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A recent road trip took Bug of the Week to Beavertail Lighthouse, iconic guard to the entrance of Narraganset Bay, Rhode Island. This historical lighthouse, located in Beavertail State Park, is a stopover point for eastern migratory monarch butterflies as they wend their way from the northernmost breeding grounds in eastern North America en route to their winter retreats thousands of miles away in the mountains of Mexico. Recently, scientists have added Beavertail State Park to a growing list of locations where monarchs are recorded and tagged to track the movement of these peripatetic wonders. Our arrival late in October missed the peak of the monarch stopover, but during the course of our visit, we watched a dozen or so monarchs heading south across Narraganset Bay. On a windswept afternoon, we were lucky to see one lonely voyager hunker down for a rest in a thicket of forlorn perennial flowers. A recent status report provided by Dr. Paula Shrewsbury of the University of Maryland brings us up to speed on the status of monarchs in North America. Here is the report in its entirety. 

The Beavertail Lighthouse at Beavertail State Park in Rhode Island is a great place to watch Eastern migratory monarchs heading south to their overwintering grounds in Mexico.   

“Monarch butterflies, Danaus plexippus (family: Nymphalidae), are one of, if not, the most well-known butterflies in North America. There are few children who make it through school without learning the lifecycle of these beautiful and interesting iconic butterflies. There are community science projects and numerous other programs with the goal of monitoring and conserving monarchs. Everyone loves monarchs and rightly so. They have one of the most fascinating lifecycles and migratory behaviors of all insects. In addition, monarch adults provide pollination services and the caterpillars are food for other organisms. Given all of this I think they qualify as a “beneficial” even if the caterpillars make milkweed plants look a little ratty. 

Monarchs have an amazing lifecycle that involves multiple generations and migration across miles. In North America (NA), in general, there are three populations. There is the eastern NA Monarch population that overwinters in Mexico, and in the spring, around mid-March, begins its seasonal migration to the north toward southern Canada traveling a few thousand miles. Monarchs undergo multiple generations during this long journey to Canada. In the late summer–fall months, monarchs begin their migration back to their overwintering habitat in the oyamel fir forests in central Mexico. So basically, the adults that return to the overwintering roost in Mexico at the end of the season are several generations later than those that began the journey (ex. their great, great,… grand-butterflies). There is also a western NA Monarch population (west of the Rockies) that similarly migrates between sites in California and Canada. They overwinter or roost in coastal regions of California, migrate to Canada, and back again to California to overwinter. A few winters ago, in December, I was fortunate enough to visit one of the overwintering roosts of monarch adults in Monterey, CA. A truly amazing site that I recommend you all put on your bucket list to experience. A third, more recently founded population that is non-migratory, is in Florida and Georgia.  

You have likely heard discussion regarding monarch butterfly decline – in both the Eastern and Western monarch populations. Scientists studying monarch butterflies implicate several factors that come together to threaten populations of monarchs. Illegal logging of the forests in Mexico has reduced optimal overwintering habitat for monarchs. Weather events associated with climate change also threaten monarchs. In 2002, unusual weather in the mountains of Mexico killed an estimated 75% of monarchs that were overwintering; in 2015-2016, a winter storm killed more than 7%. These weather events killed tens of millions of overwintering monarchs. Within the U.S., Eastern monarchs have lost an estimated 165 million acres of breeding habitat along their migration route northward. Although monarch butterflies feed on nectar from a diversity of flowering plants, monarch caterpillars only eat milkweed foliage. Scientists believe that critical milkweed resources used by caterpillars have been dramatically reduced due to the use of herbicides and genetically modified crops that tolerate direct spraying of herbicides and kill milkweed. Other threats to their populations include habitat fragmentation and destruction, urban development, and pesticides, along with other climate change related phenomena.  

What is the status of Monarch butterfly populations now? The 2023 annual accounts of the Eastern monarchs that spend the winter in Mexico showed a 22% decline from 2022 counts. The Eastern monarch populations have declined by around 90% since the mid-1990’s. Western monarchs overwinter in forested groves on the coast of California. Western monarch overwintering “Thanksgiving” counts were conducted from November 11 through December 3, 2023 with a total count of 233,394 butterflies across 256 sites in California. The 2023 Thanksgiving count was slightly lower than the 2022 counts, but similar to those of 2021 (Xerces, Jan. 2024). The 2023 Thanksgiving count was followed by a “New Year’s” count (2024) that indicated the highest seasonal decrease on record, likely due to severe winter storms on the west coast. We will have to wait to see what the 2024 Thanksgiving count shows. The Western monarch overwintering population remains at about 5% of what it was in the 1980’s. Scientists say that monarchs are at risk of extinction in North America. 

Amidst the eucalyptus and pines, western monarchs brave the maritime chill on the Monterey peninsula.

What can be done to help monarchs? Globally, efforts to slow (and hopefully stop) climate change, conservation of food resources for adult and larval monarchs, and improvement of habitats for monarchs will help. Actions to influence policy on climate change, pesticide use, and the placement of monarchs on the Endangered Species Act list will also assist monarchs. At a local level, providing habitat with milkweeds for caterpillars and nectar resources for adults should improve monarch reproduction and survival. There are 73 species of milkweed in the U.S., monarch caterpillars use about 30 of these as hosts. Be sure to consult references to learn what milkweed species work well in your geographic region. Here in Maryland, species including common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), whorled milkweed (Asclepias verticillata), and poke milkweed (Asclepias exaltata) are good choices. Research has determined that tropical milkweed, Aesclepias curassavica, is not a good choice and can actually be detrimental to monarchs. Adult monarchs feed on nectar from a diversity of plants, but not all nectar is created equally. Consult references to learn what plants provide the best nectar for monarch butterflies and their bloom times. Regional references for milkweed plants can be found at this link https://xerces.org/milkweed and references for monarch nectar plants can be found at this link https://xerces.org/monarchs/monarch-nectar-plant-guides. 

Research from the lab of Dan Potter (with student Adam Baker, UKY) shows that garden design is important and suggests how to build more effective monarch butterfly gardens. For example, monarch eggs and larvae were 2.5 to 4 times more abundant in gardens with milkweeds planted around the perimeter as opposed to gardens in which milkweeds were surrounded by or intermixed with the other non-milkweed plants. They also found female monarchs laid significantly more eggs on standalone milkweed plants as opposed to milkweeds that were visually “camouflaged” or physically blocked by adjacent non-milkweed plants. Although planting any milkweed and nectar hosts for monarchs will be helpful, these studies provide guidelines to design gardens that are more effective. Start planning for how to include milkweed and monarch nectar plants in your perennial gardens next spring. We have a critical role to play in conserving these remarkable travelers.”

Research indicates that milkweeds planted along the perimeter of butterfly gardens had 2.5-4 times more monarch eggs and larvae than those planted in the interior. So, if you want lots of monarch caterpillars and butterflies, plant the milkweeds at the edges of pollinator gardens.

 Acknowledgements 

Bug of the Week thanks Dr. Shrewsbury for granting permission to reproduce her story for this week’s episode. The great study “Configuration and Location of Small Urban Gardens Affect Colonization by Monarch Butterflies” by Adam M. Baker and Daniel A. Potter was a key resource for this episode.  Thanks also to Carol and Brian for helping us observe migrating monarchs at Beavertail State Park.

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Restaurants have a hefty responsibility for maintaining clean, pest-free, safe conditions to protect employees and customers alike. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that approximately 48 million Americans get sick with foodborne illnesses yearly. Among them, more than 100,000 become so ill they have to be hospitalized.

Beyond the health risks that pests introduce into an environment, infestations can also harm a restaurant’s reputation and, ultimately, its bottom line. Effective restaurant pest control strategies take a multifaceted approach — and that’s exactly what integrated pest management offers.  

Introduction to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Restaurants 

Integrated pest management (IPM) offers food service establishments a comprehensive approach to maintaining a pest-free environment while minimizing chemical use. It relies on the least toxic methods possible to achieve results while focusing on prevention. Pest prevention in restaurants is among the most economical options to keep an establishment free of rodents, insects, and other pests.

What Is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)? 

IPM is not a single solution but a group of science-based actions widely used as an environmentally sensitive approach to pest management. It takes a broad, holistic view that is customized to each unique property and situation. When you implement IPM, you use multiple principles to achieve optimal pest control while reducing the use of pesticides.  

In a 2009 study comparing traditional pesticide-only based control and IPM, the results overwhelmingly supported the efficacy of IPM. Not only did it offer significant reductions in pests, but it also resulted in improvements in long-term success. 

Importance of IPM for Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance 

IPM empowers restaurant owners and requires a proactive approach that helps build a company culture that is rooted in food safety. This proactive approach not only reduces the need to rely on chemicals, but also saves money and the restaurant’s valuable reputation. It addresses conditions in and around the property, including in food storage, prep, and serving areas, to keep pests out altogether. In turn, this can save restaurants from facing negative results during inspections or the fallout that infestations cause with customers. 

Core Principles of IPM for Restaurants 

Chemical treatments have a valid place in pest control. However, in the past, they were the frontline treatment option and often used as a one-size-fits-all option. As a result, beneficial insects were harmed, pesticide-resistance turned into a real problem, and humans were exposed to potentially serious health risks from toxin exposure.

With IPM, chemical treatments are more of a last-resort option, with an increased focus on sanitation, exclusion, monitoring, and other preventative steps. Catseye Pest Control has helped numerous businesses maintain pest-free kitchens and establishments using core IPM principles, including the following:  

Prevention First: Sanitation and Hygiene Practices 

The restaurant industry is highly regulated with strict standards regarding sanitation and hygiene. Stringent food storage, packaging, and handling standards are critical to minimize the risk of food-borne illnesses. As a bonus, maintaining these high standards can be part of your first line of defense against pests as part of a rigorous IPM program.  

Pests move indoors in search of shelter and food. By practicing excellent sanitation in all areas of the restaurant, you remove potential food sources, making the premises less attractive to scavenging pests.  

Monitoring and Inspection 

Regular inspections and monitoring the restaurant for pests is an essential part of prevention. These practices allow you to identify specific areas that may be vulnerable to pest intrusions. They also make it possible to ensure your preventative measures are working by helping catch pest infestations early before they become large-scale issues. Additionally, this step allows you to ensure pests are correctly identified to determine the best pest management treatments that are necessary for control.

Exclusion: Keeping Pests Out 

Exclusion offers chemical-free protection by sealing off potential entry points. For example, many pests can slip in through small gaps and cracks in foundations, around windows and doors, and around utility lines that pass from outside-in. This entails covering vents with screening, repairing any gaps and cracks, and keeping back doors and loading dock entryways closed. When you’re trying to keep pests out, it’s also important to thoroughly inspect deliveries to make sure there aren’t any pests hitchhiking a ride inside. Common exclusion practices for restaurants include: installing door sweeps, sealing pipe voids and wire chases, sealing gaps where the floor meets the wall molding, and looking at the exterior for common entry points. Sometimes these entry points can be identified by the presence of sebum staining (a brown/grey stain on a floor, wire, or pipe caused by the oils secreted from a mammal‘s skin after frequent and/or sustained traffic). 

Non-Chemical Pest Control Methods 

Prevention is the first line of defense. However, even the best laid plans can go awry. Many pests are clever, curious, and adaptable. If one breaks through, having an arsenal of non-chemical restaurant pest control strategies in place can help you regain control. That’s one of the many ways IPM in food service shines. 

Mechanical Controls 

Exclusion is a powerful form of mechanical control. Installing barriers, setting traps to catch and physically remove pests, and sealing openings can keep pests out. In some instances, you might also consider installing long-term, permanent barriers like Cat-Guard Commercial Exclusion Systems, which offer ongoing, targeted protection for vulnerable areas. 

Biological Controls 

Biological controls introduce pests’ natural enemies into the environment to control their population. For example, you might implement bioremediation at all drains, beverage lines, and other areas. Doing so introduces beneficial bacteria that consumes organic materials that would otherwise be a feast for scavenging critters or breeding flies.

Importance of Minimizing Chemical Use 

Chemicals have an important role to play in pest control, and they likely always will. However, using sprays and other pesticides can inadvertently contaminate stored food and preparation surfaces when it isn’t handled properly. It could also introduce harmful chemicals into the environment and pose a health risk to employees and patrons.  

Over time, pests can develop pesticide resistance if chemical control is overused. That’s why it’s essential to work with professionals who can ensure that the right treatments are used to target the specific pests involved. Pros also have training and equipment to make sure everyone stays safe in the process. 

Developing a Long-Term Pest Management Plan 

IPM is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It requires careful evaluation of the risks and an assessment of the precise measures needed to maintain a pest-free restaurant. For best results, restaurants should partner with an experienced pest control company and routinely review the effectiveness of the plans they have in place.  

Collaboration with Professional Pest Control Services 

This will be a long-term partnership, so approach it with care. Select a pest control company with a proven track record and ample training resources to help establish and continue your restaurant’s IPM program. Professionals will inspect the restaurant, assess the risks, and help create an ongoing plan to make sure the property remains pest-free.  

Regular Reviews and Updates to IPM Strategies 

Effective IPM programs often change over time. This holistic approach should shift and adapt as the restaurant’s needs and risks change over time. With ongoing monitoring, regular reviews, and collaboration with a reputable pest control company, updating IPM strategies will become a seamless part of the routine.  

Regulatory Considerations for Restaurant Pest Control 

Violating health codes can be costly. A single pest infestation could lead to hefty fines, damage to the restaurant’s reputation and a resulting loss of business, and even potential shutdowns. With IPM’s diligent focus on prevention, monitoring, and inspections, restaurants stand firmly in a position of power. 

Ensuring Compliance with Health Codes 

When health inspectors visit a restaurant, they inspect it for several potential hazards and violations. They assess food storage, employees’ hygiene practices, and food preparation methods. Additionally, about 20 percent of the report is dedicated to pest control, making it an essential area for restaurant owners to focus on and manage.

Documentation and Reporting for Health Inspections 

Another critical element of implementing an effective IPM program includes maintaining detailed records. They should include information about any pest sightings and control measures. Records should reflect what controls were used and how they may have been adjusted over time. These documents should also reflect when pest management professionals were onsite and provide data that documents all the efforts made to use non-chemical measures. 

Contact Catseye Pest Control for Help Developing Your IPM Plan 

Catseye has decades of experience in providing commercial pest control and partnering with restaurants throughout the region. We are dedicated to using IPM in our own practice and can guide you in implementing effective measures to protect your business, employees, and customers. Contact Catseye today to learn more or to schedule a free inspection to get started.  

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With their fluffy tails and curious antics, squirrels can be a lot of fun to watch as they scamper around outdoors. However, these furry critters can be more than just an entertaining nuisance — they can do some very real damage. From stealing all the seed from bird feeders to gnawing on wires, roof vents, and insulation, squirrels can wreak havoc on your property.  

Learning about the foods that attract squirrels and the typical squirrel diet can help you better protect your garden, landscaping, and home from these frisky invaders.  

What Do Squirrels Eat in the Wild? 

If you’re like many people, you might associate squirrels mostly with nuts and seeds. Although they do collect nuts and store them away for cold weather months, the squirrel diet is more diverse than you may realize. These fluffy rodents are what’s known as opportunistic eaters that consume a mix of plants and other foods they can access easily. 

Natural Food Sources for Squirrels 

Squirrels do consume plenty of seeds, nuts, tree flowers, buds, mushrooms, and other plant-based foods. However, the preferred diet varies by species: 

Gray Squirrels 

• Acorns 
• Berries 
• Maple seeds 
• Insects 

Red Squirrels 

• Black walnuts 
• Pine cones 
• Other seeds/nuts 

Flying Squirrels 

• Acorns 
• Seeds 
• Nuts 
• Small mammals, such as mice and other squirrels 

Seasonal Changes in Squirrel Diet 

In the wild, squirrels’ food sources vary greatly with the seasons. That’s why you may see them collecting nuts like walnuts and acorns and storing them for their food supply during the winter months. During spring, summer, and even early fall, squirrels often eat insects, other small animals, fruits, and vegetables, including apples, tomatoes, apricots, oranges, berries, avocados, and succulents. During winter, they typically munch on their stored stashes of nuts and seeds, the buds and bark of conifer trees, fungi, and deciduous tree seeds. 

How Squirrels’ Diet Leads Them into Yards and Gardens 

Squirrels are opportunists that will eat nearly anything they can find that contains nutrition. If your yard or garden contains tantalizingly delicious options, these items will attract them to your property. Once there, they will likely do more than just nosh on a quick meal. They can do real damage to gardens, landscaping, and buildings as they frolic and munch. 

Foods That Attract Squirrels 

If you have a garden, fruit trees, or bird feeders, you are almost certain to attract some bushy-tailed friends to your property. Even without obvious food sources, flower bulbs, green plants, and insects could also draw them nearby. 

Potential Damage Caused by Squirrel Feeding Behavior 

As squirrels forage across your property, they can damage trees, including ornamental fruit trees. They also tend to damage grass as they establish their hiding spots, and chowing through bird seed sometimes scares the actual birds away.  

Even more problematic, however, is their gnawing habit. Like all rodents, squirrels’ teeth continually grow. To manage this growth, they gnaw on just about anything, including wiring, structural elements, roofing, and more. They could also gain entrance to buildings, often after chewing through siding. Once inside, they may store their food and build their nests to raise their young. Additionally, squirrels can be hosts to parasites like ticks and fleas and introduce these pests into your living spaces. 

Why You Should Avoid Feeding Squirrels 

Although many people enjoy feeding squirrels and other wildlife, you could be doing more harm than good. Not only could you be encouraging these cute but destructive critters to move in and call your property home, but you could also be inadvertently harming them.  

The Risks of Encouraging Unwanted Behavior 

Squirrels can carry diseases and destroy your property. Encouraging them to stick around increases the odds of a human-squirrel encounter or an encounter with squirrel-borne pathogens. It also may inadvertently encourage them to do more damage to buildings and other parts of the property that they call home. 

Impact on Squirrel Behavior and Health 

Some foods, including peanuts and corn, don’t offer much nutritional benefit to squirrels. Other human foods, which squirrels will still eat, can weaken them or cause them to become sick. Another issue is the risk of causing them to become reliant on you as their food supply. If they lose their natural instincts to forage and gather food, they may struggle to find other food sources and suffer or even die if you stop feeding them. 

Preventing Squirrel Access to Food Around Your Home 

Deterring squirrels and preventing them from gaining a steady food supply in or around your home can save you from future headaches. Taking a proactive approach will empower you, keep your property and its inhabitants safer, and reduce the risk of harmful encounters.  

Securing Outdoor Food Sources 

Gardens and fruit trees can be a plentiful food source for these scampering critters. Consider installing cages or wire mesh to protect crops and plants. Pick up fallen fruit as soon as possible and remove bird feeders from close proximity to your home. You might also try natural squirrel repellents like hot sauce or placing thorny plants near those you want to protect to try to keep squirrels away. 

Physical Barriers to Keep Squirrels Out 

Protecting your property requires a comprehensive approach. Sealing entry points around outbuildings and your home, adding screens to chimneys and vents, and trimming tree branches at least eight feet from the roof can help. You might also consider installing Cat-Guard Wildlife Exclusion Systems, which are permanent, rigid barriers that offer safe, chemical-free protection for vulnerable structures. 

Professional Pest Control Solutions for Squirrel Problems 

If restricting food access, adding physical barriers, and implementing other DIY measures fail to remedy the situation, it’s time to call in the professionals. A DIY approach can often end up costing more than it’s worth along with soaking up lots of time and even potentially posing a danger. 

Long-Term Squirrel Management Strategies 

Long-term success requires a multi-faceted approach. Professionals have the expertise necessary to not only remove squirrels from your home, but also assess the situation and provide preventative recommendations. If squirrels get inside, you will also need thorough cleaning and disinfection, which technicians can provide after ensuring all wildlife has been evicted.  

For Assistance with Squirrels, Contact Catseye Pest Control 

Understanding the natural diet of squirrels and the types of foods that attract them is only the beginning. Stop feeding squirrels in your backyard and take the necessary steps to protect your home, property, and health. Contact Catseye today to learn more about our professional services or to schedule a free inspection to get started.  

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In keeping with our Halloween tradition of meeting bugs dressed in orange and black, this week we visit two beautiful and perhaps deadly denizens of milkweed, small and large milkweed bugs. These harlequin rascals were super abundant on my butterfly weed, Asclepias tuberosa, throughout summer and fall. Many insects that consume milkweed, such as monarch butterfly and milkweed tussock moth caterpillars, milkweed leaf beetles, and milkweed longhorned beetles we met in previous episodes, display vivid patterns of orange or red and black. Some, like monarch and tussock moth caterpillars, obtain noxious plant chemicals called cardiac glycosides, heart poisons that are sequestered in their bodies after consuming milkweed leaves. These poisons are distasteful to a wide range of predators and thwart attempted acts of predation by visually gifted hunters, including birds and praying mantises. The phenomenon of developing an easily recognizable color pattern by two or more nasty-tasting insects that share one or more common predators, is called Müllerian mimicry, so named for the visionary German naturalist Fritz Müller.

However, the milkweed leaf beetle (not to be confused with today’s subject, the milkweed bug) does not store noxious chemicals from the milkweed. Its scam is to wear orange and black, thereby dissuading enlightened predators from an attack once they have learned that “orange and black” spells “nasty meal.”  This type of mimicry, in which warning colors of a distasteful species like the monarch butterfly are copied by a tasty mimic like the milkweed leaf beetle, is called Batesian mimicry. The great English naturalist Henry Bates first described this form of mimicry while studying butterflies in Brazilian rainforests.

Whether dashing about on the ground or hiding within a curled seedpod, this mating pair of small milkweed bugs are inseparable despite some impatient foot tapping by the female.

Two other charter members of the Müllerian mimicry gang are small and large milkweed bugs, for they too store nocent cardiac glycosides after consuming the milkweed plants that serve as their source of food. This year was spectacular for milkweed bugs and my butterfly weeds generated hundreds. In spring and early summer, milkweeds thrived and produced early clusters of seeds mostly devoid of hungry milkweed bugs. Early in summer, only a few small milkweed bugs could be seen sneaking around the developing seed heads. However, by late summer and early autumn my milkweeds were colonized by teeming legions of beautiful large milkweed bugs. Where did the bugs come from and why did they suddenly appear well into the growing season?

Watch as recently hatched milkweed bug nymphs hiding in a seedpod develop into nymphs with ever-expanding wing buds, which finally transform into wings fit to power milkweed bugs to their southern wintering grounds.

Most people don’t realize that large milkweed bugs, like monarch butterflies, undergo annual migrations throughout much of the range of milkweeds, from southern states and Mexico where they spend the winter, to northern states and southern Canada where they spend the summer. Large milkweed bugs cannot survive winter’s chill in northern climes. Their annual migration south is triggered by shortening day length, cooling temperatures, and declining quality of milkweed plants as food. Titers of a glandular product called juvenile hormone signal the milkweed bug’s ovaries to take a “time-out”, and trigger flight behavior that transports the milkweed bug to warm southern lands where milkweeds grow. Once the southward migration is complete, juvenile hormone levels rise, ovaries are switched on, and reproduction resumes. In spring, the migratory pattern reverses and generations of large milkweed bugs leap-frog their way northward to colonize milkweeds as far north as Canada. Small milkweed bugs are more of the ‘we don’t like to travel much’ kind of an insect, and as such they eschew annual long distance migrations and stick around near home.  

As members of the seed bug clan, milkweed bugs insert a long slender beak into the ripening seeds within the developing pod. After injecting digestive enzymes into the seed, they suck liquefied food through the straw-like beak into their gut where nutrients will be used for growth, development, and reproduction. During her lifetime, the female large milkweed bug may lay up to 2,000 eggs. Small reddish-orange and black nymphs hatch from the eggs and eat seeds of milkweed. As nymphs grow and develop, small black wing buds become clearly visible on the body segments just behind the head. These wing buds enlarge as the insect feeds and molts, until the final transformation to the adult stage when wings are fully formed and ready for flight. With a killing frost on the pumpkins just around the corner, the last few nymphs remaining on my milkweed better hurry and earn their wings to begin their trek south before winter’s chill brings an end to their milkweed revelry.

A large milkweed bug grooms its antenna with its forelegs. The business end of the milkweed bug is its tubular beak. At rest it is stored beneath the body. To access nutrients, the needle-like mouthparts probe through the husk of the seed head to reach nutrient rich seeds within.

Bug of the Week hopes you are getting ready for a spooky and fun-filled Halloween!

Acknowledgements

The wonderful reference “The Pleasures of Entomology” by Howard Ensign Evans was used as a resource for this episode. “Secret weapons” by Thomas Eisner, Maria Eisner, and Melody Siegler; “Mantids and milkweed bugs: efficacy of aposematic coloration against invertebrate predators” by May Berenbaum and E. Miliczky; and “The Small Milkweed Bug, Lygaeus kalmii (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae): Milkweed Specialist or Opportunist?” by Al Wheeler, Jr., provided valuable insights into the mysterious ways of this week’s stars.

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A couple of weeks ago, I received an interesting picture, short video, and inquiry from a naturalist of a beautiful large beetle cavorting on her backyard deck in Sparks, Maryland. My friend, Stephanie, wondered if I knew the identity of this gorgeous female beetle. Indeed, I do know and hold in high esteem the rainbow dung beetle, the loveliest creature on earth to repurpose dung. Here’s a throwback to a story about Phanaeus vindex I did a few years ago.

Who’s that beetle strolling on the deck? None other than the beautiful rainbow dung beetle, recycler of dung. Video by Stephanie Dudek

While sitting in traffic on the Washington Beltway amidst the noise and pollution of rush hour traffic, I sometimes wonder about sights, sounds, and smells back in the day when horses and buggies transported folks through bucolic landscapes near the nation’s capitol. On a recent adventure to the great Kissimmee prairie in central Florida, I had the good fortune to witness a truly remarkable event that opened a window to times past when horses, mules, and oxen were the primary sources of transportation. While walking along a well-used bridle path and gingerly dodging piles of horse manure, I was delighted to see a beautiful beetle emerge from the soil, grapple with a clod of dung, and disappear with its prize beneath the earth. This creature, the rainbow dung beetle, is a relative of other scarabs such as the Hercules beetle we met in previous episodes. However, this species specializes in using dung as the source of food for its young. Shortly after a horse or other large animal relieves itself, male and female dung beetles arrive at the scene and cooperate in excavating burrows in the earth near the deposit. Portions of the dung are pushed and pulled into subterranean chambers were the female deposits eggs. After a few days, eggs hatch and the small larvae consume the nutrient rich dung. When their development is complete, the larvae form pupal chambers and later emerge from their galleries to seek fresh patties of dung for babes of their own.

On a bridal trail in central Florida, horses make a lot of dung. Watch as a male rainbow dung beetle emerges from a subterranean burrow where his mate awaits. After finding a pile of horse dung nearby, he sizes it up, gets in position, and uses his powerful legs and super strong horn to drive the dung back to the burrow. After entering the burrow, he pulls the dung underground where his bride will deposit eggs on the dung. Beetle grubs that hatch from these eggs will devour the dung as they grow into rather large larvae. After pupating, newly minted adult beetles will emerge and continue their work ridding the world of dung.

Dung beetles are generally considered highly beneficial by virtue of their ability to clean up after messy mammals. This highly desirable ecosystem service was clearly demonstrated in Australia. During colonial times, cattle were imported down under and after decades thousands of tons of dung accumulated, despoiling vast acreages of pasture and providing breeding sites for flies and parasitic worms. In a series of carefully designed programs, dung beetles were collected from several countries in Europe and Africa and raised in Australian quarantine facilities to ensure that no harmful hitch-hikers accompanied them.  After passing muster, the dung beetles were raised and released into the landscape to do what they do best – recycle dung. More than a million beetles representing some 20 species have been released for clean-up duty and the program is considered a resounding success.

Some good news, you do not need to visit Florida or Australia to discover dung beetles. They are relatively common in Maryland and were well known even in colonial times. One fascinating story of dung beetles in Maryland and their antics comes from the Callister papers written during the 1600’s. An excerpt from this account follows.

“A sort of Beetle; Their place of Rendezvous is always where fresh dung drops, and hundreds or two of them. One can hardly ease himself & turn about but he may see a hundred or more of ‘em roll themselves in the midst of it, & before tho there was not one to be seen before, & by the time he has button’d his breeches, turn again & is all gone; they join by pairs one lays an egg in the Dung & rolls it up into a ball the size of a marble & then another joins & sets to rolling it away like two sailors rolling a [Lhd.] of Tobacco one always before pulling along the other behind shoving with his hind feet, & thus they roll & scatter the dung about till they find a proper place where they dig a hole 2 or 3 foot in the Ground, which  may serve to manure the Ground, from whence the young one is produced in its proper time. Thus, our Air is preserved sweet in the summer, from the Infection of Dungs.”  

So, Stephanie and all the others whose air has been preserved by dung beetles, enjoy your good fortune, fresh air, and the opportunity to enjoy this beautiful creature.  

 Acknowledgements

 We thank Stephanie Dudek for images and video that provided the inspiration for this episode and Dr. Ellen Lawler for sharing the remarkable story of colonial dung beetles. Dr. Paula Shrewsbury took a great shot of a male rainbow dung beetle. The wonderful reference “Introduced Dung Beetles in Australia 1967-2007: current status and future directions” by Penny Edwards was also use in preparation of this week’s episode.

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Like termites, carpenter ants are often considered “silent destroyers.” However, these pests don’t actually eat wood. Instead, they tunnel through it to build their extensive network of colonies and nests. In the broader ecosystem, they provide a beneficial service by hastening the decomposition of dead and decaying trees. When they invade manmade structures, however, they can spell disaster.  

Catseye Pest Control has decades of experience helping properties of all types eliminate these destructive pests. Explore the details you need to know to identify carpenter ants, including signs of an infestation, and get tips for getting rid of them for good.  

Introduction to Carpenter Ants 

Carpenter ants are among the largest of the 600 species of ants found in the United States. They are found throughout the entire country and are particularly common in the North, where the cool, damp environment allows them to thrive. They are known as polymorphic insects because their colonies are made up of workers that vary in size, typically with just a single wingless queen. 

Importance of Proper Identification to Prevent Damage 

Carpenter ants cost property owners millions of dollars in repairs and control measures. If you don’t know how to distinguish these ants from their less destructive counterparts, you could easily brush off an ant sighting and potentially miss your opportunity to act quickly to contain the problem. Properly identifying carpenter ants inside homes, buildings, and other structures is essential to achieving control and halting potentially widespread damage. 

Size, Color, and Distinguishing Features of Carpenter Ants 

Various species of carpenter ants (Camponotus spp.) call the U.S. home. In New England, and in most of the Northeastern part of the country, Camponotus pennsylvanicus, with its large, shiny, black body, is the most common. You may also spot carpenter ants that sport a reddish-brown midsection. 

Color and size aren’t always reliable indicators because carpenter ant workers can vary in size. They may be black or red and black, with bodies typically reaching 3/8 to 1/2 inch in length. Queens often grow up to one inch long. 

One of the most distinguishing features is the carpenter ant’s body. These ants have a defined waist with a single petiole or node. If you look at a carpenter ant from the side, you will notice that the area behind their head, called the thorax, is evenly rounded. 

Carpenter Ants vs. Termites 

Late spring through early summer, mature males and females sprout wings and locate their mates. They mate in midair before the queen sheds her wings and finds a chamber to lay her eggs and build the nest. Winged carpenter ants look remarkably like winged termites. However, the two have distinct differences that you can use to differentiate them for proper identification. 

Key Differences in Appearance 

To figure out whether you are looking at a winged termite or a carpenter ant, consider three defining characteristics.

• Antennae: Termites have straight antennae, while carpenter ants feature segmented, elbowed antennae. 
• Waist: Termites have a relatively undefined, broad waist. Carpenter ants have a narrow, defined waist.  
• Wings: Both insects have two sets of wings. Termites’ wings are relatively the same shape and size, while carpenter ants have wings that are larger in front and smaller in the rear.  

Differences in Behavior and Nesting 

Both termites and carpenter ants love wood and are attracted to wood and moisture. However, what they do with that wood is another very telling differentiating factor. Termites consume wood and other cellulose-based products — consuming up to 2 percent of their body weight each day.  

In contrast, carpenter ants excavate the wood to create chambers to lay eggs and raise their young. Called “galleries,” these excavated areas are cleanly excavated and have smooth walls.

Common Places to Find Carpenter Ants 

Carpenter ants often seek wet or damaged wood, which allows them to easily begin their work of digging in to create nests. Unlike termites, they don’t randomly continue tunneling through wood. Instead, the damage is created as they expand their colonies and nesting galleries. Outdoors, the potential damage may not be an issue. Indoors as well as when they colonize structural elements outside, it can be problematic.  

Where Carpenter Ants Nest Indoors 

These destructive pests often enter buildings in various ways. They can climb in through any cracks and openings around windows or doors. They also crawl in through holes where utility lines and wires run from outside to the inside and along tree branches and shrub limbs. They can nest inside walls, in voids around bathtubs and sinks, under roofs, inside chimneys, and in crawl spaces. 

Outdoor Habitats 

Outside, carpenter ants nest in many types of wood. According to Mass Audobon, recent research shows that roughly 75 percent of carpenter ant nests are located inside dead trees. In this case, they play a beneficial role in the ecosystem as they break natural materials down. In addition to focusing on dead and decaying tree stumps and limbs, carpenter ants enjoy woodpiles, firewood, landscaping, and fence posts.

Signs of Carpenter Ant Infestation 

Knowing what these ants look like is only half the battle. Understanding the various signs that indicate a carpenter ant infestation is critical. When you know what to look for, you have better odds of catching an infestation early, which can help minimize damage and enhance control. Some signs of carpenter ant infestations include the following: 

Visible Ant Activity 

If you see live ants that are larger than normal, it may be worth investigating to determine where they are located. Carpenter ants often tunnel into wood with minimal signs of their presence. However, you might notice fragments of wood, piles of sawdust, or other debris outside of small openings in wood surfaces. 

Wood Damage  

Over time, the ants’ excavation within wooden structural elements can reduce the strength of those items. It can also invite further moisture damage, which also hastens softening of the wood and compromises structural integrity.

Early Infestation Prevention and Damage Control 

Left unnoticed, these silent excavators can create widespread damage to wooden structures. Catching infestations as early as possible is essential.  

Inspecting for Infestation 

The best course of action is to routinely perform a visual inspection of your home or building. Look for any small piles of sawdust or wood with tiny openings. 

Repairing Damaged Wood and Addressing Moisture Issues 

These pests need constant access to water. Therefore, when you get rid of standing water and eliminate moisture problems, you can effectively make your property less attractive. Likewise, because they are more likely to tunnel into already damaged wood, making prompt repairs of damaged wood can also be a tremendous help.  

When to Call a Professional 

You can try to resolve carpenter ant infestations on your own by using baits or targeted treatments as a DIY solution. However, if you notice signs of a serious infestation, you should call for professional help as soon as possible. Additionally, be aware that you may have both a main “parent” nest and one or more satellites that the ants can move between with ease. 

Recognizing the Severity of an Infestation 

In the earlier stages of infestations, the damage is relatively minimal. You might find one or two workers out and about as they search for food. Carpenter ants eat other insects, including live and dead insects. They also eat flowers, fruits, and household foods, particularly sweets. 

After the colony is established, you might find piles of what’s called frass, a mix of sawdust and insect parts. However, as the infestation proceeds, mature carpenter ants swarm, meaning they fly outside of the nest and appear on windows. With a severe infestation, you might notice warping of door or window frames, sloping floors, and sagging ceilings.

Professional Pest Control Solutions for Carpenter Ants 

Carpenter ant control can be more challenging than you might think. The odds are high that the damage could be extensive before the ants are noticed. Additionally, finding the nesting sites and effectively eliminating them is mission critical.  

Catseye’s carpenter ant treatment protocol involves a multifaceted treatment plan, starting with identifying the pests and locating the colony. Afterward, technicians inject materials into the nest and use bait treatments. Spot treatment and damage repair and clean-up help restore the property and your peace of mind.  

Contact Catseye Pest Control for Help with Carpenter Ants 

Catseye understands the challenges carpenter ants pose and the serious nature of the damage. We will partner with you to ensure we get rid of these pests once and for all with two treatments spaced 10 days apart. Contact Catseye Pest Control today to learn more about our services or to schedule an inspection to get started.  

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With the arrival of pumpkin patches and the Halloween season, it’s time to feature one pretty moth dressed in Halloween colors and one beautiful but dastardly invader, both with a fondness for Tree of Heaven (TOH).  First, let’s meet the ermine moth, Atteva aurea, and its larva known as ailanthus webworm. This southern moth made its way north with the arrival of a host plant, TOH from Asia. Many of you may be familiar with Betty Smith’s wonderful tale “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.” This novel chronicles a young girl’s triumph over childhood hardships and poverty in a Brooklyn neighborhood. The tree that grows in Brooklyn is the irrepressible TOH, Ailanthus altissima, a stalwart thriving in the most dismal of urban environments. In Smith’s novel it serves as metaphor for the girl’s resilience in the face of adversity as she survives the tribulations of childhood. Tree of Heaven hails from Asia but was introduced in 1784 to a garden in Philadelphia. In the United States it now ranges from coast to coast and border to border. Several Canadian provinces have also been invaded by TOH. TOH is reviled as an invasive species throughout much of its range due to its ability to thrive in the worst of sites and to displace native vegetation. In addition to being the host of a drop-dead gorgeous giant silk moth, the Cynthia moth, its woody tissues, leaves, and seeds serve as food for nefarious invasive species including spotted lanternfly and brown marmorated stink bugs we met in previous episodes.

What does this segue have to do with ailanthus webworm? Here’s the story. Ranging from the rainforests in Central America to states in the southern US are trees in the plant family known as Simaroubaceae. In the wilds of Florida, glossy leaves of beautiful native Paradise trees, Simarouba glauca, serve as a food source for ailanthus webworm caterpillars. It just so happens that TOH is also a member of the Simaroubaceae. When TOH gained its Philadelphia freedom and moved south and west, it came into contact with other members of the Simaroubaceae. Ailanthus webworm took a liking to TOH and added ailanthus to its carte du jour. TOH now serves as fine dining for these snaky caterpillars that build silken webs on leaves of ailanthus in late summer and early autumn here in the DMV. In several northern states, ailanthus webworms appear late in the temperate growing season. Apparently, ailanthus webworm favors a southern climate. Winters in northern states are just a bit too chilly to support its survival. Like monarch butterflies, milkweed bugs, and fritillary butterflies we met before, the adult stage of ailanthus webworms, magnificent ermine moths, are vagabonds. Each year they migrate from winter redoubts in the south to reach TOH in northern states on which to lay eggs. In a warming world, some experts predict that ailanthus webworm will be able to survive in more northerly states, thereby expanding its range.

Small Tree of Heaven saplings can be shredded and killed by ailanthus webworm caterpillars. These snaky rascals writhe inside their webs. Ah, but the adult stage, a pretty ermine moth, pollinates wildflowers in summer and autumn. Although a bane to grape growers and a nuisance to others, prolonged, high-density infestations of lanternflies drain nutrients from Tree of Heaven. Some like these may be killed by spotted lanternflies, or from lethal teamwork by one native and one non-native herbivore.

In addition to ailanthus webworm, TOH is assaulted by its ancient acquaintance from Asia, the spotted lanternfly. Back in China, spotted lanternflies spent millions of years “learning” how to cope with TOH’s defenses and exploit nutritious phloem sap as a source of food. In late summer and autumn, hundreds, maybe even thousands of spotted lanternfly nymphs and adults can be found draining nutrients from the branches and trunks of TOH. With persistent infestations and vast numbers, lanternflies can be lethal to invasive TOH according to scientists at Penn State.  

With young TOH under siege from ailanthus webworm and established TOH assaulted by sap-sucking lanternflies, we might hold hope that these two herbivores may kill some or many TOH and help thwart the ecological impacts of TOH in our natural and managed ecosystems.

Acknowledgements

The interesting articles, “A review of the New World Atteva Walker moths (Yponomeutidae, Attevinae)” by Vitor O. Becker, “Spotted Lanternfly Frequently Asked Questions” by Heather Leach, and “Michigan insects in the garden – Season 2 Week 8: Ermine moths” by David Lowenstein were used as references for this episode.

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Earlier this year we met fantastic fireflies. They appeared to enjoy a very good year in many parts of the DMV, including my yard in Columbia, MD. In addition to serving as a way to find a mate, the bioluminescence of fireflies also serves as a warning signal to predators. Attacking this tempting, flashy meal could turn out to be a nasty surprise. You see, many species of fireflies are chemically protected and rendered unpalatable by noxious chemicals known as lucibufagins. Last week while enjoying a moonlit stroll along the towpath of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal which boarders the mighty Potomac River, eerie green lights winked on and off amongst the vegetation. Upon closer inspection, the source of this spectral display turned out to be generated by the immature stages of fireflies, larvae called glow-worms. Unlike the vivid light produced by adult fireflies, the C&O glow-worms produced an intermittent spark of soft, greenish light. Judging by their size, these largish larvae were likely the offspring of fireflies that deposited eggs in the soil during the summer of 2023. Many glow-worms in our region require two summers to develop.

Along a towpath bordering the banks of the mighty Potomac River, eerie green lights on the ground mark the location of glow-worms. The red dot is produced by the video camera. Light is produced by white luminescent organs beneath the abdomen of the larva. Daylight gives us a better look at the fast-moving glow-worm. Watch as a pair of glow-worms feast on an earthworm. Neurotoxins injected into the worm through sharp hollow jaws immobilize the prey. Digestive enzymes secreted by the larva liquify the worm’s tissues, and then the glow-worms slurp their liquid feast. Glow-worms help rid our gardens of pests like slugs, snails, and other soil-dwelling insect pests.

We all have heard the tales of fireflies using distinct patterns and colors of luminescent flashes to recognize and find mates. But why would juvenile beetle larvae engage in flashy displays? These youngsters were obviously too young for the adult firefly mating game. Scientists discovered that immature stages of fireflies, glow-worms, like their adult counterparts, are also distasteful to many kinds of predators including ants, birds, rodents and amphibians. Their eerie flashing lights serve as a warning to hungry would-be predators not to attempt an attack unless they desire nasty tasting meal. Paired luminescent organs on the underside of the glow-worm’s abdomen produce the green light, which serves as a warning.

In addition to being a little creepy and pretty cool, glow-worms are highly beneficial in your garden and in crops where they eat many soft-bodied invertebrates including slugs, snails, and other soil-dwelling insect pests. I invited a pair of glow-worms into my home to spend a little time with me. Over the course of several days, they consumed many types of prey, including maggots and earthworms. Some of the earthworms were quite large and I wondered how they wrangled large prey. It turns out that glow-worms use sharp hollow jaws to inject prey with paralyzing neurotoxins. Once immobilized, digestive enzymes are secreted via their mouthparts into the victim to help liquify its body tissues. The resulting nutrient rich broth is then slurped up into the larva’s digestive tract. Yum!

If you enjoyed fireflies in your landscape this summer, consider taking a walk outdoors on a starlit night and maybe you will be treated to the ethereal light of the glow-worms in your lawn or flower bed.

Acknowledgements

Bug of the Week thanks Dr. Shrewsbury for providing text used in this episode and wrangling glow-worms featured herein. The fascinating writings “Bioluminescence in Firefly Larvae: A Test of the Aposematic Display Hypothesis (Coleoptera:Lampyridae)” by Todd J. Underwood, Douglas W. Tallamy, and John D. Pesek, and “ Glow-worm larvae bioluminescence (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) operates as an aposematic signal upon toads (Bufo bufo)” by Raphael De Cock and Erik Matthysen, “Flash Signal Evolution, Mate Choice, and Predation in Fireflies” by Sara M. Lewis and Christopher K. Cratsley, “How to Overcome a Snail? Identification of Putative Neurotoxins of Snail-Feeding Firefly Larvae (Coleoptera: Lampyridae, Lampyris noctiluca)” by Jonas Krämer, Patrick Hölker, and Reinhard Predel, and “For the love of insects” by Thomas Eisner served as resources for this Bug of the Week.

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Health code violations can really make you lose your appetite. Restaurant owners and food service operators have a hefty responsibility that goes beyond serving delicious food. They also bear the burden of protecting public health and preventing the spread of foodborne illnesses.

That’s why dealing with mice infestations in restaurants is such a serious proposition. Not only can a restaurant get shut down for mice and other serious health violations, but it can also suffer lasting damage to its reputation.

Introduction to Mice Infestations in Restaurants 

Mice are so much more than their beady, inquisitive eyes and curious, adaptable outlooks. These pests are a true public health hazard. In addition to posing a serious risk of contamination, mice also breed quickly. A single house mouse, one of the most common species, can have up to 48 babies per year. This means that a relatively small infestation can quickly grow into a large-scale problem that puts your employees, customers, and business in danger.

Overview of the Risks Posed by Mice in Food Establishments 

Mice are sometimes called “commensal rodents,” a term that means “sharing one’s table.” And that’s the last place you want to catch sight of these critters in a restaurant setting. Still, restaurants offer the ideal environment for scavenging critters searching for food and water. One of the most problematic concerns is the potential for mice to contaminate foods and surfaces. Although they are relatively small, these pests can create a big mess, leaving droppings everywhere they go. 

Potential Legal and Health Implications 

Lawsuits, legal fees, and fines — oh my. The ramifications of a mouse infestation can add up quickly. Sickened patrons may choose to bring legal action against the establishment. If they don’t, city inspectors may levy substantial fines. If the infestation is widespread and accompanied by other violations like a lack of sanitation, the restaurant could be temporarily shut down.

Health Risks Associated with Mice Infestations 

The presence of mice is a major food safety issue. They often chew on all types of materials, including insulation, structural elements, and even wiring. As problematic as that is, it still doesn’t dim the spotlight on food safety issues and public health concerns.

Diseases and Contaminants Spread by Mice 

Mouse droppings, urine, and saliva can spread dozens of dangerous pathogens and contaminants on surfaces and food itself. The health risks of mice in food establishments include the risk of spreading diseases such as: 

• Salmonella, a bacterial illness that affects more than 1.35 million Americans every year, and causes symptoms like fever, vomiting, headache, and diarrhea (sometimes bloody) 
• Hantavirus, a virus that can affect the lungs and become severe if left untreated 
• Leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that can cause fever, yellowing of the skin and eyes, and stomach problems like diarrhea and pain 
• Hemorrhagic fever, a virus caused by hantavirus that can have severe effects on the kidneys 
• Tularemia, a bacterial illness that can cause skin ulcers, swelling of the glands, sore throats, and fevers 

Impact on Food Safety and Public Health 

Did you know that mice and their larger rodent relatives, rats, spoil tons of food every year? In fact, they destroy enough to feed at least 200 million people annually. Mice can squeeze through tiny openings, making it likely that they will scamper throughout all areas of the restaurant. They may break into the pantry and rifle through dry goods. They may also contaminate other food items, prep areas, and dining spaces. 

Health Inspection Criteria and Mice 

The responsibility of maintaining safe, pest-free conditions rests on the shoulders of restaurant owners and staff. Customers put their trust in eateries’ abilities to do their due diligence in preventing spoilage and contamination. The health inspection process is essential for local health departments to ensure restaurants follow best practices in food handling, storage, and maintaining safe, sanitary conditions.

That includes keeping the restaurant — both front and back of house — pest-free and following necessary preventive measures. 

What Inspectors Look for During Evaluations 

Some of the primary areas health inspectors look for include proper food storage at optimal temperatures, personal hygiene of the staff, and cross-contamination prevention. Inspectors will walk through the premises and assess various aspects of food service, the cooking environment and practices, and sanitation.

Specific to mice and other rodents, inspectors typically look for: 

• Doors propped open and other entry points mice can slip through 
• Signs of mice, including droppings and gnaw marks on packaging or food items 
• Live or dead mice 
• Protocols in place to reduce risks of infestations (i.e., proper food storage, regular cleaning, pest inspection/treatment records) 

Criteria That Could Lead to Restaurant Closure 

Evidence of mice or other pests is typically considered a critical violation. These violations represent a high risk of foodborne illnesses. Any presence of pests will cost a restaurant points, which can impact their grade and the frequency of future inspections.

However, a major infestation could lead to the restaurant’s immediate closure due to mice (and any other pests infesting the premises.

Consequences of Failing a Health Inspection 

Failing an inspection can lead to immediate problems, including fines and loss of revenue. In the long-term, it can also cost restaurants customers and trust among potential patrons.

Immediate and Long-Term Consequences 

Fines can range from $200 to $500 or more, depending on the nature of the violations, the extent of the infestation, and the number of offenses. Other potential ramifications include: 

• Lost revenue due to closure, which will last until the issue is remedied 
• Corrective expenses 
• Permit fees and fees for follow-up health inspections 
• Increased inspection frequency
• Negative impact on the brand and its reputation 
• Negative publicity and bad reviews can lead to long-term customer losses 

Examples of Restaurants Affected by Mice 

Mice are a nationwide issue for restaurants. A few recent headlines underscore the seriousness with which food establishments everywhere must approach pest management and prevention. 

In June 2024, CBS News reported a horrifying instance of mice in a restaurant. A woman eating in a Pennsylvania restaurant videoed more than a dozen mice falling first on her and then in a bathroom sink. The restaurant immediately began working with pest management professionals and local health inspectors to correct the issue. As a result, they passed a subsequent inspection and did not get shut down due to mice. However, the impact on the eatery’s reputation will likely take time to correct.

A year prior, Baltimore’s health department shut down a downtown restaurant because of mice. A food blogger recorded their experience visiting the eatery. Within minutes of being seated, they saw several live mice. After uploading the video onto a popular social media platform, the city’s health department noticed and took action. The restaurant was immediately shut down and tasked with correcting violations and passing a re-inspection. 

Effective Strategies to Manage and Prevent Mice Infestations 

A proactive approach is critical. Focusing on prevention and taking all necessary steps to remain compliant with health codes requires an investment of time and money. It’s essential to train staff and potentially invest in commercial exclusion systems, which provide a long-term, chemical-free barrier to protect vulnerable areas.

In contrast, a reactive strategy is like taking a “wait and see” approach. The danger of this is once restaurant owners and staff see a mouse, the likelihood of customers seeing one is significant.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Approaches 

Integrated pest management (IPM) focuses on prevention, maintenance, and effective treatments with minimal impact on human and environmental health. It is vital to make the area unattractive to mice by following strict sanitation protocols. Other important steps include storing food properly and promptly making repairs. IPM takes a multi-faceted approach, which includes: 

• Cultural control (making the area less attractive to pests) 
• Physical control (sealing entry points and physically removing them) 
• Chemical control (administering treatments; used typically as a “last resort”) 

Professional Pest Control Solutions 

Partnering with seasoned professionals with expertise in commercial services and restaurant pest control can make all the difference. Working with the right company can help ensure restaurants prevent infestations and catch potential problems early thanks to regular inspections. It’s also an effective strategy to remain compliant with health codes and maintain a healthy, thriving restaurant business.

Maintaining Compliance and Preventing Future Infestations 

Correcting the issues and putting measures in place to prevent any future infestations or health code violations is an excellent starting point. Recovery hinges on the restaurant’s ability to pass re-inspection and begin rebuilding its image.

Regular Inspections and Staff Training 

Read up on all the health inspection criteria for restaurants and create a checklist to ensure every point is accounted for on a go-forth basis. Likewise, implement routine inspections to catch any potential areas the restaurant may need to address before it becomes a widespread issue.

Staff training regarding personal hygiene (handwashing, etc.), food storage, sanitation, and restaurant operating procedures is crucial. New hires should receive thorough training, and all staff should receive periodic refreshers. Consider investing in ServSafe training and certification to maintain the highest-level standards possible.

Creating a Pest Control Plan 

The goal is no more mice, rats, or other pests. Your restaurant may not recover from a second health department shutdown.

Having a comprehensive pest control plan in place is important. It not only ensures you are taking all preventative steps possible, but also ensures regular monitoring and inspections to catch issues before they become violations.

Recovery and Rebuilding Trust After an Infestation 

An industry survey revealed that restaurants with pests, including mice, will likely lose some loyal and potential customers. More than half of diners will report the experience on the internet. Additionally, 76 percent of survey respondents indicated they would never return. Rebuilding trust with customers and the community is essential to moving forward and becoming a flourishing business again.

Steps to Reopen After Closure 

Dealing with mice infestations in restaurants can be serious, and how you respond can make or break the future of the establishment. Some steps to take include: 

• Review the inspector’s report and create an action plan 
• Address the violations immediately to eliminate mice and any other issues inspectors uncovered 
• Train (and periodically retrain) staff to ensure everyone understands standard operating procedures 
• Implement best practices to prevent future infestations and begin rebuilding employee and customer trust

Rebuilding Customer Trust 

Rebuilding trust takes time. It begins by taking accountability, being honest and forthright, and letting customers know about the restaurant’s steps to fix the problem. Continue working toward staying inspection-ready, including working with a professional pest control company.

Contact Catseye Pest Control to Help Your Restaurant Stay Mice Free 

Can a restaurant get shut down for mice? The short answer is yes. Restaurants have a heavy responsibility to maintain a safe environment that reduces the risk of foodborne illnesses. Protect your customers, employees, and business by partnering with industry-leading experts. Catseye Pest Control has decades of experience and expertise in commercial pest control and using IPM to keep restaurants pest-free. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule a free inspection to get started.

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Despite my profound fondness for almost all things six-legged, a 4:30 am wake-up call courtesy of a field cricket in the bathroom did make me a bit peevish. It also heralded the vanguard of the usual annual invasion of arthropods that assault my home each autumn. With sleep seriously disturbed, I seized the opportunity to see how well chirps of this diminutive troubadour tracked ambient temperature. Here’s the backstory of how it works. As you know, insects are cold blooded. Their body temperature is more or less the same as the environment that surrounds them unless the insect is basking in the sun or using muscles to elevate its temperature like the dobsonfly we met in a previous episode. Many years ago, a noted entomologist, Richard Alexander, demonstrated a simple relationship between ambient temperature and the how often a field cricket chirped. Simply count the number of chirps in 15 seconds, add 37, and you will approximate the ambient temperature in degrees Fahrenheit. Although I tracked down the diminutive troubadour behind the toilet, he developed a severe case of stage-fright when he saw the camera and refused to perform. Undeterred from my quest, I slipped on a pair of crocs and went outside where a complete ensemble of field crickets chirped away in the flower bed. Darkness prevented visual contact with the crickets but their songs were loud and easily recorded. I selected two singers and recorded each 20 times at intervals of 15 seconds. A rather warm-blooded cricket averaged 34 chirps per 15 seconds which estimated the temperature to be 71 degrees (34 + 37 = 71). Nearby a cooler cat reported in with 28 chirps per 15 seconds, estimating the temperature to be 65 (28 + 37 = 65). A digital thermometer placed on the ground in the flower bed showed an ambient temperature of 69 degrees. One cricket too warm, one cricket too cool, but when you take the average, just as like in Goldilocks and the three bears, the average cricket estimate of 68 was just about right.  

While my sleep-interrupted cricket failed to perform, on another occasion a less shy field cricket was happy to tell me the temperature inside my home. Watch the accompanying video to see how well he estimated the temperature on my kitchen counter. 

This little field cricket demonstrates his skill at helping humans estimate ambient temperatures. Counting the number of chirps in 15 seconds and adding 37 provides an estimate of ambient temperature. Let’s see how well this works: 32 chirps plus 37 equals 69 degrees Fahrenheit. My digital thermometer read 73 degrees above the kitchen counter. Maybe this little guy was just a cool customer.  

Although some might think so, helping humans figure out ambient temperature is unlikely the reason why crickets chirp. A few years ago, I tracked two male crickets, one of which was missing a hind leg, and a nearby female cricket. Never one to stand in the way of romance, I captured the trio and placed them in a small terrarium. Within moments the smaller male, the five-legged fellow named Pete, challenged his cohabitant, Bud, to a duel that resulted in boisterous chirping, snapping of jaws, and grappling with forelegs. The more aggressive Bud soon vanquished his challenger and Pete retreated to a quiet corner of the terrarium. Crickets battle for food and mates and chirping is a part of this. For centuries Chinese gamblers have wagered high stakes on the outcome of cricket fights. An interesting trick used by the cricket handlers to resuscitate losers of bouts is to shake the defeated warriors and toss them in the air several times. This dramatically reduces the recovery time and allows the small combatants to return to the arena in minutes rather than the regular convalescent period of hours or days. A study published in Nature confirmed the success of this therapy in helping defeated crickets regain their fighting spirit. 

In addition to wooing mates, some cricket chirps warn interlopers to get lost!

Rather than interrupt Nature’s course, I allowed Pete to sulk in the corner. Shortly after his victory, Bud initiated a series of soft chirps and his efforts were soon rewarded by a visit from Wendy, the demure female cricket. What useful information is carried in the male cricket’s song other than the typical male plea for female attention?  A fascinating study by two Finnish scientists of the Mediterranean field cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus, found a link between the male cricket’s song and his immune response. Troubadours with a highly attractive song also had superior immune systems. If the ability to ward off diseases due to superior immune function is passed along to progeny, then females that choose a mate with an enhanced immune system may ensure better survival of their offspring. By demonstrating his superior immune system with a song, the male cricket may win the lady. 

One last thought about the cricket and his song relates to Old Man Winter, whose return brings much insect activity to a grinding halt. Once winter’s chill arrives and temperatures plummet, crickets will not be chirping at all. So, now is a great time to enjoy songs of crickets, day and night, maybe even those reverberating from troubadours in the bathroom.               

Acknowledgements 

The following articles were used in preparation for this Bug of the Week: “Courtship song and immune function in the field cricket Gryllus bimaculatus” by Markus Rantala and Raine Kortet, “Aggressiveness recovers much faster in male crickets forced to fly after a defeat” by Hans A. Hofmann and Paul A. Stevenson, and “Seasonal and daily chirping cycles in the northern spring and fall field crickets Gryllus veletis and Gryllus pennsylvanicus” by Richard Alexander and Gerald Meral.

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