My collection isn’t huge but it does contain some sprayers from years ago, some are quite interesting.
I ran across this story from back in February 2014 “8 Deadliest Insects in the World.” My guess was correct as I frequently mention it in many of my bug presentations. So what do you think are the top eight? Go ahead and take a good guess.
I asked this question just this last week at the Nature Camp, can you name the bugs that bite or sting here in Arizona?
- Honeybees
- Wasps
- Scorpions
- Mosquitoes
- Ticks
- Assassin Bugs
- Bed Bugs
- Some flies
We don’t often talk about grasshoppers or locust but I would say that they would be considered occasional pests. Those pests that accidentally get into homes or businesses. Technically a locust is a grasshopper but not all grasshoppers are locusts. Locusts were once known as the Plague of the West and will eat almost anything in its path.
Keeping windows and doors shut will keep them out along with repairing window screens.
Sorry for the blurriness of the picture put it is a fire alarm sprinkler head and a Mud Dauber wasp has decided to create a nest in the head itself. We decided to alert maintenance because I didn’t want the alarm triggering.
What is the weirdest place you have seen a nests?
These bugs are a major pain in the — to many who thought it wouldn’t happen to them. Calls have increased due to summer travel, so please beware and take precautions. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) has a lot of good information, so please take a moment of your time to read and understand.
Now on to a touchier situation, don’t believe everything you read about Bed Bugs but rather visit those sites that have good information. People still tend to I read this or that and I try my best to set the record straight, but the NPMA really is the authority on bugs. They set the standard with QualityPro and a staff Entomologist. The more you know = KNOWLEDGE and we all know that Knowledge is Power.
Spiders have always creeped me out and the Black Widow is the ultimate of the creepy ones. Just the way they hang out in their web, hanging upside down and the stickiness of the web is weird. I know spiders eat a lot of bugs (competition) but they in general just look menacing.
A few facts:
- More common in the South and Southwest but can be found almost anyplace.
- Venom attacks nervous system, dangerous bite but rarely fatal.
- Usually outside at night.
So whether you are planning a picnic or just some time on your back porch to celebrate the “Day of Freedom” – we wish you a pleasant and Happy 4th of July.
July 4th – the day the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress. Happy 4th all and let us all remember Freedom is not Free is is paid by the loyalty and blood of our military and those that served. God Bless America….
I probably have said this a few times but a really great reason to read my home seal – I stay ahead of the curve on new species, updates on issues around the US and World and primarily issues with vector borne diseases.
“3 confirmed cases of Chikungunya virus in NC” A few of these diseases include symptoms that some of us could account for daily such as joint pain, headaches and rashes.
Stay well my friends…
Photo by PPMA
I have to tell you, sometimes I worry about people. Why you ask? Because of stories like this “Feeding Alligators: dangerous unlawful.” I guess it doesn’t really surprise me, that is why those shows on TV are so riveting. You know someone is going to walk up to that Buffalo like he knows what he is doing and then POW…. I guess that is why all those warning labels are on things, to stop that one person who was thinking – should I really do that or not. Selection of the fitness!
So what kind of tips can I give if you own a house and want to keep those critters out:
- Don’t encourage them to live with you, don’t stack stuff around the outside of your home.
- Check weep holes and secure them – no open holes.
- Don’t create harborages, don’t set your shed on the ground. This is a possible site for all types of animals.
- Don’t leave doors or windows opened, things can crawl in. That is how I captured the snake below, someone left a door opened. She was about a foot long and is currently over 6 foot.
The female Black Widow usually spends time hanging from her web, this web is often times small to medium size irregular in shape. They can also hide in corners or recessed area where there is some protection.
The web itself is a bit crackly or even somewhat brittle. Just be careful touching it as she may decide to come charging out, she may think you are dinner caught in her web.