pests

Illinois has surged among the states with homes having the most rodents.

I am not a fan of any type of mosquito, but there's a warning about one in Illinois that you definitely don't want to mess with. It's an invasive pest that isn't supposed to be here in the first place, but it is now a reality. Beware that they carry diseases and bite like a tiger.

I am not a fan of the many cicadas and ticks you find in Illinois, but at least you can see those bugs. There's a nearly invisible one that is apparently responsible for thousands of people in Illinois who are saying they're experiencing super-itchy bites from a pest that you can almost never see.

I wouldn't look at this recent reports of bed bugs in Illinois if I were you, but you obviously did anyway, so that probably means you're about to travel and you might have concerns about places in the Land of Lincoln you might stop at. Spoiler Alert: you are right to be afraid...so very very afraid.

It's really a genius idea if you think about it. What better way to battle those evil and sometimes deadly mosquitos that swarm in Missouri summers than an aerial weapon? Answer - drones and it could happen because it's already being done.

The good news is the historic brood invasion of cicadas in Illinois is lessening. However, the bad news is the screams of these pests is getting louder and there's a strange reason why.

No, they are not trying to give their yards a much needed bath.

The bad news is this infamous fruit-killing fly has been reported in America already this year. The good news is it hasn't been confirmed in Missouri, yet. But, the USDA is warning everyone to watch out for signs that this pest might be causing damage to the state's fruit.

The fact that a record number of cicadas are making their way through Illinois as we speak is bad enough, but it might be even worse if you have a garden you're proud of.

I tend to be naive. When I stop at a motel, I assume everything is fine. I've learned that I am often very very wrong as there are a whopping 404 Wisconsin bed bug reports right now.