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Our List of what Pests to Look for in the Spring While you might think that pests are an issue reserved for the warmer summer months, the truth is, springtime can be just as challenging for homeowners. Ants, termites, rodents, spiders, and mosquitoes are all starting to

Don’t Bug Out! Identifying and Eliminating the Top Pest Threats in Illinois Did you know that Illinois ranks among the top states for pest infestations in the United States? Ants, bed bugs, cockroaches, mice, rats, and carpenter ants are some of the 5 most common pests in

I think spring may have finally made its way to NW Indiana! With temperatures close to 70° this weekend and overnight temps staying above freezing, (finally) the ants and other crawlers are back with a vengeance. Soon the flowers will be blooming and we can get out

~ 3 Things ~ I have been in the pest control business for close to 10 years. During that time I have learned a lot. I have worked with professionals that have spent decades in the industry and their knowledge is immeasurable. In this business, people call

October begins my favorite time of year. The crisp weather, beautiful colors, and scent of fall bring a smile to my face. And of course, there is Halloween – my very favorite holiday! Lots of bugs and other creepy crawlies are associated with Halloween and part of

Here at Rapid Pest Solutions, we love Halloween and it’s only two weeks away! What better way for us to celebrate than to list some of the best scary movies that involve BUGS! Here are our picks for the Top 5 Scary Movies Involving Bugs. Let the countdown

BED BUG FAQ Bed bugs are a growing problem. They can affect anyone and are brought in from an outside source. There are a lot of misconceptions about bed bugs and their behaviors. I get asked questions all the time about where they come from, where to

Nobody wants to be the recipient of a sting. Not from a bee, wasp or hornet. The whole experience just screams NOT FUN! Unfortunately if you plan on spending any time outside this summer you put yourself at risk for a possible sting. It’s not as if

February is coming to a close and Spring break is just around the corner. Are you looking for some cool things to do with the kids? Let Rapid Pest Solutions recommend the top four insect-inspired activities that you can check out this Spring. 1. The Field Museum

APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS Everyone knows the old saying, April Showers Bring May Flowers, but there should be a catchy phrase about spring and bugs. Like, Showers Bring The Plants, Warmth Brings The Ants. I’m not a poet so it needs some work. What I’m trying

Tomorrow is St. Patrick’s Day and you might be asking yourself, “What does that have to do with bugs?”. Well, I’m going to tell you. Something that we all associate with St. Pat’s is the color green. We may also think of following the rainbow to the

Believe it or not, Spring is just around the corner. Our weather will be warming up and along with that warm weather come the insects. The most common home invader in our area is the Ant. There are several different types of ants but I think we

Ladies, if you’re anything like me your purse is like your lifeline. It’s always with you and holds anything and everything you, your partner, your child or your friends might need. It’s not just about carrying your drivers license, credit cards and keys. We’re talking tissues, band

The weather is changing and Spring is in the air. This is the time for a fresh, clean start. Many people will be ticking items off their Spring Cleaning lists and this is a great time to take some steps to keep the bugs away from your

St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner. The Chicago River has been dyed green, the grocery stores are stocked up on corned beef and cabbage and your friendly neighborhood bar is probably advertising green beer. They say on St. Patrick’s Day everyone is Irish. I guess

It seems that everyone is talking about the Zika virus. Yes, this is another virus that is spread by mosquitoes and can cause illness and other issues for those that are infected. It sounds scary and with the way it is all over the news, it probably

Not All Bugs Should Be Exterminated Not all bugs are ‘pests‘. There are some that are cute, some that bring back good memories and some that are just downright cool. Today I am going to talk about some of these guys and help us remember that not

The Perfect Low Maintenance Exotic Pet Are you looking for a new pet? Don’t want the typical dog or cat? Then I have an exotic pet for you! Low maintenance and quiet, this pet is perfect for a house or apartment. Meet the Giant Madagascar Hissing Cockroach!!! Now

Seeing one or two of these pests is most likely just the tip of the iceberg! Don’t mistake a small sign as something insignificant. Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean a larger problem doesn’t exist. Pest problems and infestations can occur behind the scenes. When

TIRED – UNMOTIVATED – LOOKING FOR A PICK ME UP? Sometimes coming back to work after a weekend can be extremely difficult. It’s just hard to get in the swing of things and find your motivation. I feel your pain and I am here to help! This

WHO WOULD YOU WANT ON YOUR TEAM? I have spent quite a bit of time explaining different types of insects, their habits, and how you can protect yourself from them. I thought that maybe it was time to take a break from being so serious and instead,

Diseases Transmitted By Insects Tyvek Safety Wear Most of you know that there is a slight chance of getting sick from a mosquito bite. I think everyone is somewhat familiar with the West Nile Virus. The thing is, that isn’t the only vector borne disease you need

RAPID PEST SOLUTIONS WISHES YOU A HAPPY AND SAFE 4TH OF JULY!!! Declaration of Independence July 4th commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and our independence from Great Britain. It is a national holiday marked by displays of patriotism. Americans celebrate with BBQ’s, parties and

WOOD DESTROYERS Recently we have been inundated with calls about termites. Termites are at their peak of activity in the warm summer months although they do stay active year round. The amount of rain we have had this year really helped to increase the number of termite

CARPENTER ANTS You know those really big, black ants that you see, the kind that look like they could have come from some bad B movie? Well, most likely those are Carpenter Ants. And they are probably the most common invader of homes in our area. While

Nobody wants to be the recipient of a sting. Not from a bee, wasp or hornet. The whole experience just screams NOT FUN! Unfortunately if you plan on spending any time outside this summer you put yourself at risk for a possible sting. It’s not as if

MOSQUITOES Today I am going to talk about mosquitoes. Because we deal with them every summer for our entire lives, we kind of take for granted the fact that they are around. Unfortunately mosquitoes are the biggest danger to humans. More dangerous than sharks, lions and dogs,

STINGING INSECTS It’s that time of year – people will be spending a lot of time outside. BBQ’s, parties, the park and zoo, bike riding, walking, the beach – you name it. All of this time spent participating in outdoor activities puts us at risk of coming

The Pest Control Industry Previously I told the story of how I came to be in pest control. In talking with a co-worker I realized that he too stumbled into the business. And much the same as me, he loves it and wouldn’t want to do anything

WHAT KIND OF BEE IS THAT?! CARPENTER BEES –VS- BUMBLE BEES  You may have noticed some large dark colored bees hovering around outside your home or in your yard. Many people automatically think that these are Bumble Bees. They may in fact be Carpenter Bees and many

WHY PEST CONTROL? If you know me then you know that I cannot stand bugs. I am always asked the same question: How did you end up in this business? I’m very afraid of bugs and insects of all kinds. I have a great fear of cockroaches

HOW TO KEEP PESTS OUT OF YOUR HOME 5 Easy Steps To Keeping Bugs Out Insects can fit through a very small opening in your screen. While it is not possible to keep every single insect and bug out of your home, it is possible to make

Memorial Day Weekend Memorial Day is a time to celebrate and remember our veterans that gave their lives fighting for our country. Rapid Pest Solutions honors all who have served, past and present. Our heroes There are many ways people choose to celebrate the day. There are parades

HOW TO GET RID OF BED BUGS You have determined that yes, you do in fact have bed bugs. Now what? You have a couple of choices. There are two ways to get rid of bed bugs in your home. One is Thermal Remediation, also known as

DO I HAVE BED BUGS? “Night, night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite.” How many of you heard this as a child? My mother used to say this to me when she tucked me in and I never thought much of it. Now I look

Arachnophobia – the fear of spiders. An estimated 9 million American adults have a fear of spiders. I know I do! Of all the bugs and insects out there, spiders scare me the most by far. Just looking at a picture of a spider causes my anxiety

If ants are such busy creatures, how do they find time to go to all the picnics? The nice weather is finally here and we will be spending more time outside. It seems as if ants are everywhere, even inside our homes! The truth is, the ant

INSIGHTFUL QUOTES ABOUT INSECTS We often take the good things insects do for granted. They offer insights into aging and lifespan, we study their navigational abilities and they provide pollination, food to other animals and birds, control weeds and recycle waste. Read on for some funny, beautiful

It seems that people debate this a lot. Well, maybe not this exact question….but it is often said that cockroaches would be the only thing to survive a nuclear war. They will ‘inherit the earth’, as they say. This idea may not be far off. Cockroaches have

Rapid Pest Solutions now has a YouTube channel. We will be using this channel to provide you with how-to information, pest identification, entertainment and more. We have posted our intro video and you can check it out here visit here. Send us your feedback. Comment on what

The World Health Organization has named April 7, 2014 as World Health Day. This years message is about the risk of vector-borne diseases. A vector-borne disease is an infection that is transmitted to humans and animals though blood feeding arthropods. These include mosquitoes, ticks and fleas. It

Rats are very smart creatures. Check out the link below to see some pet rats doing tricks. Tricks that many would consider more for your dog than a rodent. Amazing!   🙂

Let’s admit it, at some point all of us will encounter a pest problem of some kind. Whether it be ants, mice, bees or something else, we will need to get these pests out of our homes. Some may want to take the do-it-yourself approach to pest

MARCH 16 – 22 IS TERMITE AWARENESS WEEK Termites can cause significant damage to buildings and wood furnishings. It is estimated that they cause $5 billion in damage each year!!! There are different types of termites but the ones that we will deal with in this area

Winter has been especially brutal for us this year published here. We have had record breaking low temperatures as well as record snow! As we all look forward to spring you may be thinking that something good could come from this horrible winter. Bad winter weather means

Happy Fat Tuesday! When we hear the words “Mardi Gras” it probably brings to mind a party in New Orleans filled with costumes, floats, beads and booze. The truth is, although Mardi Gras is a celebration, there is actually some history behind those wild New Orleans traditions.

Chicago is number one! But it’s a spot that they may want to let go of. It seems that once again Chicago, IL has been ranked as the number one city for bedbugs. Detection is key and Rapid Pest Solutions can help.

In this case, I believe that ignorance is bliss! This article features information on the bugs that the FDA allows into the foods that we eat every day. If you ever needed a reason to stop eating processed foods, trust me, this is it! (I don’t think

A traditional Valentine’s gift is candy. A big heart shaped box full of chocolates, caramels and truffles. Sounds good, doesn’t it? What if your heart shaped box contained something different? How about chocolate – but with a twist. Chocolate covered crickets. ??? I know, sounds like something

I work in the pest control industry and bugs still give me the creeps! Although some of them can look pretty cool and be kind of interesting, I certainly don’t want to run into one face to face. Sealed in a bag or a jar, ok. A

Winter is peak season for mice to enter your home. Like us, they want shelter from the cold and snow buy tamiflu. Identifying the problem is the first step. Do you notice signs of rodent activity in your home? These signs may include mouse droppings, gnaw marks,

Today is New Year’s Eve. Tomorrow we begin 2016 – Which according to the Chinese calendar is the Year of the Monkey. The Red Fire Monkey to be exact. ?!?! A new year brings new beginnings. People look to make resolutions to change themselves for the better.

Christmas is less than two weeks away but it sure doesn’t feel like it with temps that are steady in the 50’s. While many people dislike Winter and snow, I think we can all agree that a White Christmas is nice. One of the things I like

Holiday Madness is upon us. Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away and from there we dive head first into Christmas. The cooking, baking, parties and shopping can be overwhelming. You know what else can be overwhelming? Bed Bugs. If you’re traveling for the holiday or having

October is my very favorite month and with that comes Halloween! To me October is apple cider, carving pumpkins, kids dressed up as their favorite characters, scary movies and the beautiful colors of the changing leaves. It seems the stores want to rush us right along to the

There are some things that we just know. Our weather is unpredictable, puppies are cute and you don’t put ketchup on a Chicago style dog. There are probably some things that only you understand based on your profession. The pest control industry is no different. Here are

You might think it’s crazy to talk about a Winter vacation right now. It’s only mid-September and the temperatures are still quite warm. But before you know it, there will be a chill in the air. You will wake up to see frost covering the ground. Then

In my mind Labor Day always marks the end of summer. In just one week that final Summer fling will be upon us, although most of the kids have already gone back to school. However, the Summer weather seems to want to stick around for awhile. This

This is the time of year when stinging insects are most active. You may be seeing some wasps or bees around your home. While Honey Bees provide much needed pollination of flowers, plants and crops it might be hard to see the positive side of wasps, yellow

What are some of the weirdest insect stories you have heard? Or the strangest bugs you have seen? Here I have compiled some of the bizarre things I have come across on the web. If you have a strange and unusual insect picture, video or factoid, please

As you are aware we have been having a very wet June. River levels are high and flooding is an issue. You may have also noticed that you are starting to see a few ants in your home. Maybe more than a few – maybe a lot!

At night we lay down in our comfy beds and snuggle down under the blankets. Dreams enter and entertain us like mini movies in our minds. This is a time of peace and rest after a day in a hectic world. But wait…what was that? A small scuffle

I love horror movies and the scarier the better. I will read ghost stories at night when I am home alone. There is something about that little thrill that you get that I actually like. One thing I don’t like – Spiders! Anyone that knows me is

You might be thinking ‘What? That’s crazy!’ But it’s true. I have created a list of five things that the very talented Lady Gaga has in common with the bugs that Rapid Pest Solutions fights. BEAUTIFUL MUSIC – Lady Gaga has been making chart topping music for

This Sunday is Mother’s Day – the day that we honor our moms or the mom-type figures in our lives. Who else would nurse us back from sickness, defend us to the death and love us unconditionally? Be sure to let the moms in your life know

Honeybee Recently there was an article circulating about what your salad bar would look like without bees and other pollinators. The truth is, there wouldn’t be much left. There is talk about saving the Honey Bee and Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). So how worried should we be?

The Emerald Ash Borer is a type of beetle that is native to Asia and Eastern Russia but has recently begun to spread around the United States. Accidentally brought in from overseas shipments the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was first discovered in Michigan in 2002. These beetles infest

There is a lot more awareness about the environment than there used to be. People are concerned with “Going Green” and helping to make a positive impact on the world around them. There are a couple of days coming up in April that are marked for celebrating

Spring is here and with it come the home invaders. Money is a concern for many of us and it may seem like doing your own pest control is a good idea. While there are times when this might  work it isn’t always the best idea. Professional pest

If you are looking for some fun and family friendly (including the fur-babies) things to do this weekend I have some suggestions. It looks like it’s shaping up to be a pretty nice little Saturday. So if you have some time here are three events you might

Are you a fan of April Fools Day? Do you enjoy pranking your friends and coworkers or do you get a good laugh out of the pranks that are played on you? I do not like April Fools Day. Not at all. It is basically a day

URBAN LEGEND  What is it? An Urban Legend is a secondhand story told as the truth and it is just plausible enough to be believed. Most often Urban Legends involve a horrific event that supposedly happened to a real person. Because there is a definite ‘creep’ factor in an

Tomorrow is the official start of Spring. While our weather is still kind of iffy, we are very close to some actual warm temps. No, really, we are! Because the cold weather seems never ending I have put together a little something to help you think warm

Chicago River – Green for St. Patrick’s Day St. Patrick’s Day is this Tuesday. Celebrated all across the country, Chicago has it’s own St. Patrick’s traditions that people look forward to each year. The Mount Greenwood Neighborhood on the city’s South West side is #4 on the

Our warm weather is steadily increasing. The upcoming 10 day forecast shows temps that are consistently in the 50’s and even moving into the 60’s next week. Last week I was preaching about the appearance of The Occasional Invader. As the weather warms up we will need to

The Occasional Invader – and no, I don’t mean the relative that comes for a weekend and ends up on your couch for a month. Spring is slowly but surely creeping closer. With the weather still cold we may not be thinking of what’s to come. But we

March Madness – it’s not just for the NCAA anymore! As we reach the end of February we look forward to March and a break from the less than desirable weather we have been having. Undesirable for many of us – I understand that there are some that

We are coming to the end of February and in turn the beginning of Spring! One of the nice things about March is we can begin looking forward to warmer weather. After the brutal cold we have been facing recently I would be happy to see some 40

President’s Day is observed on the third Monday of February each year. Officially known as Washington’s Birthday, the holiday has evolved to honor all of the U.S. presidents, not just the first one. We have had 43 Presidents over the course of history. In honor of this

February 14 has long been recognized in the United States as Valentine’s Day. This is the day when you express your feelings for a spouse, partner, friend or secret crush. It has become more and more commercialized and is now a major gift giving holiday, also known

Photographs can be very powerful. They can inspire, they can show heartbreak, beauty, loyalty, love and triumph. A photograph can move you to tears or make you laugh. Taking pictures of the world around us is sometimes the only way to really SEE. Jackie Novak is a

It’s Groundhog Day – the day when we find out if we can expect an early Spring or if we must endure more Winter. This morning the famous Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow. If you believe the folklore then this means 6 more weeks of snow and cold.

As I was perusing articles today for this blog I came across three stories that are pretty interesting. Rather than pick just one to write about I decided to touch on all three. One might be slightly disturbing. (it involves human cadavers) The other two are interesting and very

Are you one of those people that starts their morning with a Cup of Joe or maybe you drink coffee by the pot. Whether you enjoy a cup once in awhile or mainline coffee all day, you’re going to want to read this. You might be getting more

Who remembers the cartoon Mighty Mouse? I used to watch it on Saturday morning’s while eating my Lucky Charms. Mike the mouse had an alter ego – Mighty Mouse, who would save the damsel in distress or sometimes stop the evil genius from world domination. You know, typical superhero

January is probably my least favorite month. You have the post holiday slump, the weather is cold, there really isn’t anything to break the monotony. At least February is a short month and then in March you can start looking forward to Spring with some nice days

Just like that – Winter is here. The temperatures are well below freezing and with the windchill below zero! We just had our first substantial snowfall with more promised in the near future. Spring may seem very far away and not many of us are thinking about the types of

Well, here we are – New Years Eve. Tonight we will say goodbye to 2014 and usher in the New Year – 2015! Happy New Year 2015 Looking at 2015 as the year we are entering feels strange. Futuristic, maybe? I was born in the 70’s and I

Have you ever stopped to wonder what life is like up at the North Pole? Do Santa and the elves have the same day to day experiences we do? My thoughts wandered around this topic and I started thinking what it would be like if the North Pole had pest

Stay Safe While Traveling This Holiday Season And Throughout The Winter. In the last blog we talked about not bringing uninvited guests back from your holiday travels. (bed bugs, yuck) This time I’d like to talk about safety in the actual travel itself. While some people might be

Don’t let bed bugs ruin your holiday vacation. Christmas is a major travel time for many. Kids are on break and adults have long weekends. You may be going to visit friends and family or you are the one hosting the out of town guests. Either way it’s important to be aware

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. OK – It’s more like 2 weeks before Christmas, I guess I got ahead of myself. Take a look at my latest holiday blog. Christmas is celebrated by many

KNOW YOUR ENEMY Before I tell you how to get rid of your pantry pest problem, you should probably know what you’re looking for. The term Pantry Pest encompasses a variety of very small beetles and moths. The biggest of these is only about 5mm in length (that’s

NOT ALL HOLIDAY SURPRISES ARE GOOD ONES What is your tree hiding? A lucky Christmas Pickle? Maybe your Elf On The Shelf is peering out from the branches? Unfortunately there is the possibility that your tree is hiding something not quite as nice. If you use an artificial tree you’re

Today is December 1st and this month all the blogs I write will have a holiday theme. What better way to kick off this special time of year than with the carol The 12 Days Of Christmas. Of course I have modified the original version to fit our

Give Thanks For All You Have Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and many feel this is the kickoff to the holiday season. When thinking of Thanksgiving dinner most people picture a big meal with turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn and cranberry sauce, maybe a little green bean casserole. Then some pumpkin

Bats are a familiar symbol of Halloween and since that ghoulish holiday is tomorrow, I thought I would take a moment to fill you in on the facts and the fiction behind these very interesting creatures. Personally I think that bats are super cute. I’m not afraid

As the weather cools down the insect activity slows down. However, it is always ‘summer’ in your home. Pests will be looking for a warm retreat. Remember to contact Rapid Pest Solutions for any pest concerns you have, both bugs and mice. The time for ghost stories,

Do You Have A Mouse In Your House? Let’s hope not! But if you find that you have some uninvited visitors Rapid Pest Solutions is here to help. We offer a 5 Month Winter Seasonal Program to control rodent activity in your home. Contact us for details.

Or, How I Learned To Stop And Smell The Roses Most of my blogs are full of words, either teaching, descriptive or how-to.  This time my blog is going to be mostly visual. There are so many beautiful and very interesting things that surround us every day.

It’s Hot Now – But Not For Long Here we are in September and the first official day of Fall is 3 short weeks away. Personally, I am very happy. I have had enough of the hot, humid weather and I am very much looking forward to

Sad But True Colony Collapse Disorder You have probably heard that the Honey Bees are disappearing. It seems that beekeepers first began talking about this very seriously in 2006. In some cases healthy bees were abandoning there nests completely and never returning. This phenomenon is called Colony