Christmas Beetle!

Photo courtesy of brisbaneinsects.com

I came across this beetle and thought I'd share.  It is the Anoplognathus species of beetle from the Scarabaeidae family.  These beetles are native to Australia and are common around Christmas time, giving them the common name, Christmas beetle.  There are about 35 species of Christmas beetles, ranging in size from 20-30mm.  They come in a variety of colors, including brown, green, yellow, and pink, and they are often metallic or iridescent.  The legs of Christmas beetles are clawed and covered in barbs.


Photo credit: Cyron Ray Macey from Brisbane, Australia; wikipedia.org

Larvae live underground and feed on plant roots and decaying vegetation.  In late winter or early spring, larvae move closer to the soil surface and pupate.  After several weeks, adults emerge.  They wait for rain to soften the soil, then burrow their way out.  Adults fly to a nearby plant source to feed and mate.  Eucalyptus leaves are one of their favorites, and swarms can defoliate whole trees in a few days.  Waves of emergence can occur from late November through February, Australia's summer season.

Party Time!

Each year the staff of Mid-Georgia Pest Control and Prime Maintenance Turf Management take an evening to celebrate Christmas with each other and their spouses.  We returned again this year to the Blue Willow Inn Restaurant, in historic Social Circle, GA.  The Blue Willow Inn opened in 1991, but stepping on that property is like stepping back in time to the Antebellum South.

We all stuffed ourselves with the enormous Southern feast prepared at the Blue Willow Inn.  A huge assortment of salads, meats, vegetables, breads, and desserts lure you for seconds and maybe even thirds!

Not only is our Christmas party a time to enjoy each other's company and have some fun together, it is also the time for another Mid-Georgia tradition:  awarding the Employee of the Year!  Congratulations to this year's recipient, Kelly Teal! 

Thanks to our entire team for working so hard all year and serving our communities.  Our party was wonderful!

Protecting a Landmark!

Everett's Music Barn in Suwanee has been a big part of the Bluegrass music scene for over 40 years.  The Everett Family Band starting playing music in their house in the mid-'60s, and soon people were overfilling the home.  After a Norcross apartment complex donated materials, they built the barn in 1971.  Many professional Bluegrass artists got their start with the Everett family.  

The barn closed in November 2010, and was reopened under new ownership in April 2012.  You will find a family friendly atmosphere and live music every Saturday night.  Music from national recording artists, family bands, and local favorites can all be heard at Everett's Music Barn.

 

We recently had the honor of helping protect this Gwinnett landmark from a massive termite infestation.  Because the barn is set directly on the ground, sections of the floor had to be cut to get termiticide under the foundation. 

Our Team!

Because Mid-Georgia Pest Control has offices in both Grayson and Griffin, we are able to serve a large amount of Georgia with their pest control and termite needs.  However, it also means that our team is not in the same place.  A few weeks ago, we were able to have the whole team together and enjoy a lunch with each other.  Thanks to our very own Bruce Griffin, for the delicious BBQ!  Our team is made up of our pest control technicians and office staff from both offices as well as our turf specialists for our sister company, Prime Maintenance Turf Management, based out of our Grayson location.  Here's a picture of the entire team that works hard to serve you!

  

Kicking Off the Holidays with a Parade!

Christmas celebrations have begun, and Mid-Georgia Pest Control is getting in the spirit!  Thanks to Chris and Brandon for representing Mid-Georgia last Saturday in the Griffin Annual Christmas Parade.  Our mascot was jolly in his Santa hat!
 

Where Do Insects Go In the Winter?

Despite the unseasonably warm days we have had, winter is upon us.  So, what happens to all those bugs that we see in the spring and summer?  There are several different strategies that insects have come up with to survive the cold winter months.

1.  Migration

We all know that birds fly south for the winter.  Did you know there are some insects that do the same?  A great example of this is the Monarch butterfly, which travels all the way to Mexico each winter.  Other insects migrate down into the ground to get below the frost level.



Monarch butterfly; photo courtesy of mexicotoday.org

2.  Communal Living

You've heard the phrase "safety or strength in numbers."  Some insects like ants and honey bees cluster together to make "warmth in numbers."  The bees' wing activity can raise the temperature in the hive above freezing.

3.  Dormancy

Many insects become dormant in a state of hibernation called diapause.  The inactive state of suspension helps synchronize the insect's life cycle with seasonal changes in the environment.  Insects can become dormant at different stages.  For example, praying mantids and tent caterpillars spend the winter as eggs.



Tent caterpillar eggs; photo courtesy of johnston.ces.ncsu.edu

Others spend the winter as larvae.  One example of this is the wooly bear caterpillar, which curls up in thick layers of leaf litter.  The next stage is pupae.  The black swallowtail butterfly spends the winter as a chrysalid, or cocoon.  Still other insects overwinter as adults.  Mourning cloak butterflies, for example, tuck themselves behind loose tree bark or in tree cavities.  Many insects, like ladybugs and boxelder bugs, move in our homes and spend the winter in wall voids and attics.



Black Swallowtail chrysalis; photo courtesy of buglifecycle.com



4.  Cold Hardening

Some insects produce cryoprotectants, or their own "antifreeze."  By producing a glycerol substance, insects can "supercool" themselves which allows their body fluids to drop below freezing points without causing ice damage.  The smaller the amount of water, the better they can supercool without freezing.  Because of this, smaller arthropods like ants or tiny spider mites can cool to colder temperatures than larger insects, like grasshoppers. 

5.  Staying Active

Lastly, a few insects actually stay active during the cold months.  One example of this is springtails, also called snow fleas.



Snow Fleas; photo credit-Jeff Hahn; www1.extension.umn.edu

Holiday Hitchhikers in your Christmas Tree

Thanksgiving is behind us and the leftovers are finally gone.  The signs of the Christmas season are all around.  For many of us, that means time to put up the Christmas tree.  One of my all time favorite movies is "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation."  After getting the tree up, the Griswolds find an unwanted guest: a squirrel.  Chances are you would notice something like that before bringing your tree inside, but there are some less noticeable pests that might be hiding in your tree.

Although problems are rare, bringing in a real Christmas tree can also bring in extra guests for the holidays.  Most of the pests that are sometimes found are not a threat to you or your home.  If fact, they will most likely stay unseen on the tree or die because of lack of appropriate food, warm temperatures, and low humidity.  However, the warmth of the indoors can sometimes increase their activity.  Some common pests found are aphids, mites, scale insects, adelgids, bark beetles, spiders, and praying mantid eggs.



Cinara aphids; photo courtesy of ncsu.edu

To help prevent any holiday hitchhikers, thoroughly inspect your tree for signs of any of the pests mentioned above.  Small holes in the trunk with sawdust trails are a sign of bark beetles.  Vigorously shake the tree before bringing it inside.  This will help to remove many insects.  Check for bird nests as they may contain bird parasites such as mites and lice.  Egg masses of praying mantids are sometimes found.  Remove the twig with the mass on it and place it in an evergreen tree or shrub outdoors.  The warmth of your home may cause the eggs to hatch.  Vacuum up any pests that become active and leave the tree.  Do NOT use aerosol insect sprays.  They are flammable and should not be sprayed on the Christmas tree. 


Praying mantid egg case; photo courtesy of ncsu.edu

     

I Can't Believe Lady Bugs Come From That!

We have a plastic children's picnic table in our backyard.  While we were outside playing, we found several things crawling on the table.  There were a few lady bugs:

Then there were these:

Ugly, spiky, black and orange bugs.  What are they, I wondered?  The answer: lady bug larvae!  Those cute insects that everyone loves start out like this?  It is really quite amazing how different stages of the same insect can look so different.

Here's a better closeup:


Photo courtesy of www.butterflyskye.com.au

Ladybugs have 4 stages in their life cycle.  Females lay around 10-15 eggs on the underside of leaves.  They are small and yellow.  About a week later, they will hatch into larvae that feed on aphids or tiny mites.  This stage has been described as looking like tiny alligators.  In a few weeks, they begin to change again into pupa.  At this point, they will attach themselves to a leaf and go through the metamorphosis into a ladybug.



Photo courtesy of ladybugfun.wordpress.com

 

What Ate My Sweater?

As the cold weather approaches, we all start to get out our warm sweaters and coats.  To the dismay of some, they will find their winter wear has been the buffet for carpet beetles while they were packed away.  Actually, the beetles are not the problem.  It's the larvae that can cause irreparable damage to your belongings.  In the past, this pest was a problem in woolen carpeting, giving them their name "carpet beetles."  However, they do not feed on the synthetic fibers of most of today's carpets.  They do, however, feed on other items of animal origin, such as stuffed animals, woolen or cashmere fabrics, food products, and feathers.



Black Carpet Beetle and larva; photo courtesy of www.plantdiagnostics.umd.edu

The two most common types of carpet beetles are the black carpet beetle (shown above) and the varied carpet beetle (shown below).  Black beetles are oval shaped, while varied beetles are more rounded.  Black beetles are solid black or dark brown.  The larvae are covered in golden brown hairs and have a "tail" of long hairs.  The varied beetle has splotches of white, yellow, and gray creating a calico pattern.  The larvae are covered with rows of light brown hairs and are more teardrop shaped than the black beetle larvae.



Varied Carpet Beetle; photo courtesy of www.whatsthatbug.com



Varied Carpet Beetle larvae; photo credit: Jim Kalisch; www.entomology.unl.edu

To help prevent carpet beetles, thoroughly clean clothing before storing it for the off season.  If storing clothing in a box, seal all corners and openings or use airtight containers.  For clothing in closets, cover each individual item with a plastic cover.  You can also control carpet beetles by cleaning up spilled food and accumulated lint and hair or fur.  Common sites for eggs to be laid include areas where dead insects occur, accumulations of lint in air ducts, along edges of carpeting, and underneath baseboards.   

Although these pests do not bite, sting, or carry disease, they can cause a great amount of damage.  Also, some people are allergic to the hairs on the larvae.  Contact with them may cause a reaction that looks like bed bug bites. 

Cluster Flies!

We all hate when the occasional fly gets in our home during the summer.  But, there's another fly that makes it's appearance in homes and buildings in late fall.  It is the cluster fly, also called the attic fly.  They can be found gathering in clusters on the sunny side of buildings in the fall looking for shelter for the winter.



Cluster Fly; photo courtesy of wiki.bugwood.org

Cluster flies are slightly larger than the common housefly.  They are gray in color with light and dark gray checkered abdomens.  They have golden yellow hairs on the thorax.  Cluster flies are slower and more sluggish than your common fly.

Although they can be a nuisance because of the large numbers that cluster together, they are not known to carry any diseases that are of medical importance to humans.  They do not reproduce inside the structure.  They may be seen in large numbers, however, on warm days trying to get back outside.  They are attracted to light and are often found clustered around window frames.



Flies around window; photo courtesy of www.ecopro.co.uk

In the spring, cluster flies will emerge to start their life cycle again.  Eggs are deposited on soil where the larva use earthworms as their hosts.  They will develop as parasites in the worm and pupate into adult flies.

As with all fall pests, prevention is the best treatment.  To keep them out, seal cracks around windows, doors, siding, pipes, and other openings.  Repair or replace damaged screens on doors or windows. 

Trick or Treating, Mid-Georgia Style

Mid-Georgia Pest Control's Griffin office was excited to participate in the downtown Griffin trick or treating event on Halloween.  Our termite mascot was there to greet the kids and take pictures.  Candy was also given away, and everyone had a blast!  The Griffin Mainstreet program estimates there were around 2,000 people in attendance.  A big Thank You to Chris, Brandon, and Justin for their hard work!

Halloween Bugs!

"Mama, there's a weird bug out here, get your camera!"  My children love my job and bring every bug they see to my attention.  This was the bug crawling on our deck:

I think I have figured out this the Florida Predatory Stink Bug.  The neat thing about this bug and it's timing on our deck is that it's nickname is the "Halloween Bug".  This bug is found mostly in the southeastern quarter of the United States and is most numerous in the spring and fall.  Because of its abundance in the fall and the "mask-like" look it's colors give it, it is often called the "Halloween Bug."  The bug is mostly black with orange or red spots at each corner of the scutellum (or the posterior portion of the thorax).  The underbelly is also orange or red.



photo credit: Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida (www.entnemdept.ufl.edu)

As it's name suggest, it is a predator, but this Halloween bug is considered beneficial.  It's prey consists of many plant-damaging bugs, beetles, and caterpillars.  It catches prey by jabbing it with it's proboscis which injects a toxin to immobilize the prey.  Florida Predatory Stink Bugs will also sometimes attack prey in large groups, especially in their younger nymph stages.



nymphs eating a cricket; photo credit: Nikki; www.whatsthatbug.com

 I've got to admit, it was a cool looking bug to see, and we luckily didn't smell any of the "stink". 

Don't Forget to Rodent Proof Your Home This Fall!

Not only is fall a time that insects seek out your home for warmth during the winter, it's also a time to be prepared for rodents.  Mice and rats can bring about their own set of problems, such as property damage, food contamination, and diseases.  The most common rodents to be aware of are the Norway Rat, Roof Rat, and House Mouse.




Norway Rat: photo courtesy of www.nematode.unl.edu

Norway Rats are also called Brown Rats, Gray Rats, Water Rats, Sewer Rats, or Barn Rats.  They have a thick, heavy body with a blunt nose.  These rats can reach around 16 inches in length and weigh around one pound.  They are found burrowing in the soil, sewers, basements/cellars, warehouses, slaughterhouses, and docks.  Rats have poor eyesight, but they make up for it with their excellent sense of smell, taste, and touch.  Norway Rats are also good swimmers.  Although they will eat just about anything, they prefer cereal grains, meats, fish, and nuts. 



Roof Rat: photo courtesy of www.cdc.gov

Roof rats are slightly smaller than Norway rats.  They are also called Black Rats, Ship Rats, and House Rats.  Despite the name, they range in color from black to light brown.  Roof rats are more common in warmer areas.  Their bodies are sleek and slender, and the tail is longer than the body.  These rats are great climbers and will use fences or utility lines to travel between structures.  They are often found in the upper level of homes or buildings, wall cavities, false ceilings, barns, and trees.  Roof rats eat a variety of seeds, fruit, leaves, invertebrates, and vertebrates.

The below diagram shows the differences between a Norway Rat and a Roof Rat:


credit: Vergleich_Hausratte_Wanderratte_DE.svg; www.wikipedia.org

Finally, the House Mouse.  In some ways, it's cute.  We all pull for Jerry over Tom, right?  However, the house mouse is considered the most troublesome rodent in the United States.  Because they can fit through openings as small as 1/4 inch, you are more likely to encounter them in your home than rats.  The body of a house mouse is 3-4 inches and the tail is 2-4 inches and covered with scale rings.  They generally weigh less than 1 ounce.  Colors can vary from white to light brown to gray to black.  House mice are typically found near people and are common in homes as well as commercial buildings, open fields and agricultural areas.  Like rats, they have poor vision (mice are generally colorblind), but they have keen senses of taste, touch, hearing, and smelling.  Mice are also good jumpers, climbers, and swimmers.  One way to determine if your intruder is a mouse or rat is by the smell.  The house mouse has a musky odor that helps to give it away.  Although they prefer seeds and cereal grains, mice are known to be nibblers and will sample a variety of available foods.  The house mouse has been domesticated as a pet and lab mouse.




House Mouse: photo courtesy of www.acebatandwildlife.com

Both rats and mice can cause a considerable amount of damage.  They can gnaw through a variety of materials including wooden structures, soft metal, and electrical wiring.  Insulation is often torn up for nesting.  Norway rats can undermine the foundation of buildings with their burrowing.  Food and it's packaging is destroyed and contaminated.  Rats and mice are both carriers of multiple diseases.  One sign that rats or mice may be present is droppings that are usually found along runways and in feeding areas.  It is also sometimes possible to see tracks (footprints or tail marks) on dusty surfaces.  Since they are mostly nocturnal, you are more likely to see signs of rats or mice than the actual rodent itself.  



sign of gnawing

What can you do to keep them out?  Sanitation is key!  The less available food and water sources as well as clutter they can nest in, the better.  There are also precautions to take to keep them out.  Keep in mind that rats need a hole about the size of a quarter and mice only need one the size of a dime!
-Repair any broken or torn screens
-Keep lids on garbage cans
-Seal around any pipes, wiring, or other openings with heavy materials that will resist gnawing
-Keep pet foods in rodent proof containers, and do not leave food out between feedings, especially at night
-Clean up debris in yard and storage areas
-Sweep frequently 

   


   

Ladybugs!

It's the one insect that most of us are not scared of-ladybugs.  They are so cute, you can find them on bedding in children's rooms, the theme for a birthday party, or a costume for Halloween.  Ladybugs are actually a type of beetle, and they are part of the family known as Coccinellidae.  The word coccinelid is derived from the Latin word "coccineus" which means "scarlet."  Although we mostly think of ladybugs as red, they can come in a variety of colors including yellow, orange, and pink.  Most ladybugs have black spots on their wing covers, although some have no spots at all.



photo courtesy of www.betterbugs.com

Ladybugs are also called "ladybirds" or "lady beetles" in other parts of the world.  The story goes that in the Middle Ages, insects were destroying the crops in Europe.  The Catholic farmers prayed to the virgin Mary.  Then, ladybugs appeared and ate the pests that were destroying crops.  The farmers called them "The Beetles of Our Lady."  They eventually became known as "Lady beetles."  The red wings represent Mary's cloak and the black spots represent her joys and sorrows.  In the United States, the name has become ladybugs.

There are over 5,000 species described worldwide.  In North America, we have around 450 native species.  Ladybugs range in size from 1-10 mm.  They have oval, dome-shaped bodies.  As the farmers in the above story discovered, ladybugs are beneficial because they feed on aphids or scale insects that are agricultural pests.



Ladybug with no spots; photo by Dan Parsons; www.ladybug-life-cycle.com

One of the most common species of Coccinellid is Harmonia axyridis, also called the harlequin ladybug.  This species was introduced to America from Asia to control aphids, but it now out numbers many native species.

In the fall, ladybugs begin to appear indoors as they look for somewhere to spend the winter.  You may see them gathering on the south side of your home.  Buildings and homes near woods or fields are more likely to have an infestation.  Ladybugs are also more drawn to light colored homes.  Older homes are more at risk due to inadequate insulation.  



Yellow ladybug; photo courtesy of www.everything-ladybug.com

The bright colors of ladybugs make them look unappealing to potential predators.  They can also secrete some of the their yellow blood, called reflex bleeding, when they sense danger.  This has a foul taste and smell and can also leave stains.  It is also thought that ladybugs can trigger allergic or asthmatic reactions in some people.

As with other insects seeking shelter in your home, they best way to keep them out is to check your home for possible entry points.  Seal up all cracks around windows, doors, pipes, and clapboards.