Pestology Blog
Pest Control Science, Explained
NPMA’s Pestology blog was created with the pest management professional in mind. The pest control industry is driven by science, but often the newest scientific discoveries are not easily digestible. With that in mind, NPMA's entomologists set off to read all of the latest pest management scientific articles and break them down for you!
Meet the Entomologists: Mike Bentley, Laura Rosenwald, and Ellie Sanders
These posts often accompany episodes of our podcast, NPMA BugBytes. If you would like to hear more live discussions about the articles with our hosts and guest stars, take a listen!
Read the Latest Blog Posts
Brown Widow Spiders, Zombie Ants, and Spotted Lanternflies
In the June 2024 episode of NPMA BugBytes, the team discusses new research on brown widow spiders, zombie ants, and how artificial intelligence could be used to control spotted lantern flies. Read more about the research here.
Cyborg Cockroaches, Winter Survival Strategies, and Ant Bait Abandonment
In the May 2024 episode of NPMA BugBytes, the team discusses cyborg cockroaches, how arthropods survive the winter cold, and bait abandonment by ants. Read more about the research here.
What PMP's Need to Know About the 2024 Cicadas
2024 marks a significant year for periodical cicadas, with both 13-year (Brood XIX) and 17-year (Brood XIII) broods emerging across Illinois and the Midwest. While they may cause temporary annoyance, cicadas are harmless to trees and humans, providing an essential food source for predators and presenting a unique opportunity for pest control professionals to engage with customers.
Overcoming Insecticide Resistance in Anopheles Mosquitoes by Using Faster-Acting Solid Forms of Deltamethrin
Mosquitoes are significant health threats, spreading diseases like malaria. Resistance to insecticides, particularly deltamethrin, complicates control efforts. Researchers found that heating deltamethrin enhances its effectiveness against resistant Anopheles mosquitoes. While promising, this method requires controlled conditions and may not suit all applications, highlighting the need for innovative solutions in pest management.
The Emergence and Sustainability of Urban Entomology
This review traces the evolution of urban entomology, beginning with its first usage in 1884 and the pivotal book published in 1975. The field emerged from urbanization, as new pests proliferated. While the pest management industry has thrived, academic support has waned, prompting initiatives to foster future urban entomologists.
Blacklegged Ticks, Ixodes scapularis, Reduce Predation Risk by Eavesdropping on Communication Signals of Formica oreas, Thatching Ants
The study explores how Ixodes scapularis, the black-legged tick, avoids predation by eavesdropping on semiochemicals from Formica oreas ants. Ticks demonstrated avoidance behavior to a combination of ant-produced formic acid and hydrocarbons. This finding suggests potential for developing tick repellents derived from ant semiochemicals, enhancing tick management strategies.
