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Elmer Bensinger
Pest Control Specialist
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Co-authored Articles (90)
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 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 Remove & Kill Asian Lady Beetles (Plus, How to Keep Them Away)
Control infestations & prevent beetles from getting insideIf Asian lady beetles have started wandering into your home, there are plenty of easy steps you can take to eradicate the infestation. While these bugs have a bad...
17 Smells That Will Keep Mice Away Naturally
Easy, effective, natural remedies that repel miceMice. They’re certainly tricky critters! When you think you’ve gotten rid of them, they find a way to come back. So, how can you naturally keep mice out of your home? ...
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 ...
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
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...
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
Make a Bird Trap
You cannot legally trap most birds in many states and countries. However, in a survival situation, or to do some basic population control in your yard, light trapping is permissible. Though you may need a permit, and you...
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-...
How to
Build a Dry Well
A dry well is an excellent way to divert water runoff from your roof away from your home and yard. Essentially, a dry well takes the water coming off of your home when it rains and drains it away from your home to a tank...
How to
Set a Conibear Trap
A guide to selecting and setting your trap A conibear trap (pronounced kon-uh-bear) is typically used when trapping beavers, muskrats, mink, or raccoons. These rodents can cause serious problems for ranchers and farmer...
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
Get Rid of Scorpions
Scorpions are common household pests. These arachnids are typically found in the southern United States, with the largest varieties dwelling in desert regions. Scorpions prefer to stay in dark spaces during the day and c...
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
Trap a Rabbit
Effective techniques for catching or even hunting wild rabbitsRabbits, although often classified in the rodent family, are actually part of the Lagomorpha family, and live in forests and meadows. Rabbits often find their...
How to Control Slugs with Vinegar in 6 Easy Steps
If you have any gardening experience, you’ve likely discovered that slugs can be extremely pesky and destructive pests. They feed on many kinds of leaves, fruits, vegetables, and other plant matter. After all the hard ...
8 Strategies to Kill Spider Crickets in Your House
If you've spotted super large, long-legged crickets in your home, you may be dealing with spider crickets. These nasty pests can seriously alarm homeowners, but don't stress—they don't bite and aren't a health risk. If...
How to Trap a Fox Quickly & Safely
Learn how to bait and trap a pesky fox Small, omnivorous, wily predators and scavengers, foxes can sometimes be serious nuisances, especially to farmers or other people with small, domesticated animals. Knowing how to ca...
