Just about everyone’s seen them at some point – little black and yellow-striped balls with stubby wings that fly as gracefully as bricks don’t. They’re almost iconic of bees to the point where most depictions of bees, especially those geared towards kids, are actually the humble bumble bee. This is a highly misunderstood critter, so …
There are a lot of critters that can stealthily kill your plants, but one of the sneakiest – and most interesting – is the bagworm. Chances are, you’ll see the damage before you spot one, as they live in a camouflaged shelter that they carry with them, much like a hermit crab. However, once you …
Across most of the country, the term “palmetto bug” means nothing, but in the southeastern states, it’s a term to be feared. These little pests can pose some health risks and are rather unpleasant to be around. Even worse, there’s a lot of false information about palmetto bugs out there, making it harder to diagnose …
One evening, you happen to notice a ladybug in your home. After a few minutes, you spot another one, then another. They seem to be gathering on the windows and around the lights. Upon further inspection, you also notice they look a little more pale than normal. Contrary to what you might’ve been told, these …
Us humans tend to have a lot of fears, such as: Socially programmed (fearing others who look or think differently) Phobias (an irrational fear) Experiential (ex: the fear of loss) But one fear that tends to be well-founded and buried deep in the human psyche is the fear of cockroaches. Cockroaches are living fossils dating …
You’ve probably never given much thought to the Biblical plagues or how a little locust can be so devastating – until you walk outside one day to find your plants covered in the little green pests. Locusts are a lot more common than you might think, and we’re here to give you the lowdown on what …
There are plenty of different shapes and sizes in the insect world, but certain designs tend to be so successful that unrelated species can easily be mistaken for one another. It gets even more confusing when a bug becomes the generic name for any but with similar behaviors. Such is the case with water bugs …
There is plenty of creepy crawlies out there in the insect world, but one in particular can be a far bigger nuisance than you might think. Moths and butterflies have a common larval stage in caterpillars, despite their other stages being different. These little critters can be cute and fluffy, but most are pests that …
“Good night, sleep tight. Don’t let the bed bugs bite!” You’ve probably heard this little mantra countless times during your life, but have you ever stopped to consider just how unique it is? It’s been proven fleas were responsible for the Bubonic Plague, but there’s no bedtime mantra about them. Or what about ticks which …
It seems like something out of Tales from the Dark Side or some other horror series. One moment you’re out and about, minding your own business, and the next you’re itchy and sore for apparently no reason. This almost phantasmal attack feels a lot like a series of mosquito bites, but hurts worse and there …
