Checking a mattress for bed bugs is easy to do badly. A quick glance at the top sheet tells you almost nothing. Bed bugs spend much of their time hidden […]
Bed Bug Bites vs. Mosquito Bites: The Real Differences
Mosquito bites are familiar enough that most of us think we recognize one instantly. Then several itchy bumps appear after a night’s sleep and that confidence disappears. Maybe a mosquito […]
Bed Bug Bites vs. Hives: How to Tell What’s Causing Your Rash
A rash can fool you when you judge it from a single moment. Photograph a patch of hives at 8 a.m. and a cluster of bed bug reactions at the […]
What Is the Scientific Name for Springtails?
Springtails do not have one genus-and-species scientific name because the word “springtail” refers to a large group of related animals rather than a single species. The scientific name used for […]
Can Springtails Fly?
A springtail can disappear from the spot where you were watching it so quickly that flight seems like the obvious explanation. Look more closely, though, and there are no wings […]
Can You Get Bed Bugs From a Laundromat?
A laundromat seems like an unlikely place to pick up bed bugs. Clothes are being washed, dryers are producing plenty of heat, and there is no bed anywhere in sight. […]
What Do Bed Bug Bites Look Like on Dark or Black Skin?
Many descriptions of bed bug bites begin with the same phrase: small red bumps. That description becomes much less useful when redness is subtle against naturally brown or Black skin. […]
Are Bed Bug Bites Supposed to Be Raised, Flat, or Swollen?
One photo shows bed bug bites as tiny flat red dots. Another shows obvious raised bumps. Then someone else has large swollen welts and is equally convinced bed bugs caused […]
Earwig vs. Termite
Earwigs and termites are easy to separate once you know which features matter. An adult earwig has a long, dark body with a pair of obvious forceps at the rear. […]
When Should You Call an Exterminator for Earwigs?
Finding one earwig in the bathroom does not mean you need an exterminator. The decision changes when earwigs keep appearing in significant numbers, you cannot stop them from entering, they […]