Month: October 2023

Some people love a cold, snowy winter, while others much prefer the milder temperatures we have seen in the Northeastern United States in recent years. Regardless of their preference, few people fail to consider how winter temperatures impact pest activity for the seasons that follow.  

For many people, thinking about pests is typically limited to spring, summer, and fall — the months with peak pest activity across many species and regions. You may already be aware that the change of seasons usually brings a spike in insect and rodent sightings. However, you may be surprised to learn that winter temperatures can have other effects on pests and rodents that extend well into the year ahead.  

What a Mild Winter Means for Rodent and Pest Activity in the Spring  

Many rodents can’t survive long periods exposed to snow and cold. Additionally, mild winters can increase the survival rates of insects. As a result, the course of the winter season can cause a potential uptick in rodent or insect activity in spring months. Additionally, during warm stretches, insects may become more active and deplete their energy. This can cause them to die when cold snaps occur or leave them vulnerable before their typical host is available again for feeding.  

Repeated freeze-thaw cycles can reduce insect survival. Adding to the problem, mild winters and overall warmer than normal temperatures can increase pests’ geographic range, leading to the spread of pests to new areas and increased activity. 

Even if winter is snowy, many insects may survive if the temperatures aren’t too low. Snow can protect and insulate pests like ticks and mosquitoes in both egg and hibernating adult forms.  

Mild winters also can increase rodent populations. For example, data shows that white-footed mice populations have increased throughout the Eastern United States due to warmer overall temperatures. Mice populations usually decline during harsh winters. However, mild winters allow more mice to survive, increasing the population size in spring. 

How a Harsh Winter Impacts Rodents and Pests 

Insects don’t regulate their body temperatures. Instead, their internal temperature depends on their environment. Once external temperatures dip below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, they can’t function or develop further. It isn’t until temperatures dip below – 4 degrees Fahrenheit that most insects freeze. For winter to kill off many populations, the season must feature prolonged, extreme cold. For a winter with shorter periods of cold, insects may survive with a reduction in their potential to reproduce, grow, and develop. 

Cold, snowy winters typically send rodents scurrying indoors. Many mice and rats will seek shelter in homes, businesses, and other structures to stay warm and safe throughout the winter. Consequently, a cold winter often means increased winter rodent activity indoors. Snowy winters may produce a wet spring with greater growth of seeds and grasses. This provides rodents with more food and can increase rodent activity, something you may notice the following fall season, when rodents start heading indoors.  

Signs of Rodent Activity  

Rodents can create significant property damage and pose a serious health risk. Contact with saliva, urine, and droppings can spread disease-causing pathogens to humans and pets.  

Some of the most common rodents that homeowners and businesses contend with are mice and rats. Signs of an infestation include droppings, chewed food items and wires, gnaw marks on walls, and scurrying sounds in ceilings and walls. It’s important to note that mice and rats aren’t the only rodents that can move indoors during winter. Squirrels, chipmunks, and other pests also pose a problem. 

Squirrels 

With their fluffy tails and often inquisitive expressions, squirrels can be fun to watch — when they’re outside. Indoors, squirrels can create extensive damage, chewing holes in the roofline and eaves, destroying siding, and nesting in insulation. Squirrels often gnaw wires, damage insulation, and leave droppings and urine everywhere they go. 

Chipmunks 

Chipmunks make a distinct chirping noise, which can alert you to their presence. Infestations may also be marked by gnawed seeds, nutshells, and other food scattered around the area. Other signs include scratching and scurrying in walls and ceilings, chew marks, and waste trails. Chipmunk droppings look similar to other rodents, which is like dark grains of rice. 

Bats 

Bats play a critical role in the ecosystem and typically nest while raising their young during spring and summer. That’s why careful removal according to local and federal protective regulations is critical. Signs of a bat infestation include scratching sounds at night, stained siding, and a strong smell of ammonia. 

Signs of Pest Activity  

Rodents aren’t the only destructive force that can invade your property. Other pests pose a risk to buildings, people, and pets. Bed bugs, for example, are a year-round issue faced by people across the world. Signs of these creepy crawlies include blood spots on sheets and itchy bites on people. Other pests to keep an eye out for include the following: 

Bees, Hornets, and Wasps 

These pests are feared for their sting but beloved for the critical role they play in sustaining agriculture and our environment. Bees, hornets, and wasps pollinate flowers and crops, ultimately helping to sustain life on our planet. Signs of an infestation include the presence of nests, which may be freestanding or located in dead wood crevices or below ground. Many people don’t realize they have an infestation until they notice increased insects buzzing around the area. 

Mosquitos 

Mosquitoes have a characteristic buzzing sound and create itchy bites. These pests thrive in damp areas, with females laying eggs on the surface of stagnant water. Mosquitoes can grow in water as shallow as 1/4 inch deep, or roughly the size of a bottle cap. Removing standing water can help prevent infestations.  

Ticks 

Ticks feed on the blood of humans and other mammals, along with birds and reptiles. These ectoparasites can carry diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. When they haven’t fed, ticks are typically small and difficult to spot. Once they feed, their oval-shaped, eight-legged bodies expand, increasing their visibility. Some of the most common spots to find ticks on the body include the thigh, waist, stomach, and groin. Ticks may climb to the upper body, but they tend to prefer warm, moist areas. 

How to Prevent Potential Infestations 

No matter what type of winter we experience, it’s essential to prevent infestations to keep your property and the people you care about safe and healthy. Catseye Pest Control has been helping prevent and mitigate pest infestations since 1987. Pest control success depends on multiple factors, and lasting results requires a partnership between you and professionals. For example, regularly wiping down counters and floors, storing food in rodent-proof containers, and securing garbage in tightly lidded receptacles can help aid in prevention.  

However, even these steps don’t eliminate risk. Sealing openings, even small gaps and cracks in foundations, soffits, and other areas, helps stop pests before they start. Cat-Guard, our rodent and wildlife exclusion system, offers a safe, humane, chemical-free solution. This permanent barrier protects vulnerable areas to prevent pests from entering the property. 

Likewise, programs like Platinum Home Protection provide year-round monitoring and preventive services. This allows experienced technicians to keep a watchful eye on your home or business and stop infestations before they grow into large-scale problems.  

Contact Catseye to Learn More 

Explore our services online or call us at 888-291-9238 if you need immediate help. Our experts are always happy to answer questions or provide additional information. Contact us today to get started with a free inspection. 

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In keeping with our Halloween theme of visiting bugs in orange and black like harlequin bugs and Florida predatory stink bugs, this week we present a spooky story of a garden pest, Colorado potato beetle, and its predatory nemesis, the two-spotted stink bug. Anyone that has grown potatoes likely has encountered the Colorado potato beetle as larvae and adults as they shredded leaves and ravaged your plants. You may not have known that this traveler originated in Mexico where its aboriginal host was a member of the potato family called buffalo bur. When Spanish colonists arrived in Mexico with cattle, herds were driven from Mexico northward to markets in Texas. As cattle moved north, buffalo bur and the beetle moved with them. The weed and beetle continued to expand their range north and east during the 18th century. Potatoes were introduced from Europe to North America in the late 1700’s and by the 1800’s they too had expanded their range from New England westward. Sometime around 1860 the beetle acquired a taste for potato and made the jump from buffalo bur to its delectable new host. It has since spread to many places where potatoes grow, including the DMV.

After dining on eggs of Colorado potato beetle, this two-spotted stink bug moved along and rested near a pair of Colorado potato beetle larvae. While observing the larvae, it restlessly rubbed its antenna and forelegs together. Was it simply grooming behavior or was the predator contemplating its next meal? Nearby, a hapless Colorado potato beetle larva dangles from the beak of a two-spotted stink bug as it sucks liquified body tissues from its prey.

A few years back while visiting a potato patch, I witnessed crowns of plants reduced to nubbins by Colorado potato beetles. Prowling around the vegetation were gorgeous nymphs and adults of the native two-spotted stink bug, Perillus bioculatus. Like their cousins, Florida predatory stink bugs and spined soldier bugs we met in previous episodes, predaceous stink bugs actively hunt and kill their prey. On a potato plant loaded with eggs of potato beetles, I watched a two-spotted stink bug with its beak inserted into an egg. Several beetle eggs had already been drained by the fierce predator. After taking its fill, the stink bug moved along and took a post near two potato beetle larvae munching potato leaves. As it watched the nearby larvae, it restlessly rubbed its antenna and forelegs together. Was this simply grooming behavior or was the predator contemplating its next meal? The actual attack of the two-spotted stink bug and other predatory stink bugs is much less of an energy-charged pounce and kill, but more of a seemingly gentle poke of the stink bug’s beak. Before the hapless victim escapes, the stink bug immobilizes its prey with toxic venom and then injects digestive enzymes into its victim. These enzymes help liquefy tissues in the body of the prey. A muscular pump in the head of the stink bug sucks nutrient-rich fluids from its prey.

As I wandered around the potato patch, I noticed that only a few plants had potato beetles with an attendant complement of stink bug assassins. Many healthy plants lacked beetles and stink bugs. How do stink bugs locate plants with potato beetles in a vast field of potatoes where many plants have no potential prey? Clever researchers discovered that as potato beetles eat potato plants, the leaves of plants release volatile compounds into the atmosphere. Hungry two-spotted stink bugs on the prowl for prey are able to detect the compounds from beetle-wounded plants and use them as an olfactory beacon to find beetle infested plants that house their dinner.

Although potato is common in their diet now, Colorado potato beetles first fed on other members of the potato family like buffalo bur. Males often guard their mates for long periods of time.

Sometime before the killing frost annihilates the remnants of your potato patch, pay one last visit to your plot and maybe spot predator and prey dressed in orange and black. Bug of the Week wishes you a spooky, happy, and safe Halloween.   

Acknowledgements

The following fascinating studies were used to prepare this Bug of the Week, “Identification of Volatile Potato Sesquiterpenoids and Their Olfactory Detection by the Two-spotted Stinkbug Perillus bioculatus”  by Bernhard Weissbecker, Joop J. A. Van Loon, Maarten A. Posthumus, Harro J. Bouwmeester and Marcel Dicke, and “Comparison of Perillus bioculatus and Podisus maculiventris (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) as Potential Control Agents of the Colorado Potato Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)” by Judy Hough-Goldstein and D. McPherson. The great reference “Invasive Species” by Daniel Simberloff was also consulted for this episode.

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Last year was the fifth hottest year in recorded history. This year followed suite with June, July, and August of 2023 being the hottest months ever recorded globally according to the European Union Climate Change Service. Here at home in the United States, if you feel like your town was toastier than normal, you are probably correct as almost 10,000 cities and towns tied or broke daily heat records this year according to the National Weather Service. One of the interesting and ecologically disturbing consequences of climate change is the expansion of the ranges of warm-weather insects to cooler regions where short growing seasons and chilly winter temperatures formerly barred their survival. Last week we met nefarious, collard-crunching harlequin bugs. It should come as no surprise that in addition to plant-eating pests, other insects including beneficial ones have shifted their range. The Florida predatory stink bug is one such beneficial insect that has followed suite and now appears regularly in locations previously thermally off-limits to them.

Florida predatory stink bugs, historically from southern regions, now make regular incursions as far north as New Hampshire and the Dakotas as lethal cold winter temperatures become less frequent. More than a decade ago, in 2012, which was at that time the hottest year on record, Bug of the Week posted an episode noting the unusual discovery of the Florida predatory stink bug sunbathing on the trunk of an elm tree at the University of Maryland. Isolated reports of Florida predatory stink bugs in Maryland date back even earlier than 2012. Last autumn adult Florida predatory stink bugs were seen with regularity in the DMV. Following the second warmest winter ever recorded in the region, it came as no surprise that these fierce predators were back in force in 2023 and numerous reports of this predator surfaced in the DMV.

Last autumn, spooky orange and black Florida predatory stink bugs were spotted on trees and buildings here in the DMV. Were these beneficial denizens of the Deep South able to handle the ‘winter that didn’t happen in 2022/2023’ in this region? Surely looks like it, as developing nymphs and adults were seen throughout our region this summer and autumn. It appears that nymphs of the Florida predatory stink bug have a baffling desire to interpret the dials and readouts on electric utility meters. In a warming world, it looks like they may be here to stay. Video by Michael Raupp and Craig J. Regelbrugge

The Florida predatory stink bug is native to tropical and semi-tropical regions ranging from Peru to the United States. Like its cousin the spined soldier bug we met in a previous episode, the Florida predatory stink bug is a generalist. Using a powerful beak to impale and immobilize its prey, it then sucks nutritious body fluids from the victim to sustain growth, development, and reproduction. In addition to consuming caterpillars and leaf beetles in backyard vegetable gardens, both nymphs and adults of the Florida predatory stink bug put a beat-down on important crop pests including brown marmorated stink bugs and kudzu bugs. As record high temperatures continue to build and growing seasons extend in both spring and fall, keep an eye out for these beautiful beneficial predators that are becoming more common here in the DMV and in locations further north.

Acknowledgements

We thank Craig J. Regelbrugge and Sarah Zastrow for sharing images of Florida predatory stink bugs that inspired this episode. The interesting articles “Florida predatory stink bug (unofficial common name), Euthyrhynchus floridanus (Linnaeus) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)” by Frank W. Mead and David B. Richman, and “Feeding Responses of Euthyrhynchus floridanus (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) to Megacopta cribraria (Heteroptera: Plataspidae) with Spodoptera frugiperda and Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae as Alternative Prey” by Julio Medal,  Andrew Santa Cruz, and Trevor Smith were consulted for this episode. Records from the Maryland Biodiversity Project helped inform discoveries of this predatory stink bug in the DMV.

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Whether you love the winter season or loathe the frigid temperatures, there is definitely one thing to love about this time of year. Cold temperatures mean fewer mosquitoes.  

Here in the Northeast, mosquito season typically stretches from April through October, with peak activity typically in May and June. Mosquitoes are more than just an annoying buzz in your ear and the sources of numerous itchy bites. These blood-drinking pests can transmit pathogens that cause serious illnesses, such as malaria, West Nile virus, and the Zika virus.  

Mosquitoes love warm, wet weather, which is why they are active year-round in the tropics and thrive in spring and summer in summer climates. Mosquitoes are plentiful throughout the region and found everywhere from cities to suburbs to rural areas. But where do they go when the cold rolls in, and how do mosquitoes survive the winter?  

Do Mosquitoes Die During the Winter?  

Mosquitoes are cold-blooded and incapable of regulating their body heat on their own. As a result, their temperatures are dependent on their environment. These insects thrive in warm weather around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. When the temperature cools to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, they typically slow down. In temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the insects can’t function — but they don’t actually die. 

How Do Mosquitos Survive the Cold? 

To survive the winter, mosquitoes go into a dormant state. Some species have embryos that hibernate in eggs, typically in ice. When temperatures warm and the ice melts, these mosquitoes hatch.  

For other species, females hibernate after mating in autumn, often inside hollow logs and animal burrows. Some remain in a state of torpor, with no sign of mental or physical activity. Those are the mosquitoes that may emerge on warm winter days. 

Does a Mild Winter Mean Increased Activity in the Spring?  

Mild winters often lead to insect-filled spring seasons. Although warmer winter months won’t necessarily translate into larger insect populations, they do cause mosquitoes to come out of hibernation early. If spring is particularly wet, it may cause a longer mosquito season with increased activity.  

Catseye Pest Control’s Platinum Home Protection program provides preventive treatments and routine inspections every other month all year long. This can help you tackle mosquito problems early in the season and provide effective control for mosquitoes and other pests, giving you the ultimate peace of mind. 

Mosquito Activity and Habitat  

Mosquitoes have narrow bodies and hairy wings, but they are best known for their itchy bites and the buzzing sound you hear as they fly by your head. Female mosquitoes feed on plant nectar and blood from animals and people. After feeding, they use the nutrients to produce eggs. While mosquitoes feed, they inject their host with saliva, which may spread various diseases. Males feed only on plant nectar. 

As far as habitats are concerned, these insects aren’t too picky. Some like living near humans, while others prefer more remote areas. Mosquitoes thrive in moist areas, including tall grasses, forests, and marshes. They may lay their eggs in water or in moist soil, depending on the species. Mosquitoes can make their home anywhere from lakes and ponds and floodplains to containers filled with rainwater. 

How to Make Your Property Less Enticing to Mosquitoes During the Spring and Summer 

One of the most effective ways to prevent your property from being overtaken by mosquitoes is to enroll in Catseye’s professional mosquito control. This program uses monthly inspections and treatments using organic products to keep you and your loved ones safe while providing powerful results.  

Additional Preventive Tips 

Professional control will offer peace of mind. You may also choose to take action around your house and yard to make your property less mosquito-friendly. 

• Eliminate Standing Water: Even the tiniest amount of water can serve as a breeding ground containing hundreds of eggs. 
• Add Moving Water to Ponds: If you have a water feature, consider adding a fountain or another way to keep the water moving to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs. 
• Use Natural Repellents: Plant lemongrass, lavender, citronella and other mosquito-repelling plants as a natural deterrent. 
• Add a Fan: A solid breeze can cause too much disruption for mosquitoes to fly.  
• Get Rid of Clutter and Debris: Old junk, rusty grills, and debris piles can all harbor moisture or collect water, making them possible nesting areas. 
• Light a Fire: The smoke from a wood-burning fire is an effective repellent. 
• Attract Natural Predators: Did you know bats eat about half their body weight in mosquitoes? Adding bat boxes to your property could attract them to roost for natural mosquito control.  

Contact Catseye Pest Control Today  

Catseye has the experience, expertise, and technology to help keep your property protected from mosquitoes. Enjoy your outdoor space. Contact us to learn more or to schedule a free inspection. 

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Mice prefer to stay warm and cozy, so where do they go when winter temperatures turn outdoor environments frosty? 

Here in the Northeast, where deer mice, house mice, and white-footed mice are among the prevalent species, it’s not unusual for mouse activity to continue year-round. The problem is that as temperatures plummet in fall and frigid winter weather sets in, most mice seek out warmer areas to call home — possibly even your home.  

Mice can often be found inside homes year-round but can be heard more in the colder months because they tend to gravitate toward the warmest parts of the house. For example, mice will nest inside and underneath insulation — while sitting on top of the attic drywall trying to stay warm, they are more likely to be heard by homeowners.  

What does that mean for you? Let’s take a closer look at typical mice activity during winter and how you can avoid an infestation.  

Do Mice Hibernate?  

Contrary to what you might think, mice don’t hibernate. Instead, they remain active year-round. Food scarcity and intense, cold temperatures do cause many animals to go into hibernation during winter. This dormant state is marked by decreased metabolism and heart rate, which allows them to survive the season.  

Although many rodents, including arctic ground squirrels, do hibernate throughout most of winter while waiting for warmer weather, mice do not hibernate at all. Instead, these rodents spend the winter seeking (or enjoying) shelter and foraging for food. Outdoors, mice also have to worry about avoiding predators. They often burrow into the ground to nest or move into homes and other buildings.  

In fact, more than 20 million homes across the United States deal with rodents every year.  

Mice Activity and Habitats  

Mice can adapt to various habitats, ranging from the great outdoors to human structures. As the temperatures outside drop, mice and many types of nuisance wildlife seek warm, safe places to nest and survive the winter.  

Although mice can invade homes, businesses, and other properties any time of year, people often see more indoor activity in fall and winter. Mice can make homes in burrows, brush and debris piles, and tree trunks outdoors in warm weather. However, as food becomes more scarce and the weather turns cold, mice start actively seeking shelter. In many cases, that means inside people’s homes.  

Mice activity during winter predominantly includes foraging for food, nesting in areas like wall cavities and insulation, and reproducing. Mice have a short gestation period of only three weeks, and females can give birth to another litter as soon as 25 days after the first. Each female may produce 35 babies per year.  

This underscores the problem that mice can pose. With reproductive numbers like that, even a small mouse problem can quickly grow into a large-scale infestation.  

Signs of Mice Inside Your House 

The sooner you realize you have a mouse problem, the better. Professional control is a must to ensure you thoroughly evict these critters from your home or business in any season. What are the top signs that mice are spending the winter inside your property? 

Droppings 

Mice are nocturnal, and because they’re more active at night, you may not ever see a live mouse in your house. These pests are also messy and tend to leave droppings in their wake, practically everywhere they go. Trails or piles of what looks similar to chocolate sprinkles is a tell-tale sign of mouse activity.  

Scurrying Noises 

Although you may not see them, you could hear mice as they scamper about. Hearing scratching or running noises in walls and ceilings, particularly at night, can be a sign you have a problem.  

Chew Marks 

Like other rodents, mice are big chewers. They may tear through your pantry, leaving food and wrappers behind. Mice also chew on structural elements, wiring, boxes, and more.  

Mouse Trails 

Droppings aren’t all these creatures leave behind. You may notice streaks of urine or greasy-looking gray or brown smudges along baseboards, walls, and other heavily traveled pathways and entrances.  

How to Keep Mice Outside 

Not only can these tiny terrors wreak havoc and destruction, but they can also pose a serious health risk. Mice droppings, urine, and saliva could contaminate food, water, and surfaces with pathogens that can cause diseases like hantavirus or leptospirosis. Mice can also introduce other pests to the indoor environment, including fleas, mites, and ticks.  

So, how can you keep them outside? 

Professional Exclusion Services 

Prevention is worth everything, particularly when it comes to mice and other rodents. Catseye Pest Control’s Cat-Guard Residential Rodent and Wildlife Exclusion Systems provide an innovative, permanent solution. Like our Commercial Exclusion Systems, these rigid barriers seal off potential entry points, keeping rodents and nuisance wildlife from being able to enter the premises. Best of all, they’re safe, humane, and chemical-free.  

Strategic Landscaping 

Mice thrive where there is harborage because it makes them feel safe. Cleaning up debris piles, storing firewood away from your home, and trimming back trees and shrubs away from the building can help reduce these harborage conditions. Likewise, ensure you keep your garbage in rodent-proof containers. 

Remove Food Sources 

When mice come inside in winter, they are primarily looking for food and shelter. Proper sanitation and eliminating food sources, in conjunction with exclusion, can make a significant difference. Keep counters and floors clean and store food (including pet food) in rodent-proof containers.  

Contact Catseye for More Information 

Now that you know where mice typically go in winter and the clues to watch for, hopefully, you will spot any signs of mouse activity early. Whether you need professional removal and rodent control services or you want to learn more about our exclusion systems, Catseye is here to help. Schedule a free inspection to get started.  

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In keeping with the fast-approaching Halloween holiday, the next few weeks we will visit bugs dressed in the Halloween colors of orange and black. Some will be spooky and noxious and others will be helpful and heroic. This week we go spooky and meet the ravager of radishes, killer of kale, and butcher of Brussels sprouts known as the harlequin bug. On a trip to a local community garden, a distraught gardener spoke to me about his withering kale crop. As I strolled around the garden, I spied kale, radishes, and cabbages stunted, discolored, and so severely misshapen that their only remaining use was to grace a compost heap. Upon closer inspection, I discovered legions of orange and black bugs and ranks of minute eggs two and three abreast on leaves. These rascals were harlequin bugs and their spawn. These common pests from the south are kin to several other true bugs we’ve met in previous episodes of Bug of the Week including squash bugs, boxelder bugs, red-shouldered bugs, brown marmorated stink bugs, and wheel bugs. What makes this bug a “true bug” is its gradual metamorphosis including egg, nymph, and adult life stages, sucking mouthparts, and wings partially membranous and partially leathery.

Harlequin bugs spend the winter earthbound, hiding in debris left behind from last year’s crops. With the return of spring and the rampant sprouting of wild mustard plants and early season cole crops in gardens, the survivors have a renewed source of food. Cuisine favored by harlequin bugs includes common weeds in the mustard family such as yellow rocket, black mustard, and peppergrass, and several cultivated crops like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, turnip, kale, horseradish, radish, and cabbage. Harlequin bugs also eat plants in the nightshade family such as eggplant. After feeding for several days, females deposit eggs on the surface of the leaf. The eggs hatch into brightly colored nymphs with powerful beaks used to probe tender tissues of the plant and extract nutrients. All of this probing and poking destroys cells and vascular tissues and robs the plant of nutrients needed for growth and development. After five nymphal stages, the bug transforms into an adult that continues to wage war on cabbage and other plants. In southern climes several generations can occur each year, while in the north only one or two generations have time to develop.

These tiny white barrels with black rings are eggs of harlequin bugs. After hatching, small wingless orange and black nymphs search leaves and eventually probe stems and foliage with beaks to remove nutrients. Prior to feeding, winged adults may do a little grooming before settling down to feed with their cronies. After a season of harlequin bug terror, kale and other cole crops may be a mess.

The most striking feature of these bugs is, without question, their remarkable coloration. In previous episodes we learned that bright colors of monarch butterflies and milkweed bugs served as a warning to would-be predators that these insects packed a potent chemical punch. The same is true for harlequin bugs. In a series of clever studies, Drs. Aliabadi, Renwick, and Whitman demonstrated that several species of predatory birds found harlequin bugs distasteful. Harlequin bugs remove noxious compounds called mustard oils from cabbage and other related plants in the mustard family. These noxious chemicals are stored in the body of the harlequin bug to give predators a nasty surprise if they choose to attack. After a few attempts to eat these spicy bugs, birds likely learn to seek more delectable meals elsewhere. The bright coloration provides a reminder of what they should not attempt to eat.

Gardeners have a challenge to keep the buggers at bay and hours can be spent removing adults and nymphs by hand. Another approach to foiling their plans is to plant a trap crop of cabbage or kale very early or very late in the season. In spring as survivors move to the early planted greens, wage war on the concentrated encampment of bugs to reduce the number left to plague crops later in the year. In fall, after most of your vegetables have been harvested, leave just a few cabbages behind to attract any harlequins lingering about. The bugs concentrate on the cabbages and can be annihilated, which reduces the number of bugs moving to the ground to spend the winter. Removing plant debris at the end of the growing season and thermally composting it may further limit the number of tricksters surviving the winter in or near your garden. Harlequin bugs complete many generations in the tropics and Deep South and part of the reason we may be having more problems with these buggers locally resides in our generally warmer winters. A clever recent study found that when winter’s chill dips into the low teens and single digits, mortality of overwintering harlequin bugs increases dramatically. Perhaps true winter will return at the end of 2023 and in the New Year to bring some relief from these orange and black ghouls of the garden.

References

Two great reference books, “Insects of Farm, Garden, and Orchard” by Davidson and Lyon, Wiley Press, and “Garden Insects of North America: The Ultimate Guide to Backyard Bugs” by Cranshaw and Shetlar were used as sources of information for this Bug of the Week. Information on the chemical defenses of harlequin bugs was found in the article “Sequestration of Glucosinolates by Harlequin Bug Murgantia histrionica” by Aliabadi, Renwick, and Whitman, and the interesting article “Supercooling Points of Murgantia histrionica (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and Field Mortality in the Mid-Atlantic United States Following Lethal Low Temperatures” by A. S. DiMeglio, A. K. Wallingford, D. C. Weber, T. P. Kuhar, and D. Mullins was also used in preparation of this episode. To learn more about harlequin bugs and their management, please visit the following website: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/harlequin-bug-vegetables

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More than a decade ago, I purchased a modest black plastic bin to recycle vegetable waste. This mysterious contraption, seemingly nothing more than an empty box, has somehow magically converted thousands of pounds of plant material into less than 150 pounds of dark granules that look a lot like soil. Yesterday as I added yet another load of watermelon rinds, banana peels, egg shells and assorted other vegetables, I took a deeper dive into the workings of this marvelous device and was greeted by legions of fly larvae. That’s right, the real workhorses of my recycling wonder are maggots, industrious geniuses driven to convert plant protein into animal protein. In so doing, some of these maggoty morsels of protein become food for predators like spiders and beetles that lurk in the corners and slither through the mire of the bin. When they pupate and then emerge as flies, out of the bin they go to become food for birds, dragonflies, and other carnivores higher up the food web. Plant becomes insect, and insect becomes food for other animals.

One of the key players in this transfer of energy and biomass is the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens. Due to their high metabolic efficiency in converting decaying organic matter into fly protein, larvae of the black soldier fly have been commercialized in some parts of the world to turn compost and manure into feed for animals like chickens, pigs, and fish. An added bonus of their recycling acumen has led farmers to consider them as a partial solution to managing manure generated by hogs and chickens. One report has it that 45,000 black soldier fly larvae can consume more than 50 pounds of manure in two weeks. Now that’s a lot of repurposing. In a strange game of turnabout, after black soldier fly larvae eat manure, their frass (excrement) can also be used as soil amendment to improve crop yield.

Magic happens in this plain-looking compost bin. Beneath a banana peel and throughout the bin, legions of fly larvae convert plant protein into animal protein. Foremost among the magicians are soldier fly maggots, which cruise decaying vegetables and fruit. A female black soldier fly searches the inside of the bin and finds just the right cranny in which to deposit her eggs.

Years ago, I had another interesting encounter with soldier fly larvae.  Edamame is one of my favorite foods, loaded with protein, fiber, and important minerals like calcium, iron, zinc, and potassium, yet low in fat and sugar. Who wouldn’t want to eat these tasty nuggets from the soybean plant? The great thing about edamame is the fact that it now comes in a microwavable pouch. You just toss it in the microwave and in four minutes these nutritious morsels are ready to eat. After a hard day of chasing bugs, this quick and easy meal is a real treat. One evening after steaming shelled edamame and dumping them onto my plate, I was amazed to see a large and juicy soldier fly larva ensconced amongst the beans. This was no tiny maggot, no sir, this one was a last instar larva, ready to pupate any day. Alas, its life was cut short and it somehow wound up in a steamable edamame pouch. Now, I have eaten many an insect in my day, some inadvertently in a squidgy tomato infested with tiny fruit fly larvae or as microscopic moth eggs in my cereal. On several occasions I have dined on cicadas or meal worms to promote the importance of entomophagy as a partial solution to the global protein shortage. Insects really are a wonderful protein supplement and in some parts of the planet, they are on the menu daily. However, on this occasion, I just couldn’t bring myself to eat this extra morsel of protein. Here’s why. The interesting thing about soldier fly maggots is where they live. Some live the life aquatic and feed on algae, others feed on decaying vegetation and organic matter, and still others develop in dung. Not knowing exactly where this larva dined before winding up with my edamame hastened my decision to eschew this petite surprise. Who would have guessed that maggots in a compost bin or in a serving of edamame would be so interesting?  

Acknowledgements

The interesting article, “Using the Black Soldier Fly, Hermetia illucens, as a value-added tool for the management of swine manure” by Newton L, Sheppard C, Watson DW, Burtle G, and Dove, R, was used to prepare this episode. To learn more about the black soldier fly, please visit the following website: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/IN/IN83000.pdf

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Fall is a splendid season, with glorious foliage, chilly nights that are perfect for curling up under a blanket, and pumpkins everywhere. As we head into fall, you may find yourself sipping a pumpkin latte and dreaming of your “gourd-geous” pumpkin decorations.  

Before heading to the pumpkin patch, you may want to consider whether pumpkins and jack o’lanterns could end up attracting rats and other rodents. That’s an interesting question. Let’s explore whether pumpkins might bring rodents scurrying to your property and how to prevent it from becoming a problem.  

Why Rodents and Critters Eat Pumpkins on Porches  

Who doesn’t love pumpkins, right? As it turns out, people aren’t the only ones who enjoy these festive foods. Not only do pumpkins attract rodents, but they also attract other animals, including rabbits, birds, and foxes, who enjoy nibbling on these autumnal fruits.  

And for good reason — pumpkins are a food source, although they are not typically the go-to option for many animals. However, as the temperatures drop, mice, rats, and other animals prepare for winter. At that point, fall pumpkins become an attractive option to help animals fatten up for the season ahead.  

Carved pumpkins, including jack o’lanterns, are particularly attractive to rats and other rodents and nuisance wildlife. The exposed flesh from cutting the pumpkins makes it easy to sniff out this particular food source. However, even uncarved pumpkins and other decorative, edible objects can act as a lure for rodents and other pests. 

Non-Toxic Ways to Stop Rodents from Eating Pumpkins  

Looking to keep squirrels, chipmunks, and other rodents away from your pumpkins? Here are a few safe, non-toxic strategies you can try this season to prevent your jack o’lantern from attracting rats and wildlife: 

• Change the Texture: Rodents will be deterred from items with unpleasant textures. You can achieve this by spraying pumpkins with hairspray, slathering them with petroleum jelly, or coating the outside with spray lacquer. 
• Change the Scent and Flavor: Adding a little spice to your pumpkins may help repel rodents by making the gourds smell and taste less appealing. Sprinkle some cayenne on the outside, inside, and around the pumpkins. Alternatively, you can make a spray by mixing hot sauce, cayenne, water, and a few drops of dish soap. Spraying vinegar around pumpkins can deter rodents, birds, and other pests, including insects.  
• Change the Environment: Think of it like trick or treat for rodents — just with all tricks. Place an owl statue nearby to make them think a predator is in their midst or use motion-activated sprinklers to startle them away if they get too close.  

Preventing Rodent Infestations in the Fall  

Not only can rodents ruin your festive decorations, but the allure of available food may also bring them scurrying indoors. Even without pumpkins, fall and winter are often peak times for rodent activity because the colder temperatures force mice and rats to seek shelter.  

How can you prevent an infestation? You can take a few steps on your own to reduce the likelihood of these critters setting up shop in your home or on your property. For example:  

• Clean up debris like leaf piles outside and piles of boxes or clutter inside to reduce possible nesting sites. 
• Trim tree limbs and shrubbery back at least 15 inches to create space between vegetation and your home. 
• Remove bird feeders and baths, seal all food in rodent-proof containers, secure garbage, and promptly fix leaks to reduce rodents’ access to food and water. 
• Inspect the perimeter of your home and other structures for openings, gaps, and cracks. Seal openings with silicone caulk and steel wool to prevent rodents from entering. 

Be aware that you can maintain a pristinely clean home and take all the preventive steps possible and still end up with rodents. If you see signs of rodent activity, such as droppings and gnaw marks, it’s essential to call for professional rodent control as soon as possible. Taking action quickly can prevent a relatively small infestation from becoming a huge problem.  

Year-Round Protection  

Although fall and winter seasons tend to be more active for rodents, the truth is that you can have mice and rats at any time of year. For the ultimate peace of mind, consider year-round professional services like Catseye Pest Control’s Platinum Home Protection program. This provides removal, professional sealing of any entry points, and ongoing monitoring and treatment all year long.  

Another option is to install Cat-Guard Exclusion Systems, permanent barriers that provide chemical-free, safe, long-term protection.  

Keep Rodents Out with Professional Pest Control Services 

Not only do pumpkins attract rodents, but they can also attract other wildlife and insects. That doesn’t mean you have to go without your favorite fall décor. It just requires a little extra vigilance after you put it out.  

Autumn, winter, spring, and summer, Catseye is here to provide exceptional pest control services tailored to each situation and property. Contact us to learn more or to schedule an inspection.  

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Sundrenched waning days of summer are often the times when many meadow flowers put on their finest show. Nectar laden blossoms are magnets to dozens of pollinators including bees, wasps, flies, and beetles.  Little do they know that lurking among the inflorescences are deadly masters of disguise. As the name implies, ambush bugs do not make their living by actively chasing and pouncing on prey like six-spotted green tiger beetles or fierce jumping spiders. While speed and power serve some predators well, they are not the only wiles employed by six-legged hunters. Sometimes stealth and deception work just as effectively when it comes to catching dinner. Just ask the praying mantis. Ambush bugs employ an irregular body outline and beautiful patchwork of white and brown or yellow and brown that enables them to blend with colorful blossoms and the light and dark patterns of a flower head.

To find an ambush bug, look for a bee behaving strangely un-bee-like. Hanging motionless upside down beneath a blossom is pretty un-bee-like. A closer examination of the goldenrod flower above the honeybee revealed a rough ambush bug that dropped its prey when disturbed by a giant hand. In another meadow, stealth, camouflage, and an inescapable death-grip enabled an ambush bug to capture a bumble bee several times larger than itself. Strange and beautiful are these crafty hunters.

These sly killers sit and wait motionless for hours until an unsuspecting victim lands nearby to collect pollen or sip nectar. With a flick of its greatly enlarged raptorial front legs, the ambush bug snares prey that are often several times larger than itself. Ambush bugs are so adept at capturing honeybees that some beekeepers consider them a pest. With the victim in its grasp, the ambush bug inserts its beak into the prey and injects paralytic saliva. Digestive enzymes break down the tissues of the immobilized victim and its liquefied remains are sucked through the beak into the gullet of the ambush bug. Yum! If you want to observe these masters of disguise, find a patch of goldenrod or boneset and look for bumble bees or honey bees dangling motionless beneath flower heads. Carefully examine the unfortunate bee and see if it has been snared by one of these camouflaged assassins.

Acknowledgements

We thank Gordon for discovering the ambush bug that served as an inspiration for this story. An Introduction to the Study of Insects by Borer, De Long, and Triplehorn was used as a reference for this Bug of the Week. To learn more about ambush bugs please visit the following website: http://www.uky.edu/Ag/CritterFiles/casefile/insects/bugs/assassin/assassin.htm#ambush

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