Fun Fact Friday | Moths | Why are moths attracted to light?

We went camping and of course when you camp with kids you get questions.  One of the questions was, "Why are there so many moths flying around our lantern at night?"  I was hoping to come up with a definitive answer but instead I found theories. 

Here is what seems to be the consensus.  Moths are not actually attracted to the light, but distracted by it.  In their nocturnal flight they use the moon to triangulate and position themselves and fly.  They also use the light of the moon reflecting off of flowers to detect food sources.  So whatever the source of light that moths are fluttering about...  It seems more to either distract or confuse than attract.

Once they get too close to the light, it is difficult or impossible to triangulate their position in their flight path with regard to the moon, so in their confusion they flutter around the light source until they become tired and then rest near the light.  Some also say that they rest because the artificial light source (or flames of a fire) tricks them into "thinking" the sun is out-- so being nocturnal, they settle down to sleep.

The reason moths move towards light also has to do with photo taxis.  Photo taxis is the insects automatic response either to move towards or away from light.  While moths move towards light, other nocturnal pests (like cockroaches) automatically move away from light.  Photo taxis is the reason cockroaches scurry when the lights come on-- the response is automatic.

It's not definitive, but at least something better than "Well... I really don't know!"

Micah Wood
Peak Pest Management LLC
360-607-1933
503-998-4322
206-790-8285
www.peak-pest-management.com
micah@peak-pest-management.com

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"Why are moths attracted to light?" How Stuff Works 1998-2012
http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/life/zoology/insects-arachnids/question675.htm

Stevenson, Alexa: Research Penn State, Probing Questions:"Why are moths attracted to light" 20 October, 2008 http://www.rps.psu.edu/probing/moths.html

NPR Transcript Elliot, Debbie: "Why are moths attracted to Flame?" All Things Considered 18, Aug 2007 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12903572

Termites | Bugs People Eat | Fun Fact Friday

Around the world there are bugs that "eat" people.  Mosquitoes, bed bugs, ants (yes really), etc.  But what might be less well know is that around the world, people eat bugs- sometimes as a dietary staple.  Here in the United States, it is less common, although people do eat bugs as a joke, on a dare, or by accident-- generally speaking though, bugs are not a common ingredient in our food (yet).

Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines Entomophagy:

Entomophagy : the practice of eating insects
 

 Because bugs are very nutritious and take very little effort or resources to raise, the practice of eating insects (or entomophagy) is being encouraged amoung young people and environmentally concious people.  Here are some commonly eaten bugs:

• Grasshoppers
• Cicadas
• Ants
• Termites
• Aquatic Insect Larva
• Wax worms
• Dragonflies
• Wasp Larvae
• Moth Pupa
• Palm Weevil Larva
• Cirina forda Westwood larva
• Damsel Flies
• Crickets
• Compost Beetle Larva

Bugs are eaten around the world. They are fried as a snack or appetizer, used in soup or stirfry as a protein, boiled, boiled and dried, and even eaten raw.  There you have it.  For fun fact Friday, around the world, and increasingly in the united states, people are eating insects as a regular part of their diet.

Micah Wood
Peak Pest Management LLC
503-998-4322
360-607-1933
206-790-8285
www.peak-pest-management.com
micah@peak-pest-management.com

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Merriam Webster Online Dictionary: "Entomophagy" www.merriam-webster.com

Mott, Maryann. "Bugs as Food: People Bite Back." National Geographic News. 16 Apr. 2004. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/04/0416_040416_eatingcicadas.html.

Unger, Lana. "Bug Food: Edible Insects - Insect Snacks from Around the World." The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. 26 Jan 2009. http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/dept/bugfood2.asp

Termites | Oregon | Pest Control

Termites | Oregon | Washington

Are Termites a Pest Control Problem in the Northwest?

 

Termites are a problem infesting homes in the northwest.  Subterranean termites are common in Portland, Vancouver and Seattle.  We at Peak Pest Management LLC are trained to look for the signs of termite infestations.

 

Some facts about termites:

• Termites are a structural pest.  This means that they are a real threat to the structural integrity of a building because they digest and destroy wood.
• Termites are generally white- light brown.  Although termites are NOT ants, they are often refered to as "white ants."
• When there is a termite infestation present in a building, you may or may not notice the telltale signs of mud tubes depending on their location.
• Termites digest wood.  Unlike Carpenter Ants, who excavate wood to build nests and trails, termites actual food source is wood.

Some myths about termites:

• Although I am not able to pinpoint the source of this myth, there are people who believe that termites cannot survive in the northwest.  This myth is unfortunately not true, termites are alive and well and causing problems in the northwest and the rest of the united states.
• Termites and carpenter ants are one and the same.  Termites and carpenter ants are very different.  Although both are structural pests, they are completely different.  Termites are not an ant.  Biologically, termites and ants are very different.  One key difference is that termites eat wood and carpenter ants excavate.
• Termites have short lives.  A royal couple can live upwards of 50 years.  And a termite colony can grow to over one million individual termites.  Although, most worker termites do have much shorter lives than the queen and king.

Termite Treatments

If you suspect that you have a termite problem in your home or business, Peak Pest Management LLC has a custom, affordable pest control plan for you.  At Peak Pest Management we strive to have the latest research and information on effective treatments for termites and other pest control issues.  If you're having an issue with termites or other pests please feel free to give us a call.  Our service areas include Portland, OR, Vancouver, WA and Seattle, WA and surrounding areas.

 

 

Micah Wood

503-998-4322

360-607-1933

206-790-8285

micah@peak-pest-management.com

www.peak-pest-management.com

High Flying Bugs : Fun Fact Friday

For fun fact Friday I'm straying away from pests like ants, bees, spiders, wasps etc.  To bring you a fact about one of the most beautiful insects.  The butterfly!  Here it is:  Some butterflies have been observed flying as high as 20,000 feet altitude.

Here is a youtube video on mutant butterflies from near Fukushima.  Scientists believe that when insects are strongly affected by radiation, humans will be even more affected.  Insects are highly resistant to the effects of radiation.


If you are having trouble with pests like mice, rats, ants, bees, fleas, wasps, termites or other pests and need pest control service in Portland, OR, Vancouver, WA or Seattle, WA.  Please give me a call!

Micah Wood
Peak Pest Management LLC
503-998-4322
360-607-1933
206-790-8285
www.peak-pest-management.com
micah@peak-pest-management.com

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Encyclopedia Smithsonian: Most Incredible Insects www.si.edu

Fun Fact Friday | Featured Photographer | Spiders, or Rather Spider Webs

Okay, I am so excited about this blog post for Fun Fact Friday!  Not only because I get to share a fun fact or two about spider webs, but because I get to share this amazing photo by our family friend Susan Estes.  Water drops on a spider web is incredible to see in person. You don't often find a photo that captures it, but this photo is an exception.  Enjoy!  And then keep reading below for some interesting facts on spider webs.

Spiders and their webs baffle people; scientists and everyone else.  Here are a few fun facts about spider webs:

1. Spiders' silk, while still inside the spider is a water soluble liquid.  Once the spider pulls the silk, it becomes a non-water-soluble solid. As you can see in the photo above, the water droplets do not saturate the web, but bead up on it.  Scientists do not think that the change takes place as a reaction to air.  They rather speculate that as the spider pulls the thread it changes the molecular structure.
2. Spiders do not become entangled in their own web.  The reason for this is attributed to a number of factors.  Including claws on the end of their feet and the fact that spiders use more than one type of silk to build their web.
3. Spiders silk being researched because of the incredible strength and ability to absorb impact.  The strength of spider silk is compared to steel and Kevlar.

Micah Wood

Peak Pest Management

503-998-4322

360-607-1933

206-790-8285

micah@peak-pest-management.com

www.peak-pest-management.com

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References and Credits:

How Do Spiders Avoid Getting tangled in Their Own Webs?, Every Day Mysteries
Fun Science Facts From The Library of Congress. www.loc.gov

Susan Estes, Water Drops on a Spider Web

Notes:

If you have an interesting photo that is relevant to this blog and would like to have it featured, please email submissions to micah@peak-pest-management.com.

Wasps, Bees, Yellow Jackets, Hornets! Stinging Summer Pests

I've been up on rooftops a lot lately!  Not just because it's fun either!  I've been taking care of yellow jackets and paper wasps!  We've also been taking care of ground nests and nests that are not high up in the eaves of houses.  Bees, wasps, hornets and yellow jackets are some of the least favorite and most feared pests of summer. 

I have been asked a number of questions regarding pest control for bees, wasps, yellow jackets and hornets.  Here are a couple of the questions and my answer.

• How do you manage to avoid being stung?  I have, but often do not use, a special bee suit.  Mainly it is a matter of knowing the pest, knowing my products, timing and method of treatment.  I manage to avoid stings most of the time.  I do occasionally get a sting which I treat with benedryl (if there is significant swelling), baking soda mixed with water to help draw out the venom (or the membrane of an egg if baking soda is not available).  If ever I were to have trouble breathing after a sting, I would dial 911.  I had to add that because for me, most bee and wasp stings are a minor irritation, but for some, bee and wasp stings present serious allergic reactions that require immediate emergency medical attention.

• What is the worst time for bees?  Late summer and early autumn are the time of the year here in the northwest when bees and wasps are most aggressive.  This is the time of year that bees are more inclined to sting and aggressively defend the nest. 

And to close, here is a video by national geographic on paper wasps.  I think this particular video takes place in Costa Rica, but it was really interesting to see.  I hope you enjoy!



I'm here for all your pest control needs!  Give me a call or send me an email.

Micah Wood
Peak Pest Management LLC
503-998-4322
360-607-1933
206-790-8285
www.peak-pest-management.com
micah@peak-pest-management.com

Fun Fact Friday : Bees

Bees are fun right?  Generally, no they are not, especially with kids (and I have 3 kids). Bubble bees are relatively harmless and cute, but with kids everything gets "lumped" together as a bee, whether it is a bubble bee, honey bee, wasp, hornet, yellow jacket, Africanized honey bee (killer bee), whatever.  If it flies and has a stinger, or even looks like it has a stinger it is, to a child, a bee.  In fact most flies are considered bees by my younger daughter-- even fruit flies.

Well here is a fun fact about BEES, real bees.  A bee may fly up to 60 miles in a day while gathering food.  That would be the equivalent to running more than 2 marathons through the grocery store while gathering food in one day.

That is all I have for Fun Fact Friday, but here is an interesting video clip by national geographic about killer bees in the amazon rain forest. 



If you're having a problem with bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, paper wasps, etc. in or around your home please give me a call.  I'd be happy to help!

Micah Wood
Peak Pest Management
503-998-4322
360-607-1933
206-790-8285
micah@peak-pest-management.com
www.peak-pest-management.com

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Department of Systematic Bilogy, Entomology Section, National Museum of Natural History, Bug Info Sheet Number 177.  www.si.edu