Creepy Crawlies Send Chills down the Spine This Halloween

Here at Arrow Exterminators, Halloween is one of our favorite times of the year. In addition to handing out candy and seeing everyone all dressed up in their costumes, we also get to share stories about REAL creepy crawlies. Unfortunately, unlike werewolves, goblins, ghosts and vampires, these pests might really be lurking in your own backyard.

In celebration of this haunting time of year, we've put together a list of the top five scariest pests for Halloween - we promise that these tales will send chills down your spine!

1. Earwigs: Have you ever worried that a pest might crawl into your ear in the middle of the night while you're sleeping? That scary feeling may have originated from earwigs, which literally means ear creature. Centuries ago, people used to believe that if an earwig crawled into an ear, it could drill a hole into your brain. Luckily, this is just a myth; however, you might be frightened by this pest's scary forceps, used as protective weapons to capture prey.
2. Flesh Flies: Flesh flies get their name from their occasional tendency to lay eggs in the open wounds of mammals. Luckily, flesh flies are more likely to breed in dung or decaying material - rather than eat us alive!
3. Bats: We always hear about bats during Halloween, especially since vampires seem to be everywhere these days. Luckily, unlike the vampires we see on television and in movies, bats do not suck blood; however, they can spread diseases, such as rabies.
4. Brown Recluse Spiders: Brown recluse spiders are nocturnal pests that feed on cockroaches and crickets. Unfortunately, if these spiders feel threatened by humans, they will bite, leaving behind "volcano lesions" - a large, damaged hole in the flesh. Other side effects include severe itching, nausea, vomiting, fever and muscle pain.
5. Bed Bugs: Everyone knows the phrase "Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite." But, could you ever have imagined these bugs to be real? In recent years, bed bugs have made a strong resurgence due to increased international travel and a developed tolerance to pesticides. Nocturnal creatures, they bite unsuspecting victims in their sleep and may leave behind painful, itchy welts. Because bed bugs are difficult to treat, we always encourage homeowners to call a pest professional immediately if they suspect an infestation.