Pestology Blog

Cyborg cockroaches, equipped with wireless backpacks containing sensors and stimulators, have shown promise in search and rescue missions by successfully navigating complex environments and detecting human presence using machine learning. They achieved an 82.3% success rate in finding humans, indicating potential for both lifesaving applications and pest management improvements.

2024 marks a significant year for periodical cicadas, with both 13-year (Brood XIX) and 17-year (Brood XIII) broods emerging across Illinois and the Midwest. While they may cause temporary annoyance, cicadas are harmless to trees and humans, providing an essential food source for predators and presenting a unique opportunity for pest control professionals to engage with customers.

Mosquitoes are significant health threats, spreading diseases like malaria. Resistance to insecticides, particularly deltamethrin, complicates control efforts. Researchers found that heating deltamethrin enhances its effectiveness against resistant Anopheles mosquitoes. While promising, this method requires controlled conditions and may not suit all applications, highlighting the need for innovative solutions in pest management.

This review traces the evolution of urban entomology, beginning with its first usage in 1884 and the pivotal book published in 1975. The field emerged from urbanization, as new pests proliferated. While the pest management industry has thrived, academic support has waned, prompting initiatives to foster future urban entomologists.

The study explores how Ixodes scapularis, the black-legged tick, avoids predation by eavesdropping on semiochemicals from Formica oreas ants. Ticks demonstrated avoidance behavior to a combination of ant-produced formic acid and hydrocarbons. This finding suggests potential for developing tick repellents derived from ant semiochemicals, enhancing tick management strategies.

Bed bugs have become a widespread nuisance, exacerbated by global events like Paris Fashion Week and the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics. Increased public awareness through viral stories has prompted individuals to learn how to check for and prevent infestations. Educating customers about bed bugs and their prevention is crucial amid rising concerns.