The nation’s capital is facing a spiraling rat infestation. Fueled by mild winters and a human population boom, rats are sparking a record number of calls to Washington’s pest control department. The local government is struggling to keep pace while boosting the department’s funding and staffing. Experts say the real problem is the increase in trash produced by Washington’s growing … Read More
Utahns urged to check Christmas trees for invasive species (via DeseretNews.com)
The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food is urging Utahns to check their Christmas trees for invasive insects — particularly the gypsy moth and pine shoot beetle. Source: DeseretNews.com
Ponca City Schools addressing bed bug rumors (via KFOR.com)
PONCA CITY, Okla. – An Oklahoma school district is addressing rumors on social media about bed bugs in some schools. Officials with the Ponca City Public School District released a statement on social media on Wednesday, saying that a pest control company has been hired to investigate the claims. Source: KFOR.com
Alliance school district finds bedbug (via Akron Beacon Journal)
ALLIANCE — The Alliance School District closed down a classroom Wednesday after the discovery of a bedbug.Superintendent Jeffery Talbert said the Source: Akron Beacon Journal
Ant Colonies Retain Memories That Outlast the Lifespans of Individuals (via Smithsonian)
An ant colony can thrive for decades, changing its behavior based on past events even as individual ants die off every year or so Source: Smithsonian
Buzz! Slap! Ow! Taking the virus out of a mosquito's bite (via ScienceDaily)
They approach with the telltale sign — a high-pitched whine. It’s a warning that you are a mosquito’s next meal. But that mosquito might carry a virus, and now the virus is in you. Now, with the help of state-of-the-art technology, researchers can See how a virus moves within a mosquito’s body, which could lead to the prevention of mosquitoes … Read More
Montgomery County reports first West Nile-related death of 2018 (via KPRC)
A woman in her 60s is the first Montgomery County resident to die from the West Nile virus this year, health officials said Wednesday. Source: KPRC
Fresh Christmas trees can be crawling with spiders, mites and other bugs: What you need to know (via Fox News)
A look at some of the insects that can be found on Christmas trees and what to do if you find them. Source: Fox News
Researchers are turning bumblebees into live drones (via CNBC)
Engineers at the University of Washington have created a sensor small enough to ride aboard a bumblebee. It can monitor temperature, humidity and crop health for seven hours at a stretch. Source: CNBC
Health and Wellness – Stop the spread of bed bugs (via Dallas County News)
The Dallas County Health Department occasionally receives calls asking about bed bugs, which are insects that feed on the blood of animals and people. Bed Source: Dallas County News
