Encountering bugs is an inevitable part of living in Northeast PA and on planet Earth, as scientists estimate there are a total of 200 million bugs for every human. From splattering bugs on your windshield to killing the occasional spider in your home, bugs are everywhere and are part of our everyday lives.
However, finding bugs in our home is not a pleasant experience and can bring a whole host of problems, from wood damage to disease transmission.
Learning more about bugs and pest control can prepare you better to fend off a pest infestation in your home and community.
While certain details about bugs may be common knowledge, there are tons of bug facts you may not know. Here are 25 fun facts about bugs and pest control!
1. Cockroaches can run up to 3 miles per hour
Cockroaches are known for their creepy ability to scurry across the floor and out of sight in record time. Since they are nocturnal, they tend to give many homeowners jump scares as they flash across the room as soon as the lights come on. By most estimates, cockroaches can run up to 3 miles per hour–about 50 body lengths per second–making them difficult to catch.
2. Grasshoppers existed before dinosaurs
Fossil records show that primitive grasshoppers first appeared during the Carboniferous period, which was over 300 million years ago. They’ve adapted to survive millennia of environmental changes, making them one of Earth’s most enduring insects.
3. Caterpillars have 12 eyes
Caterpillars have 12 eyes total, called ocelli. They have six ocelli on each side of their head, though some species may have five or seven ocelli on each side. Despite this many eyes, their vision is poor, so they mostly rely on their other senses to navigate.
4. Mosquitoes are attracted to smelly feet
Mosquitoes use chemicals from sweat and skin to find people to feast on. These pests are attracted to carbon dioxide because it indicates that there is a living and breathing person nearby. The bacteria that accumulate on feet give off an odor mosquitoes love, making bare feet an easy target. So if you want to avoid mosquitoes, start by wearing some socks.
5. Ladybugs play dead to avoid predators
Ladybugs are known to play dead to avoid being eaten by predators. They will often pull their legs up and release a small amount of blood, also known as reflex bleeding. So the next time you think you won’t have to worry about that ladybug in your house, think again.
6. Fruit flies were the first living creatures to be sent into space
Fruit flies were transported to space in a V2 rocket on February 20th, 1947, as part of an experiment to study the effects of cosmic rays on living organisms. Unfortunately, even in space, you can’t hide from flies.
7. Bulldog ants are the most dangerous ants on the planet
While they are not found in NEPA, bulldog ants are known to be highly aggressive and possess a powerful venom. Their bites can cause extreme pain, allergic reactions, and sometimes even death.
8. Beetles are the most common species of insects
There are approximately 400,000 species of beetles that make up about 40% of all insect species in the world. Beetles are extremely common in NEPA, often being mistaken for cockroaches.
9. Bugs make up 90% of life on earth
There are more than 1 million insect species in the world, and some entomologists think that there may be as many as 10 million species. While we focus on getting rid of bugs, they play an important part in our ecosystem and are cherished for what they provide for the rest of the globe.
10. Praying Mantises can turn their heads 180 degrees
This gives them incredible precision when attacking their prey, making praying mantises one of the most stealthy predators. Go to YouTube, and you will find dozens of fight videos between praying mantises and other animals right now.
11. Fleas can jump up to 200 times their body length
Their ability to jump so far is due to a protein called resilin, which acts like a spring in their hind legs. Luckily, our tick and flea sprays help prevent fleas from entering your property so you don’t have to worry about them climbing onto you or your pets.
12. A cockroach can live for up to 1 week without its head
As if cockroaches aren’t creepy enough, these pests can live for up to 1 week without their heads due to their ability to breathe through holes in their body called spiracles. It’s one of the many reasons it’s so difficult to get rid of cockroaches.
13. Crickets hear through their knees
Crickets have a special auditory organ called a tympanum that’s located in their knees. This specialized hearing helps them detect sounds in their environment to find mates and avoid danger.
14. Houseflies can taste with their feet
Houseflies’ taste receptors, called chemonsensilla, are located in their lower legs and feet. This unusual trait allows them to sense food the moment they land on it. Fortunately, we have lots of solutions to get rid of houseflies.
15. The German cockroach is the most common cockroach in the U.S.
German cockroaches are commonly found in apartment buildings, homes, restaurants, and other indoor spaces, making them the most common cockroach species in the U.S. and Northeast Pennsylvania. Known for its resilience, it can multiply rapidly in indoor spaces, often requiring professional pest control to eradicate.
16. Cockroach allergens are in over 60% of U.S. homes
The cockroach facts just keep getting creepier! These pests are so common that their allergens are estimated to be present in over 60% of U.S. homes, according to The National Pest Management Association. These allergens–spread through saliva, feces, and urine–can trigger asthma symptoms and cause disease transmission. Unfortunately, this number is substantially higher in urban areas.
17. There is only one species of living insect in Antarctica
If you want to live in a truly pest-free environment, there is one place on earth that may be possible. The Antarctic midge is the only living insect species in Antarctica, with a lifespan of just one week.
18. Scorpions birth live babies
Unlike other arachnids, scorpions give birth to live babies one by one, similar to humans. Fortunately, scorpions are not common in Northeast Pennsylvania.
19. Cockroaches have been around for more than 300 million years
Cockroaches are thought to be the oldest insects on the planet, even predating dinosaurs by over 150 million years. However, they are not capable of surviving a nuclear blast–contrary to popular belief.
20. 8 out of 10 wildflowers depend on insect pollination
Wildflowers are a very common plant found in fields and gardens all across Pennsylvania. However, they depend heavily on pollinators, such as bees. For this reason, it is strongly encouraged that bees and other stinging insects that are beneficial pollinators are treated with an organic insecticide that won’t harm the larger population.
21. Monarch butterflies can travel over 2,000 miles during migrations each fall
During their fall migration, monarch butterflies travel from the United States and Canada down to Mexico, where they stay during the winter months. They are a very common site in Northeast Pennsylvania, blessing gardens with milkweeds, goldenrods, butterfly bushes, and more friendly plants.
22. Female fireflies cannot fly
Female fireflies cannot fly due to their wings being short or often absent. Instead, they use their glow to attract male fireflies while staying grounded.
23. Male carpenter bees do not sting
Male carpenter bees do not have stingers and are generally docile and not aggressive. Though they may appear intimidating, they’re harmless and play important roles in pollination.
24. Bees can see things five times faster than humans
Bees have the fastest color vision of all animals, which helps them get around and find food. This skill helps them quickly spot flowers while flying at high speeds.
25. Bed bugs can ingest seven times their own body weight in blood
This is the equivalent of an average-sized male drinking 120 gallons of liquid! This lets them feed less often, conserving energy while staying hidden. For this reason, it’s essential to eliminate them quickly using professional bed bug control.
Pest Control and the Environment
Pest control is an essential part of keeping our homes, businesses, and communities clean and safe. However, pesticides and other synthetic chemicals can wreak havoc on bug populations and impact local ecosystems. For this reason, The Pest Rangers uses a combination of organic insecticides, when possible, to safely deal with pesky pests. These products offer the same efficacy as synthetic products and our technicians also employ measures of Integrated Pest Management to manage bugs on your property safely.
For more information, contact us today for a quote and to see how we can help you deal with your pest problem.
FAQs
What pest is responsible for the most property damage?
Termites are by far the most destructive pests and responsible for the most property damage. It is estimated that termites cause over $5 billion in property damage each year in the U.S. alone.
Why do bed bugs hide in beds?
Bed bugs are attracted to beds due to the warmth, carbon dioxide, and odors that humans emit. However, bed bugs also frequently infest things like armchairs, sofas, and even electronics.
What’s the most common pest in homes?
Ants are typically the most common pests found in homes, as they are so small and able to squeeze through even the tiniest of cracks and crevices. Cockroaches are also extremely common, as thei allergens are estimated to be present in over 60% of U.S. homes.