The Tiny Fungus Gnat As colder weather approaches, some outdoor plants are now getting chilly and need to be brought inside. Although moving plants indoors is great for keeping them alive, this can bring in some unwanted house guests, specifically fungus gnats. The fungus gnat is a small fly that enjoys eating fungus and decaying […]

Silverfish are in the order Zygentoma. This soft-bodied insect is a voracious feeder on items high in starch, glue, and cellulose. For example, they are common in libraries and museums where paper books and labels are abundant. However, they can also be found outdoors in cool shaded places, such as under leaf litter, under rocks, […]

The Pests Hiding in Your Bookshelves I have always been a big reader of books, and nowadays reading is more convenient than ever thanks to eBooks that can be read on whatever electronic device suits your fancy. However, I find that there is nothing better than a new paper book. I love the way they […]

When we think of migrating animals, we often think of ducks and other birds that fly to places with warmer weather. However, birds are not the only animals that migrate; monarch butterflies also have unique migrating behavior. Each fall, North American monarchs will migrate almost 3,000 miles from their summer breeding grounds. There is a […]

The Devil in the Sand Scorpions are an arachnid that we commonly deal with in the pest control industry. They are closely related to spiders and can be found on every continent except Antarctica. There are more than 1,500 scorpion species worldwide, but only about 25 of those species have venom strong enough to kill […]

Camouflage is very common in the animal kingdom. There are many different animals that may come to mind: chameleons, some fish, and especially insects. There are many different types of insects that demonstrate forms of camouflage. Why though? If you think about living as a small, defenseless insect, then camouflage would be vital to your […]

As the weather warms up, we start to see more insects – some are a nuisance, while others are beneficial. Among said insects, dragonflies are considered beneficial. Dragonflies are in the order Odonata, which translates to “the toothed one.” This is because they are predatory insects that feed on other insects. They are known for […]

The ensign wasp is an example of a parasitoid wasp species. A parasite is defined as an organism that lives in or on an organism of another species (its host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the other’s expense. In the case of the ensign wasp, it is a parasite of the not-so-loveable household cockroaches, […]

You probably saw this title and thought to yourself, “Has Kristen lost her mind? What do ants, aphids, and elephants have in common? And why is an entomologist talking about a pachyderm, because elephants are certainly not insects.” This is a subject close to my heart and is rather interesting, so humor me for a […]

When we think of wasps, we often think of them in a negative light. We may imagine them invading our homes and stinging us or think of the painful reactions their stings may cause. Despite these negative associations, not all wasps are bothersome; some wasps known as parasitoid wasps are often beneficial, especially in pest […]

Look Closer: The Rainbow Beetle’s Unappealing Habitat Although the rainbow scarab (Phanaeus vindex) has a colorful, attractive exterior, its habitat is… less than attractive. Commonly referred to as dung beetles, they can often be found rolling around in dung. Despite their affinity for excrement, they have an interesting history as objects of worship in Ancient […]

Fact or fiction: are earwigs in your ears? Probably not. Can any insect get in your ear? Sure, it can happen. But what is not true is that earwigs will crawl into your ear and then burrow into your brain. With that myth out of the way, what is an earwig, and where does it […]

Fleas (Order: Siphonaptera) are small, dark, wingless insects that are flattened from side to side. These insects are usually found buried in the hair, close to the skin of mammals. When infestations are large, adult fleas may be found in carpeting and around pet resting areas. Fleas have four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and […]

What we know about fleas: they are a nuisance, they can be hard to get rid of, they hurt our pets and sometimes, they even bite us. My goal in the discussion of fleas below is not to tell you all the bad things about fleas, although there will be some of that, but rather […]

As the need for pest and termite control continues, Cook’s Pest Control remains committed to providing the highest quality customer service. The Department of Homeland Security has included “exterminators” on the list of essential industries at the federal level. Many state, municipal and local authorities also include “pest control” and “extermination” services as essential to […]

To reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus, only Cook’s Pest Control employees will be admitted. Call Your Local Office If you need to speak with someone in person, please call your local office to schedule an appointment. You can find a list of offices and contact information here: Branch Information Payment options: Online: www.cookspest.com […]

Most pests come from the outside, so wouldn’t it make sense to keep them out before they become an indoor problem? Here are some ways you can keep pests out and make your home less desirable to them. Door sweeps are simple and effective devices that are often overlooked and neglected. Chipped, broken, damaged, or […]

The Indianmeal moth is commonly referred to as a stored product pest. This pest is in the insect order Lepidoptera. Like most other stored product pests, it is the larval immature stage that causes damage to food products. Their larva is often confused with pest beetle larvae that will do similar damage to stored food […]

As the situation with the COVID-19 virus continues to evolve, we want to stress that our focus is first and foremost on the welfare and safety of our employees, as well as our customers. As the days and weeks progress, we will continue to take this matter very seriously. Cook’s COVID Response In response to […]

Ever open a bag of flour or rice and find something crawling around? Wonder why and how that pest invaded your kitchen pantry? There is always the chance it didn’t come into your home at all; instead, you may have bought the product with insects included. There are a few different types of such pests, […]

Bradley Digital 4-Rack Electric Smoker Giveaway – POSTPONED The following are terms, rules, and conditions for TechTuesday Giveaways that Cook’s Pest Control, Inc. (“Cook’s”), is conducting on Cook’s social media channels. These contests have not been endorsed or sanctioned by Facebook or any other social media outlet. Contests are being conducted in their entirety by […]

Hearing the word “lovebug” may evoke the season of love and red hearts, but these critters don’t live up to their name. They are not exactly loveable, and many people find them detestable. The lovebug Plecia nearctica is a fly species that is particularly a nuisance to motorists when traveling through the southern United States. […]

The Kissing Bug As Valentine’s Day approaches, stores get inundated with hearts, chocolates, and roses, and reds and pinks are everywhere. In the bug world, we have several different insects that often get associated with “love,” love bugs, maybe even ladybugs because of their bright red color. One that doesn’t get much love is the […]

What happens to honey bees in the winter? During winter months, it’s too cold for them to be out flying, sipping on nectar, and packing pollen on their legs, so what are they doing? Have you ever wondered why honey bees make honey? They don’t make it so that we can steal it, sell it, […]