For California homeowners, termite protection isn’t really a yes-or-no decision. It’s a question of timing, method, and budget. U.S. homeowners collectively spend about $5 billion a year on termite control and damage repair, and California carries more than its share of that bill. Here’s a look at what protection actually costs in 2026, how the […]
Termites have been chewing on California homes for as long as anyone has been building them here. Two native species do most of the damage: the Western subterranean termite, which nests in soil and works its way up, and the Western drywood termite, which lives inside the wood itself. The state’s mild winters, irrigated landscapes,
California Termite Report 2026: History, Stats, and Regional Swarm Timelines Read More »
If you live in California, odds are you have already crossed paths with a house mouse, the most common rodent in the state. But mice are just the opening act. Rats and squirrels turn up in homes and businesses from the coast to the Central Valley, and each one brings its own headaches. Dewey has
The Most Common Rodents in California and How to Control Them Read More »
Imagine your dog coming inside after an afternoon in the backyard in Elk Grove, a walk along the American River Parkway in Sacramento, or a hike on a neighborhood trail anywhere from the Bay Area to the Inland Empire. No limping, no visible bites, no obvious sign that anything happened. But somewhere over the course
One Bite is All it Takes: The Rising Threat of Heartworm in California Pets Read More »
Most people imagine standing water in garden plants when they think about mosquito breeding grounds in backyards. Bird baths, clogged gutters, and old containers left out after a rainstorm are all real targets. But your landscaping itself can be just as much of a problem, and it’s something most homeowners never think to check. According
5 California Landscaping Plants That May Be Attracting Mosquitoes Read More »
You’re reaching into the garage for a box, moving a pot in the garden, or sweeping out the corner of a shed, and something dark and glossy catches your eye. Could that be a black widow? In California, that’s always a possibility. Black widows are among the scariest and most threatening spiders in the state,
How To Identify a Black Widow Spider in California (and Common Lookalikes) Read More »
California has a lot going for it between the year-round sunshine, stunning coastlines, and world-class tacos. Unfortunately, it also has year-round bugs: ants that treat your kitchen like a buffet, termites that quietly snack on your walls, and bed bugs that make you question every hotel stay. If you’ve ever spotted a cockroach and immediately
Why Did the Insect Cross the Road? (And 9 More Bug Jokes) Read More »
Nobody wants to share a home with a rat, and the reasons run deeper than the ick factor. Rodents can put your health at risk, and that risk hit close to home in early 2025, when three residents of Mammoth Lakes died of hantavirus. It was a sobering reminder that the rats and rodents slipping
Hantavirus and Other Diseases Rats and Rodents Carry Read More »
Early spring is one of the most common times for homeowners to notice ants inside the house. Warmer temperatures, seasonal moisture, and easier access to food make homes more attractive to growing colonies. In Sacramento, these conditions often appear before people realize a nest has already formed nearby. Ant problems usually start quietly. A few
Why Ant Activity Increases in Homes Around Sacramento, CA, in Early Spring Read More »
Spring pest activity in Sacramento often begins earlier than many property owners expect. Warmer temperatures and seasonal moisture allow ants, rodents, and insects to become active before peak pest season arrives. Commercial buildings often notice problems sooner because trash areas, food storage, and frequent foot traffic make it easier for pests to find shelter. Because
How Commercial Properties in Sacramento Can Prepare for Spring Pests Read More »
