You can tell you have fire ants if…

You see a mound of fluffy worked soil, particularly a few days after heavy rain.

The mound has no opening in the center like most ant mounds. Red fire ants leave and enter the mound housing the colony through underground tunnels.

If you get stung it feels like being burned. A day or so later, the imported fire ant’s unique venom forms a white fluid-filled pustule or blister at the red sting site that is very characteristic – only fire ant venom causes this symptom!

Most common South Carolina house ants are Fire Ants, Carpenter Ants, Pavement Ants ( Tiny Black Ants) 

Carpenter ants prefer to live in wood. If you don't have any rotted wood around your home, there is a good chance they have a nest in your walls or floors.

Look for rotted areas on the exterior of your home. You'll usually find rot where gutters are broken or rainwater rests next to the house.

If you see an ant trail, spray the entire trail with window cleaner, soapy water, or the vinegar concoction above. This will get rid of the trail pheromones ants leave behind. ( Then CALL US)  

Little dark spots that move in the fur

Small black particles (flea droppings) or white specks (flea eggs) on the pet or bedding

Pet or family members are experiencing an itch from flea bites

Reddened patches and irritation on your pet’s skin

Excessive licking or scratching

Hair loss

red spot or rash near the bite site.

a full body rash.

neck stiffness.

a headache.

nausea.

weakness.

muscle or joint pain or achiness.

a fever.

You will most likely notice these insects at night, when they are most active.

These pests give off a distinct musty smell.

Look for chew marks on curtains, stamps, envelopes, and bookbindings.

You may also notice shed skins and droppings, that look like pepper flakes, in cracks and crevices around your home.

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Look for spider webs - The size and shape of spider webs vary by species. Some are orb-shaped while others are funnel-shaped. Some species of spider, such as the black widow, do not create geometric webs, but create messy dens that trap insects, in hidden-away areas.

Some spider species live in burrows rather than webs, while others are free-ranging and take refuge in crevices.

Some species of spiders are attracted to moist environments. Check your basements, walls, sheds and other damp locations.

Other species can be found in places such as attics, the junction of a wall and ceiling, closets and storage boxes.

Spiders feed on other insects and prey on ants, flies, woodlice and other spiders, so where there is a plentiful supply of other insects, spiders will wait to find their next meal.

Mosquitoes are attracted to areas that have standing water in them. The female mosquitoes like to lay their eggs in standing water because it's an ideal location for them to survive in. Some mosquitoes will even lay their eggs in moist soil and once the soil is flooded with water, the eggs will hatch. 

Mosquitos, like many other flying insects, create an annoying buzzing sound that's heard when they're nearby. Their buzzing is a very high-pitched noise, more so than other insects. And although you may not always see them, if you're constantly hearing this sound, then there's a pretty good chance that there are mosquitoes lingering around somewhere. 

These insects are known to wreak havoc during the night. This is because mosquitoes generally do most of their hunting when the sun goes down. This goes back to number 3 where it states that you might be able to find them in shaded or dimmed areas on your property. 

However, if your home or property is infested with mosquitoes, then you'll most likely start finding them during the evening hours and possibly during the daytime as well. 

Paper wasps build open and exposed nests that resemble an upside-down umbrella. These nests can get quite large late in the season, and adult wasps will readily sting if they sense danger approaching. Some wasps build new nests on top of old nests, giving a false impression that they are reusing a nest.

Yellowjackets build nests that are surrounded by a papery covering and are commonly found within wall voids or cavities in the ground. 

Bald faced hornets build nests that are covered in a papery shell and European hornets build their nests in natural cavities like tree stumps, or in cavities within buildings.

Mud daubers construct nests using mud or clay. The nests are small, tubular mud shutes usually built either in existing cracks or crevices in masonry, stone or timber around homes, sheds and garages.

  If you see a few mouse droppings, you know you have a problem. Even if you never see a mouse, the droppings alone are a sure sign that mice are present.

Unexplained holes or tears in cloth, clothing, insulation, fabric and other materials. Mice use these materials to build their nests.

 Small holes in the bottom of desk drawers, kitchen cabinets and other pieces of furniture. These intelligent creatures will chew their way in by making small holes, then use their new homes to build nests and make more mice.

  Strange scratching noises in the walls, especially at night. Mice are nocturnal by nature, and you will rarely see them out in the daytime. If you have a mouse infestation, you may hear scratches and other strange noises as the animals move around in search of food and bedding materials.

Give us a call if you need any help with wildlife or farm predators.