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. 

 

Wolf Spiders!

I hate spiders!  I especially hate big, hairy ones!!  Wolf spiders come in a variety of sizes, but some are up to 2 inches in length.  They are also hairy and sometimes mistaken for tarantulas.   

photo courtesy of wikipedia.org

Wolf spiders live mostly solitary lives.  They are hunters and have excellent eyesight.  Insects and other invertebrates make up their diet.  Their 8 eyes are arranged in 3 rows: the front row has 4 small eyes, the middle row has 2 large eyes, and the back row has 2 medium eyes.  The eyes reflect light, so they can be easily found at night with a flashlight.  Bites from wolf spiders are rare and they are not dangerous to humans.  Symptoms of a bite include swelling, itching, and mild pain. 

Outdoors, wolf spiders are found in a variety of habitats, but they are most common in grasslands, meadows, and fields.  They can also be found beneath stones or other items.  To help keep them away, limit the amount of ground-covering vegetation near your home.  Keep them outdoors by sealing up cracks and holes in the outside of the house.  Make sure there are tight-fitting screens on all attic and foundation vents.  Also, seal around all pipe lines.  

The largest species of wolf spider in the United States is the Carolina Wolf Spider.  It was named South Carolina's official state spider in 2000.  Below is a photo of a Carolina Wolf Spider found in a shed in Illinois.  

Photo courtesy of Daniel Macintyre; wikipedia.org

Wolf spiders do not build webs.  They hide under rocks or other objects when they are not hunting.  Some species even burrow into the soil.  The egg sacs of wolf spiders are attached to the spinnerets, or structures that produce silk, at the end of the abdomen.  After hatching, the young spiderlings continue to ride on their mother until partially grown.  

Mother with babies; photo courtesy of southcarolinaparks.com

 

Is Your Home Fallproof?

The weather is cooler, the leaves are starting to change colors, and my TV is always on football.  The signs of fall are all around.  Those summer time insects will soon be gone, and we can be pest free for awhile, right?  Not exactly!  As the weather gets cooler, many insects and rodents look for warmer places to spend the winter.  Your warm and cozy home can be very inviting.  Over the next few weeks, I will highlight some different pests that are common in the fall.  No matter the pest, however, here are some tips to help keep them out of your home this fall.

• Inspect the perimeter of your home.
• Seal as many holes and cracks on the outside of the house as possible.  This is especially important on the south and west sides where the sun heats the home. 
• Seal up cracks around doors and windows.
• Make sure there are tight fitting screens on all foundation and attic vents.
• Remove any sources of standing water.
• Trim tree limbs and bushes near your home.
• Remove piles of leaves or debris.
• Seal around pipes.
• Clean regularly!  Wipe off couter tops and sweep daily to remove leftover food crumbs or spills. 
• Store food in airtight containers.
• Rinse out food containers and drink cans before disposing them.
• Get rid of clutter.
• Wipe down baseboards.
• Properly clean clothing before storing for winter.

It's simple.  Do your best to prevent pests from entering by eliminating any points of entry.  Then, make the ones that got through want to leave by eliminating food and water sources indoors.  Whether you would like help preventing pests in the first place or you've already come across that problem pest, Mid-Georgia Pest Control would be happy to serve your needs.  Call today at (770)962-4240 to set up an inspection and learn about our pest prevention program.   

Army Worms!

Photo courtesy of extension.org

Fall has arrived, and this time of year is when army worms are most numerous.  These particular caterpillars are the larvae stage of a moth.  They mostly feed on grasses, like bermuda grass, and small grain crops.  Once they have exhausted one food supply, they move on to the next available food source.  Army worms move in large numbers, giving them the appearance of an "army."

Adult army worms are around 1-2 inches long.  They are dull yellow to light green to gray in color with stripes running down the length of the body.  There is an inverted "Y" shape on the head and 3 thin white stripes on the back just behind the head.

Army worms can cause a lot of damage to crops and grasses.  They mostly feed at night and hide during the day under vegetation or loose soil.  Some indicators that army worms have been feeding include leaf damage, worm frass (droppings) around the base of plants, or brown patches that resemble drought damage.


Photo courtesy of blogs.cornell.edu

 The adult moth is ash gray in color with a wingspan of around 1.5 inches.  Moths lay eggs in folds in leaves, grasses, or the underside of tree limbs.  The small, white, pearl-like eggs are laid in masses or rows.  After the larvae hatch and complete their feeding, they burrow into the soil to pupate into moths.



Photo courtesy of wikipedia.org