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Why Do Bees Swarm? And What To Do.

. Posted by in , • Bryan-College Station
why do bees swarm

Imagine the scene: you’re outside enjoying the summer weather in your backyard or by your pool, and you spot a mass of tens of thousands of bees swarming on a tree or near a fence. That visual is pretty terrifying – so much so someone decided to make a horror movie called The Swarm, where a mass of killer bees terrorizes and kills people all over Texas! The irony of it all is though the swarm may appear menacing, bees are much less likely to be aggressive in swarms due to their vulnerability. Swarming is a natural occurrence that is absolutely necessary for the propagation and survival of bees.

To understand why bees swarm, you first have to know how a bee colony is set up

A bee colony consists of several different types of bees. There is only one queen bee in any given hive. The activity of the hive revolves … Read Full Post »

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What To Do After A Striped Bark Scorpion Sting

. Posted by in • San Antonio
Striped Bark Scorpion Sting

Ouch! Wondering why you felt that tingling sensation that woke you up at night? Was it a spider, or could it have been a scorpion? Some victims of scorpion bites report experiencing a feeling similar to stepping on a nail. Others describe a numbness and burning. Throbbing, waves of pain and swelling are also common in individuals who are unlucky enough to have been stung by a scorpion.

Wondering if it was really a scorpion that caused your discomfort? Or did you see the scorpion nearby, but just are not sure what to do now? Either way, keep reading to learn more about scorpions, whether they are poisonous, why they sting what you should do if you have been stung by one.

Are Scorpions Poisonous?

You might think that scorpions are insects, but they are actually more closely related to a spider. Like spiders, scorpions have eight legs, but unlike spiders, scorpions have … Read Full Post »

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What To Know About The Striped Bark Scorpion

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
striped bark scorpion

Scorpions may be small, but their stings pack quite a wallop! While the pesky critters can be found in states like Florida and Arizona, there is one species that we are most likely to see here in Texas: the striped bark scorpion.

Let’s learn more about one of the most common types of scorpions in texas and answer some common questions: where do scorpions live? Why do they sting? What should you do if you get stung? How can you avoid falling into their clutches?

What You’ll Learn:

  • Types of Scorpions
  • Striped Bark Scorpion Appearance
  • Striped Bark Scorpion Habitat and Habits
  • How Bad Is A Striped Bark Scorpion Sting?
  • How to Treat A Striped Bark Scorpion Sting
  • How to Avoid The Striped Bark Scorpion

Types of Scorpions

Scientists estimate that there are approximately 1,500 different species of scorpions around the world. You will find some of the most poisonous scorpions in the world in Mexico. The most dangerous scorpion in … Read Full Post »

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Mosquito Bite On Foot: Why Do Mosquitoes Bite Ankles?

. Posted by in , • Corpus Christi
why mosquitoes bite feet

Stepping outside during certain times of the year requires a layer of clothing and mosquito repellent—otherwise, you risk getting eaten alive by mosquitoes. Even when you spray yourself down, you still may find yourself complaining to friends and family, “I have a million mosquito bites on my foot!” and asking yourself, “Why Do mosquitoes bite ankles?” Why is it that these pesky critters always seem to find us and bite that one spot that we missed? Researchers have been studying the behavior of mosquitoes to see what repels and attracts these biting bugs.

Why Is There A Mosquito Bite On My Foot?

According to a story on National Public Radio, researchers at the University of California, Riverside have learned that mosquitoes use specific sensors near their mouths to determine the presence of carbon dioxide. If carbon dioxide is in the area, mosquitoes assume that humans or animals that provide the blood they … Read Full Post »

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How To Sting-Proof Your Outdoor Activities This Summer

. Posted by in • Houston

Memorial Day usually signifies the semi-official kickoff of the Summer outdoor season — it’s time to let the fun begin with picnics, backyard Bar-B-Qs and pool parties. However, nothing can derail a good time faster than a painful sting from one of the Houston area’s line up of common stinging insects.

Below are the most likely suspects, some info on where they are likely to nest and the best ways to ensure they don’t ruin your good time. It should be noted that many of the below bad bugs are very unlikely to sting you unless they perceive you as a threat to their nests or colonies.

Here we go:

Bald-faced Hornets

Aggressiveness: Bald-faced hornets are the most aggressive wasps in Georgia. Getting within 10 feet of their nests can earn you a pretty nice multi-sting welt or worse.

Where they live: Bald-faced hornets’ football-shaped nests are built of paper and usually are suspended from … Read Full Post »

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Data-Driven Mosquito Remediation

. Posted by in , • Bryan-College Station
data driven mosquito remediation

Scientists are biting back against mosquitoes in Texas

Are mosquitoes getting you down? Not only are they an itchy menace, but mosquitoes can also carry diseases.

Because of the threat to human health, scientists are searching for new ways to reduce mosquito populations. Researchers from around the country, including some at Texas A&M in Bryan-College Station, want to find alternatives to pesticides, which kill beneficial insects and pose health risks to both animals and humans. Even worse, pesticides present only a temporary solution since mosquitoes can develop resistance to their effects.

These entomologists and epidemiologies study both the mosquitoes themselves and mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile and Zika, in a quest to discover better ways we can protect ourselves from mosquitoes.

Mosquito diseases

While the threat of the West Nile virus has worried doctors for a while, now Texas also needs to worry about the Zika virus. So far at least 27 cases have … Read Full Post »

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Are There Pet-Safe Bug Bombs or Pest Control?

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station
pet safe bug bomb

We look forward to the warmer times of the year since that often means time spent by the pool, backyard barbeques and longer days. Unfortunately, it is also the time when many outdoor invaders find their ways into homes. From ants on our counters to mosquitoes in the yard, insects are often a big problem in the warm spring and summer months.

It’s easy to pick up a can of bug spray and zap the pesky critters, but what do you do when you have pets around? What if you have a new puppy or suddenly start seeing roaches or rodents? Instead of reaching for the poisons or bug bombs, there are some great pet-friendly alternatives that will help keep you and your family (including the four-legged members) pest-free this summer.

What is Pet-Friendly Pest Control?

Pesticides are especially hazardous to pets for a variety of reasons. Animals are more likely to be on … Read Full Post »

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Mosquito Control in Orlando: Summer is Coming

. Posted by in , • Orlando
mosquito control

Mosquito control must be a community effort.

Summer is upon us, and for many people, especially in the South, this not only means pools and relaxing days but something more: mosquito season. With the spread of the Zika virus, this mosquito season could be highly impactful in Florida, where officials have reported the most significant number of Zika Virus cases (96), 6 of which were reported in the Orange County area, and where the Aedes aegypti mosquito (Zika carrier) is abundant.

The fact that Florida has the most significant number of recorded cases of Zika in the U.S. means that the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which are prevalent here, are more likely to bite infected people and spread the virus to someone else.

How to tackle mosquito control at the local level.

Local mosquito control districts manage mosquito control. The areas that most need these districts are the ones that tend to lack funding for … Read Full Post »

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Mosquitoes Are A Post-Flood Problem

. Posted by in • Houston
houston flooding brings more mosquitoes to residential neighborhoods

Photo Credit: Houston Chronicle

Harris County and the Houston metro area have seen a major increase in flooding over the past couple of years. This past weekend through Monday saw disastrous torrential rainfall, totaling close to 20 inches in some northern parts of the metro area, near Cypress Creek. During these highly troubling weather events, we urge our customers’ and their families to stay off the roads.

The floodwaters may be subsiding, but another problem comes with high volumes of rain: mosquitoes. This year, health dilemmas like Zika Virus and weather patterns like El Niño and La Niña are compounding the mosquito issues Southeast Texas residents face every year. As summer quickly approaches, one bad flood after another may spur earlier than usual mosquito problems for Houston residents.

Why do mosquitoes like these conditions?

Mosquitoes are like all other insects in that they begin life as a larva. The most common types … Read Full Post »

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Where Do Roaches Hide? Playing Cockroach Hide and Seek

. Posted by in • Austin
where do roaches hide

Roaches are excellent at hiding. When it comes to fight or flight, this family of insects has evolved to excel at dodging attempts by humans to somehow squish or squash them. That’s why cockroaches have managed to remain one of humanity’s biggest pest problems for centuries. In fact, the cockroach family has thrived here on Earth for over 300 million years!

During the day, you rarely spot one of these creepy crawly creatures, but at night, you can often find them in your bathroom or running across your kitchen floor. This Houdini-like ability to disappear often elicits the same question: where do roaches hide?

Roaches: Nature’s Best Escape Artists

Almost 70 species of cockroaches are found in the United States, and most of those rarely make their way inside our homes. Unfortunately, once you see one roach, chances are that there could be tens or hundreds that you haven’t seen. The most common … Read Full Post »

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