Brandon Runyon

Entomology and Pest Control Expert

Brandon Runyon is a board-certified Entomologist based in Evansville, Indiana. He has over 18 years of experience as a Pest Control professional, and is the Technical Director of Swat Pest Management. Swat Pest Management serves areas throughout Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois, where they provide safe, cost-effective solutions for client’s pest control needs. He authored Bugged by Bugs: A Comprehensive Guide to Pest Control, a user-friendly guide to commercial pest control practices in hotels, restaurants, apartments, and offices.

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

Be curious–act like a child who is seeing an insect for the first time. Watch it, see what it does, and try to learn how it works!

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Forum Comments (14)

How to check for bed bugs in a hotel room
If you're in a hotel, don’t put your suitcase on the bed—leave it by the door while you inspect the room.

Start by checking the mattress, and make sure to pull the sheets back and inspect the mattress seams. Also, check the headboard, dressers, and baseboards. Look for bed bugs themselves or reddish splotches left by bed bugs (which are digested blood residue).

If you find bedbugs, move your suitcase immediately, notify hotel staff, and request another room (preferably not directly next to or above/below the infested room). In some cases, it’s best to leave the hotel altogether.
Any home remedies for chigger bites? So dang itchy
You are not alone; my daughter is experiencing the same issue. We have been using a hydrocortisone cream for her bites. Camphor would also be a great option. Deet can be used as a repellent when you are unable to control the chigger habitat. If you are able to do so, trimming your lawn and removing leaf litter will go a long way in reducing the chigger population.
How to get rid of chipmunks
Hello, Sanitation and exclusion will be some of your best tools. Start by removing food and water sources, such as bird feeders and baths. Switch out mulch beds for rock beds. Keep landscaping at least 6 inches away from the foundation of your home. Trim back tree limbs so they are not touching the house. These are all long-term items to reduce the suitable habitat. In the short term, work on covering your garden with a wire mesh to prevent entry for the time being and wait for the chipmunks to move on.
How do you get rid of gnats in your house?
Hello! I have a few suggestions for you in addition to what has already been said. Reducing moisture is great for the long term. In the short term, I fully recommend the use of Steinernema feltiae, a beneficial nematode you can apply to your potted plants and outside in the areas you notice them coming from.
How to get rid of squirrels?
Everyone has given you some great advice. Reducing the food sources, trapping, and applying the squirrel shields around your trees is a great start. Also, ensure you do not have any trees touching your house. Trimming the limbs away from the house will reduce the chances of entry.
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Q&A Comments (22)

Can crickets eat breadcrumbs mixed with sugar?
Feed crickets a varied diet consisting of protein, plant sugars, fruits, and nectar. While they can consume bread crumbs and sugar, these may not provide enough sugar content compared to natural sources like fruits. While sugar can be used as bait, its effectiveness in attracting crickets may vary. It's possible to catch crickets using bait, but the success rate might not be as high as catching them in a suitable environment.
Are there any other ways to get rid of scale insects?
You can introduce natural predators as a highly effective method for controlling scale insects. Create an environment conducive to these predators, such as lacewings, parasitic wasps, soldier beetles, and ladybugs. For instance, releasing lacewings into an infested area can significantly reduce scale and small fly populations. Ladybugs, known for their voracious appetite for aphids, are particularly beneficial. It's crucial to utilize local predators to avoid disrupting the ecosystem by introducing non-native species. Embracing natural predators aligns with a holistic and environmentally friendly approach to controlling your pests at home.
What container should I use if I choose to breed the crickets?
When breeding crickets, use separate containers for breeding adults and maturing young crickets. Having at least two containers is optimal: one for the adult breeding pairs and another for the developing young crickets. It's crucial to separate the full-grown adults from the immatures and eggs, especially when the eggs are fertilized and ready to hatch, as adult crickets may consume the eggs. This segregation ensures the proper care and development of the young crickets without interference from the adults.
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Co-authored Articles (45)

How to Identify Carpet Beetles: 7 Common Signs + Prevention Tips

Pest control expert Brandon Runyon shares the key signs of a carpet beetle infestation Carpet beetles are small black, yellow, or mottled beetles that feast on animal-based fabrics and textiles. If a carpet beetle infest...

How to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Your Home

Pest control expert Brandon Runyon explains how to stop roaches and keep them from coming backDid you turn on your kitchen light and catch sight of some roaches skittering away? Even if you manage to squish a few, there ...

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...

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 ...

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

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

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

Make a Praying Mantis Habitat

Praying mantises are interesting and interactive insects that live in rainforests and grasslands all over the world—and they can also be kept inside with the right habitat. Making their habitat is a quick and easy pro...

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

Identify a Cobweb Spider

Cobweb spiders, part of the family Theridiidae, are commonly found in and around your home. The majority of them are harmless. There are over 2,300 species of cobweb spiders, and more than 230 in the US. They are named f...

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

Use Mint As an Insect Repellent

Mint plants are one of many aromatic herbs that have been used for centuries and have been passed down for generations. Although the plants' main uses are for culinary and medicinal purposes, the mint plants are also kno...

How to

Use Castor Oil As an Insect Repellent

Castor oil has been used as a natural insect repellent as far back as Greek antiquity. To take advantage of castor oil's natural insect-repelling properties, mix it with another essential oil. Pour the mixture into a sp...

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...

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

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...

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

Care for Millipedes

Unlike centipedes, millipedes are docile, harmless, and gentle creatures, despite how creepy their segmented bodies and hundreds of legs look. Contrary to popular belief, millipedes are not actually insects and are inste...

Assassin Bug Bites: How Dangerous Are They Really?

Find out how to identify an assassin bug bite and what to do about itAssassin bug bites hurt and are known to cause immediate swelling in the bite area. You’re likely wondering how dangerous a bite from an assassin bug...

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...
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