Insights

While in our previous blog we discussed the downside of insects, we thought it only fair to bring you some of the actual benefits of insects (and yes there are quite a few). Despite the tremendous economic losses they may cause, it is not entirely fair to cast the members of Class Insecta as villains…

Sometimes in life, it’s the smallest things that cause the biggest problem. Losing your keys, running out of milk, forgetting to do something your wife has asked you to do. . . . But the smallest problem-causers in nature, where our health is concerned, are insects. Let’s take a look at how insects affect our…

Hairy spiders like the wolf spider bring to mind horror films, tarantulas and other horrifying critters but in reality, they are rather harmless. But we do get calls now and then from frantic New Orleans residents saying they’ve seen a rather large spider about the size of a quarter! So we thought we’d give you…

If you’re like most homeowners, seeing a few pests in and around your home tempts you to “take care” of them yourself. After all, the hardware stores are filled with pesticide products so how difficult can it be? We hear lots of stories about people trying to do their own pest control with disastrous results:…

Don and Jan were just settling in for a nice Saturday afternoon when above their heads, they heard what sounded like something running in the ceiling, then scratching and a weird squeaking soun d. “Oh no,” Don said, “I think we have critters living in our attic.” Jan was especially disturbed imagining what was going on…

Honey bees are among the most beneficial of all insects. Honey is humanity’s oldest sweet, and beeswax was the first plastic. Honey bees are important pollinators and contributors to our food with their honey. But in the wrong place–like your house–they can be a BIG problem. A mature honey bee colony can range in population…

The answer is a resounding YES. . .with certain conditions. If proper care is not taken, pesticides can harm the environment by contaminating soil, surface and ground water, and ultimately kill wildlife. But without the use of pesticides, food production would decline, many fruits and vegetables would be in short supply and prices would rise….

Yes, you may not be the only one eating your Cheerios! Pantry pests like Indianmeal moths (pictured above) can be a serious problem if left unchecked. And they can sneak up on you before you realize they’re actually enjoying your breakfast as much as you do! Indianmeal moths are attracted to any kind of flour,…

It’s getting to be that time of the year when our thoughts turn to enjoying the backyard with friends, barbecuing, games and summertime fun! But what you planned to be an enjoyable e xperience can turn out to be just the opposite because of insects competing for your food and drink! Here are five tips for…