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 … Read more
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 these nasty little bugs out there, making it harder to diagnose and treat the problem. Before we get into discussing how to get rid of palmetto bugs, … Read more
Have you ever gone outside and noticed a strange mud structure on the side of your home or shed? These nests can be quite attractive or rather unsightly, depending on the species that made it, but they all contain critters that look very similar to wasps. That’s because they’re mud dauber nests. There’s a lot … Read more
One of the most notorious legends in Victorian England was a manlike creature called Spring-Heeled Jack. This creature resembled a tall, thin human with clawed hands and terrorized the countryside for more than 60 years. But what gave Jack his name was the ability to leap impossible heights to evade capture. In the insect world, … Read more
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 … Read more
The term gypsy moth is one that has an odd reputation in pop culture. Because of the destructive power of their caterpillars, gypsy moths are often associated with death or decay in horror tropes, much like flies. They’re often featured in promotional posters for suspense and horror films, as well as other media. In recent … Read more
Bees are heralded as the only species to produce food consumed by humans, although they have a lot of other qualities. Unfortunately, some of these qualities also make them problematic. Depending upon the species, they can be aggressive or even cause damage to your home. The worst part is that other stinging insects can be … Read more
Grasshoppers are quite common in the summer. Some kids love catching them and watching them “spit tobacco” on their hands. Others just enjoy chasing a grasshopper so they can watch those amazing jumps. But for adults, grasshoppers are quite the nuisance. These garden pests will defoliate your flowers and crops at a surprising rate. So … Read more
While some people overreact towards flies, it’s tough to fault anyone for panicking when they encounter a female horse fly. These pests live up to the phrase “vicious bloodsuckers” despite being related to regular houseflies. Surprisingly, they do have some environmental benefit and often breed in protected areas, making it impossible to completely get rid … Read more
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 … Read more