Cockroaches are known to carry such diseases as polio, typhoid, gastroenteritis and hepatitis.
Africanized bees live in colonies with as many as 80,000 other bees; they are quick to get excited and attack in great swarms.
A scorpion can have up to 12 eyes.
Ladybugs aren’t really bugs at all, they’re beetles!
Insects are cold blooded and do not have lungs.
At more than 16,000 acres, South Mountain Park/Preserve is the largest municipal park in the country, according to the Trust for Public Land. It boasts 51 miles of primary trails for horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking for all ability levels. The history of South Mountain Park/Preserve as a city park dates back to 1924. Prominent local citizens, with the help of Sen. Carl Hayden, bought 13,000 acres from the federal government for $17,000. In 1935 the National Park Service developed a master plan for the park with riding and hiking trails, picnic areas and overlooks, all in rustic regional character. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built many of the facilities in the park, based on this master plan.
One of my favorite things to do when I have guests coming into town is to pick them up from Sky Harbor airport and have lunch at the top of South Mountain. Lizards a plenty and sometimes tarantula’s and if your really lucky maybe some wildlife including ground squirrels.
I’ll bet you probably only thought that I read bug home seals, but no and here are my Top 5.
Today I was listening to NPR and Diane Rehm’s show on antibiotics “New efforts to curb the overuse of antibiotics in animals and people” and also ran into this article Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria on the Rise. It got me to thinking about how bugs have been around for a very long time probably older than 250 million years and their use of antibiotics. “Termites develop their own antibiotics”.
“Termites cause $40 billion in damage every year, worldwide, and researchers say the insects have developed an ingenious defense against pesticide: They make antibacterial nests out of their own poo.”
The article above goes into length about Formosan termites, located in Louisiana and surrounding areas with plenty of water. This abundance of water allows termites a greater chance to do damage and survive and puts the East Coast of the US in that very heavy chance of termites and damage. In Arizona this lack of water helps to keep the termites in check and limit extensive damage (I have seen some pretty bad damage but in general not often). This is the reason why Arizona is in that heavy infestation and also why the termite activity gains momentum during monsoon.
Yes and no, actually it’s a wasp and yes it can sting. They were actually called “Cow Killers” and can add a real punch when stung – it was said that a female sting was so painful that it could actually kill a cow. They are a solitary wasp and are found throughout the U.S., the females are large, wingless and hairy. They are 1/8 to 1 inch in length and can be orange, red, yellow black or white. The males don’t have stingers and also they have wings. They are rated Class IV and a tarantula sting at a Class II. Remember wasps, hornets, yellow-jackets all can sting multiple times while honeybees can only sting once (unless its the Queen – no barbs on her stinger). Do you know why – Comment below.
NO need to worry, just don’t pick them up or accidentally step on one and you will be fine. Another reason to always wear shoes in Arizona, scorpions to Velvet ants (wasps).
The quest for knowledge continues at our Bug Zoo at the Chandler Environmental Education Center. I really enjoy teaching the kids about the bugs and wildlife. It is gratifying to learn that one little one learned about Bark Scorpions and got Mom or Dad to catch the little interloper inside the home and dispatch it to to scorpion heaven.
Check the schedule on the side panel calendar and stop by for our Bug Zoo at Chandler Environmental Education Center.
The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) recently did a Infographic on “What’s Bugging you?”
Comments.
As we grow older we are supposed to gain wisdom, does that always work? I think not but here is my take on what I have learned in my short time on this planet.
So how about you? How about commenting below and tell me your stories?
I have to say I was greatly impressed with Eric Qualman @EQualman yesterday at the JP Morgan Chase Business Insight seminar series. The seminar was on mobile and social marketing, and since I’m really big in FaceBook and Twitter I thought it would be a great event to learn more especially about mobile marketing.
Here are just a few things he mentioned and I highly recommend you attend his seminar if you have a chance or purchase his book. Also want to thank Chase (Tanya De La Cruz) for the invite for the presentation, check them out at ChaseBis or ChaseSmallBiz
90% of people trust peer reviews
14% trust media
I will share a really funny story (by way of youtube) that he shared with us reference a man who flew on an airline and his guitar was damaged. The airline didn’t think it was their responsibility to pay for the damage, with social media there are always ways to get your point across. There are more cameras in place and with more social interaction today, there are always ways to spread good or bad news. So have you ever been happy or mad enough to possibly do your own video?
Today’s home seal – is not bug related but is in honor of those you gave their lives on April 19, 1995 Oklahoma bombing and 09/11/01 and all you have given their lives in defense of our country.
“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13
Thanks to the soldiers, police and fire departments who serve each and every day to protect us. I’m reminded daily of the sacrifice made to defend our country. Freedom is not free, God Bless America and God Bless our Troops and those that protect us!
