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Time to Talk about Ticks in North Carolina

Ticks and tourists have been lurking around the leafy edge of Lake Norman for a few weeks now, but in North Carolina most cases of tick-borne diseases are reported between June and September. You may be familiar with some of the notorious vector-borne illnesses already: Lyme Disease, Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness. In 2022, there were 700 cases of tick and mosquito-borne diseases reported in North Carolina.

The Flash and Fizzle of Clover Mites

Memorial Day was a blaze of red, white, and blue in Maryland backyards, but hopefully not too much red. Were you a homeowner who noticed annoying red clover mites all over your patio picnic? You were not alone. Many homeowners have noticed these annoying springtime pests enjoying our dry, mild Maryland May weather. Both factors are important for clover mites. The current drought in Maryland allows them to move with greater dexterity through the dense turf that they adore, and the temperature allows them to cavort in advance of their summer hibernation.

Power Spray on your Party To-Do List

Memorial Day starts a summer full of fun and outdoor parties. Whether celebrating a graduation, a wedding, or just enjoying the warm weather of Northern Virginia, it’s time to make sure your yard is ready.

Lanternflies in Pennsylvania

It’s all hands on deck to eradicate Lanternflies in Pennsylvania. While we are always available to help you with your pest needs, this may be a job for everyone as these invasive pests are now present in 51 of the 67 Pennsylvania counties.

College Kids Bringing Home Their Pe(s)ts

It’s that time of year again, when college and university students finish up their exams and head home for the summer. While parents are overjoyed to welcome them home, they may be less likely to welcome the pests that might be lurking in all those bags and boxes.

Carpenter Ants in Virginia

When a tree falls in the George Washington and Jefferson National forest and no one is around, will a carpenter ant clear it? Yes! That’s what ants were designed to do. In Virginia’s biggest forest, and one of the largest in the eastern United States, the handy ants come in and clear dead and decaying trees deep in the forest. This is good news for foresters everywhere.

Spring Fling: Termites in Carolina

We have been getting the swarmer calls in North Carolina for some weeks now, but just because you haven’t seen the reproductive twirl in the air doesn’t mean that you don’t have them.

Busy Bees are Back! Carpenter Bees are a problem we can solve

Our phones are ringing with carpenter bee calls from concerned homeowners, a sure sign that spring has arrived in Maryland. These shiny bees are often mistaken for bumblebees, however carpenter bees have a shiny, hairless abdomen. It can be difficult to note the difference, but we are always here to help identify who, or what, is in your yard.

Clue! Termite Mud Tubes

One of the things that I do on a regular basis as a homeowner is to look for signs of termite activity around my home. There is no better inspector than a homeowner (We have 24/7 access!) to search for insect activity, and certain clues will alert us to a termite infestation. Mud tubes are one obvious sign that subterranean termites may be at work in our homes.

That Stings: Hornet Behavior

When we think of hornets, usually the first thing that pops into our mind are painful stings. But did you know hornets are one of the most cooperative groups in the insect world? They work together, like a team, to care for the young and divide labor – regardless as to whether or not they’re reproductive or non-reproductive. We also see a small overlap in generations found in a hive, meaning sisters working alongside their nieces. The term for this cooperative living is “eusocial,” meaning they exhibit true, social behaviors required for their survival.

Carpenter Ants in Florida

A decaying palm tree is not only unsightly, it may attract unwanted visitors to your yard. Rotten wood is the perfect material for Florida carpenter ants to excavate, an easy material to work with in order to create a comfortable nest. Unlike termites, carpenter ants don’t eat wood, but rather tunnel through it forming beautifully smooth galleries as a shelter for the colony.

Now what? Tick bites

My childhood home was a cedar shingle house set on a wooded lot. Deer, snapping turtles, and butterflies roamed the backyard as freely as I did, taking advantage of the leaf canopy that kept us shaded from the glimmering sun. It became my custom to dawdle by the stream during the day, darting inside only to catch a cartoon here or there. As I sat watching Shaggy and Scooby run from a ghost one day, I idly ran my fingers through my hair and encountered a bump. Alarmed, I probed again, sure that I was encountering my first tick. It was an unwelcome encounter, and I dashed to my mother for help removing the offending predator.

Wild Green Yonder: Ecotone Treatments

The NCR trail is often packed with active folks biking, running and walking their way down the former railroad track. It is a slim trail that winds its way from Maryland to Pennsylvania, covered in soft gravel and sided by green undergrowth. The Big Gunpowder Falls River meanders along the track-trail, beckoning people in large tubes to slowly float downstream.

Summer Travelers: Bed Bugs

There was a time when the bedtime rhyme “Good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite.” was just a quaint saying. In the 80’s, bed bugs seemed a remnant from another era - a medieval pest that could not possibly return to plague our peaceful slumbers. In the 90’s, our Technical Director began to warn of a resurgence though we thought it would be contained to other areas, not a prolific pest. Now, our Call Center fields bed bug inquiries from every state, and every zip code. Bed bugs are back, and presumably here to stay.

Picnic Prep: Stinging Insects

Picnics are a perfect plan for a summer afternoon, enjoying a delicious meal under a clear blue sky. Setting up for an outdoor picnic is easy enough, although as pest management professionals we’re inclined to offer some pointers on how to keep things pest-free and easy.

Reemergence

We have been happy to answer so many questions about cicadas this summer. As they retreat back underground, it’s time to pause and consider what we’ve learned about them, and ourselves, from their reemergence.

Follow the Breadcrumbs: Ant Trails

Shuffling along the floor of the cafeteria, I followed the well-placed circular stickers directing me where to stand as I wound my way to the refrigerated drink dispenser. In our COVID world of proper placement, we humans have become accustomed to clear instruction on how to maintain proper social distancing and walk in a straight path. Maintaining the obligatory 6-feet of distance requires both large, colorful stickers, as well as a tendency towards social responsibility. The concept of 72 inches tends to vary among humans, as does the notion of a linear path.

Stealth Mode: Mosquitoes

Nothing can ruin a night roasting s’mores quicker than persistent mosquitoes. But why do these blood-sucking flies bite so much and what can be done to prevent being bitten?

Loud and Lively: Cicadas

Those of us living in the northeastern coast have surely heard about the 17-year cicadas that will amass into the trillions this summer. But what are cicadas and what should you know about them?

A Closer Look: White-footed Ants

If you live in the South, chances are you may have had a run-in with white-footed ants. They are usually identified by their black-brown body and white tarsi (or “feet”), with colonies ranging from 8,000 to 3 million individuals.

What's Going on with these Killer Hornets?

If you’ve been following the news recently, there’s a good chance you’ve heard about the Asian giant hornets that have been found on the west coast as early as December, with growing concerns in April. But what’s the buzz with them and should we be worried? Let’s delve into the research and see what’s known about these killer hornets

Myth or Fact: Cockroaches and Asthma

Perhaps you’ve heard rumors that cockroaches can cause asthma or other respiratory issues, but just how true are those claims? Studies have been conducted by medical experts, respiratory scientists, and entomologists to learn about the association between cockroaches and breathing, and it turns out there is some truth to the rumors.

So, you want a beautiful lawn in Florida?

Between dry and wet seasons, steady warm temperatures, and a humid subtropical climate, Florida is a unique state. Of course, this makes lawn care much different from most places across the United States, as grass cultivars commonly used in the north usually can’t survive in the south.

Homeowner's Guide to Termite Inspections

Subterranean termites are one of the worst structural pests to encounter, causing approximately $5 billion in damage annually in the United States. A thorough, professional annual inspection is the best method for cutting down the costs of termite control and repair. But what if you don’t want to allow someone in your home during the stay-at-home orders that are in place across our country?

Bugs in Your Flour

Cooking and baking at home has become part of our “now normal” and a great way to pass the time at home. But what happens when you open a bag of flour or rice and see it moving around? Stored product pests are undesirable in any kitchen and make essential ingredients completely unusable.

Are German Cockroaches Lurking in Your Packages?

Many of us are relying on deliveries these days, and few things are more exciting than seeing that a long-awaited package has arrived. But sometimes you get more than you bargained for in those cardboard boxes in the form of a small egg sac or a stealthy cockroach.

Keeping Your Stored Holiday Decorations Pest Free

The winter holiday season is coming to a close, which means it’s time for all those decorations to come down and be stowed away until next year. While it’s important to be cautious about handling your cherished ornaments, it’s equally important to take some extra measures to avoid any unwanted tenants making a home out of your storage boxes. Follow these easy tips and your decorations are bound to be pest-free.

Rodent Exclusion

Autumn is in the air, bringing falling leaves and cooler weather. Unfortunately, the heat from your home can invite unwanted guests seeking refuge and a meal from the cooling outdoors: rodents.

What's the Deal with Yellow Jackets?

Nearly everyone is familiar with yellow jackets – those nasty, yellow and black wasps that will chase you away from the perfect picnic spot. But what do we truly know about these insects? Let’s take a look at the yellow jacket – but from a safe distance!

Carpenter Bees vs. Bumblebees

If you are seeing large, black and yellow flying insects around outside your home, you may be worried about stinging or damaging pests like carpenter bees. It is important to distinguish between destructive carpenter bees and important pollinators like bumblebees.

Drain Fly Prevention

Drain flies, also known as moth flies due to their small, fuzzy, appearance, are an all too common occurrence in houses and commercial buildings. As their name “drain fly” suggests, they are usually found breeding in the organic build-up found in neglected drains.

Spider Webs

Almost all of us have had the unpleasant experience of walking into a spider web at some point in our lives. It often happens in the morning, when we first walk out our front door. Some species of spiders like to make webs around our porch lights because the light draws unsuspecting insects right into their webs.

Cornered: Spotting spiders in your home

Housekeeping is painful enough without encountering a spider clutching a hard-to-reach corner, waiting for dinner to blunder into an artfully crafted web. Armed with a spot of courage and a powerful Dyson, the easiest course of action is to vacuum up the eight-legged menace. Problem solved.

Summer Keep-Away - How to Keep House Flies Out

Summer is upon us, which means outdoor barbeques, pool parties, and enjoying time in the sun. Party guests won’t be the only ones attracted to your famous grilled meals, snacks, and open doors and windows - house flies will turn up, too. So, it’s time to batten down the hatches and secure your home from pesky flies!

Termite Swarms

Swarm Season
Warm weather means swarm season for subterranean termites and homeowners should be on the lookout for winged reproductive insects massing in sunny spots on warmer days. The reproductive mating flight is one of the few times that subterranean termites are exposed to view, as they normally live hidden and out of sight. These winged termites, also known as “alates” or colloquially as “swarmers”, are a sign that you might have a serious problem inside your home.

Sting Strategies: Red Imported Fire Ant

If you have ever been stung by a Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA), you are familiar with its painful bite and sting combo from this astonishingly aggressive ant. The RIFA attacks by latching onto its prey with its four teeth, while twirling in a circle to deliver stings in rapid succession from an ever-ready stinger protruding from the tip of its gaster.

Sting Strategies: Common Myths Debunked

Memorial Day weekend is almost here, along with pool parties, picnics and trips to the beach. Unfortunately, stinging insects may show up uninvited to the party and today’s post aims to debunk some common myths about these unwelcome guests.

Commonly Asked Tick Questions

May is a great month to get outside, but if you live in the Mid-Atlantic you may return from your walk in the woods with an unwelcome guest – the black legged tick, or deer tick. Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about deer ticks, or black legged ticks:

Lyme Disease Awareness Month (2019)

May is Lyme Disease Awareness month, marking the beginning of tick season for many Americans and the period of greatest risk of a tick bite from late spring through early summer. Throughout the month, Home Paramount representatives will wear lime green gloves and booties during our services to spread awareness about this serious disease and its link to ticks.

Earth Day: Getting to Know Fire Ants

Sometime between 1933 and 1945, the United States was invaded by a small, reddish brown Brazilian insect – the Red Imported Fire Ant or Solenopsis invicta Buren to be precise. No one is entirely sure of its port of entry, but speculation often points to Mobile, Alabama or Pensacola, Florida.

Ant Colonies Inside?

It’s spring and time to pest proof your home. Homeowner efforts always go a long way to making a comfortable, pest-free environment but there are times when even your best efforts aren’t enough. Try as you might, pests might find their way indoors. Even the ones that really would prefer to be outside.

Red Imported Fire Ants - Take the Mound!

It’s baseball season in America, and Home Paramount is ready to play ball! As you’re watching your favorite team take the pitcher’s mound, we’re ready to take on another type of mound that isn’t nearly as much fun – the fierce fire ant nest.

Welcome to Wilmington, North Carolina!

Home Paramount is open for business in Wilmington, North Carolina and we are so proud to be part of this beautiful coastal community. Integrated Pest Management, the newest member of the Home Paramount family, is providing a welcome introduction to the community and we can’t wait to share Home Paramount’s services with New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick Counties.

Eagle Pest Control Joins the Home Paramount Team

We are very pleased to announce that Eagle Pest Control of Winter Park, Florida has joined the Home Paramount team.

Welcome Home, Integrated Pest Management

We are thrilled to announce that Integrated Pest Management of Wilmington, North Carolina joined the Home Paramount team on Monday, April 1, 2019.

The Venomous Red Imported Fire Ant

Over 14 million people in the United States endure the sting of the Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) every year. It’s estimated that over 40 million people live in the vicinity of these pests, so it’s fair to say that – if you live in, say Florida or North Carolina, you could have a 35% chance of experiencing a sting.

How to Get Rid of Common Household Pests

There is nothing like an infestation of cockroaches, termites, stink bugs or other common household pests to make your skin crawl. Though you have probably thought about packing up your things and leaving, moving isn’t the answer as these pests can pop up anywhere and in any household.

Leave It to the Pros

Most people wisely call us as soon as they spot a problem – a swarm of termites, a rat burrow, roaches in the bathroom. Others try to tackle the problem themselves, grabbing an aerosol can from the grocery store and giving it a go.

Tick Season Has Arrived

Tick Tock! It’s time to get ready for tick season. Our monthly exterior tick and mosquito service can make your yard a happier place. Now that spring temperatures have finally arrived, nature is on the move again and an unfortunate side-effect of warmer temperatures includes the resurgence of pesky blood-suckers like mosquitoes and ticks. Not only are tick and mosquito bites a nuisance, they can also transmit various diseases.

Emerald Ash Borer

Emerald Ash Borers (EAB’s) are responsible for the destruction of over 100 million ash trees (and counting) nationwide. Emerald Ash Borers are wood-boring beetles native to Asia with a metallic green body which feed on the layer of the tree just under bark.

Spring Cleaning

An important part of Integrated Pest Management is eliminating conducive conditions that may lead to an infestation or encourage an existing problem. In a residential home, we encourage seasonal cleaning efforts, particularly in the spring and fall to evade invaders.

Spring Lawn Care

It’s been a long winter and your lawn may need a little TLC to restore it to its lush, green appearance. Some simple steps will help you to rejuvenate your yard and keep it healthy for those hot summer months.

Mosquito or Midge?

It’s National Tartan Day and time to stop and pay attention to the scourge of the Scottish Highlands – the midge. Midges can be biting or non-biting but they all seem to arrive in an irritating cloud of winged masses.

These Flowers are for You

While Japan and the National Park Service intended the cherry trees of D.C. to be a gift for Americans to enjoy, the trees are actually working hard to attract a different sort of notice.

It's All About Timing

Along the tidal basin in our nation’s capital, the cherry trees are patiently waiting for the arrival of spring.

Bugs Leaving Boreholes in Your Books?

Termites aren’t the only creepy crawlies that can feed on cellulose, the hard to digest material found in wood and other plant products – the swift and secretive silverfish also likes to dine on products that contain it.

A Creature Was Stirring

It’s that time of year again – the Kennedy Krieger Festival of Trees! Check our two special trees at the event.

Bed Bug or Carpet Beetle?

Sometimes, people see an unfamiliar pest in their home and immediately think “Bed Bug!”. Carpet beetles are sometimes mistaken for bed bugs, but there are some pretty clear distinctions between the two pests.

Sweater Weather Pest

It’s finally sweater weather - time to dig into the closet and pull out our warm woolens to keep away the chill. But what happens when you find holes in your favorite coat or sweater? You may have a carpet beetle infestation.

Beneficial Besties: Potter Wasps

Once you see their nests, it’s easy to understand why this wasp is named the Potter Wasp. They construct jug-like brood nests that resemble pots.

It's Raining... Sugar?

Honeydew is a sugary secretion produced by plant feeding insects like aphids and scale insects. While sucking up the sugary plant sap, they excrete the excess sugar as little droplets from their back end.

Beneficial Besties: The Blue-Winged Wasp

Have you ever seen a blue wasp? Wander near a patch of mint in late August or early September and you may encounter this natural marvel, named for its gorgeous iridescent blue coloring.

Autumn Invasion

Stinkbugs originated in Southeast Asia where the climate is warm and tropical. Stinkbugs enjoy the outdoors in the summer but begin to look for shelter when the weather starts to cool.

Beneficial Besties: Hover Flies

You may see this garden friend and think “Bee!” but it is actually Hover fly, Allograpta oblique. The bright yellow and black bands make them look like wasps and help protect them from predators who will try to avoid a potential sting.

Jacket Weather

If the weather is cooling where you live, you may have noticed a surge in the stinging insects buzzing around outside. Worker wasps are finishing up a long, hard summer tending to numerous broods of metamorphosing new wasps.

Beneficial Besties: Bumblebees

If you’re puttering outside these days, you are likely encounter a bumblebee or two (and hopefully more!) sipping nectar from the still-blooming flowers. These gentle, humming insects are a welcome sight on a sunny day, going about their work with a gentle ease that is fascinating to watch

Protect this House

Calling all Ravens Fans!! Don’t miss out on our company-wide Ravens contest featuring two fantastic tickets to the September 17 game against Cleveland Browns in Ravens Stadium.

Asset Protection aka Termite Control

Asset protection is a major consideration when selecting termite control. Our homes are usually our most significant financial investment and insurance policies generally don’t cover the damage caused by subterranean termites

Fight the Bite

Every parent knows the dread of a bee sting and the worry that accompanies it. Is the stinger out? Will my kid be allergic? How badly does it hurt? In most cases, the stings are simply an unpleasant experience.

Rat Czar versus Rat Catcher

At Home Paramount, we spend a lot of time on the road, delivering our services to customers. In the Baltimore metro area, it’s helpful to understand the hidden lingo of the bumper sticker to figure out folks’ affiliations (and to pass the time while stuck in traffic on 695 or 83).

When is an Ant not an Ant?

In the heat of the summer, you may come across some colorful creepy crawlies out and about. One in particular has a very misleading name, the velvet ant. Common in fields and on dirt roads, these colorful ‘ants’ aren’t actually ants at all; instead they are wingless female wasps in the insect family Mutillidae.

Fight the Bite

Worried about mosquitoes this year? You’re not alone – experts say this season is going to be a high pressure summer for these pests. There are a couple of things you can do to fight the bite.

A Walk in the Woods

There’s nothing like a walk in the woods or a fun camping trip in the summer. The leafy shade of a wooded park or path is so inviting! But we do recommend that you go into the woods prepared.

Happy Fourth of July!

Home Paramount’s company colors are red, white and blue so it’s no surprise that the Fourth of July is a favorite holiday. We are proud to remain a family-owned and operated and a true “American” company, based in the USA.

Calling all Bookworms!

At last, it’s time for summer reading. We’re, of course, partial to books about creepy-crawlies. What could be more fun than our favorite “Bug Books”?

Mosquito Fish

As we see it, summer has finally arrived and many of start to once again think about fishing – unless we’re lucky enough to live in Florida in which case we’ve never stopped thinking about it.

Memorial Day 2017

Many of our clients and co-workers have the privilege of living near the nation’s capital, arguably the best place to celebrate the Memorial holiday, honoring those who died serving our country.

Spring Pest-Proofing - it's not too late!

Want to pest-proof your home? We’re all for our awesome homeowners lending a hand in our pest push-back. A punch-list is always handy when you’re running through the spring checklist - feel free to use ours:

Mosquito Abatement

The warmer seasons beckon us to go outdoors but how do you fight the bite from those pesky mosquitoes? In addition to regular treatments, homeowners can reduce the number of biting adults in the yard by reducing the availability of breeding sites for mosquito larva.

Ants or Termites?

Often, we receive calls for Termite Swarmers only to discover it was an undercover ant. Carpenter ants, for example, are often spotted swarming. But since every species of ants sends breeding adults out to mate, you may encounter several different types of Ant Swarmers.

Got Swarmers?

Starting to see flying insects in and around your home? They may be termite swarmers which emerge from the nest each spring to mate and form new colonies.

Prepare for Spring Pests

It’s the last day of February! While most people save their midnight revels for New Year’s, those of us in the pest management industry are more likely to anticipate tonight’s calendar change as we move into our “busy season”.

All Bugs are Insects but...

Did you know that all bugs are insects but not all insects are bugs? Bugs are classified within the order called Hemiptera and are grouped together because they all share a specialized mouth part that is used to suck juices. An easy way to remember this is to convert Cogito ergo sum into bug talk. Rather than I think, therefore I am, a bug would philosophically remark, I suck, therefore I am a bug.

Pest Pals

There is nothing that makes our heart go pitter patter quite like the Valentine’s “Love Bug” talk – who doesn’t want a bite from that friendly fellow? And in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, it inspires us to temporarily abandon our “We don’t like bugs either” position and spread a little love with a shout out to our favorite pest pals:

Love Bugs

Are lovebugs, like Cupid’s golden arrow, a complete February fiction? As a matter of fact, we can confirm that the lovebug, otherwise known as Plecia nearctica Hardy, is real. These velvety black flies appropriately sport a romantic red thorax and mate in Florida twice a year, peaking in May and September.

2017 Sales Award Meeting

Our 2017 Sales Award Meeting is fast-approaching and we are once again looking forward to a fabulous day. There is so much to be proud of and grateful for in 2016 – new offices, new clients and new team members – to name a few. But beyond the applause and awards, it’s just nice to spend some time together.

Overwintering in South Florida

Millions of people migrate every year to warmer places like Stuart, Florida to enjoy a balmy winter full of sand and sun. Those retreating to the tropical climate of South Florida may trade the snow for a problem of another sort, namely pests!

Watch the Woodpile

It’s the holiday season! The time to gather around the fireplace to roast chestnuts, melt marshmallows or just enjoy the crackling warmth of a traditional fire

All I Want for Christmas are the Bed Bugs Gone

Going home for the holidays? In addition to worrying about busy schedules, last minute presents and difficult relatives you may also be worrying about bed bugs.

Cockroaches in Your Commercial Kitchen

Do you have cockroaches in your commercial kitchen? Most people recoil from cockroaches and for good reason. These dangerous insects spread disease, picking up bacteria, viruses and pathogens on their jaunts through the nastiest places in your buildings.

A Mouse in the House?

Sometimes you see them, sometimes you don’t, but there are signs that mice have taken up residence in your home or office. It’s move-in time and they are coming whether you like it or not.

Kennedy Krieger Festival of Trees

Each year, we participate in the East Coast’s largest holiday extravaganza – the Kennedy Krieger Festival of Trees. This three-day event features over 700 of the area’s most imaginative trees, wreaths and gingerbread houses all under one roof at the famed Cow Palace on the Maryland State Fairgrounds.

Ready for Fall

Do you know how to keep pests out of your house this fall? The temperatures are dropping in the Mid-Atlantic which means that the pests around your home are starting to look for a warm place to spend the winter.

Rodent Control Tips For Landlords

Are your rental properties ready for rodent season? At Home Paramount, we work with landlords and property managers to help properties get through the fall pressure season pest-free.

Home Paramount Pest Control Announces Acquisition of Sherlock's Termite and Pest Control, Inc.

Forest Hill, MD –Home Paramount Pest Control Company is pleased to announce the purchase of Sherlock’s Termite and Pest Control, Inc. of Sterling, Virginia.

Don't Miss the Festival of Trees

This most wonderful time of year is made even better with Home Paramount’s participation in the annual Kennedy Krieger Festival of Trees. Join us at the Maryland State Fairgrounds on November 27 and 28 from 10-9 and November 29 from 10-6 when the Cow Palace becomes a veritable wonderland of more than 700 trees, wreaths, and gingerbread houses bedecked by creative local designers. Home Paramount Pest Control will display two trees this year. You do not want to miss this fun!

Thanksgiving Travelers

Last year an estimated 46.3 million Americans traveled 50 miles or more during the Thanksgiving weekend. With so many miles covered, it’s likely some of us may pick up hitchhikers along the way – we just won’t know it. These stealthy hitchhikers don’t signal drivers with outstretched arms and extended thumbs. Rather they just climb into your bag or attached themselves to your clothing without being noticed. Instead of entertaining you with folksy stories of life on the road, these hitchhikers will feed on your blood and leave you with itchy welts. Of course, I am referring to the bed bug.

Halloween Pests

Is there any holiday more suited to pest control than Halloween? I think not. It may be the only time of year when people festoon their homes with spiders, bats, rats, webs and other creepy-crawly things. We usually spend our time removing such things from the homestead. So, before and after October 31, you may need us for…

Overwintering Pests

The temperatures are slowly sinking and our Mid-Atlantic clients may start to notice pests trying to find a place inside to call home. Stink bugs, wasps, millipedes and other pests are cold-blooded, which means that their body temperatures are dependent upon, and approximate the temperature, of their environment.

Spider Sightings Increase in Fall Months

Many Home Paramount customers notice an increased presence of spiders in the early fall months as the arachnids become more obvious while they search for a mate. Even though most spider species in the United States don’t pose health risks to humans, most people aren't comfortable with spiders sharing their space. The best way to prevent spider infestations is to remove harborage sites.

PROTECTING PETS FROM FLEAS AND TICKS

Tips to keep household pets free from the health risks of blood-sucking pests

PREVENT PESTS FROM TRIGGERING INDOOR ALLERGIES THIS SPRING

With the welcome arrival of spring comes some universally unpopular side effects: asthma and allergy symptoms. Every year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) designates May as National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, coinciding with the peak season for allergy-related symptoms.

Lyme Disease Awareness Month (2015)

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. As a pest management professional, I can think of few things more important than awareness and prevention of this unfortunate disease that is spread to humans through the bite of an infected tick.

Not a Creature Was Stirring (We Hope)

It’s time. Thanksgiving has passed and we can dawdle no longer. Grab the ladder – we’re going up into the attic.

There's no Place Like Home

In my office sits a house-shaped box with the phrase, “There’s no place like home” from the classic movie Wizard of Oz. It was given to me by a colleague who wished to remind me of the attributes of our organization. I appreciate it very much.

Happy Veterans Day

It is Veterans Day, the immensely important civic holiday that honors the brave men and women who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States.

Stink Bugs or the Invasion of the (Apple) Flesh Eating Winged Insects

It is autumn in Maryland. The thrilling chill in the air that sends us to pumpkin patches and apple orchards also sends the stink bugs to our warm, welcoming homes.

Lions and Spiders and Bears, Oh My! or Why Halloween is a Special Holiday for Pest Control

It’s Halloween! Time to appreciate webs and rats and creepy crawlies and sudden attacks from a vertical-hanging-down-from-the-ceiling-eight-legged-spiders! This is supposed to be scary-fun but let us agree to do enjoy this kind of stuff for just one day.

Entomophobia or Why Writing a Blog is Worse than Spotting a Cockroach

The fear of pests is called entomophobia. There are other, more specific, phobias such as arachnophobia (the fear of spiders) but I think, generally, people who experience this anxiety will not quibble about particulars. It’s enough to know that the beast hurtling at you is small and wily, determined to wreak all manner of havoc on your much larger world. I, happily, do not experience this particular fear. Still, I sympathize with those who deplore bugs.

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