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Grasshoppers vs Crickets: What’s the Difference?

. Posted by in • Orlando
grasshoppers vs crickets

There’s no doubt about it: Many insects look alike. That’s even truer when the two insects in question belong to the same family. Take crickets and grasshoppers, for example. There’s been much discussion about grasshoppers vs. crickets, so let’s discuss some differences between the two species. 

Grasshoppers vs Crickets: What’s the Difference?

At first glance, the two insects look very similar. Their bodies are similarly structured, and they both have antennas. That said, you can tell these hopping creatures apart in several ways.

Family Ties

Both the cricket and the grasshopper belong to the Orthoptera order. Another member of this family is the locust. While crickets and grasshoppers share a common ancestry, they belong to different suborders. Grasshoppers belong to the Caeliferans suborder, while crickets belong to the Ensifera suborder. There are more species of grasshoppers—11,000—compared to the number of cricket species: over 900.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Though the two look very similar at … Read Full Post »

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Are Bugs Attracted to Light?

. Posted by in • Houston
bugs attracted to light

Whether it’s a bulb on your front porch or a lamp out in the backyard, there seem to be bugs flying or crawling around that space. At any given time, it’s easy to see a variety of insects flocking towards the light. Why are bugs attracted to light around the exterior of your home when the sun goes down?

Are Bugs Attracted to Light?

The short answer to the question is what you are probably suspecting: yes, bugs are attracted to light. You probably have more questions about insects and light, however. Are there certain types of bugs that seem more drawn to outdoor lighting? What is it about light that seems to attract insects? Most importantly, what should we know about this phenomenon which can help us keep pesky insects away from our entryways so they don’t make it inside? How can we keep insects from bugging us when we are in … Read Full Post »

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Cankerworms: What Are They?

. Posted by in , • Orlando
Cankerworms

Have you heard of cankerworms? If you haven’t, you’ve undoubtedly seen them, especially in the spring, swinging from tree to tree as they defoliate large groups of trees at a time. What are cankerworms exactly? What does it mean for you as a homeowner? And how can you protect yourself and your trees against these creatures if they are causing a problem?

Cankerworms: What Are They?

Cankerworms, or “inchworms,” are spring caterpillars that are light green to brown. They’re different from ordinary caterpillars in that they have fewer legs than most, with only two feet on their abdomens, resulting in odd movement.

Cankerworms hatch just when the trees are starting to bud in the spring. They feed on broad-leaf trees like elm, oak, boxelder, maple, and ash. They can defoliate a large swath of trees, but you’ll only notice it if the trees they’re attacking are stressed by drought or disease.

Another type of … Read Full Post »

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How to Puppy Proof Your House and Yard

. Posted by in , • Houston
how to puppy proof your house

Tomorrow’s the day–your little bundle of joy is coming home! You’ve got the bed, the toys, and the food. But have you prepared your home? Knowing how to puppy-proof your house can protect your belongings from risks associated with a precocious pup. Your new addition needs to be protected as much as your home.

How to Puppy Proof Your House

There are not a lot of differences between preparing for a baby and preparing for a puppy, but forgetting to take those steps could cost you both in terms of broken keepsakes and injuries to your furry bundle of joy.

Why Puppy Proof?

You don’t have to watch hours of Animal Planet to know puppies are little balls of energy. They spend their days playing and playing, then drop into a deep sleep without warning. Before long, they’re up again, playing-playing-playing…and then drop again.

Puppies, like babies, have no self-control. Everything goes into their mouths, … Read Full Post »

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Types of Mosquitoes in Florida

. Posted by in , • Orlando
Types of Mosquitoes in Florida

Your new house has a problem. You knew this before you bought it. The place is gorgeous inside and out. Lots of open space. A lush yard. A patio that has a top-of-the-line grill. A bar. It’s what the deck doesn’t have that is the problem: screens.

Unlike many Florida patios, the previous owner decided not to enclose the space, which means bugs, which also implies bug bites. More specifically, mosquito bites.

What You Need To Know About The Different Types of Mosquitoes in Florida

You thought this would be a minor problem, that you could avoid the busiest mosquito times and enclose the space when you had enough money. Except there doesn’t seem to be a time when mosquitoes aren’t around. And you can no longer tell where the bug bites end, and your skin begins.

Is there anything you can do to protect yourself from mosquitoes? Absolutely. It starts with learning about what … Read Full Post »

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Daddy Long Legs Lifespan And Other Facts

. Posted by in • Houston
Daddy long legs lifespan

You had an inspection done before purchasing your house. But, like any new homeowner, you want to really explore your property after moving in. Look around. Get the lay of the land. While poring over every inch of your backyard, you run across a blackish-gray mass. You walk over to pick it up to examine it, and it explodes into a swarm-like cluster of hundreds of daddy-long-legs, which can understandably come as quite a surprise.

Should you be worried? What’s the daddy’s long legs’ lifespan? Do daddy’s long legs bite? You have heard the rumors about how poisonous they are. Do you need to call an exterminator?

Everything You Need to Know About Daddy Long Legs

Before you decide this house isn’t for you, you should know a few things.

First, there are actually two creatures known as daddy long legs. One is a spider (Pholcidae), and one is not (Opiliones). One is a venomous … Read Full Post »

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Jadera haematoloma: What You Need to Know About This Bug

. Posted by in • Orlando
Jadera haematoloma

“Unknown insect – Jadera haematoloma” by Eugene Zelenko is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

If you’re like most people, the term or phrase “Jadera haematoloma” means nothing. There’s even a chance you’ve never even heard it before. As with most insects, the bug connected with this term is often known by its common name, not scientific. Instead, most people refer to this bug as either the red-shouldered bug, the goldenrain tree bug, or simply the Jadera bug. Do any of these names ring a bell?

Jadera haematoloma: What You Need to Know About This Bug

Found across the United States, the Jadera bug is easily identifiable and quite common. But because of this name confusion, we thought it would be an excellent time to dive deeper into the facts about this species to understand a bit more. Let’s explore together.  

First, What Do They Look Like?

As you can see in the photo … Read Full Post »

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How Does DEET Work?

. Posted by in • Houston
how does DEET work

We are drawn to the outdoors during the warmer months of the year. Unfortunately, these times of year are also the peak months for mosquito activity. We often reach for insect sprays and other repellents to avoid the itching and discomfort associated with mosquito bites and protect ourselves from the risks of dangerous diseases such as the West Nile and Zika viruses. One of the most common ingredients in insect repellent is DEET. How much do you know about DEET and how it keeps these pesky pests away?

How Does DEET Work?

Before discussing why DEET is an active ingredient in most sprays designed to keep mosquitoes and biting fleas, chiggers, no-see-ums, and ticks from biting us, let’s learn more about this chemical and why it gets mixed reviews.

What is DEET?

DEET is a clear or faintly yellow liquid chemical compound known as diethyltoluamide and is short for N, N-Diethyl-3-Methylbenzamide. DEET was first developed … Read Full Post »

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Will Lime Keep Rodents Away? Does Lime Deter Snakes?

. Posted by in , • Orlando
will lime keep rodents away

Having a yard is one of the many benefits of being a homeowner. A peaceful outdoor space can be a welcome break from a hectic week. However, your moment of zen can easily be disrupted if you notice a movement in the grass that indicates something much more significant than an ant or a butterfly has come for a visit. In what might be the worst-case scenario, you could have an unwelcome guest in the form of a rat or a mouse—or even a snake.

When you find yourself in this situation, you probably want a quick solution to keep any rodents or snakes off your property. When you think about your options, you might have a few questions: What do I have handy to keep these creatures from sticking around? Will lime keep rodents away? Does lime keep snakes away? What else can I do to enjoy my property without … Read Full Post »

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Everything You Need to Know About Stink Bugs in Texas

. Posted by in • Houston
Stink Bugs Texas

More than half of the animals found on Earth are insects. Of the 100,000 species native to the United States, more than 1/3 are found here in Texas. In fact, Texas has more different species of insects than any other state. One insect that is still relatively new to Texas’ list of critters is the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. Although this pest isn’t from here, let’s explore everything you need to know about dealing with stink bugs, Texas-style.

Everything You Need to Know About Stink Bugs in Texas

Originally from Asia, this bug is widespread on the East Coast of the United States but arrived in Texas just a few years ago. And while this bug isn’t known for biting or harming its human neighbors, the stink bug is known for the unpleasant odor it releases when disturbed or crushed.

What do Stink Bugs Look Like?

The stink bug is actually relatively easy to … Read Full Post »

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