There are many fears, concerns and tall-tales that go along with pest control.  Some are humorous, others make me want to scratch my head.  Here are a few of the pest control myths that I have come across:

"Mice get thirsty and die outside after consuming poison."

• MYTH  Depending on which rodenticide a person is using, rodents will die in approximately 12-36 hours.  Normally they will die in their burrow/nest which can be outside but in many cases will be in your insulation.

"Most ants in a colony are female."

• TRUE  Why do you think they call them Aunts.  Seriously, most ants in most colonies are female and in some species ALL of the members of a colony are female.

"Do earwigs try to go into your ears?"

• MYTH  Believe it or not, I actually get asked this question from time-to-time.  Earwigs will not go into your ears unless you put it there.  One insect that will go into your ears, and I have seen it first hand, is the German cockroach . . . YUCK!

"Termites are only found in the South."

• MYTH  I have personally found termites in customer's homes in Kenosha, Wisconsin.  Termites are especially bad in the South but they can be found in abundance as far north as Joliet, Illinois.  In fact, if you are thinking about buying a home in Chicago in the Hyde Park or Rodgers Park areas, I would strongly urge you to have a termite inspection done.

"Rats cause asthma."

• TRUE  Studies done over the last decade have proven that children living in large metropolitan areas where rodents and roaches are present, have a higher rate of asthma than children living in the suburbs.