What's That Buzz About?

Did you know their buzz can be heard a mile away, and that some of them can live for 17 years? While they do not bite or sting and they don't destroy crops like locusts, what's that obnoxious buzz all about? 

What is a cicada?

Only heard in the eastern woodlands of the United States, cicadas live a lifespan from 4 to 17 years. As larvae, cicadas live most of their lives underground until they emerge for a period of 2-6 weeks as adults. There are two distinct types of cicada - the annual and the periodical. Interestingly enough, all periodical cicadas emerge from the ground at the same time in one location. Depending on species, the emergence can happen every 13 or every 17 years. On the other hand, there are Annual cicadas which emerge year after year from late June to August. 

Periodical cicadas can have green or red eyes while the annual cicadas typically are found having black.

What do cicadas eat?

Not to be confused with locusts, cicadas do not cause a loss in crops or vegetation of any kind. Cicadas feed on plant juices when below the ground but upon emerging adult cicadas do not eat at all.

So, what's with the buzzing?

The buzzing sound cicadas make is for one thing only - to attract other cicadas. Male cicadas create the dramatic and whirling buzz to attract more males, as well as females, to an area for the single purpose of mating. After mating, females deposit eggs in slits they cut along branches  then die. Once the eggs hatch, the orphaned cicadas go down into the ground all to emerge in 4-17 years. As for the annual cicadas, obviously, they return again year after year. An interesting insect to say the least!

Top 3 Most Abundant Insects

Beetles

Flies

Ants

Beetles make up the largest portion of the food chain. Beetles have a hard shell covering them, wings and many species can fly very well. They are found in all parts of the world with about 25000 species.

With 20000 different species of flies, most people don’t know they can only eat liquids because they have no teeth. Although flies can consume tiny, soft granular-like items but only after they are broken down into a liquid.

The Hymenoptera family of insects are the sawflies, bees, ants, and wasps. They make up around 18000 species. These top 3 insects make up around 53,000 species of insects found throughout the world. 

Centipedes vs. Millipedes

Centipedes and millipedes are certainly considered two of the most revered household pests with their long slender bodies and numerous legs, and, how they suddenly appear out of nowhere. Centipedes can move quickly while most millipedes take their time but, how can you tell the difference between the two? And, can either bite or sting? 

Millipedes are actually less threatening, not venomous, and will more than likely curl up into a ball in defense.

Differences between millipedes and centipedes:
Centipedes have one set of legs per each body segment, and millipedes have two.
Centipedes have long antennae while millipedes have shorter.
Along with antennae, centipedes have long legs allowing them to move quickly than millipedes.

Symptoms of a Centipede Pinch
According to the United States Library of Health Medicine, the 3 most common symptoms of a centipede pinch are:

• Pain in the area of the pinch
• Swelling in the area of the pinch
• Redness in the area of the pinch

Crickets Can Save Your Life

Crickets will save your life and the environment soon!

If you haven't heard by now crickets are the future of food and not just as a snack. Turns out crickets are high in protein and packed full of nutrients. In addition to being a healthy food choice, they are sustainable and environmental-friendly to produce as a food over any other meat manufactured. Crickets are beginning to emerge in our food supply everywhere. You can find cricket meal and flour. You can have fried, dipped or dried crickets as a tasty snack. You can choose from cricket granola or have them as a trail mix with brown sugar and maple. 

After hearing the truth about crickets I decided to try them for myself. All I can say is I welcome them into our future. I tried the simple and plain salted crickets as a snack and honestly... they tasted just like a saltine cracker. 

The Psychological Effects Of Bed Bugs In Our Lives

If you haven't ever felt unwelcome in your own home you will with a bed bug infestation! Bud bugs are probably the most feared pest in recent years. Imagine waking up in the middle of the night to find bed bugs feeding on you.  Worse yet, think about trying to go to sleep at night with the thought of your kids being fed on. Could you even walk into your own house knowing bed bugs are hiding somewhere just waiting for you to fall asleep? Living in a home with bed bugs is certainly no way for anyone to live.

Over the years I have spoken to our customers, listened carefully, and truly felt their fears with them. By far, the one thing I have heard from everyone is how quickly we brought them peace of mind. By following bed bug prevention guidelines and hiring a professional at the first sign is the most effective way to ensure a good night’s sleep. Feeling safe and secure in your home is essential for optimum wellness in your life.

A bed bug infestation isn’t just an inconvenience for you and your family or an unexpected expense – they can provoke a psychological impact on you for a long time. So, if you're worried about the cost, health risks, or the lack of sleep, give us a call so we can bring you the peace of mind you deserve. Let Gladhill Services check out the situation for you and determine the best way to handle it. 

Check out this video of a technician discovering a bed bug infestation in a living room chair.

Gladhill Services finds bed bugs in living room furniture

Christmas Tree Pests

efore you grab that Christmas tree be sure it's not home to unwanted pests this holiday season.

Freshly cut Christmas trees not only liven the holiday spirit, they may be a direct way for insects, mites, and spiders to enter your home. When brought inside, some insects may remain on the inner trunk of the tree never being noticed but, others may come out to venture around your home once they feel warm temperatures inside. Most insects remain on the tree for winter hibernation while some may be attracted to light fixtures and windows. Following a few preventive steps can help ensure you won't introduce them into your home this holiday season.

Mechanical tree shakers
These are very useful in removing insects and nests from trees. If not done when purchasing your Christmas Tree, shake the tree vigorously before setting up inside for the holidays as this will serve the same purpose.

Bird nests, although considered decorative by some people, bird nests may contain mites and lice. Any nests should be removed by hand if not by mechanical or hand shaking.

Natural Aerosol sprays can be sprayed on the Christmas tree.
There are many useful and natural aerosol products you can easily find to spray directly into the tree. With having no residual and being natural, these products quickly repel any insect that may be hiding within your tree. Your tree will be safe to set up inside shortly after you spray them. 

Vacuum cleaners
Vacuums work very well by removing insects that may collect on walls, floors or ceilings. Quickly remove nesting debris, eggs, cocoons and live insects this way. 

A Christmas tree may be home to numerous structural, environmental and landscape pests like adelgids, wooly adelgids, aphids, bark beetles, mites, chiggers, ticks, fleas, praying mantids, scale insects, psocids, and spiders. The odds of finding all the listed pests on your Christmas tree this year is slim but, sometimes one or more may have made a home in it. So follow these holiday hacks to limit any pest problem this holiday season. 

Dangers In Raking Leaves

As kids, we jumped in piles of leaves that seemed larger than life. As adults, raking leaves into piles is a chore we would rather do without. Be it an autumn chore or natural fun - there may be dangers lurking in those piles. Most insects you find in leaf piles are harmless but, some may not be.

Spiders

Spiders prey on all types of insects - many of them get raked into piles of leaves. Most spiders are harmless but, brown recluse and black widow spiders may pose harm to you or the kids. Wear gloves when disposing of fallen leaves to avoid a potential bite. Black widows can typically be found near wood so it's natural for trees and fallen leaves to possibly harbor them. 

Snakes

When it comes to snakes most would quickly slither away from activity but, copperheads blend into the leaves well. In defense or mistakenly, copperheads may strike when disturbed so be cautious if piles of leaves have been left go overnight. It's best to dispose of leaves as you rake them into piles. 

Ticks

You may believe that as temperatures fall ticks wouldn't be of concern but, they are. Deer ticks transmit Lyme disease if they attach themselves to you and go undetected for some time. Leaf piles can become a refuge for these ticks and other types. Wear long sleeved and bright colored shirts, hoodies and pants to protect yourself. Ticks usually prefer taller grass and thick brush to hide in so keep your lawn trimmed and remove any dense foliage from plants. This will go a long way in helping to prevent ticks in your leaf piles.

Centipedes

Aggressive predators, centipedes love leaf litter and this means piles of leaves. Centipedes live and remain mostly at ground level making them the ultimate potential hazard in piles of leaves. Some species are venomous can can deliver a painful bite that may cause an allergic reaction in some people. Again, wear gloves to avoid harm.

It is best to rake leaves into piles then immediately bag them up and put out for removal. By removing fallen leaves this way you are taking the proper steps to avoid potentially harmful situations. Prevention of pests goes a long way. For further questions or concerns about pests problems this fall call us at 717-597-1040.