in abandoned holes made by rodents and their nests contain between 50-500 other bumble bees. Bumble bees can also sting more than once, ouch! However, male bumble bees don’t have a stinger and females bumble bees are not usually very aggressive.

Carpenter Bees

Carpenter bees tend to enjoy their alone time. They generally live by themselves and find their cozy nests in bare, unpainted, or weathered softwoods but they especially love redwood, cedar, cypress, and pine. Carpenter bees emerge in the late spring and early summer and are often mistaken for bumble bees due to their similar appearance. However, a carpenter bee has a bare and shiny back while a bumble bees have a hairy abdomen with some yellow markings. Male carpenter bees are known to be pretty aggressive when you get close to their nest but luckily they don’t have a stinger. A female carpenter bee, however, will sting you if they feel threatened and that is usually pretty painful.

Honey Bees

Honey bees can do something that no other insect can, and that is make a food that humans are able to eat. Honey is not only Winnie the Pooh’s favorite food but the only food that contains all of the necessary substances to sustain life. It includes enzymes, vitamins, minerals, water, and pinocembrin which is an antioxidant that improves brain functioning. The average working honey bee produces 1/12th teaspoon of honey in their lifetime. They live in colonies that consist of 20,000-60,000 honeybees and one queen bee. The queen bee can live up to 5 years while the working honey bees only live up to about 6 weeks. Honey worker bees can sting, but unlike bumblebees and carpenter bees, they die after only one sting.

Wasps and Hornets

It is very common to get bees mixed up with wasps and hornets. They can look pretty similar, but there are some major differences. Bees are pollinators and spend their time amongst the plants and flowers. Their bodies are smaller as they have hairy backs and flat legs allowing them to move pollen from one plant to another. Wasps and hornets, on the other hand, are predators and they get their food from other insects to help feed their young. Some wasps can even become aggressive scavengers as they shift their focus from insects to sweets as seen with Aunt Sue’s famous strawberry shortcake at the end of summer barbecues. Not to worry too much though, bees, wasps, and hornets don’t usually sting unless they are disturbed.

Bee Free

Bees have long provided humans with honey and beeswax. However, when their duties interfere with the wellbeing of your home, they can turn into a problem. Beehives, bee colonies, and bee nests can be very dangerous, especially if the bees feel threatened by your presence. Ehrlich Pest Control, formerly Connor’s wants you to have a “hapbee” summer, free from harmful bees. We know the best methods for removing your bee problems quickly and effectively so you can continue on with your fun filled summer!

Let the Pest Olympics Begin!

On your mark. Get set. Go! The Olympic Games are right around the corner as the whole world will tune into their TV sets for the opening ceremony on August 5. In honor of this great event, Ehrlich Pest Control, formerly Connor’s is having our very own Olympics for some distinguished pests. Let’s have a look at our most skillful competitors to see what we can expect for this year’s first-ever Pest Olympics.

Weight Lifting

In this case, don’t judge a book by its cover. They may be small, but ants are impressively strong. They can carry many times their own body weight and studies show that their neck joint can hold pressures up to 5,000 times greater than its own body weight. Wow!

Ants have been pumping iron day-in and day-out ever since Ehrlich Pest Control, formerly Connor’s announced their first ever Pest Olympics. However, it is important to make sure that ants stick to the weight room; if they venture into your home, it could get destructive. Ants can cause structural damage to your home and build nests on your property that could turn into colonies. We certainly don’t want them building their own Olympic Village at your home.

High Jump

The high jump is going to be a tough competition this year. We have a lot of great prospects, but we are mostly focused on the fleas at this Pest Olympics. A flea can jump up to 8 inches high which is approximately 150 times its own height. To put this into perspective, if fleas were the size of humans, they would be able to jump approximately 970 feet high.

Fleas are not only hard to eliminate in this year’s games but also in a person’s home. A flea bite can be extremely itchy for pets and humans. Fleas can cause tapeworms and anemia in pets and female fleas can produce up to 27 eggs per day. Luckily, Ehrlich Pest Control, formerly Connor’s knows how to rid a family home of fleas in a guaranteed safe way.

Soccer

The 2016 European Soccer Championship just ended with Portugal taking home the gold. However, for this year’s Pest Olympics the spiders are looking like pretty tough competitors. In between spinning webs and hiding in the corners of your basement, spiders have been gearing up to present their soccer skills at this year’s games. They make for quite limber athletes and their eight legs give a whole new dimension to the game of soccer, making it easy to beat their opponents with some very fancy skills.

Spiders are definitely going to be tough competitors this year, but don’t let their intimidating exteriors scare you unless they are poisonous. If so, leave it up to the experts off the field to take care of them. Ehrlich Pest Control, formerly Connor’s will help get rid of these eight-legged pests to prevent spider problems in the future, especially in a person’s home.

200 Meter Medley Freestyle

Watch out Michael Phelps, there are some rodents that are trying to beat your record! Rats are able to tread water for more than three days and have the ability to swim up to a half mile. They have also shown an impressive ability dive into the water at least 100 feet and they can hold their breath for as long as 15 minutes. Not to mention, their tails give them a forceful advantage as they are able to push themselves through the water with great ease.

Rats are the type of pests that you want to keep solely to the swimming competitions because having them in your home can raise a few concerns. Rats carry diseases and can cause safety hazards as they are able to chew through electrical wiring. They can also reproduce within two months so it is important to get rid of rats quickly within a household. At Ehrlich Pest Control, formerly Connor’s we are able to trap these rodents and get rid of them safely to make sure that future infestations do not occur.

Keep Calm and Go for Gold

As you can see, we have some very exciting events to watch for the first ever Pest Olympics. We expect that there will be a lot of upsets and exciting games this year. Each pest has a certain skill to offer but only the best will be able to take home the gold. However, if these pests decide to switch their sport to that of destroying your home or landscape, then Ehrlich Pest Control, formerly Connor’s will be only a call away. We would like to wish those in the Pest Olympics a good luck as well as all those competing in the Rio Olympics this summer.

Pests of the Sky

Look up! Do you see it? No, it’s not the blue sky, that plane passing overhead, or that bird flying by; it’s the pests buzzing right above your head. It’s those tiny insects that fly all around you in the heat of the summer and make those annoying sounds in your ears. Those crawling creatures that ruin your barbecues with friends and your relaxing days spent outside by the pool.

It is that time of year again where the sun is blazing and the pests are out and about. These pests are mere annoyances but there are many ways to repel them from all of your summer activities. Ehrlich Pest Control, formerly Connor’s makes sure that they become the least of your worries this summer. Let’s explore the most bothersome summer pests below.

Moths

Hide your Wheaties everyone, because moths love to feed on stored grains. They are for the most part harmless, but when left unchecked, moths can cause damage to many of a homeowner’s precious things, like clothing, blankets and stored food.

There are many different kinds of moths, such as the Indian meal moth, clothing moths, and moths that attack trees and crops, like the gypsy moth and the diamondback moth. They generally appear in the late spring and complete their full lifecycles by the fall.  At Ehrlich Pest Control, formerly Connor’s, we are able to eliminate these pests using environmentally responsible products that target moths at every stage of their lifecycle.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes on the other hand, are a major nuisance. They carry many diseases, making them the deadliest insects on earth.  In fact, they have everyone in a frenzy right now because of the Zika Virus. Mosquitoes create infestations in certain areas of one’s home and potential mosquito breeding areas. They infest ponds, marshes, swamps, and other wetland habitats. If you are laying out by the pool this summer, make sure you eliminate the threat of mosquitoes before they become a problem by getting rid of standing water and overgrown vegetation.

These pests thrive in hot, humid, and wet environments for growth and survival. Free your family from these irritating mosquitoes this summer and enjoy more time outside.  Check out our monthly mosquito treatment program at Connors that leaves your family mosquito-free, and able to enjoy any special outdoor event.

Wasps

Wasps are one of the most feared pests of the summer due to their painful stings. Wasps, like hornets and yellow jackets, create nests for their queen to lay her eggs. These nests are usually built alongside garages, roofs, or inside walls and are sometimes referred to as a colony. These colonies keep up to as many as 1,000 wasps, oh my!

The behaviors of wasps change by the end of the summer as they start to desire sweets instead of insects. So if you are planning any picnics or barbecues, beware of the wasps that might be trying to get into your favorite snacks. If you spy a wasps nest during the summer, stay away as it can be dangerous to people and pets. Getting rid of wasps requires an expert. At Ehrlich Pest Control, formerly Connor’s, we know the best techniques in removing nests and how to get rid of wasps quickly and effectively.

Bats

Keep your home free of bats this summer. These nocturnal creatures are not aggressive towards people but can become a problem if they are living in attics or other areas of your home. Bats can carry rabies and living in close contact with bats can be very dangerous. Their droppings also pose a threat of catching the disease histoplasmosis, which is no way to spend a fun-filled summer.

These unwelcome bats sneak into homes through open doors, chimneys, or fireplaces. It is key to listen out for strange sounds such as high-pitched squeaks and scratching noises. Removing bats can be tricky as killing bats is unsafe and illegal in some states. Luckily, the wildlife experts at Ehrlich Pest Control, formerly Connor’s have you covered. They know how to extract bats by using smart techniques that prevent injuries to both people and bats.

Going, going, gone!

Put down your fly swatters and bug sprays this summer because you won’t be needing them after one service with Ehrlich Pest Control, formerly Connor’s Pest Control. We will get rid of your pests with a one-time treatment to protect your home this summer season. Your summer should be spent worry-free from the pests of the sky. So sit back, grab a refreshing beverage, and enjoy your summer pest-free with help from Ehrlich Pest Control, formerly Connor’s.

Gardening 101 with Your Local Pest Experts

Put on a sun hat, get your gloves ready, and go find your tools. It’s time to do some gardening.

At Ehrlich Pest Control, formerly Connor’s, we certainly garden with beauty and aesthetics in mind, but we also garden for functionality. What you may not know is that certain plants help keep pests out of your garden and away from your home. That’s right. Planting the right herbs, flowers, and plants can help keep insects and wildlife at bay.Below, we’ll dive into five easy-to-plant insect repellants.

Basil

Long a staple of summer dishes—think pesto sauce and Caprese salad—basil is more than just a tasty ingredient. It helps keep flies and mosquitoes far away from your home and maintaining it couldn’t be easier. All it needs is sunlight and water, and cutting or picking leaves off of the plant promotes even more growth. Any strand of basil will help repel bugs, but lemon basil and cinnamon basil are the most effective.

Lavender

Sure, lavender can be used in aromatic soaps, potpourri, and lotions, but did you know that it can also keep all different types of flying insects out of your garden? Grow this beautiful purple flowering plant indoors near a sunny window, or outside with the rest of your garden to prevent moths, fleas, flies, and mosquitoes. Even better, just like basil, lavender doesn’t take much care to grow.

Lemon Balm

A member of the mint family, lemon balm is also known as horsemint and beebalm. It’s particularly effective in keeping mosquitoes and other bugs away, as its leaves contain large amounts of citronella compounds. Lemon balm is also easy to grow, as it resists drought and can even grow well in shady areas. Be sure to contain it in a pot though, as it grows quickly, and sometimes aggressively.

Marigolds

The scent from this member of the sunflower family helps keep many different types of pests at bay. In fact, farmers and gardeners have used marigolds to keep aphids, mosquitoes, silverfish, beetles and even rabbits away from their plants. Though they can grow all over the country, they require a bit more care than the herbs listed above, as they can suffer from gray mold, root rot, and other plant diseases.

Pitcher Plants

Like something out of a science fiction movie, pitcher plants put the guard in garden. The largest group of carnivorous plants, pitchers lure insects to their demise through a combination of nectar, fragrance, and tantalizing color. The most frequent victims of pitcher plants are ants, flies, wasps, and beetles. The only downside of growing these plants is that they need to be in a sunny area that stays moist—a difficult find for most homeowners.

We hope that you’ll try out some of these natural methods this summer to stay pest-free!

Presidential Pest Predictions? Say That 10 Times Fast

Trump? Clinton? Sanders? Cruz? Who’s going to win the election this November? If we knew, we’d already be on the way to Las Vegas to place our bets. Though we may be in the dark about the election outcome, ecologists from the University of California, Davis think that they’ve got the election all figured out, thanks to a little help from some insect friends.

For 30 years, the March population of wooly bear caterpillars—the immature form of the Ranchman’s Tiger Moth— in Bodega Bay, CA has correctly predicted whether the Democratic candidate or the Republican candidate will win the presidential election. When the population is up in March of an election year, a Democrat wins, and when the population is down, a Republican wins.The wooly bear caterpillar population is very erratic, so predicting their numbers is never easy. Some years there are a ton of wooly bears, and other years there are very few. Wooly bear expert and UC Davis professor, Rick Karban, along with his graduate students, studies the wooly bear caterpillars population very closely and has found that varying levels of precipitation and predators—mainly ants—can help explain the population booms and deficits.

Who will win this year?

In a year of wacky election news, it should come as no shock that the wooly bears “seem hesitant and befuddled” according to Karban and his students. Their numbers aren’t terribly high this year, which would normally suggest a Republican victory, but their population is already 36% higher than it was during the highest Republican year. However, it is only 36% of the lowest Democrat year.

The wooly bears haven’t been wrong once in the last 30 years. We’ll have to wait and see how their prediction pans out this November.Check out the graphs, and read more here.

Zika Virus: Get Educated About the Illness Grabbing Headlines

You’ve seen it in the news, but what exactly is the Zika virus? The virus spread to the United States from South America, where its potential for birth defects alarmed residents. Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 346 cases of the Zika virus in the United States, all of which people acquired through travel. However, some U.S. territories have seen locally transmitted cases.

First found in Uganda in 1947, the virus spread from its origins in Central Africa and Southeast Asia to the South Pacific in 2007. It eventually made its way to South America in 2014. From South America, travelers brought the virus to the United States.

Who is most at risk?

Certain regions of the U.S. are more at risk for the virus. The Zika virus is only transmitted to humans by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquito species, most often found in southern states and the mid-Atlantic, respectively. As a result, the West Coast is at less risk for infection.

However, everyone is potentially at risk, as the virus has the ability to spread rapidly. Mosquitoes can transmit the virus to humans, and infected humans can also pass the virus to mosquitoes. There have even been seven cases in the U.S. where the virus was transmitted sexually, according to the CDC.Infected pregnant women are at heightened risk to give birth to babies with premature head and brain development. Thirty-two cases of pregnant women with Zika virus in the United States have been reported to the CDC. Researchers are still exploring this scary connection between birth defects and the virus.

What are the symptoms?

Virus symptoms include a mild headache, a maculopapular rash on the body, fever, body aches, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and dizziness. The symptoms typically follow that pattern with the headache arriving first, then the rash, and finally fever and negative effects on bodily functions.

How is it treated?

Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention, especially people who have traveled to South America or an area of the country where Zika virus has been diagnosed. The treatment for Zika virus is sleep and acetaminophen to calm the symptoms. If diagnosed with the virus, infected people should also drink a lot of water. Hydration is key.

Educate yourself

Researchers are working to learn more about the virus and how it spreads. The best thing you can do to help protect yourself from Zika virus is to be observant. Alert yourself to new mosquito populations in and around your home and know the dangers of the virus.

Keep safe by doing what you’re doing right now. Educate your family and the people around you so they know the symptoms. This will help them to seek medical care sooner rather than later.

Keep mosquitoes at bay

It’s also important that people understand the mosquito populations in their area and work to prevent mosquitoes from entering their homes. Mosquitoes like stagnant water and can get into your home through open windows without screening.

For more tips on staying mosquito-free this summer, check out our blog post.

You Have a Favorite Color, So Do Bed Bugs

It turns out those pesky critters that call your sheets home have color preferences. A recent study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology found bed bugs, parasitic insects that feed on human blood, prefer to live in black and red fabrics.

That’s right, if your sheets are red or black, you are more likely to inherit a bed bug infestation. Researchers discovered this by setting up different colored shelters that looked like small tents. After a 10-minute window for each bug to choose its shelter, what the researchers found was bed bug bias. Not only do bed bugs have favorite colors, but they also detest the colors green, yellow, and white.

A bed bug’s life

The researchers studied a variety of factors, including age, but also sex, hunger, and their environment. Bed bugs, which are oval-shaped and light brown or auburn in color, establish their preferences over their lifecycle, according to the study.

Young bed bugs, or nymphs, have not yet fully developed their vision, so the color of your sheets makes less of an impression on them. In the study, as the young insects approached adulthood, they displayed a higher preference for red and black.

Why red and black?

Red and black were about equally as likely to be chosen by the bed bugs as harborages. Initially, researchers believed the bugs were attracted to red because it is the color of their food source, blood. After the study was conducted, however, they concluded that the bed bugs were drawn to red, because they are reddish in color and are searching for their bed-bug friends.

Researchers believe black is an attractive color for bed bugs too, because nocturnal creatures prefer darkness. Green, yellow, and white all represent a lighter color that the insects, by nature, are not attracted to. The light sheets pose problems for their survival, causing them to lose water more quickly and preventing them from staying hidden.

Putting this knowledge to work

Researchers want people to know a change of sheets isn’t a quick fix for bed bugs. However, the hope is that the research can be used as a tool for pest control companies. By knowing what colors attract and repel bed bugs, pest control specialists can better target them.

When a bed bug bites, it leaves a red, itchy bump. Most bed bug infestations need immediate attention and treatment. No matter the cleanliness of your room or sheets, bed bugs want to be where you sleep. Getting rid of these critters is best left to the professionals because bed bugs are masters at hiding. Ehrlich Pest Control, formerly Connor’s can provide you with the right treatment to eliminate a bed bug infestation. Just give us a call today.