800-901-1102Corky’s Pest Control Blog
That Stink Bug on the Window Screen Wants to Winter Indoors
A stink bug resting on a window screen may not stay outside for long. As nights cool, the insect starts looking for a dry, protected place to spend the winter, and the narrow gaps around a window can offer just enough shelter. The screen is rarely the main attraction....
What a Black Widow Bite Feels Like and When to Get Help
A black widow bite may begin with a sharp pinprick, a brief burning sensation, or almost no noticeable feeling. Some people realize they were bitten right away. Others first notice trouble when pain spreads beyond the bite site or a muscle begins to tighten. That...
The Western Black Widow Is Southern California’s Riskiest Spider
A homeowner opens an irrigation box, reaches toward a valve, and spots a glossy black spider hanging beneath a tangled web. That may be a western black widow. Among Southern California spiders, the western black widow deserves more caution than the species commonly...
Think Twice Before Knocking Down That Hornets Nest Yourself
A hornets' nest under the roofline can look like a quick weekend job. It is easy to imagine knocking it down with a broom, spraying it with a hose, or reaching it from a ladder. The insects inside may react before the nest moves an inch. That is what makes DIY hornet...
Gophers in California: ID and Habits
You step outside and find a fresh mound of dirt in the middle of your lawn, shaped like a crescent, with a plugged hole tucked off to one side. A day later, there's another mound a few feet away, and the grass between them is starting to look thin. This is usually how...
Mosquitoes in California: Season, Risks, and Control
You step into your backyard at dusk and feel the first bite before you even sit down. A few minutes later, there's another one on your ankle, then your arm. Mosquitoes in California follow a predictable pattern: they show up hardest between May and October, thrive...
Voles in California: Yard Damage and Seasonal Signs
You step outside one morning and notice a thin, curving trail cut through the grass, low to the ground, with the blades chewed flat along the path. There's no mound of dirt like you'd expect from a gopher, just a bare track weaving under a shrub and disappearing near...
California Tarantulas: When and Where You’ll See Them
You're driving home at dusk in October, or walking a foothill trail, and a large, hairy spider is crossing the ground ahead of you. It doesn't lunge or chase. It just keeps moving, and it's gone by the time you look twice. If this happens between late summer and...
Ticks in California: Species, Season, and Bite Safety
You come in from a hike, pull off your socks, and find a small dark speck stuck to your ankle that was not there this morning. Ticks in California show up in several species, but only a few bite people regularly. The species, season, and where you were outdoors all...