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The Zombie of All Pests: The Flea

. Posted by in , • Orlando

Fleas are among the most resilient insect species. They can survive without food for a year. They are mobile enough on their own, capable of leaping 10 to 13 feet in a single bound and small enough to hitch a ride on pets and people to populate new areas. Fleas are resistant to most pesticide use because they undergo four life stages, with each stage requiring a different extermination strategy.

Secret Life of Fleas

Adult fleas are capable of reproduction once they have fed on blood. Eggs are laid on a host animal but fall off easily as the animal moves around. These eggs will hatch and turn into larva between two and 14 days. Larva feed on organic substances, including the blood meal, dropped by adult fleas as feces. With enough nourishment, flea larvae develop into the pupa stage from which the adult flea emerges when stimuli such as heat and … Read Full Post »

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The Southern Pine Beetle

. Posted by in , • Orlando
southern pine beetle does immense damage to trees

Photo by Fabio Stergulc / Università di Udine, Bugwood.org

The southern pine beetle is an extremely destructive pest that can devastate pine trees in both forests and urban settings. At maturity, this diminutive pest is scarcely larger than a grain of rice, yet it causes a tremendous amount of damage to pine trees in Florida and across the southern Unites States. Typically, the beetle invades trees that are older, have suffered damage and have trunks that are less than 6 inches in diameter. However, during severe outbreaks, the pest will also begin attacking healthy trees. The southern pine beetle prefers to invade loblolly, Virginia, pitch and shortleaf pine trees.

Because the southern pine beetle attacks trees internally, most people are not aware of a problem until significant damage has already been done. Female beetles are responsible for determining what tree to live in and they begin boring holes at the base of … Read Full Post »

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Cockroach Hitchhikers

. Posted by in • Orlando

From planes to cars, cockroaches seem to be everywhere. How do these resourceful pests find their way into places that humans would prefer they stay away from? Cockroaches are programmed to find a way into any sheltered area with a water and food source.

Cracks, Crevices and Holes

As with any household pests, cockroaches (also known as Palmetto Bugs) are most often able to find a way into a building by locating small cracks or holes that lead to a warm, sheltered place to live. A nearby food and water source is another big draw. Sealing up cracks can keep cockroaches from coming into a home, but these pests are known for their resourcefulness and ability to find a way to survive.

Skilled Hitchhikers

Even if a property owner ensures that there are no cracks or holes that can encourage pests to enter a building, cockroaches are adept at finding a way to hitchhike … Read Full Post »

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The Beneficial Ladybug

. Posted by in • Orlando
ladybug contol

A Family of Friendly Insects in Florida

Members of the Coccinellidae family, commonly known as ladybugs, are not technically bugs. Entomologists prefer to call these insects by the more accurate term—ladybird beetles. There are about 5,000 species of ladybird beetles around the world, most of them beneficial to mankind. Although the ladybug is most often pictured as red with black spots, these insects come in a variety of colors and patterns.

The common ladybug is a friend to gardeners and landscapers. When aphids and scale insects threaten rose bushes and garden vegetables, the ladybug fights back with vigor. One ladybug may eat 5,000 aphids in its lifetime. The female ladybug lays her eggs on plants that aphids, mealybugs and scales frequent. As soon as the eggs hatch, the larvae start feeding. Consider the ladybug an ally in natural pest control. These effective exterminators are even considerate enough to replace themselves regularly. One … Read Full Post »

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Winter Rodent Invasions: Be Prepared!

. Posted by in • Orlando

Rodents can wreak havoc on a home at any point in the year, but these little creatures have a tendency to invade homes during the winter months. Orlando is definitely not one of the coldest places on earth, but animals will still attempt to seek shelter indoors as temperatures drop. These unwelcome guests can cause structural damage and the spread of rodent-borne pathogens. Unfortunately, rodents are difficult to remove from a home, so the best course of action is prevention.

Rodents are champions at chewing through wood and other materials, but even a small hole or gap is an invitation. Rats and mice are very flexible, and the hole only needs to be as wide as the mouse or rat’s skull. Inside the house, look for holes around all of the floorboards, including closets and areas behind large appliances. Holes might also form around pipes and vents. On the outside of … Read Full Post »

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