It’s rare that a creature as small as a spider could be aware of a human in such a charismatic way, but that’s the nature of the jumping spider. With two pairs of forward-facing eyes set on a flat face (along with two other pairs pointing outward) the jumping spider is a predator that relies…Continue Reading The Jumping Spider at Your Service
What can I spray for …
What can I spray for ants and other critters? Nobody—not even an entomologist like me—wants to see critters in their home, office, school, or favorite restaurant. But see them we do. And unfortunately, the first reaction most people have is to reach for a can of bug spray and hose the place down. But what…Continue Reading What can I spray for …
How to choose a healthy, happy Christmas tree
First things first, should you have heard the sudden flurry of news about thousands of bugs infesting your Christmas tree. Not true, not true at all. Stories like this are way overblown. Here in New York, Christmas tree growers use solid IPM practices to deal with pests — and “most insects aren’t hanging around this…Continue Reading How to choose a healthy, happy Christmas tree
Ants in your house? Throw them a party!
Not fond of ants in the kitchen? You are not alone. And even after you’ve cleaned them up, washed the countertop, swept away the crumbs and taken out the garbage — they just keep coming, looking for more. It’s this time of year when ants invade homes looking for food, water and shelter. Where are…Continue Reading Ants in your house? Throw them a party!
IPM celebrates Earth Day — the countdown to April 22
By most measures it’s spring in the northern hemisphere. Technicalities count: regardless if you live in snowy Labrador City (pop. 9354; high of 15ºF) or greater Miami, Florida (pop. ~5.5 million and summery 76ºF), the vernal equinox marked the official start to spring. Whether or not the weather concurs with your expectations, of course, depends…Continue Reading IPM celebrates Earth Day — the countdown to April 22
Get Rid of Carpenter Bees? Yes, Please!
Carpenter bees are common spring and summer insects in the eastern United States. They first come to attention when males “buzz” or “dive bomb” people passing by and females are seen excavating holes in wooden structures. Like carpenter ants, carpenter bees do not eat wood, but rather use the substrate for nesting. They are important…Continue Reading Get Rid of Carpenter Bees? Yes, Please!