All articles tagged with #pest control
A pest-control expert explains that mosquitoes are drawn to carbon dioxide, body heat, odors, and standing water—not light—and vigorous indoor workouts can spike CO2 and heat, attracting them into homes, especially when windows are open at dusk. To minimize risk, install fly screens or use a fan, shower after exercising, wear light-colored clothing, and remove standing water around the property.
About 600,000 Wolbachia-infected, non-biting male mosquitoes are being released across the DC area this summer to curb local populations; when they mate with wild females, the Wolbachia bacteria prevents eggs from hatching, reducing future generations. Bee Safe Mosquito Control is the first US company to offer this directly to residents, and broader interest is growing, with Alphabet seeking approval to release up to 64 million such mosquitoes in California and Florida amid rising mosquito pressures from climate change.
Researchers studying the sugar beet pest Lixus subtilis in Xinjiang, China confirmed the known predator Eurytoma curculionum and uncovered a new species, Chlorocytus papahemii, a hyperparasitoid that attacks the predator rather than the weevil, creating a four-tier food chain that could undermine biological control efforts. The findings, published in ZooKeys, highlight the complex web of interactions in crop ecosystems and have implications for managing weevil populations.
Chicago leads Orkin’s 2026 Bed Bug Cities List with the highest bedbug infestations per capita, followed by Los Angeles, Detroit, Cleveland and Indianapolis. The Midwest is the hardest-hit region, driven by dense housing, high turnover of residents and travelers, and warm summers. Experts recommend quick inspections of hotels or short-term rentals and belongings when traveling to prevent bringing pests home, as bedbugs are tiny, elusive pests that feed on blood and can hitchhike on luggage.
The piece traces the red imported fire ant’s westward invasion from Mobile in the 1930s to Texas-wide presence, examines how scientists at UT’s Brackenridge Field Laboratory introduced natural predators (phorid flies) to dampen populations, and outlines current management approaches (bait products, boiling-water mound treatment) since eradication is unlikely. It also notes that stings can be painful and long-lasting, but fire ants play a minor role in soil aeration and the food chain.
A Rutgers University study of rodent samples from the Philadelphia region found that about 70% of mice carry mutations that help them survive poisons, while rats are also evolving to dodge traps, suggesting pest-control strategies must shift toward prevention and sanitation while new chemical formulations are developed over years.
A Homes & Gardens sponsored piece argues that installing an Amazon owl nest box can help reduce yard tick populations by attracting owls that prey on rodents (tick hosts). The cedar nest box is sized for small-to-medium owls (about 9–11 inches), features a slanted roof and ventilation for weather and airflow, and comes with hardware for easy mounting. It’s currently discounted around $23.99, with reviewers praising its quality, though some note minor pre-drilled hole discrepancies. Used alongside mowing and other tick-prevention measures, the box is pitched as an easy, lasting way to support local wildlife and curb ticks in gardens.
In Washington, D.C., Maggie Penman shares a six-step, neighborhood-inspired plan to curb mosquitoes in a humid, shady yard, detailing practical experiments and tactics—from managing standing water to tweaking the garden layout and using traps—to make evenings bite-free and exploring whether such community-style strategies could work at a single home.
A Yale-led study shows garlic does more than repel pests: when fruit flies and two mosquito species taste the garlic compound diallyl disulfide, it activates the TrpA1 receptor and triggers bitter/ fullness signals that stop feeding and, crucially, reproduction. The effect is taste-based (not smell) and wasps lacking TrpA1 are unaffected. This points to garlic-derived compounds as targeted, safer pest-control tools, and the researchers also introduce phytoscreen as a simple method to screen plant substances for behavioral effects on insects.
NBC Select panels expert guidance and product picks for ridding homes of mosquitoes: start by identifying and eliminating standing water to stop breeding, then use a mix of larvicidal options (like mosquito dunks) and devices such as indoor plug-in traps (Zevo), outdoor repellents (Thermacell), bug zappers, and body repellents to prevent bites and entry.
Yale-led researchers screened 43 fruits and vegetables and found that garlic’s diallyl disulfide can disrupt mating and egg-laying in fruit flies, Aedes mosquitoes, and tsetse flies by acting on the taste receptor TrpA1, offering a cheap, safe avenue for eco-friendly pest control through phytoscreening.
A new study finds caffeine-influenced Argentine ants learn faster and take straighter routes to sugar rewards, reducing foraging time by up to 38% at intermediate caffeine doses without increasing speed. This could enhance bait effectiveness for pest control, but field tests and safety assessments are still needed.
Nighttime bats circling yards indicate abundant insects and provide natural pest control through echolocation; urban bats help reduce crop damage and pesticide use, with Brazilian studies citing about $390–$391 million in annual savings, while rabies risk remains under 1% and bat houses support conservation.
Travel-associated bedbug infestations are rising in the Southern U.S., with Georgia ranking sixth for bedbug service requests and Florida, Texas, and Tennessee also seeing increases tied to lodging with high guest turnover. Experts say budget-friendly accommodations and youth-hostel-style settings attract bedbugs, which spread by hitchhiking on luggage and clothing. Travelers are advised to inspect bags upon return and run exposed clothing in a high-heat dryer for 30–45 minutes to kill any hitchhikers before they spread home.
UC Riverside researchers report bed bugs actively avoid moisture and wet surfaces, likely because water can block their respiratory openings. Experiments using damp paper and water-covered areas showed bed bugs of all ages and both sexes retreat from moisture, with the youngest most sensitive. The finding could affect moisture-based pest-control strategies, and while a bath can remove bugs on a person, treating a room infestation still requires established methods.