What Pests are Nocturnal?
While some pests can be active both during the day and night, the following pests are most likely to be active at night and some are even photophobic (afraid of the light). They are: Bed Bugs, Cockroaches, Centipedes, Crickets, Mice, Moths, Mosquitos (though they are also very active in shady areas during the day), Rats, and Spiders.
Is Cheese the Best Mouse Bait?
Actually, no. While some mice and rats do like cheese, it’s not the best bait choice. Cheese tends to dry up and smell. And it’s also not the preferred food of most rodents. Rodents usually like to eat seeds and nuts. They also have a bit of a sweet tooth, making treats like peanut butter a great choice for attracting these creatures to bait boxes. You can also observe the rodents in your home and see if there is a particular food they gravitate towards in your own pantry. Using that food is fantastic bait because there’s no doubt that the rodents in your home are drawn to that particular food. So..save those delicious cubes of cheese for yourself.
Why Do Moths Like Light?
The leading theory behind why moths seem so obsessed with sources of light revolves around “transverse orientation.” This means that moth’s travel by the guiding light of the moon and stars similar to how sailors used to use stars for navigation. And moths were created to be able to inherently implement the same technique, but in a far simpler way. But what their creation accounts for in natural light, it can not account for artificial light. Artificial light confuses moths and in the presence of extremely bright lights or even multiple light sources, their senses can easily be overwhelmed. This accounts for their erratic flying and seemingly senseless obsession. They are programed to fly based on very distant light sources, so when they are super close to lights, they basically “malfunction.”
Why Do Mosquitos Bite Us?
Surprisingly, not all mosquitos have a taste for human blood. There are roughly 3,500 different species of mosquitos alive today. Of that vast number of species, only a few target humans. Also, out of the species that do target humans, it’s only the females that seek out sanquine meals, while the males tend to dine exclusively on nectar from flowers. But the females need blood because it is rich in protein and iron, which are two substances that female mosquitos require in excess to produce their eggs. Oddly enough, as much as we seem to be the main targets of mosquitos, we are often not their first choice for a blood dinner. More often than not, mosquitos prefer the local wildlife. But when humans are easily available, they have no qualms with feasting on us instead.
Are Honeybees Considered Pests?
Unlike their cousins; wasps, yellow jackets, and hornets, honeybees are considered exceedingly docile creatures that attack only when they believe that their colony, or their own person is in mortal danger. The honeybee is a hardworking insect that fulfills a vital role for the environment as they pollinate hundreds of different plants within each of their given territories. This pollination is a fundamental process for the sustainability and survival of the world’s ecosystems. In addition to this major contribution to the planet, honeybees also provide a precious and widely enjoyed commodity to our tables: honey. Unfortunately, in recent years there have been various reports suggesting a major decline in bee populations across the planet. In response to this decline, many states within the U.S. have begun enacting programs to help protect the honeybees. They have been removed from lists classifying then as ‘pests’ or ‘vermin’, and placed on the list of ‘protected species’.
Why do Stink Bugs Smell?
Stink bugs have an unmistakable, nasty odor which is due to something called aldehydes. Aldehydes are compounds that exist within the waxy fluids of the stink bug. When threatened, injured, or squished, the bugs release this fluid, flooding the surrounding area with the prominent scent of their aldehydes. The odor is sometimes described as a cross between cilantro and skunk spray. Cilantro also contains some aldehydes which accounts for the similarity in scent glands. While stink bugs are relatively harmless pests, their notorious stench can make them more than annoying little home invaders.
Do Centipedes Actually Have 100 Legs?
Counter to what their name may suggest, centipedes do not actually have 100 legs. While the range of legs on centipedes can vary drastically based on the suborder of the species, no centipede actually has exactly 100 legs. The average ranges from 30 to 50 legs, while the highest recorded is 350 legs on the Geophilomorpha centipede.
