Elmer Bensinger
Pest Control Specialist
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Co-authored Articles (69)
8 Natural & Chemical Ways to Get Rid of Maggots
Take care of infestations for good with these pest control tips When maggots get into your trash can or somewhere in your home, taking care of them quickly prevents them from growing into flies and spreading. No matter ...
How to
Make Homemade Cat Repellent
Whether you're a cat lover or not, it's always frustrating when cats mess around where they shouldn't. It may be your garden beds, your favorite house plant, or your living room couch, but if a pesky cat is scratching up...
How to Remove Frogs from Your Home or Garden
Fend off and prevent destructive amphibious pests Frogs reduce the insect population in an area and are relatively harmless, unless you're dealing with a species that is poisonous to pets. Introducing a few natural preda...
How to Repel and Keep Pigeons Away Naturally
Effective, fast ways to deter pigeons from balconies, roofs, and more Pigeons might be entertaining to watch, but their droppings can cause damage to buildings or cars and spread diseases to people and other animals. If ...
How to
Repel Chickens
If you've ever had free-range chickens wreak havoc on your yard or garden, you know how much damage they can inflict in a short period of time. There are a few things you can do to discourage chickens from trampling, scr...
Are Gophers, Groundhogs, and Woodchucks the Same? How to Tell These Animals Apart
Find out how size, teeth, and diet differ between gophers and groundhogs It’s brown, furry, and loves to dig…but wait, that could be a gopher or a groundhog! They might seem like versions of the same animal, but the...
How to Remove Ticks In and Around Your House
Easy ways to kill ticks and prevent them from coming backIf you just saw a tick crawling around your house, don’t worry! We have plenty of tips and tricks for how to get rid of these creepy crawlies. With this step-by-...
The Best Ways to Get Rid of Groundhogs & Their Burrows
Learn how to get a groundhog out of its burrow and stop it from digging a new one Has a groundhog burrowed under your yard or garden and made itself at home? Groundhog (woodchuck) holes can be eyesores in your lawn and ...
How to Clean, Degrease, and Whiten Bones
Safely handle, clean, and prepare animal bones for display Bones and skulls make great decor and jewelry, but it’s important to clean them first to make sure they’re safe to handle. The process may be slow, taking an...
How to
Get Rid of Toads in Your Yard
Toads can be a little annoying between their noisy songs and the potential for being poisonous. However, before you commit to getting rid of the toads, consider these facts: many toads are endangered, and if left alone i...
How to ID False Widow Spiders & What to Do If You Find One
Spot the differences between spiders with our expert guide False widow spiders are a species that look similar to black widows, but they’re less dangerous and are not likely to bite you. While all false widows share t...
How to
Fill Chipmunk Holes
Chipmunks may look cute when you first spot them in your yard, but they can be a nuisance when they start borrowing in your lawn and ruining your garden. Chipmunk burrows can extend underground, but they can be plugged ...
How to
Kill Leeches
Leeches are typically water-dwelling invertebrates related to worms. They will feed by attaching themselves to a host and sucking its blood. If a leech attaches itself to your body, it can seem gross and be uncomfortable...
How to
Catch a Frog
Frogs are fascinating amphibians and catching them can be tons of fun! Whether you plan to keep them as pets or study them, catching a frog is easy. You can build a trap that safely drops them into a bucket or you can us...
How to
Get Rid of a Maggot Infestation
Maggot infestations often occur in trashcans and underneath carpeting. They occur when a fly gets into a certain area and lays eggs. Often, the smell of rotting food will attract flies and maggots. Getting rid of a maggo...
How to
Identify a Black Widow Spider
Black widows are spiders found across the world and are one of the most venomous species in the United States. Even though black widow bites are rarely fatal and only happen when you provoke a spider, they can still caus...
How to
Cancel Aptive Pest Control
If you have a contract with Aptive Pest Control that you want to get out of, it can feel like you have to jump through hoops to get anyone to help you. Many customers report that it’s hard to get a hold of a customer s...
How to
Catch a Snake
Whether you need to relocate a garden pest or just want a closer look at these fascinating creatures, catching a snake is possible, even for non-professionals. Snakes can be dangerous, but by taking basic precautions, y...
How to Get Rid of Black Widows
Eliminate black widow spiders inside and outside with these expert tips Black widow spiders are found all over the world, but they’re one of the most venomous spiders in the United States. While their bite is rarely ...
How to
Prevent Maggots from Getting in the Trash
Ever open the garbage can and yuck, there's an invasion of little squiggly white worms? Those are actually not worms but larvae. After mating, the female fly lies eggs in a meat source such as a dead animal on the ground...