Share your thanks with Elmer Bensinger
Your thanks is on its way!
Elmer Bensinger
Pest Control Specialist
wikiHow's Editorial ProcesswikiHow partners with over 1000+ experts from a wide range of fields to ensure our content is accurate and based on well-established research and testimony. Content Managers conduct interviews and work closely with each expert to review information, answer reader questions, and add credible advice. Learn more about our editorial process and why millions of readers trust wikiHow.
Forum Comments (1)
Q&A Comments (36)
Co-authored Articles (90)
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...
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 Keep Chickens Out of Your Yard
Plus, learn how to invite chickens to areas just for themIf 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. The good news is th...
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...
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
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 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-...
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 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
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...
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? ...
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 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
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...
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 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
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 Get Rid of Grackles
If you’re dealing with grackles in your backyard or field, then you know firsthand how much of a nuisance they can be for not only you, but for other bird populations as well. If you’re looking for ways to keep those...
