Author Archive

What are centipedes? Spiders or insects?

This Arizona Centipede is actually an arthropod (arthropods are organisms that have segmented bodies, a jointed skeleton and paired jointed limbs. They include such creatures as spiders, centipedes and insects) that has an elongated body with one pair of legs per segment. So really neither spider or insect but a creature all it’s own. They range in size from less than an inch to several inches. The smaller, brown and tan, common desert centipede does bite, it can be painful but not deadly to humans.

The centipede is one of the oldest animals on Earth having evolved into the form it is today, millions of years ago. The centipede has been found in fossils dating over 400 million years old.

Remember, venom = active, poison = passive. Call 1-800-222-1222 Poison Control for additional information.

Bathrooms and Termites, why?

After learning about termites in Florida (I spent 8 years in Central Florida) I know that they really are drawn to water sources much like any animal or insect. Food, water and a place to live, that’s what they need and that’s what we need. So especially in Florida – abundant with water and bathrooms were the place I had more serious issues.

Here is Arizona I think the one thing that’s helps termites beyond the normal water, food etc is the footprint of homes. This footprint allows heat reduction and some water which allows termites to live within the shadow of us. So keep an eye peeled for signs of termites and you will be one step ahead of the game if they ever invade your home. Here is a list of things to look for:

• Tunnels or tubes inside or out, inside could be very small but dirt is always present with Subterranean termites.
• Drop tubes coming from your ceiling.
• Baseboard that looks eaten from inside out, they won’t eat paint so it looks wrinkled.
• I suggest an inspection by a Pest Management Professional – here is a great place to find one http://www.pestworld.org or just give ProBest Pest Management a call at 480-831-9328 or 623-414-0176

Cliff Swallows evolved to dodge traffic!

UNL study suggests cliff swallows evolved to dodge traffic UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA–LINCOLN

Brown’s and Bomberger,  Brown’s findings in Current Biology can be found at http://go.unl.edu/dt2.

Rodents are filthy, filthy animals.

Rodents are filthy animals that carry over 35 known diseases.

How do they get into homes?

1. Garage
2. Cracks and holes from pipes
3. Cracks along the foundation
4. Windows or doors (people often leave these open)
5. Fireplace chimney

What are Genetically engineered (GE) insects?

Genetically engineered (GE) insects are yet another class of biotech experiments moving rapidly toward release into our environment.

They are talking about controls and oversight, but none is currently being provided. These GE insects include a GE pink bollworm, a GE medfly, GE apple codling moth and GE mosquitos.

This is amazing stuff that they are working on, the USDA has allowed a field trial in Arizona of pink bollworms engineered with a fluorescent gene so that the British company that created them (Oxitec) can assess how far they travel.