Pestology Blog

One of the most important reasons for pest management is the protection of public health. A number of the pests that we are charged with managing can transmit serious diseases. But do we fully understand how those diseases are transmitted from insect to human? 

This study investigates the impact of pyrethroid-based Thermacell mosquito repellents on honey bee foraging behavior. The results indicate no significant difference in foraging metrics between treated and control feeders, suggesting these devices do not negatively affect honey bees.

This study investigates resistance to imidacloprid, revealing that behavioral resistance persists across generations despite physiological resistance declining. Behavioral avoidance doesn’t reduce overall fitness, complicating pest management strategies as resistant flies may not consume bait even when susceptible.

A study found that nuisance arthropods like flies, beetles, spiders, and ants thrive in homes, often going undetected. Researchers used sticky traps in 1,581 low-income apartments and discovered that 42% had pests. Only 13% of residents reported sightings, highlighting the effectiveness of sticky traps for early pest detection.

The mass emergence of Magicicadas alters ecosystems by providing a nutrient-rich biomass pulse, influencing bird foraging behaviors and increasing caterpillar populations. This shift results in higher tree damage due to reduced bird predation. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for pest management and highlights the cicadas' ecological significance beyond mere annoyance.

During the Christmas season, bringing in a tree may introduce mantis egg cases, leading to unexpected guests when they hatch indoors. These mantises, harmless but requiring upkeep, can survive on limited food. To avoid this situation, inspect the tree for egg cases before bringing it inside, removing them if found.