GOT A PEST PROBLEMIN SCRANTON?

Peak intrusion in Scranton during fall and winter. Chew wiring, contaminate food, carry hantavirus. Signs: droppings along walls, gnaw marks, scratching sounds at night.

Carpenter ant colonies can reach 10,000–20,000 workers and damage Scranton structures over 2–5 years. Signs: hollow-sounding wood around plumbing leaks, frass piles in crawlspaces, large black or red ants foraging in kitchens.

Lone star ticks in Scranton can cause alpha-gal syndrome — a red meat allergy. Signs: small dark ticks attached to skin, sudden onset of meat sensitivity, hives 4–8 hours after eating beef or pork.

Stinging insect deaths are rare but serious — anaphylaxis risk is highest for Scranton residents with bee/wasp allergies. Signs: nests in shrubs, sheds, or playground equipment, repeated stings from disturbing a hidden colony.

Sealing gaps in siding, windows, and attic vents in late summer is the best defense for Scranton homes. Signs: bugs squeezing through gaps in cedar shingles, evening fly-ins to porch lights, foul odor from vacuum bags.

Bed bug infestations in Scranton multi-unit buildings often require coordinated treatment across multiple apartments. Signs: bites only at night, bugs in headboard cracks, sweet musty odor in heavily infested rooms.