<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Stroope Pest Control]]></title><description><![CDATA[Stroope Pest Control]]></description><link>https://www.callstroope.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2026 21:05:43 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.callstroope.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Subterranean Termites: Straight Answers for Ellis County Homeowners]]></title><description><![CDATA[Your home is one of your biggest investments, and Texas A&#38;M AgriLife estimates termites cost Texas homeowners hundreds of millions of dollars each year. The upside is that termites are very manageable when you know what to look for. Here are the questions AgriLife hears most, with plain answers. What are these black, winged insects in my home? They may be termite "swarmers," the dark brown to blackish reproductive termites (about ⅜ inch long) that leave to start new colonies. They often shed...]]></description><link>https://www.callstroope.com/post/subterranean-termites-straight-answers-for-ellis-county-homeowners</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ada0cd613c6f8494f7426bb</guid><pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2026 14:25:42 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ccbff2_72017e63e73e42ab8a3f8b20ca49aa05~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Daniel Jernigan</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Striped Bark Scorpions in Ellis County: What to Know and How to Keep Them Out]]></title><description><![CDATA[Finding a scorpion in the bathtub is a surprise, but in Ellis County it is usually just one kind of scorpion, and there is plenty you can do about it. Here are friendly answers based on Texas A&#38;M AgriLife research. What kind of scorpion is in my house? Almost certainly the striped bark scorpion. Texas has 18 scorpion species, but this is the only one found throughout the state and the only one in eastern Texas. Adults are about 2½ inches long, yellowish tan with two broad dark stripes down...]]></description><link>https://www.callstroope.com/post/striped-bark-scorpions-in-ellis-county-what-to-know-and-how-to-keep-them-out</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ada0cd613c6f8494f7426bf</guid><pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2026 14:25:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ccbff2_210ed361e2b14405bc6c7449ece5b9ee~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Daniel Jernigan</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Mice and Roof Rats in Ellis County: Keeping Your Home Rodent-Free This Season]]></title><description><![CDATA[When the weather cools off in Ellis County, mice and rats start looking for a cozy place to spend the winter. A little sealing and tidying can keep them from choosing your home. Here is what homeowners ask most, with answers from Texas A&#38;M AgriLife. What's making noise in my attic? Is it rats? It could be roof rats. Texas A&#38;M says roof rats are good climbers that prefer to live off the ground, in attics, roof spaces, walls, and trees. They are active at night and can go unnoticed for a long...]]></description><link>https://www.callstroope.com/post/mice-and-roof-rats-in-ellis-county-keeping-your-home-rodent-free-this-season</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ada0cd613c6f8494f7426b9</guid><pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2026 14:25:36 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ccbff2_de89ad79e49f452a8099865456fcfea7~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Daniel Jernigan</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Mosquito Season in Ellis County: Simple Ways to Enjoy Your Backyard]]></title><description><![CDATA[Long evenings on the porch are one of the best parts of living in Ellis County, and a few easy habits can keep mosquitoes from crashing the party. Here are the questions we hear most, answered with guidance from Texas A&#38;M AgriLife and local health departments. When is mosquito season in North Texas? It is a seasons-long event that follows the weather, especially rain. Texas A&#38;M AgriLife describes it in waves: Floodwater mosquitoes show up first after heavy rain, in ditches and soggy low...]]></description><link>https://www.callstroope.com/post/mosquito-season-in-ellis-county-simple-ways-to-enjoy-your-backyard</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ada0cd613c6f8494f7426be</guid><pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2026 14:25:34 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ccbff2_0f20213c9a0f4cb1b9ae7e5508797c18~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Daniel Jernigan</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ants in the Kitchen? A Friendly Guide for Ellis County Homes]]></title><description><![CDATA[A trail of ants on the counter is one of the most common things Ellis County homeowners deal with. Here are a few helpful answers from Texas A&#38;M AgriLife. What kind of ant is in my kitchen? Knowing the species is the first step, because different ants call for different approaches. Texas A&#38;M says the key is to learn which species you have and find where the colony is nesting. Some ants nest indoors, while others nest outside and come in just to look for food. Spraying ant trails kills only a...]]></description><link>https://www.callstroope.com/post/ants-in-the-kitchen-a-friendly-guide-for-ellis-county-homes</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ada0cd613c6f8494f7426bc</guid><pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2026 14:25:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ccbff2_63c29e50d92f4e56951bd10866f3d3e7~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Daniel Jernigan</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Fleas and Ticks in Ellis County: Keeping Your Family and Pets Comfortable]]></title><description><![CDATA[Our pets love the outdoors as much as we do, and in North Texas that means keeping an eye out for fleas and ticks from spring through fall. Here are simple, research-based answers to common questions. How do I get rid of fleas in my house and yard? Texas A&#38;M AgriLife says the key is treating the pet and its surroundings at the same time: Pets: Talk to your veterinarian about the best flea product for your pet. A flea comb and a bath help with light infestations. Home: Wash pet bedding often...]]></description><link>https://www.callstroope.com/post/fleas-and-ticks-in-ellis-county-keeping-your-family-and-pets-comfortable</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ada0cd613c6f8494f7426c1</guid><pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2026 14:25:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ccbff2_ece975c105cb419d93db1f4957b218da~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Daniel Jernigan</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Fire Ants in Ellis County: Your Friendly Guide to a Calmer Yard]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you have lived in Waxahachie, Red Oak, or anywhere in Ellis County for long, you have met red imported fire ants. They are part of life in Texas yards, but with a little timing and patience you can keep them in check. Here are straight answers to the questions folks ask most, drawn from Texas A&#38;M AgriLife's fire ant experts. How do I eliminate fire ants from my yard? There is no single, easy answer for every yard. Texas A&#38;M says most people with more than a handful of mounds (about 5 per...]]></description><link>https://www.callstroope.com/post/fire-ants-in-ellis-county-your-friendly-guide-to-a-calmer-yard</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ada0cd613c6f8494f7426ba</guid><pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2026 14:25:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ccbff2_cf6b61a0011e4ec5a4f7b873e997e179~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Daniel Jernigan</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Cockroaches in Ellis County: American vs. German, and How to Keep Them Out]]></title><description><![CDATA[Seeing a roach scurry across the kitchen floor is nobody's favorite moment. The good news is that Texas A&#38;M AgriLife has plenty of practical advice, and a few simple habits go a long way. Here is what Ellis County homeowners ask most. Is one big roach in my house an infestation? Not necessarily. Large roaches like the American cockroach live mostly outdoors and wander in looking for food or water. Texas A&#38;M notes that sticky cards can help you see whether more are around and where they are...]]></description><link>https://www.callstroope.com/post/cockroaches-in-ellis-county-american-vs-german-and-how-to-keep-them-out</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ada0cd613c6f8494f7426c0</guid><pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2026 14:25:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ccbff2_d80551503ea64347a2c5a1fd485176a4~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Daniel Jernigan</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Brown Recluse Spiders in Ellis County: Calm, Practical Answers]]></title><description><![CDATA[The brown recluse has a big reputation, but it is a shy spider that often lives quietly alongside people without incident. Here is what Texas A&#38;M AgriLife and medical experts say Ellis County homeowners should know. I found a brown recluse in my home. What do I do? First, take a closer look. Texas A&#38;M says a non-expert can identify one: a light brown to grayish spider with slender legs spanning about the size of a quarter to a half-dollar, a dark violin-shaped mark on the front part of the...]]></description><link>https://www.callstroope.com/post/brown-recluse-spiders-in-ellis-county-calm-practical-answers</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ada0cd613c6f8494f7426c2</guid><pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2026 14:25:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ccbff2_e5050dae2f234cd4b1d54ce1502b1596~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Daniel Jernigan</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Black Widow Spiders: A Friendly Guide for Ellis County Homeowners]]></title><description><![CDATA[Black widows have a big reputation, but Texas A&#38;M AgriLife describes them as very timid spiders. Knowing where they like to hide makes it easy to stay out of their way. Here are answers to the questions we hear most. Where do black widows hide around Texas homes? A 2019 AgriLife Today article says black widows can be found year-round in sheltered spots like sheds, garages, attics, and crawl spaces. Mayo Clinic adds woodpiles, unused pots and gardening equipment, and closets in cold weather....]]></description><link>https://www.callstroope.com/post/black-widow-spiders-a-friendly-guide-for-ellis-county-homeowners</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ada0cd613c6f8494f7426bd</guid><pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2026 14:25:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ccbff2_3e9b87bdc239480c8f66130ea153029e~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Daniel Jernigan</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>