Innovative Pest Solutions Blog

Think rats aren’t a problem in the Raleigh-area? Think again! Raleigh may have that small-town charm, but it has common big city problems . . . including rats.  What are the most common rats in this area? The most common rats we see here are brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) and black rats (Rattus rattus). Both rat species are omnivorous, meaning they will eat both plant and animal matter. T...

Did you know that insect pests are categorized by the type of damage they cause or the locations they are found? Let’s learn more.  The term “pest” is not a very descriptive label when it comes to insects. Different insects are pests in different ways. Some of the most common insect pest categories are: • Household/Structural pests. These pests infest homes and other structures, such as s...

Have you been finding wasps in your home this winter? Read on to find out why! Why am I finding wasps in my home? If you are a frequent reader of our blog, you will know that many insects in the Raleigh area overwinter in homes. For ease of explanation, overwintering is kind of like hibernation. Some insects overwinter in soil, but others seek warm structures, like homes. Many species of wasps...

Putting away your holiday decorations is an opportunity for you to be a pest detective. Read on to find out how! If you’re like me, your home is currently a sea of boxes – some left over from Christmas presents and others from the attic and garage waiting to return decorations to storage. Those attic and garage boxes may offer valuable insight into developing pest problems in your home. Before ...

This time of year, your stack of firewood is likely being put to good use, but did you know that is may be home to several common wood pests? What pests might be in my wood pile? Termites. These notorious wood-eating insects may be found in your wood pile, especially if logs are wet/moist and have been stacked for an extended period of time. If wood is touching the ground, termites will ...

This month’s pest spotlight is on booklice. These pests are not uncommon to find in Raleigh homes, so let’s learn more about them! What are booklice?  The first thing to note is that booklice are NOT the same thing as body lice. Booklice will not infest your hair or body. Rather, booklice get their name because they are often found feeding on book bindings. More on that in a minute....