Blog - A1 Exterminators

Pest Control Blog About Bugs and Rodents

Welcome to A1 Exterminators’ Uninvited Guests blog!

Here we talk about anything and everything bug related. Big and small, from ticks and bed bugs to roaches and termites; from bugs and insects to mice, rats, squirrels and rodents. Follow us to keep track of the new pests you should be worried about in your area. Get the latest news on pests, tips on how you can keep pests away from your home and business, and some other fun and interesting tidbits about bugs.

Rodent Tip Tuesday |Squirrel tips and hints

Posted on November 12, 2019

Never attempt to handle an adult squirrel as they are excitable creatures and handling causes intense stress. A stressed squirrel may bite or scratch. Be sure to seal up any openings that lead to your attic or underneath your house. Trim branches at least 10Ft away from your house .... more

Nursery Web Spiders

Posted on November 11, 2019

These spiders are named for their reproductive habits. Mother spiders carry their egg sacs using their mouth parts and then attach the sac to a plant and build a nursery web around them to protect the emerging spider-lings. Common nursery web spiders in Massachusetts and other parts of New... more

If you see one mouse, does that mean there’s more?

Posted on November 9, 2019

Sorry to break the news: If you see one mouse, you almost definitely have more than one. They're looking for the same things that humans are looking for in the winter — food, water, and shelter. They've gotten so good at living with humans. When you get one, others will find their way in.... more

Tagged with: mice, more than one mouse

Striped Grass Spiders

Posted on November 8, 2019

Grass spiders, also called funnel weavers, build funnel-shaped webs on the ground, usually under debris or rocks. Their body color varies, but they usually sport two wide stripes down their bodies. Common grass spiders in New England include Agelenopsis kastoni, Agelenopsis potteri and... more

Tagged with: spiders, spiders in grass

If a rat burrows around your house?

Posted on November 7, 2019

Rats create underground pathways or burrows from their nest to food sources and to escape predators. These burrows are often located under bushes or other types of dense vegetation. Rat burrows usually contain a main entrance and 1 or 2 exit holes away from the main entrance. Check along... more

Tagged with: rat, rat burrows home

Bug Tip Tuesday | Black Widow Spiders in New England

Posted on November 5, 2019

Many people wonder about poisonous spiders in Massachusetts and other parts of New England, especially the notorious black widow. While species of black widow do inhabit New England – notably the northern black widow (Latrodectus variolus) – stumbling upon a black widow is not very likely... more

Tagged with: black widow spider, spider

Pigeon droppings and public health

Posted on November 4, 2019

Disease risk from pigeon droppings is often used to justify killing pigeons, but fresh bird droppings have not been shown to present a health risk. People may fear that pigeons roosting or nesting nearby, or more specifically the droppings that accompany such sites, are a health threat.... more

Tagged with: pigeon awareness, pigeons

How to Get Rid of Mice

Posted on November 2, 2019

Fall and winter are prime time for rodents trying to make their way into warm, cozy homes, but it's never too early to start mouse-proofing, according to Cindy Mannes, a spokeswoman for the National Pest Management Association. Not only can they chew through walls and boxes in your pantry,... more

Tagged with: mice, mouse in house, rodents indoors

The Difference between Wasps and Bees

Posted on November 1, 2019

Wasps and bees are all capable of stinging people, but there are some very noticeable differences between the two. Wasps can sting more than once, while bees will die after they sting because their stinger, which is attached to the poison sac, is barbed and remains in the skin, causing the bee... more

Tagged with: bees, bees nest, nest in house, wasp

Large Wolf Spiders

Posted on October 31, 2019

This large family of spiders derives its common name from the tendency to chase and pounce on prey. Wolf spiders are generally dark in color and recognizable by their unique eye arrangement: one row of four small eyes under two rows containing two eyes each. Mother wolf spiders drag their egg... more

Tagged with: halloween wolf spiders, spider, wolf spiders