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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
We are three board-certified entomologists who work at the National Pest Management Association with a passion for urban entomology and a healthy dose of humor. Mike holds a PhD from the University of Florida, studying ants. Ellie has a master's from Virginia Tech with a background in ornamental pest management, and Laura has a master's from the University of Kentucky specializing in spiders.
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!
Listen to the BugBytes Podcast
Read the Latest Blog Posts
Effect of Entomopathogenic Fungi on Behavior and Physiology of Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)
This research by Hassan et al. investigates the potential of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (MA) as a biological control agent against the invasive red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta). Results indicate MA significantly impacts the ants' foraging behavior, movement, and biochemical responses, warranting further exploration of its ecological application.
Distinct Communities under the Snow Describing Characteristics of Subnivium Arthropod Communities
Arthropods survive cold months through anti-freezing strategies and cold avoidance. Research at the University of New Hampshire surveyed arthropods in the subnivium, revealing a wide variety of life under the snow. Winter populations showed lower diversity, yet some species thrived under snowpack. Overall, heavy snowfall may protect arthropod communities and prevent population declines.
Ants Evade Harmful Food by Active Abandonment
The study investigated the behavior of Argentine ants towards toxic bait using boric acid combined with sugar. Experiments showed ants quickly abandoned the toxic bait within 18 hours, with a significant decrease in foraging observed after just three hours. This suggests critical timing for bait placement to enhance ant control effectiveness.
Feedback Control of Automatic Navigation for Cyborg Cockroach Without External Motion Capture System
Cyborg cockroaches, equipped with wireless backpacks containing sensors and stimulators, have shown promise in search and rescue missions by successfully navigating complex environments and detecting human presence using machine learning. They achieved an 82.3% success rate in finding humans, indicating potential for both lifesaving applications and pest management improvements.
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.