Brandon Runyon
Entomology and Pest Control Expert
Education
- MBA, Western Governors University
- MS, University of Nebraska, Entomology
- BS, Purdue University, Entomology
Certifications & Organizations
- Board-Certified Entomologist
- Licensed Entomologist in Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois
- Top 20 under 40, 2020, Evansville Indiana
Favorite Piece of Advice
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Co-authored Articles (38)
How to
Raise Your Own Crickets
Are you tired of going to the pet store and buying crickets every week to feed your scaly, squirmy, or furry little friend? If you're a true do-it-yourselfer, then you might be interested in raising your own colony of cr...
How to
Breed Superworms
Superworms are the larvae of darkling beetles. These large worms resemble mealworms and can grow up to or longer. They are an excellent source of protein for large reptiles as well as some species of fish and birds (inc...
What Does a Deer Tick Look Like?
Spot an engorged deer tick attached to you or your pet Of the over 80 types of ticks active in North America, there are only seven species that can transmit disease to humans through its bite. The deer tick, or blacklegg...
Why You Keep Seeing Maggots in Your Rice & How to Get Rid of Them
Learn how to prevent maggots in your favorite pantry staples You’ve been craving some warm, fluffy rice for dinner. It’s finally time to prepare your meal but… you see some small maggots crawling around the rice b...
How to
Identify a Redback Spider
Australia is known for its large (and sometimes scary!) animals and insects, and the redback spider is one of them. Though highly venomous, the redback spider won’t bite unless its web is disturbed, and its venom can b...
How to Determine If Your Tarantula Is Molting: The Complete Guide
What you need to know about your tarantula’s molting processMature tarantulas will molt about once per year, while younger tarantulas may molt more often. Before your tarantula molts, you may notice some physical and b...
How to
Breed Isopods
Isopods are common crustaceans often referred to as pillbugs or woodlice. They make great treats for pets, like geckos and frogs. Isopods can also be used to eat plant waste and clean a vivarium. While you can always go ...
Can You Have a Pet Spider? Everything You Should Know
All the tips and tricks to owning and caring for a spiderWhat's furry, has 8 legs, and is oh-so-adorable? Spiders, of course! If spiders don't give you the heebie-jeebies, they may be the perfect pet for you. They're low...
How to
Catch Crickets
Catch house crickets humanely Are you tired of hearing crickets sing and chirp all night long in your basement? Maybe you need to catch some crickets to feed your pet snake or use for fishing bait. There are a number of ...
How to
Catch and Care for a Jumping Spider
Spiders have earned a bad reputation for being creepy and crawly. But they can actually make really fun and interesting pets. The jumping spider is a good bet. It is not considered dangerous, and it can entertain you wit...
How to
Breed Worms
Breeding worms is a fantastic way to save money on bait if you’re a fan of fishing. They’re also an excellent way to get rid of food waste and paper organically. To breed worms, set up a plastic or wood bin with drai...
How to
Identify a Hobo Spider
The hobo spider, also known as the “aggressive house spider”, was accidentally introduced to the Northwestern United States in the 1980s and can now be found in the Pacific Northwest and parts of Canada. The bite of ...
How to
Care for Pillbugs
Pillbugs are small, round bugs that live in many parts of the country. Due to the fact they're easy to handle, many people enjoy keeping pillbugs as pets. You can find pillbugs outdoors, usually under rocks or in other m...
How to
Take Care of Stick Bugs
Stick bugs are long insects that resemble sticks. They can be purchased at many pet stores around the world. If you have purchased a stick insect, you should make sure you care for it properly. Make sure you provide a sa...
How to Get Rid of Cicadas (And, When Do They Come Out?)
Can cicadas bite? Are they harmful? Your questions, answered Some cicadas emerge from the ground every year, while others operate on a 13- or 17-year cycle. There’s no way to totally stop cicadas, but they don’t bite...
How to
Make a Lavender Insect Repellent
If you like spending time outdoors or leaving your windows open, you may find that you have bug bites or attract insects into your home. Bugs can be pesky and cause uncomfortable bites, but using a repellent can keep the...
How to
Find a Snail
Snails can be annoying pests, particularly if you're a gardener. However, some people catch snails to keep as pets or to show to young children. Whatever the reason, if you want a snail you will need to seek it out in th...
How to
Look After a Pet Woodlouse
Whether you know them as woodlice, roly-polies, potato bugs, slaters, pillbugs, carpenters, tiggy-hogs, parson-pigs, or doodlebugs, these tiny creatures are easy to care for. To make a comfortable habitat for them, put s...
How to
Gather Earthworms
Earthworms are often used as bait for anglers, but they’re also integral to healthy gardens, and are great in compost areas because they break down organic matter quickly and turn it into nutrient-rich soil. Worms are ...
How to
Make a Worm Habitat
A worm habitat is a great place to keep your pet worms, and unlike a worm farm, it will allow your worms to thrive and live a long lifespan. Worm habitats are relatively simple to make, but will take a little bit of prep...
