Experts Say Severe Winter Won't Slow Down Georgia Insects

Severe Winter Temperatures Won’t Stop Georgia Insects

UGA Extension entomologist, Elmer Gray, recently wrote an article explaining why the severe winter weather that we’ve experienced in Georgia, and surrounding states, won’t slow down the insect population.  In fact, he explains that spring temperatures and moisture conditions will have a far greater effect on insect populations than winter weather.  Some insects will die due to the severe weather but most will survive.

Gray explains that insects, having been around for over 300 million years, are adaptive creatures.  They are highly adaptable to their surroundings and can survive in extreme conditions.  Many insects also overwinter.  In the case of insects, overwintering is basically how they survive during the winter months (or how they receive their basic needs).  Many insects go through physiological changes that help them survive cold temperatures.

The main concern for insects is that they avoid ice crystals to form inside of their body.

To read the full article, click HERE.

 

Termite Fighting Tips from UGA

UGA recently released an article that gave helpful tips on how you can help your home to be less of a target to termites.  We all know that termites cause millions of dollars worth of damage each year.  Once you have a termite infestation, not only do you have to repair the damage but you must call on the help of a professional to get rid of them.   These simple steps are a great way to stay proactive so that termites don’t become an issue.

Tips such as keeping wood products away from the perimeter of your home, keeping water away from the foundation, sealing cracks and crevices in the structure, and working with your termite professional to prevent termites feeding on your home.

To read the full article with helpful tips from UGA entomologist, Brian Forschler, CLICK HERE.

For termite protection on your property, call Northwest!

N.C. State Examines Why Cockroaches Groom Themselves

Humans and pets aren’t the only things getting groomed.  Researchers at NC State explain why cockroaches spend so much time in the grooming department.  Read below…

Like a self-absorbed teenager, insects spend a lot of time grooming. In a study that delves into the mechanisms behind this common function, North Carolina State University researchers show that insect grooming — specifically, antennal cleaning — removes both environmental pollutants and chemicals produced by the insects themselves.

The findings, published online this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, show that grooming helps insects maintain acute olfactory senses that are responsible for a host of functions, including finding food, sensing danger and even locating a suitable mate.

The findings could also explain why certain types of insecticides work more effectively than others.
Insects groom themselves incessantly, so NC State entomologist Coby Schal and post-doctoral researchers Katalin Boroczky and Ayako Wada-Katsumata wanted to explore the functions of this behavior.

Click here to read the entire article.

Source: Science Daily

Hollywood Invasion

Throughout history, most humans have disliked and even had a fear of insects and spiders. Entomophobia, or insectophobia, is a common fear or aversion to insects and arthropods. Arachnophobia is the fear of spiders. Hollywood has capitalized on those common fears by exposing them in the horror film genre.

Since the horror genre hit the scene back in the 1940’s, the bug movie has been a pivotal part of the industry. The insect horror film is in an exceptionally extensive category of horror. Since the premiere of 1950’s Highly Dangerous, Hollywood has produced over 75 movies featuring killer insects or spiders. Some contain mammoth, mutant bugs that can devour humans, while others feature deadly swarms of ants, bees, or wasps. They vary from the hilariously campy to the straight -up terrifying.  Here are a few:

Them! – A crew of FBI agents and entomologists battle radiation-induced gigantic ants in this black-and-white sci-fi flick from 1954.

The Fly – Jeff Goldblum’s iconic turn as the scientist-turned-fly in this remake is equal parts poignant and petrifying.

The Deadly Mantis – The star of William Alland’s sci-fi flick is a 200-foot-long praying mantis freed from its prehistoric lair by a sudden seismic shift.

Arachnophobia – South American killer spider hitches a lift to the US in a coffin and starts to breed and kill.

Not all movies about bugs tap into our fears.  Here are movies that make you almost wanna like the little guys:

A Bug’s Life – A misfit ant, looking for “warriors” to save his colony from greedy grasshoppers, recruits a group of bugs that turn out to be an inept circus troupe.

Spiderman – When bitten by a genetically modified spider, a nerdy, shy, and awkward high school student gains spider-like abilities that he eventually must use to fight evil as a superhero after tragedy befalls his family.

 

Don’t let your home turn into a horror film! Call Northwest Exterminating.

What is the creepiest movie that you have ever seen?

Cara Carver
[email protected]

Pest & Termite Control for Community Management Companies

Community Management ServicesThere is a good chance that you live in some sort of community that is represented or managed by a community management company or a homeowners association.  Apartments, condos, townhomes, and many neighborhoods have a company or association in place that helps maintain the safety, upkeep, and the general property value of a community intact.  For these companies and associations, their needs are different than an individual homeowner that is looking for pest or termite control.

The needs of community management companies and HOA’s are different than the individual homeowner.  That is why we have a team that specializes in meeting their unique needs.  Our Community Management Services team specializes in termite and pest control needs for community/property managers, homeowners associations, and property owners associations.  We provide services for single-family detached homes, multi-unit homes, clubhouses, amenity buildings, and condominiums.

Northwest Exterminating is the right choice for community managers when it comes to termite, pest, mosquito, wildlife, fire ant, and carpenter bee control.  Not only do we have an experienced team in place for community managers, we have a board-certified entomologist on staff, convenient billing, repair warranties, and multiple locations throughout Georgia and Tennessee.

Ask your HOA or community management company if they use Northwest Exterminating.  The healthier your community is, the healthier your home is.  If you need to contact someone in our Community Management Services team click HERE.

Do you have an HOA or CMA company?

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