Licking Bees and Pulping Trees: The Reign of a Wasp Queen - Kenny Coogan

Take a look inside a hive as a wasp queen begins her reign; founding a colony, hunting to feed her brood and defending against intruders.

As the sun rises, something royal stirs inside a pile of firewood. It's the wasp queen; one of thousands who mated in late autumn and hibernated through the winter. Now she must emerge into the spring air to begin her reign. This queen is the lone survivor of her old hive, and now, she must become the foundress of a new one. Kenny Coogan details a year in the life of a wasp queen.

Lesson by Kenny Coogan, directed by Biljana Labovic & animated by Denis Chapon.

Why Bed Bugs Are So Hard To Kill

Humans have struggled against bed bugs for thousands of years. And despite our best efforts and technological advances, infestations are only getting worse. Bed bugs are developing defenses against our best insecticides, such as thicker hides and toxin-fighting enzymes.

The Four Most Important Pest Control Tips to Protect Your Home

Many animals and bugs that a person finds around their home may be classified as undesirable pests. Several examples include ants, spiders, termites, wasps, roaches, and some rodents such as rats. A person that notices these creatures around the home should not take their presence lightly as they can be more than just a nuisance. These uninvited houseguests, while small in size, have the potential to cause extensive damage to property and can also cause diseases and allergies that can be life-threatening.

This is why it's important for a homeowner to consider several pest control practices to prevent an infestation. Critters will be less likely to be attracted to the home if garbage is properly closed off to them and disposed of regularly. A person can keep unwelcome animals from entering the home by sealing any cracks and gaps. As some creatures are attracted to water and moisture, a person should keep the home dry, cool, and free of any standing water.

Store Garbage Properly

Of course, a large portion of what you'll find in a garbage bag is leftover food and table scraps that were discarded after dinner. Unfortunately, animals such rats and ants are attracted to the leftover food, and they will shamelessly dig through garbage bags to scavenge for free and easy food. Keep garbage bags inside a sturdy a trash can, and keep it tightly latched with a secure lid. Trash should be kept a safe distance away from the home.

Seal Cracks and Holes in the Home

Unwelcome critters can easily sneak into the home through cracks and holes. Alternatively, if they find an opportunity to get inside the home through the doorway, they'll be able to search for holes to hide inside. There, they'll create a new home and breeding ground without the knowledge of the homeowner. As a result, creatures such as termites will cause damage to property and thousands of dollars in repair work.

If a person wants to achieve pest control to preserve their home or business, he or she should regularly check for gaps and holes. The cracks found on the outside of the home should be sealed. Any crevices around cabinets and baseboards can be sealed off with caulk, which can be purchased at a hardware store. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, steel wool can be used to fill spaces around pipes.

Prevent Standing Water and Moisture in the Home

Pesky critters are not so different from humans when it comes to basic needs. Like humans, they require water to stay alive. Termites are not only attracted to wood, but they also thrive on dampness and moisture. This is why it's highly crucial for a homeowner to eliminate any standing water, humidity, and moisture for maximum pest control. Homeowners should never hesitate to repair a leaky pipe. Basements, attics, and crawlspaces can easily become humid and moist, so remember to keep these areas dry and ventilated to prevent a potential breeding ground for ants, termites, rats, and roaches. Additionally, a dry and ventilated home can prevent mold.

Cleanliness is a Preventative Measure

A person can never go wrong with keeping the home organized and clutter-free. Need another reason to organize the basement or garage? It'll keep the pests away as it'll create an unfavorable environment for the unwelcome guests.

Animals love clutter. A person may see stacks of boxes and stacks of old newspapers and unused junk, but a rat would see hiding places and a potential spot to raise a family. Once they start to breed in these hiding spots, it will be hard to locate them and get rid of them effectively.

These four basic steps go a long way toward protecting a home against infestation.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9461665

The Bug That Poops Candy - George Zaidan

Aphids can reproduce incredibly fast: they can make 20 new generations within a single season. And that means lots of poop. Some aphid populations can produce hundreds of kilograms of poop per acre— making them some of the most prolific poopers on the planet. We know this poop as the sweet, syrupy liquid called honeydew. George Zaidan explores the wonderfully weird life of an aphid.

Lesson by George Zaidan, directed by Hype CG.

Why Invest In Reliable Pest Control Services

Getting professional pest control services offers several great benefits as opposed to controlling pests like spiders, termites, or rodents on your own. Reliable service providers have qualified, trained technicians who know and understand where to treat as well as how to handle infestations. If you want to protect your new home or perhaps to treat an old property, a pest control service is certainly a smart choice.

5 Reasons For Getting Pest Control Services

Customized Plans - Protecting your home from invaders will mean having the best protection. If you send professional service providers, they are sure to set up plans which are very specific to your needs. They will take into consideration the size of your home, long-term prevention, and the level of infestation. Also, you will have the option to do pre-treatments on new construction to keep pests at bay along with emergency services in order to treat nests and hives.

Hazard - Pest control technicians know how their products will work and where to put them in and out of a home. Lots of companies are now going green and are utilizing products which are safe for the home and environment.

Time & Flexibility - Nobody wants to take time off just to wait for the "bug guy". And reliable pest control companies know this and are very willing and committed to working around your schedule. When you request for a free inspection along with a price quote for service, you will certainly find that most exterminators will work past sunset and on weekends. Controlling pest infestations will take time, and employing pest control products at the right time is considered the key to protecting your home successfully. You must know that pest control companies will track and report every time they will spray and know if they must retreat before the products will stop working.

Risks - If you use the wrong elimination method, it will have similar consequences with many pests. But by hiring the experts to do the job, risks will be minimized, if not eliminated, since they know exactly how to deal with possible nests and pests. Indeed, getting expert help will make you rest assured that your family will be safe from harmful chemicals. Apart from that, a significant amount of your time and money will also be saved by getting a professional, trusted service.

Cost - When termites damage your home, this might cost you thousands of dollars in home repairs. You might not be aware of how to perform a proper pest inspection. Termite control firms are knowledgeable of what to look for. Moreover, the cost of their service is a lot cheaper as opposed to repairing prolonged termite damage.

Getting professional building and pest inspection services will help ensure that you will have a damage-free and pest-free home.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9183614

Pest Control Tips : Does Salt Kill Ants?

Salt is not a great remedy for killing ants, though it may kill a few ants. Identify the type of ant that is infesting a home, and then use the proper insecticide to get rid of the infestation. Contact a professional for the best results.

Watch This Bee Build Her Bee-jeweled Nest | Deep Look

Pollinator. Mason. Jeweler. A female blue orchard bee is a multitasking master. She fashions exquisite nests out of mud and pollen that resemble pieces of jewelry. And in the process, she helps us grow nuts and fruits.

Why You Should Hire a Pest Control Service

Many people try to fight bugs using store-bought chemicals, only to lose the battle in the long run. If you're having problems with insects, a pest control service can get rid of the issue once and for all. These are just a few of the reasons why you should go with a professional rather than try and handle an infestation on your own.

Costs

A pest control service may cost you hundreds of dollars each year, but that amount is only a fraction of what you'll pay if carpenter ant colonies or termites are allowed to do damage to your home. You could be looking at several thousands of dollars in repairs and structural problems that possibly cannot be fixed. A professional will conduct regular inspections of your property and take care of any problems before serious issues can occur.

Customized Plans

Whether you are treating an older home or trying to protect a new one, a pest control service can provide you with a plan that will meet your exact needs. A professional will take several factors into consideration when recommending the plan that is best for you, including the size of your home, the level of infestation that has occurred, and what methods will best bring about long-term prevention.

Safety

Technicians undergo extensive training in how their products work and how to safely place them inside and outside of a home. Several companies have turned to environmentally friendly sprays that are safe for humans and pets. This is in stark contrast to the dangerous chemicals you can find at your local store.

In addition, professionals also know how to safely attack potentially dangerous areas such as beehives and wasps' nests. A novice could easily disturb a hive, for instance, and cause a swarm that could result in serious injuries. If you have an infestation of mice and don't know how to properly eliminate it, you could unknowingly allow them to scatter and spread potentially severe diseases.

Convenience

It can be a hassle to try and find places where bugs are gathering and eliminate them. If you don't want to spend your entire day trying to play the role of an exterminator, let a professional handle it. Most pest control service companies will work around your schedule, allowing you to focus on things you'll actually enjoy doing. Professionals will also continue to monitor your property and re-treat any problem areas should an infestation unexpectedly return.

When you call a pest control company, you can rest easy knowing that you and your family will be protected from infestations for months at a time. You won't have to waste money on harmful chemicals, and you'll get quality, guaranteed service that will rid your home of unwanted visitors.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8806735

The Cockroach and Clutter Control

Clutter control is an essential part of cockroach control. Clutter is the perfect habitat for the cockroach. They love to live in cramped quarters and will take up residence anywhere they can happily eat and breed.

What Attracts the Cockroach to Your Home?

It is the food in your home that attracts this household pest. Like any living being they need food and water to survive, so any building where food is prepared and stored will be an attractive living area. The cockroach can easily live off the food from unwashed dishes, bits of pet food on the floor and even the glue on postage stamps or book bindings.

One cockroach will lead to many. With an ongoing food and water supply there is no reason for them to leave your domicile. They will continue to live and breed in your home as long as conditions are favorable.

Health Problems Associated with Cockroach Infestations

Once the cockroach come into your home you have more than just an unsightly pest. For more than two decades it has been recognized that cockroach parts are highly allergenic.

There is an established connection between an infestation and the development of asthma in children. Children are more vulnerable because they crawl around on the floor and come into contact with the feces, larvae, eggs and other cockroach parts that are embedded in the carpet, baseboards, and the household dust that has settled there.

The connection to allergy induced asthma is clear:

• 60% of people with asthma test positive to cockroach allergens.
• asthmatic children who are allergic to cockroaches are 3 times more likely to be hospitalized for asthma if they have significant exposure to large cockroach populations in their environment (National Cooperative Inner-City Asthma Study, 1997)
• even if other allergies such as dust mites are present it is the level of cockroach allergens in the environment that is most closely associated with the severity of asthma in children.

Additionally, these pests carry various types of bacteria in their gastrointestinal system which are deposited all over your house whenever they defecate. Bacteria isolated from cockroach droppings include salmonella. Food poisoning, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal illness in human are associated with infestations.

Clutter Control for Cockroach Control

Pest management experts call the living areas for pests "harborages". While the cockroaches will come out at night when you are asleep they will seek out dark places to hide during the day and particularly like to be almost "cocooned" when they are resting. In other words they like to have all surfaces of their body touching something. This makes them seek out very, very small cracks and crevices where they can hunker down undisturbed for their daytime sleep.

The recommended strategies for cockroach control includes clearing clutter and useless debris. Stacks of newspapers, cardboard boxes, and piles of clothing are ideal harborages.

Clutter control strategies that help to reduce cockroach harborages include:

• Use plastic storage bins (not cardboard) if you must store items like seasonal clothing and make sure the lid fits tightly and the storage bin is not cracked.
• Do not store newspapers in your home, take them directly to an outdoor recycle bin
• Do not leave out pet food dishes with food and water. Feed your pet at a regular time, then take the dish and wash it after your pet has eaten.
• Do not store unused plastic bags under the kitchen sink. They make a perfect cockroach coccoon.
• Discard unused corrugated cardboard immediately. The crevices in corrugated cardboard are ideal harborages for the cockroach and they can live off the organic matter of the box so they will breed prolifically in cardboard boxes.

Clearing clutter also means clearing the exterior clutter from around the house. Things like firewood, recycle boxes, and garbage cans can attract roaches, and provide ideal harborages. Once the cockroach has taken up residence outside your home moving inside through tiny cracks and crevices around plumbing and electrical conduits is an easy task.

Another way that this pest gets into your home is by hitch hiking on something else. If your shopping habits include frequenting flea markets, auctions, or purchasing goods by the "lot" or "by the pound" make sure that these items are unpacked and carefully scrutinized for cockroach carcasses and egg casings before you bring them into your home. Kill any live eggs that may be present by washing used clothing before it goes into your closet.

If you build clutter the cockroach will come and it will stay. Clutter control is not just a mantra for organized living. It is also a strategy for health promotion.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2207181

Largest Spider in the World - GIANT Tarantula | National Geographic

The largest spider in the world is on the hunt. But is it as dangerous as it seems? It depends on who it's after.