6 BUGS TOO APPEALING TO KILL

On February 3, 2016 / Blog

Not All Bugs Should Be Exterminated

Not all bugs are ‘pests‘. There are some that are cute, some that bring back good memories and some that are just downright cool. Today I am going to talk about some of these guys and help us remember that not all bugs should instill fear, loathing and the desire to get rid of them.

Pill Bug

THE PILL BUG – Also known as a Rollie Pollie this small bug has an exoskeleton that allows them to roll into a ball when frightened. They are actually a type of crustacean and they breathe through gills. (who knew!) Pill Bugs like moist, dark areas and can be found under logs and rocks. I think these guys are pretty cute and resemble a miniature armadillo.

Stick Bug

THE STICK BUG – Stick Bugs are also called Walking Stick Bugs. They get their name because they look just like a stick or twig off a branch. Stick Bugs aren’t really considered harmful unless threatened. At that time they may release a spray that can cause itching and burning. The Stick Bug is a herbivore and their appearance allows them to blend into the plant they are feeding on. Some people keep stick bugs as pets.

Lady Bugs are good luck you know!

Ladybug

THE LADYBUG – The Ladybug makes me think of making wishes. It is said that if a Ladybug landed on you then you could make a wish and it would come true. Ladybugs can come in a variety of colors including yellow, orange and a beautiful bright red. Sometimes considered the farmers helper, the Ladybug feeds on plant eating insects. Ladybugs are not aggressive to humans and the next time you see one, I encourage you to make a wish.

Colorful Butterflies

THE BUTTERFLY – Some of the prettiest insects you’ll see, Butterflies flit and flutter around displaying their brightly colored wings. Butterflies go through an amazing metamorphosis from caterpillar to Butterfly. You can watch this process by getting a Butterfly Garden. Because they can only fly if their body temperature is above 86 degrees, they can be found sunning themselves during cooler weather. Ever heard of Butterfly Kisses? They are sweet ‘kisses’ given by fluttering your eyelashes on a loved ones cheek.

Front yard, Bernardsville, NJ

Lightning Bug / Firefly

THE LIGHTNING BUG – Sometimes called Fireflies, these bugs definitely remind me of my childhood. Many warm summer evenings were spent with the neighborhood kids chasing these beautiful lights to put into jars or coffee cans. Lightning Bugs actually use their flash to talk to each other. They are nocturnal and prefer warm damp areas, hence the humid summer nights. I saw a lot of these in my yard this summer and it immediately brought back memories of being a kid.

Fireflies in a jar

Praying Mantis

THE PRAYING MANTIS – The Praying Mantis is just all around cool. From the way it looks (alien like eyes) to the way it mates (the female sometimes killing the male) to the way it moves (can turn it’s head a full 180 degrees) it is a beautiful, complex insect. Some people will keep them as pets. They eat small bugs and worms and are not generally aggressive to humans. If handled carelessly they will bite – and it can hurt. But all in all, I think the Praying Mantis is beautiful and I love to watch them. Sometimes it seems like they are really looking you right in the eye!

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I think we can agree that not all bugs need to be exterminated. If one of the bugs on this list was to get into your home, I understand that you would most likely want it out. But I think that in this situation it could be caught and let outside to carry on with its business.

Is there a bug that you think should have made this list but didn’t? Let me know. I would be happy to write about your suggestions. If you have a pest problem that requires an exterminator, let Rapid Pest Solutions take care of it for you.

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What Is Your Christmas Tree Hiding?

On December 4, 2014 / Blog

NOT ALL HOLIDAY SURPRISES ARE GOOD ONES

What is your tree hiding? A lucky Christmas Pickle? Maybe your Elf On The Shelf is peering out from the branches? Unfortunately there is the possibility that your tree is hiding something not quite as nice. If you use an artificial tree you’re probably in the clear. But anyone that has a live tree, especially one they cut down themselves, may have some unwanted visitors. Christmas Trees can be home to a variety of pests. These include Bark Beetles, Mites, Praying Mantis, Spiders and more. Keep in mind that these ‘critters’ reside on LIVE trees outside and do not really want to be in your home. Not every live tree will have this little hitchhikers but it’s easy to follow a few quick steps to help ensure your home stays pest free.

Shake It! – Some tree lots may have mechanical tree shakers but if they don’t, just shake it vigorously yourself. This will help dislodge insects that may be making their home there. It will also get rid of loose needles. BONUS!
Check The Branches – Look for any kind of insect egg mass. Especially those of the Praying Mantis. If you find any, simply clip the twig with the nest and leave it on a bush or tree that will be staying outside tamiflu medicine.
Birds Eye View – While a birds nest may look cool tucked in your Christmas Tree, you don’t necessarily want it in your home. Birds can have mites and these mites may still be found in the nesting material after the birds have gone. Remove any nests to be safe.

If by chance a few little unwanted guests do make it into your home, don’t worry. The types of pests that may be in your tree do not want to be in your home. The conditions are not conducive to their life cycle. You can easily vacuum up any stray little guys that you see.

One word of caution: DO NOT USE AEROSOL INSECT SPRAY ON YOUR TREE AS THEY ARE EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE!

Please do not let any of this deter you from getting a real tree this Christmas. There is nothing quite like the wonderful smell of pine that you get from having a fresh cut tree in your home.

If you find that you have some unwanted pests in your home contact Rapid Pest Solutions. We can help!

What I Learned From Ferris Bueller

On September 13, 2014 / Blog

Or, How I Learned To Stop And Smell The Roses

Most of my blogs are full of words, either teaching, descriptive or how-to. This time my blog is going to be mostly visual. There are so many beautiful and very interesting things that surround us every day. In this business it is easy to forget how amazing nature is and think only of getting the pests to stop ‘pestering’ you. I would like to take the opposite view this time and see the interesting, beautiful and very cool world around us.

How do you start your day? Maybe getting the kids off to school? Commuting to your job? Running errands? Everyday we do hundreds of mindless tasks – tasks that we complete on autopilot. How often do we really stop and look at the world around us? At all the beautiful and really cool things in nature. If you’re like me, then the answer is, not enough. As Ferris Bueller said “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

Ferris Bueller

I am going to show you some pretty cool things from the world we live in. Take a minute to look around. What do you see that you don’t want to miss?

Butterfly Skull

This butterfly looks eerily like an eye in this skull

Birds or a funny caterpillar?

At first glance I thought this was a really strange caterpillar. Closer inspection showed me it was really some very cute birds.

Peaceful

This lizard looks content having the butterfly resting on him. Peace among the species is always beautiful.

Lemur and a Dragonfly. Lunch?

I’m not sure if this Lemur is trying to catch the Dragonfly for food or if he is just reaching out due to curiosity. Either way it is a wonderful picture.

Glass Butterfly

This butterfly’s wings are clear. An already delicate creature has wings that resemble glass.

Web of Water

It is estimated that it takes approximately an hour for a spider to build a web. This web covered in rain drops is stunning. It’s hard to believe that something so complex can be completed in such a short amount of time.

Perfectly Timed Picture

This perfectly timed photo shows a bird catching its next meal.

Puppy and Preying Mantis

Although the puppy is bigger it seems that the Praying Mantis is not going to back down. Hopefully this confrontation ended with neither party getting hurt.

Real Snowflakes

While not a true ‘pest’ in the usual sense of the word, these up-close pictures of snowflakes show the beauty and wonder of the world around us. I know sometimes snow can seem pesky but I find it mind boggling how every snowflake is different and how very pretty they really are.

Beauty of Nature

I like this collage of pictures because it makes me smile. The turtles are hatching, coming up from the sand and finding their way to the water. The small lizard looks like he is giving his friend a helping hand and those Dragonflies make a perfect heart together. How can you not feel happy looking at these pictures?

Night Sky and an Eye

The beauty of life around us extends past the things here on earth. I find the night sky to be beautiful and intriguing. I think we have all asked ourselves the question “Are we alone in the universe?”

So I guess the biggest thing I learned from Ferris Bueller is that I need to take time to enjoy the world around me. For him it was a baseball game, a museum and a fast car, among other things. For me it’s watching the squirrels outside, the blueness of the sky, laughing with my friends and family and maybe a nice glass of wine. What is it for you? We are always on the go so that maybe we don’t stop and look around as much as we should.

Rapid Pest Solutions reminds you that as Ferris said – “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

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