While some people may view wasps as a pest, they actually may be helpful.
Vermont greenhouse farmers recently used this bug to help kill plant pests such as aphids. You can actually purchase wasps in a vial for only $40, thanks to a recent decline in price. For farmers like the Boyds, wasps are a natural solution to a big problem, and are much cheaper than pesticides.
The type of wasps used to control aphids don't harm humans. Instead, their main job is to attack the aphids. The wasps will inject the aphids they find with an ovipositor, which places a wasp egg inside the aphid. Once the egg hatches, the small wasp larvae feed on the insides of the aphid, slowly killing it. It's just as effective as a pesticide, but more natural.
According to Green Methods, the wasps used in this process are only about 2 to 3 millimeters in size, and can attack more than 40 different types of aphids. If there is a strong wasp presence, they may be able to completely control the crop production. Once the parasites are inside the greenhouse, they can inject each aphid with more than 200 eggs. After hatching, the wasps slow down the movement of the aphid until they stop completely.
DJ Boyd, a farmer on the land, noted to The Deerfield Valley News that using wasps may help his farm become organic.
"We aren't using the systemics or the aerosols anymore in the greenhouses. We are not organically certified yet, but I am hoping that we will grow into that," Boyd stated to the publication.
Boyd noted that his farmers locate the aphids using sticky traps that identify hot spots of them in the greenhouses. Though Boyd admitted they still have to use some insecticides and soap to control the aphids, they don't have to use nearly as much thanks to the wasps.
Boyd has also tried to breed his own wasps using ones hatched inside aphids. He placed the larvae in a cage, let them develop and then released them into the greenhouse. This process, known as banker plant systems, can be a very smart way to recycle your resources without paying a lot of money. However, Boyd noted it was a time-consuming project so he decided to continue buying them instead, given the price drop.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
