With June’s arrival in Texas, your mind likely turns—aside from the rising heat—to Father’s Day and the many enjoyable ways to honor dad. One classic option is a laid-back evening in the yard, once the sun dips low and the air becomes just cool enough for a refreshing drink and good conversation. That is, unless a few unexpected “fathers” (yes, quite literally) show up and spoil the fun.
If you’ve ever spent a summer evening outdoors in Texas, especially near a porch light, chances are you’ve crossed paths with the bumbling June bug. These medium-sized beetles are well-known for swarming around lights during early summer nights, often crashing into windows—or people—with their erratic flight patterns. While no one’s entirely sure why they’re so drawn to light, research shows that most of the ones flitting around your fixtures are male. And since June marks peak mating season, there’s a good chance these uninvited guests are literally fathers. So, how do you keep these “dads” from spoiling your own Father’s Day plans? Keep reading to learn more about these pests—and then call The Bug Dude at 800-310-BUGS (2847) to make sure your celebration stays bug-free.
What do June Bugs Look Like? June bugs are reddish-brown beetles measuring about 1/2 to 5/8 of an inch long. They feature glossy wing covers—known as elytra—that create a hard shell when not in flight, along with three pairs of legs that are notably sticky, helping them cling to a wide range of surfaces. As larvae, they appear as white grubs up to an inch long, curled into a “C” shape, with cream-colored bodies and brown heads. While adult June bugs are the ones you’ll most often notice buzzing around your yard, it’s actually the larval stage that causes the most damage.
Why are they Called “June Bugs”? The names “June bug,” “May beetle” (another common label), and “white grub” (referring to the larval stage) are broad terms used for more than 100 species of scarab beetles found across Texas. Some species, like Phyllophaga crinita, are more commonly encountered than others. These insects earn their seasonal nickname due to the noticeable increase in adult activity during late spring and early summer. Adults begin emerging from the soil in spring, with peak activity typically hitting in mid to late June. During this period, mating occurs, and females lay between 75 to 100 eggs about 2 to 5 inches below the soil’s surface, while males often continue circling lights. Within 3 to 4 weeks, the eggs hatch into small white grubs, which will spend the next 1 to 2 years underground developing through multiple stages before finally surfacing as adults.
Where do June Bugs Live? June bugs are found across the United States, and as adults, they’re nocturnal feeders that are naturally drawn to light—making them hard to avoid around your home. By day, you might spot them clinging to window screens, resting on porches, or near outdoor lights, though many you encounter in daylight are often already dead. In their grub stage, they live 3 to 6 inches below the surface of the soil and are especially common in Texas lawns. Bermudagrass and St. Augustine grass are frequent targets, making these turf types particularly vulnerable.
What do June Bugs Eat? June bugs feed on vegetation during both their adult and larval stages. As adults, they have a strong appetite for leaves and will munch on grass, flowers, fruits, and various food crops. While adult feeding can lead to visible damage in your yard, the most serious harm comes during the larval stage. White grubs consume the roots of grasses, weeds, garden vegetables, crops, and ornamental plants—causing extensive underground damage that often goes unnoticed until the plants begin to suffer.
Are June Bugs Dangerous? Throughout their life cycle, June bugs pose no threat to humans or pets, but adult beetles can become a real annoyance—especially during outdoor evenings. Your lawn, on the other hand, isn’t so lucky. In the larval stage, these pests can cause serious damage to turf and plants. When white grub populations exceed five per square foot, they can devastate grass and roots. If you notice your lawn turning yellow or brown in patches during spring or fall—and the turf can be lifted like a piece of carpet—that’s a clear sign grubs have taken hold beneath the surface.
White grubs also happen to be a favorite snack for a variety of animals, and when grub populations are high, your yard can quickly become a feeding ground for pests like skunks, raccoons, armadillos, and moles. These critters will tear up your lawn as they dig for grubs and may become a problem themselves if they decide to stick around. Curious about how to handle these nuisance animals? Check out our articles on raccoons, armadillos, and moles for more information.
Green grass is growing in the sand during the rainy season, allowing water to nourish the green grass in the sand that is used to build country roads.
How do you Eliminate June Bugs? When it comes to getting rid of June bugs, the saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” couldn’t be more accurate. The most effective way to stop a June bug problem isn’t by targeting the adults—it’s by eliminating them at the source: their larvae. Controlling white grub populations is key to preventing the growth of a full-blown infestation and protecting your lawn from serious damage. Alongside expert help from The Bug Dude, maintaining a healthy, resilient yard is a crucial defense. Here are a few tips to help keep white grubs from settling in your lawn:
Overseed thinning patches of turf to promote dense, healthy grass growth
Dethatch your lawn regularly to reduce buildup that can shelter grubs
Ensure proper irrigation and fertilization to keep grass strong and resilient
Aerate your soil routinely to improve root development and discourage grubs
Avoid mowing your lawn too short during summer, as longer grass offers better protection
If you’re noticing signs of white grub damage in your lawn—or spotting the grubs themselves—or if adult June bugs are swarming around your home in large numbers, don’t wait. Call The Bug Dude right away at 800-310-BUGS (2847), and let one of our experienced professionals assess the situation and provide the right solution.
Spring has arrived in North Texas, ushering in its familiar mix of heavy rains and rising temperatures. Gardens are thriving, and fresh greenery is bursting forth just as May kicks off and Mother’s Day approaches. It’s a wonderful season to appreciate the outdoors and give mom a well-deserved break in her beautifully kept yard. Unfortunately, all that rain and early lawn watering—meant to get ahead of the brutal Texas summer—also creates perfect conditions for pests. One moisture-loving intruder to watch out for is the springtail, a tiny insect known not only for its distinctive jumping ability but also for the overwhelming numbers it can bring into homes, putting a damper on any Mother’s Day peace.
Amanita vittadinii mushroom gills with springtails insect, Collembola
What do Springtails Look Like? Springtails are among the tiniest insects you’re likely to come across in your home or garden, measuring only about 1mm in length. These nearly microscopic pests have soft bodies and mid-length antennae, making them hard to spot without close inspection. Though their shapes and colors can vary widely—from slender to stout and black to white, yellow, green, or red—most appear to the naked eye as tiny gray flecks. Springtails don’t have wings and can’t fly, but they’re known for their signature jump, made possible by a tail-like structure called a furcula. Tucked beneath their body, the furcula acts like a spring-loaded lever, flinging the insect several inches into the air. This sudden movement often leads people to mistake them for fleas, though fleas are typically larger. Because of this common confusion, it’s essential to call 1-800-310-BUGS (2847) for The Bug Dude at the first sign of an infestation—ensuring you get the correct diagnosis and treatment plan without wasting time or resources on ineffective solutions.
Where do Springtails Live? These minuscule insects are incredibly resilient and can be found all across the United States—even in frigid regions. In fact, their ability to remain active during the winter months has earned them the nickname “snow fleas,” thanks to sightings of them scurrying across snowy surfaces. More commonly, though, they inhabit dark, damp environments such as moist soil, rotting wood, and even swimming pools. When they end up in pools, their numbers can be staggering—sometimes forming a floating layer that looks like a film of dust, with many still alive and kicking. Springtails are primarily outdoor pests, and their populations can skyrocket into the millions within a single yard. While that number might sound alarming, their tiny size keeps them hidden—at least until they decide to migrate in large groups toward your home.
When springtail populations explode or outdoor conditions turn harsh—especially when it’s hot and dry—they begin searching for new, more hospitable environments. This often results in waves of springtails swarming the exterior of your home and slipping inside through tiny openings around windows, doors, or brickwork. Seemingly overnight, you can go from a pest-free space to one invaded by hundreds—or even thousands—of these tiny, bouncing intruders. Once indoors, springtails gravitate toward humid, damp areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, or the soil in potted plants. Spotting them inside is often a red flag indicating a moisture issue in your yard, home, or both. At the first sign, reach out to the experts at TheBugDude.com for help identifying and eliminating the root of your springtail infestation.
What do Springtails Eat? Springtails are part of an ancient group of insects known as Collembola and differ from most other insects by having internal chewing structures rather than visible mouthparts. They also have a tubular organ beneath their abdomen that helps them absorb moisture. Their diet mainly includes algae, decaying plant material, bacteria, and fungi. In moderate numbers, they can actually be beneficial by supporting natural decomposition in soil. But when their population booms, they quickly shift from helpful to harmful, becoming a serious nuisance—and even posing a threat to delicate, young plants.
Shady corner of a garden with containers full of colorful flowers
Are Springtails Dangerous? Considering how massive their populations can grow in a single yard; it’s a relief that springtails are generally harmless. They don’t bite, sting, or cause any structural damage to homes. Their biggest drawback—aside from the unsettling experience of witnessing swarms of tiny, leaping insects—is the potential harm they can inflict on young or fragile plants, leading to stunted growth and visible damage. That’s why it’s especially important to manage their numbers in the spring, when new plant life is emerging and gardens are starting to flourish.
Modern sprinkler working on grass irrigation. Multiple sprinkler system watering the fresh lawn
How do you Prevent Springtails? When it comes to keeping springtails at bay, the key is identifying and eliminating sources of excess moisture and humidity in both your home and yard.
Indoors:
Inspect houseplant soil for signs of overwatering, and let overly damp soil dry out fully before watering again.
Seal any cracks or gaps along the exterior of your home to block potential entry points.
Ensure door sweeps and window weatherstripping are intact and functioning properly.
Examine areas around plumbing for moisture buildup or fungal growth, and repair and treat as needed.
Look for signs of water damage or dampness along interior walls.
Outdoors:
Check that gutters are clean and functioning, and confirm that downspouts divert water away from your home’s foundation.
Monitor low-lying areas of your yard for pooling water or persistently soggy soil.
Modify landscaping to prevent water from draining toward your foundation.
Minimize mulch buildup near the foundation, as it can trap moisture.
Avoid overwatering your lawn—give it time to dry thoroughly between waterings.
Adjust sprinkler systems so they don’t spray directly onto the house or foundation areas.
How do you Eliminate Springtail Infestations? Whenever you notice an unusual number of insects in or around your home, your first step should be to call The Bug Dude at 1-800-310-BUGS. Having a professional identify the pest is crucial, as each type of insect requires a unique treatment approach. The Bug Dude’s skilled technicians can quickly pinpoint the issue, trace its source, and apply the right solutions to remove the unwelcome visitors. This is especially important with springtails, which can multiply rapidly and are often mistaken for other tiny insects that require entirely different treatments. Don’t let springtails disrupt the calm—this Mother’s Day, give mom the gift of peace and relaxation by calling The Bug Dude at the first sign of an infestation.
Further Reading:
“Springtails” -Michael Merchant, Ph.D., Professor and Extension Urban Entomologist, Texas AgriLife Extension Service – Insects in the City – Texas A&M AgriLife Extension “Springtail” – Field Guide to Common Texas Insects – Texas A&M AgriLife Extension “Springtails” – Michael Merchant & Mark Muegge – Texas A&M AgriLife Extension “Springtails 101” – PestWorld.org – National Pest Management Association “Springtails In Your Home Could Mean You Have A Moisture Problem” – By Laura Rice, Written By Shelly Brisbin – Texas Standard
Saturday, March 01, 2025 | Mid-Cities Pest Control
March in Texas carries a deep significance—not just because of the warmer temperatures, longer days, and blooming bluebonnets—but also because it marks a key moment in Texas history: the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence. On March 2, 1836, sixty delegates from Texas’ revolutionary government gathered at Washington-on-the-Brazos to officially break ties with Mexico. At the same time, nearly 170 miles away, the Battle of the Alamo was raging, having begun on February 23 and ending in tragedy on March 6. Just six weeks after the declaration, General Sam Houston led Texan forces to a pivotal victory, securing the young republic’s independence. Texas remained a sovereign nation for nine years before joining the United States in 1845.
All across Texas, folks will mark Texas Independence Day with the full flavor of Lone Star pride—Shiner beer, smoky barbecue, rodeos, country tunes, and that unmistakable Texas charm and grit. In the spirit of the celebration, we’re turning our attention to a creature so deeply tied to Texas identity that it appears on countless souvenirs and holds the title of the official small mammal of the state: the nine-banded armadillo. While many Texans hold this quirky animal in high regard as a state icon, it still manages to cause headaches for homeowners from one end of Texas to the other.
What do Armadillos Look Like? While there are roughly 20 different species of armadillos in the world, only one makes its home in the United States: the nine-banded armadillo. About the size of a house cat or a small dog, these animals typically weigh between 8 and 17 pounds. Their bodies stretch around 16 inches long, with tails nearly equal in length and short, sturdy legs. The armadillo’s tough, bony shell—leaving only the belly exposed—serves as natural armor against predators. The “nine-banded” name refers to the number of flexible bands across their midsection, usually around nine, though the actual count can vary from seven to eleven. Despite a common misconception, these armadillos cannot curl into a perfect ball when threatened; only two three-banded species have that ability. They also come equipped with strong claws, ideally suited for digging.
Nine-banded armadillos are primarily nocturnal and, because they have very little hair, they aren’t great at regulating their body temperature. As a result, they’re most active on warm summer nights or during milder afternoons and evenings in the winter. Starting in March, sightings typically increase, as this is the time of year when armadillos begin to give birth. Interestingly, female nine-banded armadillos almost always produce four genetically identical offspring—quadruplets that arrive with eyes open and bodies fully formed, though their protective armor is still soft at birth.
What do Armadillos Eat? Nine-banded armadillos primarily feed on invertebrates such as grubs, beetles, cockroaches, wasps, fire ants, spiders, and scorpions. When necessary, they’ll also eat small reptiles and amphibians, bird eggs, fruits, seeds, fungi, and other types of plant material. They rely heavily on their keen sense of smell to locate prey just beneath the surface, then use their strong claws to dig and their sticky tongues to snatch up their finds. While this foraging strategy is effective for the armadillo, it’s bad news for homeowners—these animals can quickly tear up lawns and gardens, leaving behind numerous holes and causing costly damage to landscaping.
Are Armadillos Dangerous? If you’re wondering whether armadillos pose a threat to people or pets, the short answer is “not really.” They aren’t known to bite or act aggressively—though they are capable of using their claws to defend themselves if absolutely necessary. More often than not, when startled, they won’t fight at all. Instead, they’ll jump straight into the air—an instinctive reaction meant to spook a potential predator and buy time to make a quick escape. Despite having more teeth than any other mammal, their nature is decidedly defensive. So, does that mean they’re harmless? Unfortunately, not entirely.
The most significant risk associated with armadillos is their unique ability—shared only with humans—to contract and carry leprosy. While the chances of transmission to people are very low, it is still possible for the disease to be passed from an infected armadillo to a human.
But leprosy isn’t the only concern. Armadillos frequently dig to create burrows for shelter, and if they choose spots beneath decks, foundations, sidewalks, or other structures, they can compromise the stability of those areas. This kind of damage can lead to expensive repairs and potentially hazardous conditions around your home.
Another issue is what happens after the armadillo moves out. Their empty burrows often attract other unwelcome guests—such as snakes, opossums, rats, and skunks—all of which can bring their own set of problems when it comes to pest control and safety.
How do you Prevent Armadillos from Getting in your Yard? Unlike many other pests, where a variety of risk factors can be managed to help prevent problems, armadillos offer only a few viable preventive options. First, keep your lawn as free of insects as possible by staying on top of pest control treatments and quickly addressing infestations—especially grub worms (check out our article on that topic). Second, consider using rocks or wood chips in your landscaping to make digging more difficult and less appealing for armadillos. Lastly—and most expensively—you can install a durable fence around your property that extends at least two feet underground. Because these animals are skilled diggers, any effective barrier must block access both above and below the surface.
How do you Handle an Armadillo Problem? You call Mid-Cities Pest Control. We handle armadillo issues using humane live trapping methods. Our experienced technicians assess the situation and strategically place traps to maximize the chances of a successful capture. Since armadillos are notoriously difficult to lure into cages, professional help can make a big difference. Once the animal is caught, it’s safely relocated far enough away to prevent it from returning. This approach allows the armadillo to continue its peaceful life as a symbol of Texas, while giving your yard the chance to recover and look its best once again.
This March, don’t let armadillos put a damper on your spring festivities. Take action at the first sign of trouble by calling The Bug Dude at 1-800-310-BUGS and declare your own independence from pests.
Wednesday, February 05, 2025 | Mid-Cities Pest Control
“Love is like the wind; you can’t see it, but you can feel it.” – Nicholas Sparks
Valentine’s Day has a rich and somewhat mysterious past, with its true origins shrouded in history. The holiday could be linked to any of at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, and some historians believe its mid-February celebration was strategically chosen to “Christianize” the ancient Roman fertility festival, Lupercalia. Dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, Lupercalia was all about fertility—making it the perfect time to spotlight a tiny yet prolific creature known for its staggering reproductive abilities: the aphid. These small but mighty insects play a significant role in agriculture and horticulture, and their fascinating life cycle includes both traditional mating and a form of solitary reproduction. So, whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with a partner or flying solo, aphids prove that love—and life—finds a way.
How Many Kinds of Aphids Are There? With over 4,000 species of aphids found across the globe, these tiny insects are more diverse than many realize. Of those, more than 250 species specifically feed on horticultural and agricultural crops, making them a common concern for growers. Here in Texas, a variety of aphid species thrive, particularly those that target landscape plants. Some of the most common include the Cotton or Melon Aphid, the Green Peach Aphid, the Crape Myrtle Aphid, and the Oleander Aphid. As their names suggest, many aphid species are named after their preferred host plants—but no matter what they feed on, they all share a less flattering nickname: “plant lice.”
What do Aphids Look Like? With thousands of aphid species across the world, it’s no surprise that their appearance can vary widely. Depending on the species, they may be pear-shaped, oval, globular, or slender-bodied, and their colors range from black and gray to red, orange, yellow, green, brown, or even blue-green. Some have distinct markings or a waxy coating that gives them a frosted appearance.
Despite these differences, all aphids share a few key traits: they are small, typically measuring between 1/16″ and 1/8″ long, with soft bodies, antennae, and a specialized mouthpart called a stylet, which they use to pierce plant tissue and extract sap. Most aphids also have two small tubes on the rear of their abdomen, known as cornicles, which secrete a waxy substance. Additionally, some aphids develop wings while others remain wingless—something we’ll explore further in the section, “How Does an Aphid Infestation Happen?”
How Does an Aphid Infestation Happen? Understanding how an aphid infestation takes hold in your landscape or garden starts with recognizing their complex and highly efficient reproductive cycle. Aphids reproduce faster than any other insect, thanks to their ability to reproduce both sexually and asexually. Many aphids follow a traditional life cycle, mating to produce fertilized eggs that overwinter, hatch into nymphs, and mature into winged or wingless adults. However, they also have an extraordinary ability to reproduce via parthenogenesis—a process in which females give birth to live, genetically identical daughters without mating. This means new generations of aphids can be born rapidly, allowing populations to grow at an astonishing rate.
Aphids reach maturity in as little as 4 to 10 days and can continue reproducing for up to three weeks, meaning multiple overlapping generations are constantly at work. This rapid turnover not only leads to overwhelming infestations but also accelerates the development of resistance to insecticides, making control efforts even more challenging.
To make matters more difficult, aphids have yet another survival trick: the ability to produce winged offspring when conditions demand it. Winged aphids emerge for two primary reasons—either in response to overcrowding, allowing them to disperse and colonize new host plants, or as part of their natural reproductive cycle in certain species. Some aphids rely on multiple host plants throughout their life cycle, requiring wings to travel between them. This mobility can make infestations seem to disappear temporarily, only for the aphids to return in even greater numbers after relocating and reproducing elsewhere.
Peach tree completely infested with aphids. Aphid attacks can lead to death of the peach tree.
Are Aphids Dangerous? While aphids pose no direct threat to humans—they don’t bite or sting—they can be incredibly destructive to the plants they infest. Their damage falls into three main categories: feeding damage, secondary damage, and viral transmission.
Feeding Damage – Aphids feed by piercing plant tissue and extracting sap (phloem), which weakens the plant and can lead to stunted growth, deformed or discolored leaves and fruit, leaf drop, and even gall formation. To make matters worse, some aphid species inject toxic saliva into plants as they feed, compounding the damage and making plants more susceptible to stress and disease.
Secondary Damage – Aphids excrete a sugary substance called honeydew (or more specifically, cornicle wax), which coats leaves and plant surfaces. This sticky residue creates the perfect environment for sooty mold, a fungal growth that spreads over the plant, blocking sunlight and hindering photosynthesis. Left unchecked, this can significantly weaken plants and impact their overall health.
Viral Transmission – Perhaps the most serious threat aphids pose is their ability to act as efficient disease vectors. These pests can transmit plant viruses in just seconds while feeding, rapidly spreading infections between plants. Some viruses even undergo a latency period inside the aphid, making them capable of spreading disease long after they leave their initial host. Worse still, many of these plant viruses are incurable, making viral transmission one of the most devastating consequences of an aphid infestation.
How can you Prevent Aphids? When it comes to aphids, a little proactive effort can go a long way in keeping these pests from settling in and multiplying. By taking preventative measures, you can reduce the likelihood of an infestation before it becomes a serious problem. Here are some effective strategies to discourage aphids:
Eliminate potential breeding grounds – Regularly remove weeds that could serve as reproduction sites for aphids.
Use protective barriers – Cover crops with insect netting to block aphids from reaching your plants.
Limit excessive fertilizer use – Avoid overusing nitrogen-rich fertilizers, as rapid plant growth can attract aphids and provide them with ample feeding opportunities.
Keep your garden clean – Clear away plant debris and waste to remove hiding spots and overwintering sites.
Use companion planting – Grow banker plants around valuable crops. These are plants that aphids can feed on without spreading harmful viruses, reducing the risk to your primary plants. Additionally, interplant aphid-repellent species such as garlic, chives, leeks, marigolds, and catnip to help naturally deter them.
By integrating these methods, you can create an environment that is far less inviting for aphids, helping to protect your plants from damage.
Spraying with Professional Equipment
How do you Eliminate Aphids? If you’ve spotted aphids taking over your plants, it’s time to act fast. These pests reproduce at an astonishing rate, so the sooner you tackle the problem, the better. Mid-Cities Pest Control is here to help—call 1-800-310-BUGS to have a professional technician assess the infestation and determine the most effective treatment plan.
Since aphids feed by extracting sap from plants, the damage they cause can impact how well treatments work. That’s why having an experienced professional is key—not only to select the right products but also to apply them effectively for maximum impact.
Aphids may be fascinating insects, but when it comes to your garden and landscape, they’re nothing but trouble. Keep your plants healthy and thriving by staying vigilant, and at the first sign of an infestation, show your garden some love—call The Bug Dude to take care of the problem before it spreads!
Friday, January 10, 2025 | Mid-Cities Pest Control
With Christmas behind us and 2024 officially underway, it’s time to pack up the decorations and settle into the coziness of winter evenings indoors. As long nights and cold weather take hold in Texas, it might be tempting to think pests are no longer a concern. While it’s true that many bugs go dormant during this time (making it an ideal moment to protect your trees and shrubs from pests that will resurface in the warmer months—check out our May blog for tips), some remain active and can disrupt even the calmest winter nights.
One of the most common culprits during winter is spiders. Texas is home to over 900 spider species, so it’s no surprise they’re a pest you’re likely to encounter. While some are mostly a nuisance, weaving webs in unused corners of the house, others pose serious risks with potentially harmful bites. As you climb into attics, crawlspaces, or closets to put away holiday decorations, it’s essential to stay mindful of the hidden dangers’ spiders may present. Taking precautions can help ensure your new year doesn’t begin with an unwanted visit to the doctor.
The three spiders that draw the most concern in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are the brown recluse, the black widow, and the wolf spider. To protect yourself from these stealthy invaders, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with their characteristics. Understanding how to recognize these spiders can help you avoid a bite before it happens.
Quick Facts About Brown Recluse Spiders:
Size: With thin legs, they cover an area about the size of a quarter to a half-dollar.
Appearance: Golden-brown in color, they feature a distinctive dark violin-shaped marking on their back between the eyes and abdomen.
Habitat: Found in warm, dry areas in and around buildings, especially in spots that are rarely disturbed.
Active Times: Primarily active at night, with increased activity in the spring. Dangers: Their venom can cause tissue decay and necrosis around the bite area.
How to Avoid: Always shake out shoes before wearing them and use gloves when working in areas with cobwebs or limited visibility.
If You See One: Avoid disturbing it; they typically bite only when trapped, threatened, or provoked.
If Bitten: Seek medical attention immediately.
Black widow spiders are another dangerous species to watch for. Recognized by their glossy black bodies and the iconic red hourglass marking on their underside, these spiders often hide in dark, sheltered areas like garages, basements, or woodpiles. Their venom is highly toxic and can cause severe muscle pain, cramping, and other systemic symptoms, especially in children and older adults. While they’re not aggressive, black widows will bite if they feel cornered, so caution is key when working in places where they might be lurking.
Quick Facts About Black Widow Spiders:
Size: Females measure about 3/8″ in body length, while males are smaller at approximately 3/16″.
Appearance: Female black widows are shiny black with a distinctive red hourglass pattern on the underside of their abdomen. Males, on the other hand, are brown and less noticeable.
Habitat: They favor sheltered outdoor areas like portable toilets and unused sheds but can also be found indoors in warm, dry locations.
Dangers: The venom of female black widows causes intense pain, usually felt in the abdomen and back within hours of a bite. Symptoms can persist for up to 48 hours. Male spiders are not harmful to humans.
How to Avoid: Shake out shoes and gloves stored in dark or unused areas before wearing them, and always use gloves when handling wood piles, mulch, or similar materials.
If You See One: Avoid disturbing it; black widows typically bite only when they feel threatened, trapped, or provoked.
If Bitten: Seek medical attention immediately, especially for children, the elderly, or individuals with pre-existing health conditions.
Wolf spiders, unlike the other two, are not venomous to humans but can still deliver a painful bite. These spiders are larger and often mistaken for tarantulas due to their hairy appearance and size. They prefer outdoor environments like gardens, yards, and woodpiles but occasionally wander indoors seeking shelter. Known for their speed and hunting skills, wolf spiders don’t spin webs but instead actively stalk their prey. While their bites are not medically significant, encountering one can still be an unsettling experience. To avoid wolf spiders, keep outdoor areas tidy and seal any cracks or gaps that might allow them to enter your home.
Quick Facts About Wolf Spiders:
Size: These spiders range in size from 1/2 inch to 2 inches in length.
Appearance: They are hairy and come in shades of orange-brown to gray and black, often with a mottled, camouflage-like pattern. In addition to their eight legs, they have two small, arm-like appendages at the front of their bodies.
Habitat: Typically found outdoors in open, grassy areas, wolf spiders may also wander indoors, often near doors, windows, and garages, or anywhere they can hunt insects.
Dangers: While their bites aren’t inherently dangerous, they can cause pain similar to a bee sting. There’s also a potential for an allergic reaction, as with any spider bite.
If You See One: Do not squish it! Female wolf spiders carry their eggs on their backs, and squishing them could release hundreds of spiderlings into your home. Avoid disturbing them, as they usually bite only when they feel trapped or threatened.
Tips for Spider Prevention:
Eliminate Their Food Source: Reduce the number of insects inside and around your home.
Dim/reduce bright outdoor lights: It can attract insects.
Consider a regular pest control plan: It helps manage insect populations.
Maintain Landscaping: Trim weeds, grass, and shrubs near buildings to minimize spider-friendly environments.
Seal Entry Points: Use caulk or other sealants to close cracks, gaps, and openings where spiders might enter.
Remove Webs and Egg Sacs: Regularly check for and remove any spider webs or egg sacs you find.
Declutter Your Space: Minimize clutter, especially in undisturbed areas, to reduce potential spider hiding spots.
Use Glue Boards: Place glue traps in strategic areas to capture spiders, particularly wolf spiders.
Keep It Clean: Regular cleaning, vacuuming, and dusting can help discourage spiders from settling in your home.
As you pack away the holiday decorations and dive into your New Year’s resolutions, consider making regular pest control a priority. It’s a simple step that can help protect your home and keep lurking spiders at bay all year long.
Monday, December 16, 2024 | Mid-Cities Pest Control
On the first day of Christmas the squirrels gave to me A hole in my attic ceiling.
On the second day of Christmas the squirrels gave to me Two ruined cushions, And a hole in my attic ceiling.
On the third day of Christmas the squirrels gave to me Three torn-up vents, Two ruined cushions, And a hole in my attic ceiling.
On the forth day of Christmas the squirrels gave to me Four empty feeders, Three torn-up vents, Two ruined cushions, And a hole in my attic ceiling.
On the fifth day of Christmas the squirrels gave to me Five chewed-up wires, Four empty feeders, Three torn-up vents, Two ruined cushions, And a hole in my attic ceiling.
On the sixth day of Christmas the squirrels gave to me Six shredded curtains, Five chewed-up wires, Four empty feeders, Three torn-up vents, Two ruined cushions, And a hole in my attic ceiling.
On the seventh day of Christmas the squirrels gave to me Seven dug-up gardens, Six shredded curtains, Five chewed-up wires, Four empty feeders, Three torn-up vents, Two ruined cushions, And a hole in my attic ceiling.
On the eighth day of Christmas the squirrels gave to me Eight gnawed-up fences, Seven dug-up gardens, Six shredded curtains, Five chewed-up wires, Four empty feeders, Three torn-up vents, Two ruined cushions, And a hole in my attic ceiling.
On the ninth day of Christmas the squirrels gave to me Nine stripped-down tree limbs, Eight gnawed-up fences, Seven dug-up gardens, Six shredded curtains, Five chewed-up wires, Four empty feeders, Three torn-up vents, Two ruined cushions, And a hole in my attic ceiling.
On the tenth day of Christmas the squirrels gave to me Ten days of trapping, Nine stripped-down tree limbs, Eight gnawed-up fences, Seven dug-up gardens, Six shredded curtains, Five chewed-up wires, Four empty feeders, Three torn-up vents, Two ruined cushions, And a hole in my attic ceiling.
On the eleventh day of Christmas the squirrels gave to me Eleven shredded ducts, Ten days of trapping, Nine stripped-down tree limbs, Eight gnawed-up fences, Seven dug-up gardens, Six shredded curtains, Five chewed-up wires, Four empty feeders, Three torn-up vents, Two ruined cushions, And a hole in my attic ceiling.
On the twelfth day of Christmas the squirrels gave to me Twelve attic disasters, Eleven shredded ducts, Ten days of trapping, Nine stripped-down tree limbs, Eight gnawed-up fences, Seven dug-up gardens, Six shredded curtains, Five chewed-up wires, Four empty feeders, Three torn-up vents, Two ruined cushions, And a hole in my attic ceiling.
Fast Facts About Squirrels:
Tree Squirrel Species Native to Texas: fox squirrel, gray squirrel, and flying squirrel
Most Common Squirrel Species in the Metroplex: fox squirrel
Lifespan: 4 to 7 years
Average Size: 18 to 27 inches long, 1.5-2.5 lbs
Appearance: brown-gray with orange underbelly and 7 to 14 inch long bushy tail
Diet: tree nuts, fruit, bark, tree buds, insects, tubers, bulbs, roots, bird eggs, mushrooms, and seeds
Habitat:
In the Wild: tree dens (natural cavities & crotches in trees) and leaf nests, ideally in an area of open forest with mature shade trees
In a Home: nests are most often built in attics and chimneys
Active Times: daytime
Reproduction: 1 to 2 litters per year: 1 in Spring, 1 in Fall.
Babies are born blind & furless and are weaned for approximately 12-14 weeks
Behavior:
Caching of food: they bury shelled foods that are high in fat, such as nuts
Often these buried nuts are forgotten and will later grow into trees
Solitary and asocial other than during breeding season
Large vocabulary consisting of clucking and chucking sounds
Can jump 15 feet horizontally and 8 feet high
Can land safely from 20 feet high
Have 4 front teeth that will continue to grow throughout their lives and are kept in check via gnawing on nuts and other items
Can run up to 20 mph
Will inhabit a range of about 10 acres per season
Signs of Squirrel Damage:
Holes chewed in soffits/eaves
Torn up insulation
Urine and feces in the attic
Chewed wiring
Gnawed tree bark
Dug up and eaten flower bulbs
Noises coming from the attic or chimney during the daytime
Squirrel Removal:
If a squirrel has moved into your attic or chimney, the best course of action is to call a professional for a thorough assessment and live animal trapping. This process ensures the squirrel can be safely captured and relocated. A technician will also inspect your home for entry points, such as areas where the squirrel may have chewed through siding, eaves, or soffits, and discuss repair and prevention options. Since baby squirrels require a significant weaning period, it’s crucial to have a professional handle the trapping and exclusion to avoid separating mothers from their young.
Squirrel Prevention:
If you spot squirrels in your yard or hear them scampering across your roof, it’s wise to take preventive steps to keep them out of your chimney or attic. This can help you avoid costly repairs and extensive cleanup caused by their intrusion.
Here are some tips to help successfully prevent squirrel infestations:
Trim tree limbs back at least 8 to 10 feet from your roof.
Install sheet metal bands around tree trunks to discourage squirrels from climbing.
Ensure attic vents are properly screened to block entry.
Remove bird feeders located close to your home.
Install a chimney cap and confirm it’s in good condition.
This winter, don’t let squirrels crash your Christmas festivities. At the first signs of squirrel damage, call in a professional to handle the issue. That way, the only sounds on your rooftop will be Santa and his reindeer, and you can focus on keeping your celebrations merry and bright.
Saturday, November 16, 2024 | Mid-Cities Pest Control
Fall has arrived, and while many people are enjoying the cooler temperatures, the seasonal shift can also bring an unwanted increase in pests seeking refuge in your home. While this time of year is well-known for heightened rodent and wildlife activity indoors, there’s another pest preparing to crash your holidays: wasps.
We typically think of wasps as a nuisance during summer, disrupting outdoor activities, but fall brings its own set of wasp-related challenges. For most wasps, fall is their prime season for reproduction. Male and queen wasps are produced and mate during this period, which leads to heightened wasp activity. As temperatures drop, fertilized queens search for warm shelter, often finding it in and around homes, where they’ll hibernate until spring. Once spring arrives, these queens emerge to build their nests—often in the same spots as the previous year. This means fall serves as the time when wasps scout out future nesting locations, and those choosing your home for their winter retreat can quickly become the kind of guests you regret hosting: the ones who overstay their welcome.
What Kind of Wasps are in Texas? While Texas is home to a variety of wasp species, there are five types that are especially common in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. These are paper wasps, yellowjackets, hornets, cicada killers, and mud daubers. Each of these wasps has its own distinct look and behavior, but they can generally be grouped into two categories: social wasps and solitary wasps.
Socialwasps are the most prominent group within the vespid family. They build communal nests that are actively defended by the colony. These wasps primarily use their stinger as a defensive weapon to protect their nests and fellow colony members. Paper wasps, yellowjackets, and hornets all belong to this group.
Solitarywasps, on the other hand, are usually found in much smaller numbers because they do not form communal nests. Without a colony to protect, these wasps are far less likely to sting humans. Instead, their stingers are primarily used to paralyze prey. Cicada killers and mud daubers are the most well-known solitary wasps in the region.
While both social and solitary wasps are capable of stinging, social wasps pose a significantly greater risk due to their defensive nature and close proximity to human activity.
What do Wasps Look Like? Wasps come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, and they are often brighter and less hairy than bees, which makes them easy to distinguish.
Paperwasps measure between 3/4” and 1” in length and range in color from reddish-orange to dark brown, with distinct yellow markings on their bodies.
Yellowjackets are slightly smaller, ranging from 1/2” to 3/4” long, and are easily recognized by their alternating yellow and black stripes that cover their bodies.
Baldfaced hornets are about 3/4” long and feature a striking black-and-white color scheme, with a predominantly white head. These are the only true hornets found in Texas, though the term “hornet” is often misused to describe other types of wasps.
Cicada killers are among the largest wasps, growing up to 1.5” long. They have a red, rust-colored head, thorax, and wings, combined with bold yellow and black stripes on their abdomen.
Mud daubers are slender wasps measuring between 3/4” and 1” long. They can appear dull black with bright yellow markings or have an iridescent blue-black sheen. Their elongated, narrow waists make them easy to identify among other wasps.
What do Wasp Nests Look Like? Wasp nests can be just as diverse as the wasps themselves, ranging in size from small to massive and appearing anywhere from underground to high up in the air.
Paperwasps build distinctively shaped nests using chewed wood fibers. These nests hang from a single filament and feature a single layer of hexagonal cells with the comb facing downward, resembling an upside-down umbrella. Typically, paper wasp nests are found in sheltered locations such as under house eaves, in attics, sheds, shrubs, or trees. A single nest can house approximately 30 adult wasps.
Yellowjackets construct their nests using a paper-like material made from chewed wood fibers. Their nests are fully enclosed, except for a single entrance hole, and can range in size from just a few inches to over 6 feet! Remarkably, a single nest can accommodate up to 20,000 wasps. These nests are commonly found in both underground and aerial locations, including gardens, flower beds, trees, eaves, and even within wall voids.
Baldfacedhornets build round or pear-shaped nests that range in color from gray to brown and feature a single entrance near the bottom. These nests can grow as large as 3 feet long and are typically found high above the ground in trees, though they can occasionally appear on eaves. A single nest can accommodate up to 400 wasps.
Cicadakillers create their nests by digging galleries in lawns, where they lay eggs and provide food for their young. While relatively small, these nests can cause damage to lawns and gardens. Each nest typically houses just one adult wasp and its offspring.
Mud daubers construct small, tube-like nests using mud, as their name implies. These nests are often located under eaves or in attics. Each nest typically contains just one adult wasp and its offspring.
What do Wasps Eat? While the exact diet varies by wasp species, most feed on insects and spiders. Some, like yellowjackets, also consume nectar and honeydew. This preference for sugary substances is why wasps are often drawn to sweets, making them particularly troublesome pests during outdoor activities and gatherings.
Are Wasps Dangerous?
Wasp stings are not only painful but can also be life-threatening. Typically, a sting causes sharp pain, redness, and localized swelling around the affected area. While these symptoms subside quickly for most people, others may experience a systemic allergic reaction, resulting in severe swelling and pain that can persist for days. In extreme cases, stings can trigger anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal reaction. Stings to the head, eyes, and neck are particularly dangerous, as are multiple stings occurring in quick succession.
How do you Prevent Wasps? While it’s impossible to completely stop wasps from entering your property, there are steps you can take to make it less inviting for them to settle and build their nests.
Maintain regular pest control services. Contact The Bug Dude at 1-800-310-BUGS (2847) to discuss a service plan that best suits your needs. Regular pest control helps keep insect populations around your home low, reducing food sources for wasps. It also increases the chances of a technician spotting and addressing a wasp nest before it becomes a bigger problem.
Eliminate food sources around your home. This includes removing ripe or fallen fruits and relocating hummingbird feeders, which can attract wasps looking for sugary sustenance.
Seal any visible cracks and crevices around porches, eaves, and other entry points that wasps could use to access your home.
Ensure all garbage cans are tightly sealed to prevent wasps from being attracted to food scraps and sugary residues.
Promptly clean up any food trash and spills from food or drinks during outdoor activities to avoid attracting wasps.
How do you Eliminate Wasps? Wasps are highly defensive and at their most dangerous when they feel their nest is being threatened. For this reason, it’s always safest to call The Bug Dude at 1-800-310-BUGS (2847) to handle any wasp problems. Our trained technicians have the expertise and equipment to resolve the issue while keeping you and your family safe.
This fall, don’t let wasps ruin your holiday season by settling into your home. If you notice signs of wasp activity on or near your property, call Mid-Cities Pest Control, Inc., also known as TheBugDude.com, at 1-800-310-2847. Let us help you keep this season focused on an abundance of thanks—not an abundance of pests.
Further Reading: “Paper Wasps, Yellowjackets and Solitary Wasps” – Glen C. Moore and Mike E. Merchant – AgriLIFE EXTENSION – Texas A&M System “Mud Daubers” – Texas Apiary Inspection Service (TAIS) – Texas A&M AgriLIFE Research “Cicada Killer Wasps” – Lee Townsend, Extension Entomologist – University of Kentucky College of Agriculture
Something exciting is happening this year in the insect world, and it’s all to do with cicadas. You may have seen some news articles about the rare double emergence of 2 cicada broods, but did you know that this is the first time since 1803 (the year of the Louisiana Purchase, when Thomas Jefferson was president, and there were only 17 states in the U.S.) that brood XIX & XIII will co-emerge? And though that’s definitely the headline for the excitement around this year’s special cicada happenings, it’s not the only noteworthy occurrence this year. For cicada fans, 2024 also brings with it the chance to see all 7 periodical cicada species as adults in the same year, an event that won’t happen again until 2037.
But what does all this actually mean? And is there cause for concern for us here in Texas? Keep reading to find out all about cicadas and what you can expect from this historic event.
What Do Cicadas Look Like? Like most insects, cicadas can vary in appearance depending on their species. However, unlike most insects, they also vary in appearance based on whether they are annual or periodical (more on this in a moment). In general, cicadas are about 0.5 inches wide and between 1 and 1.625 inches long, with the annual group being on the larger side. They are all stout, have bulging eyes, short antennae, and semi-transparent wings that are longer than their abdomen and are held tent-like over their bodies. Though their coloring depends on species, they tend to be brown, green, or black, and have white markings; periodical cicadas usually have reddish eyes and orange veins in their wings.
Nymphs of this pest have the same look as the adults, except they are dark brown and wingless. You can tell if you’ve had one of these young cicadas in your area if you find a pale, empty husk in the shape of a cicada clinging to your trees or your house; this husk is the remnants of the final stage a cicada goes through before becoming an adult.
What Are Cicada Broods? Before we can discuss what a cicada brood is, you first need to understand the difference between periodical and annual cicadas, and in order to do that, you need to first look at the life cycle of all cicadas. The basic life cycle goes like this: female cicadas lay eggs in trees; after 6 weeks or so, small nymphs hatch and drop to the ground where they burrow into the soil; while underground the nymphs will molt through several stages; eventually, when they have reached their final nymph stage and the weather is right, they will emerge from the ground and climb up the nearest object (usually a tree), and when they have reached maturity they will molt and become an adult. Adults live around 5 or 6 weeks and spend most of their energy mating in order to continue this life cycle. It’s in the time spent underground that we see the big difference between periodical and annual cicadas.
Annual cicadas have life cycles of 2 to 5 years, meaning that they only emerge from the ground and become adults every 2 to 5 years. While that may make you start to question why we see these pests every year in Texas, it’s because there are around 159 cicada species in the U.S. and Canada, about 39 of which are in Texas, and they aren’t all on the same emergence schedule.
Periodical cicadas have life cycles that last either 13 or 17 years; that means that they only emerge as adults once every 13 or 17 years!
A cicada “brood” is a term used to group all periodical cicadas of the same life cycle that will emerge in a specific year, it is not the same as a cicada species. To showcase this distinction, there are 7 periodical cicada species, but there are 12 broods of 17-year cicadas and 3 broods of 13-year cicadas. The 15 unique cicada broods are designated by Roman numerals.
Where Will The Double Emergence of Cicada Broods Appear? The two cicada broods emerging this year are Brood XIII (a 17-year brood) and Brood XIX (a 13-year brood). Brood XIII will be found in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, and Iowa. Brood XIX will be found in Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and possibly even east Texas. Though both broods can be seen in Illinois, their territories barely overlap, with the greatest possibility of a “double” density of cicadas around Springfield, IL. This means that though it’s a very exciting time for cicada fans, here in north Texas we are unlikely to notice a drastic uptick in the number of these pests flying around our yards from any other year, though we may notice a few with reddish eyes hanging around.
Where Will You Find Cicadas? Cicadas can be found the world over, but interestingly, periodical cicadas are only found in the U.S. and are most common in the central and eastern regions of our country. Fortunately, these pests only choose to live outdoors, specifically on or near trees and other plants; this means that though a stray one might find its way into your home, it won’t start its family alongside your family.
What is a Cicada “Song”? A cicada “song” refers to the whirring noise we all associate with the emergence of these pests in spring and summer. Though we might quickly get irritated with this constant buzz, it is in fact a love song from male cicadas (yes, only males make this distinct sound) trying to attract a mate (though occasionally it can also be a defense mechanism). They make their particular sound (different species have different “songs”) by vibrating special structures on their abdomen, the sound of which is amplified by the large air sac that comprises most of their abdomen.
If you’ve ever felt that this “song” is uncomfortably loud, you’re not alone, and with good reason! A cicada “song” can reach 90 decibels (about the same as a lawnmower) and when a whole group gets going at once, that can quickly get out of hand.
Are Cicadas Dangerous? The answer to this question is a bit ‘yes,’ but mostly ‘no.’ Fortunately, the ‘yes’ part is mostly specific to young trees. Cicadas are known to damage young trees in two main ways: first, when females create slits in branches in order to lay their eggs, and second when nymphs (which mature underground) feed on the roots of the young tree. These pests are also not ideal to be around your pets, not because they will directly harm them, but because if your pet were to eat one, it could cause digestive issues and discomfort, and the cicada wings could potentially lodge in your pet’s throat. Though these insects do not pose any danger to humans, they can mess with some of your stuff; specifically, they can land in pools and hot tubs and end up clogging and burning out the filters for these items. So, all in all, they don’t pose a significant danger, but they can sure be quite a nuisance.
Can You Prevent Cicadas? Though there is no way to fully prevent these pests from finding their way into your yard, there are a few things you can do to help protect your trees and property and help you keep your sanity amongst these noisy insects.
Keep trees and shrubs pruned and trimmed
Clean up any dead cicadas you find (they will not only emit an odor as they decay, their carcasses can attract other pest issues to your property)
Before cicadas emerge, you can protect young trees by utilizing foil barrier tape and netting
Keep pools and hot tubs covered when not in use
Keep window/door screens in good condition and be sure to use them
Cover any patio furniture located under trees (to keep cicada excrement from ending up on it)
Do your yard work in the early morning or late evening when cicadas are least active (it’ll be much quieter then!)
What To Do If You See Cicadas In And Around Your Home? While seeing (and hearing) cicadas isn’t exactly the best part of summer for most people, it’s also not the worst (fire ants, I’m looking at you), so often you can simply wait for these pests to fade away as cicada season wraps up in mid-to-late-summer. However, if you find yourself surrounded by droves of these insects and their constant din, give The Bug Dude a call at 817-354-5350 and let our technicians set up a treatment plan that will help get you some peace and quiet from these pests.
While 2024 is set to be a historic year for cicadas, that doesn’t mean it needs to be a memorable year for your battle with bugs. At the first sign of a pest problem give The Bug Dude a call at 800-310-BUGS (2847) and let us help you make your 2024 extraordinary (for something other than swarms of insects).
Saturday, April 13, 2024 | Mid-Cities Pest Control
Are you someone who loves a good joke? Do you love planning an epic prank and delight in seeing it go off perfectly? Do you get a good laugh from a successful prank, whether you are the prankster, the one being pranked, or simply a bystander? If so, you probably look forward to April Fools’ Day all year. But have you ever taken a moment from your April shenanigans to think about how this tradition started or when? Have you asked yourself what were some of the biggest April Fools’ Day pranks ever pulled? Are you asking those questions now? Well, you’re in luck, because we have assembled a quick guide to April Fools’ Day, as well as a caution for something much less fun that could be planning on ruining your spring. Keep reading to find out more!
What Are The Origins of April Fools’ Day?
What would you think if I were to tell you that April Fools’ Day originated 463 years ago? Does that seem too long ago or too recent? How about if I said it actually originated in ancient Rome? Does that seem more probable? Now what if I said that in reality, no one knows the origin of April Fools’ Day? What would you believe?
The reality of this unofficial holiday is that it’s been around for a while, but no one knows exactly how long or how it started. Some theories say it began in ancient Rome as the Hilaria festival, a celebration in late March that involved dressing up and mocking others. Other theories suggest it may be related to the vernal equinox and Mother Nature fooling us with ever-changing and unpredictable spring weather. Yet others suggest it could have started with the medieval Feast of Fools celebration. The most potentially traceable origin, however, goes back to mid-1500s France. This theory is based around the time when France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar, which changed the date of the new year from the spring equinox (around April 1st) to January 1st. The thought is that people who continued to celebrate the old new year were called “April fools” and were the butt of jokes and hoaxes. The most common joke or prank in France would have been to have a paper fish placed on their back and be called a “poisson d’avril,” or “April fish.” These “April fish” were so termed as they were viewed as gullible, and easy to catch, much like the plentiful, and young, literal fish of that season.
Though the term “poisson d’avril” goes back to at least 1508, the earliest clear reference to April Fools’ Day is actually in a Flemish poem from 1561. Unfortunately for the calendar theory, that is a full 21 years before France officially switched to the Gregorian calendar. Either way, though, the “poisson d’avril” is still an integral part of April Fools’ Day in France, where it is customary to stick a paper fish on someone else’s back, marking them as an “April Fish”.
By 1686 the holiday had reached English-speaking countries and is referenced in John Aubrey’s book, Remaines of Gentilisme and Judaisme. By the 1700s the tradition spread throughout Britain, with Scotland particularly embracing the holiday and making it into a 2-day event. Day 1 is “hunting the gowk,” where people get sent on fake errands. Day 2 is “Tailie Day,” where people pin fake tails or “kick me” signs on others. By 1771 it had become known in the U.S. and Canada (as evidenced by a diary entry from that year written by Anna Green Winslow in Boston).
Some of the Greatest April Fools’ Day Pranks of All Time
Lion Washing: A few days before April 1st, 1856 Londoners received a seemingly official invitation to the Tower of London to view the annual washing of the lions ceremony. Adding potential credence to this event was the fact that the Tower had housed a menagerie of bears, leopards, lions, etc. for 600 years; however, that had all ended in 1835. Nonetheless, the hoax did successfully draw a number of hopeful, and ultimately disappointed, spectators.
Great Heist: On April 1st, 1905 a German newspaper announced a fake successful heist of the U.S. Federal Treasury and claimed a public cover-up of the robbery. The news spread quickly before the April Fools’ Day prank was realized.
Spaghetti Harvest: On April 1st, 1957 a BBC news broadcaster announced that Ticino, an area in southern Switzerland on the Italian border, had had “an exceptionally heavy spaghetti crop” that year; this announcement was followed by footage of people picking spaghetti off trees and bushes. Though it might seem silly to believe such a thing now, at that time spaghetti wasn’t a common dish in Britain, and some viewers reportedly asked how they could grow their own spaghetti at home.
UFO: On March 31, 1989, Richard Branson (founder of the Virgin Group) and his companion Don Cameron flew a hot-air balloon shaped like a flying saucer near London. Though they landed a day early and in the wrong place (they had intended on landing in Hyde Park on the morning of the 1st, but due to weather had to land in Surrey the evening prior), they committed to the stunt and startled police responding to calls about a UFO landing by having the fully silver-clad Don Cameron exit the balloon to greet them.
Burger King for All: In 1998 Burger King ran a full-page ad in USA Today for their new “Left-Handed Whopper,” claiming that all the condiments were rotated 180 degrees to better accommodate southpaws. People ate it up, with thousands of customers requesting the new burger.
Google: In 2000 Google played its first, but hardly its last, April Fools’ Day prank. On April 1st of that year, those looking to utilize Google were greeted with the new “MentalPlex” feature that purported to allow users to search the internet by reading their minds.
Spot The Prank: Are The Following Statements True or False?
Colorado has a festival called “Frozen Dead Guy Days,” which honors Grandpa Bredo, a Norwegian man who was cryogenically frozen after his death in 1989, and then stored in Colorado in a shed that doubled as a makeshift cryogenic facility before eventually being moved to the Stanley Hotel.
The first ever telephone directory was published in February 1808 in Connecticut; it was on a single sheet of cardboard and listed 50 commercial and residential numbers.
Chickens outnumber people in Delaware by 200 to 1.
King Ranch in Texas is the largest ranch in the United States and is larger than the land area of Rhode Island.
Wisconsin has banned the production and sale of margarine since 1895.
Fruit flies were the first animals to be sent into space.
Grasshoppers have only existed for 20,000 years.
Certain termite queens can lay 40,000 eggs per day.
Some biting ant species have historically been medically used as sutures to close wounds.
It was estimated by the biologists Bert Hölldobler and E.O. Wilson in their Pulitzer Prize-winning 1990 book, The Ants, that ants outnumber humans at a ratio of about 500,000 ants per human.
Check out the end of this article to find out if you were right!
What Else to Watch Out For On April 1st Besides Pranks
Though April Fools’ Day kicks off the month of April, the notorious pranks perpetrated by people on this day don’t hold a candle to what nature could be poised to throw at you this month. Not only is it spring, which means that just about every pest is out and multiplying, but it’s also the perfect season for termites to swarm. These destructive pests are no laughing matter, and at the first sign of a potential termite issue, call The Bug Dude at 817-354-5350 and let our expert technicians keep these pests from making a fool out of you.
This April, don’t let pests make you feel like a fool, call The Bug Dude at 1-800-310-BUGS (2847) at the first sign of an issue, and get back to enjoying the laughs from this year’s epic April Fools’ Day pranks.
Author Bio: Alissa Breach has been gaining knowledge and experience around pest control concerns over the last 14 years while working for Mid-Cities Pest Control. She has a creative writing BA from UW-Madison and is always pursuing new and interesting writing projects.
“Spot the Prank” Answers:
True.
False, it was 1878.
True.
True.
False; it was banned from 1895 to 1967. It is still illegal for a restaurant to serve margarine instead of butter unless the customer requests it.
Ask most people today and they’ll generally agree that reading the news is a mixed bag at best; it feels like just about every time you go to read the news there is some fresh horror waiting for you. Whether the issue is medical, environmental, political, or social, there’s bound to be something new and awful to find out, and it’s rarely balanced by the wonderful things that can happen in this world. Unfortunately, such a negative news item recently popped up, and it’s about the bubonic plague. If you missed it, here are articles from Time and CNN. Essentially, someone in Oregon was diagnosed with the plague, after contracting it from their cat; this is the first case of the plague in Oregon since 2015. And yes, the plague we are talking about is the infamous Black Death. With the Covid pandemic so fresh on our minds, it’s easy to see this story and start worrying about the implications. Fortunately, it was caught early and all the proper steps were taken to help the person who was infected and keep it from spreading to anyone else. But a story like this can get you thinking, what do you really know about the bubonic plague and what kind of danger does it still pose? Keep reading to find out.
What is the Bubonic Plague?
The bubonic plague is an infection caused by the Yersinia pestis bacteria and is the most common of the 3 main clinical forms of the plague. The other 2 forms of the plague are the septicemic plague and the pneumonic plague. The plague has been responsible for more than 200 million deaths throughout recorded human history. Bubonic plague has an incubation period of about 2 to 8 days, after which an infected person would have the following symptoms: fever, chills, weakness, headache, and 1 or more swollen (up to the size of an egg) and painful lymph nodes. Though those symptoms may not sound too bad, if left untreated the bacteria can spread and has a 60% mortality rate within just 1 week of exposure; in addition, if untreated it can become septicemic or pneumonic plague. Septicemic plague symptoms include many of the bubonic plague symptoms plus: abdominal pain, shock, bleeding into the skin and organs, and skin and tissue turning black and dying on fingers, toes, and the nose; this type of plague is fatal without treatment. Pneumonic plague is the most dangerous version and adds the symptom of rapidly developing pneumonia, which can cause respiratory failure and shock; this type of plague is also fatal without treatment.
History of the Plague & The Black Death
Though you might be most aware of the plague as the Black Death, it’s actually been around for thousands of years. We currently have evidence that the plague has afflicted humans since at least the Bronze Age, about 3800 years ago. Also, the Black Death wasn’t even the first pandemic that the plague was responsible for, though it was the most notable. Around 541 CE the Justinian plague began and in at least 18 distinct waves over 209 years, it swept across the Mediterranean basin, including areas as far apart as Persia and Ireland.
The Black Death, which is still the deadliest known pandemic in human history, began in October 1347 when 12 Genoese ships, probably coming from Central Asia, docked in the port of Messina in Sicily. When they arrived, the ships were full of dead and extremely ill sailors, and though they were quickly turned away, that short time in port was long enough for the virulent plague to get to shore and spread like wildfire across Europe. In just 5 years more than 25 million people, at least one-third of the European population at the time, died from the Black Death. This level of death changed European societies in many ways, from labor shortages, to a decline in the power of the Italian states, to mass persecutions of Jewish citizens (they were incorrectly and arbitrarily blamed for the plague), to populations moving out of cities, and to the death of both livestock and cats. With so many people sick and dying, those who were healthy did everything they could to avoid those who were sick; this included doctors not seeing patients, priests not giving last rites, stores being closed, and even families abandoning their ill loved ones. The doctors who did tend to plague victims wore protective gear that we still recognize today as the garb of “plague doctors”: the long cape and the mask with the bill-like protrusion over the nose and mouth (this section contained aromatic substances to help block out the horrific smell). Though the plague had died out by the end of the 1300s, there were several other large outbreaks in Europe over the next 400 years.
The final plague pandemic began in 1855 in the Yunnan Province in China; it then spread to Taiwan, Canton, and Hong Kong; between 1910 and 1920 it was further spread via ship to Japan, India, Australia, North America, and South America. In India alone, between 1898 and 1918 around 12 million people died from the plague.
It wasn’t until 1942, when antibiotic treatments were available, that people stood a real chance against the plague. However, it is worth noting that even with antibiotics, if a plague infection isn’t quickly identified and treated, it can still be very fatal (as discussed above). In the U.S., between 1900 and 2012 there were 1006 human plague cases, over 80% of which were bubonic plague; more recently, there are an average of 7 human plague cases each year in the U.S. Worldwide, between 2010 and 2015 there were 3248 plague cases and 584 plague deaths. The countries where the plague is most endemic modernly are Madagascar, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Peru.
What Causes the Bubonic Plague?
The vector that transmits the Yersinia pestis bacteria to animals and humans is primarily the Xenopsylla cheopis flea, though about 80 species of flea can carry and transmit this bacteria. When a flea is infected with the plague bacteria, it blocks the flea’s alimentary canal, which means that when the flea bites an animal to try to feed, instead of sucking in blood, the bacteria causes the flea to regurgitate the Yersinia pestis into the animal host. Perhaps the most notable hosts for these bacteria-laden fleas are black rats since they were the rodents that are believed to have carried the fleas during the Black Death (though this long-held belief is now being questioned). However, it’s not just rats that can carry these fleas; many small animals, such as prairie dogs, squirrels, and rabbits can be carriers. Even worse, it’s possible for our pet cats and dogs to pick up these fleas and bring them inside with them.
So how do humans get infected by the plague? Generally, it’s through a bite from a flea. People can come in contact with these fleas either while outside in an area where the bacteria is presently active, or from fleas that find their way inside on rodents or household pets. It’s also possible to contract the plague from contact with contaminated fluid or tissue; generally, this could be a hunter skinning an animal that had been infected, or even someone touching a dead animal in the wild that had been infected with the plague. Finally, it’s possible to catch the plague from someone infected with pneumonic plague through droplets released into the air when they cough.
Fleas
As fleas are the vector through which the plague bacteria spreads, they are the single most important pest to be aware of if you’re concerned that this deadly disease might be active in your area. Though the plague is very rare in the U.S., fleas are not, and these little pests can make you sick with a variety of things that, though way less scary than the plague, are not issues you want to have to contend with. The most important things to know about fleas are that you can get them even if you don’t have pets, flea pupae can be dormant for up to a year, they feed on blood meals (and will feed on people if they are an accessible food source), and a flea infestation can explode very quickly. For all of those reasons, if you suspect you have a flea problem, contact The Bug Dude at 800-310-BUGS (2847) as soon as possible to have an expert technician assess and treat the problem before it takes over your life. Want more details on these nasty pests? Check out our article: “Fleas Making You Want to Flee? We Can Help!”.
Rodents
While the first rodent you think of when hearing about the plague is naturally the rat, there are other rodents that could carry fleas into your yard and home. A few of the major culprits, besides rats, are squirrels and mice. Not only do rodents present a real health risk for you and your family (and we are talking about risks much more common than that of the plague), but they can also do damage to your home, cars, possessions, plants, and even crops. Rodent infestations are not a problem to be taken lightly, and at the first sign of an issue (i.e.: hearing noises in your walls or attic at night, seeing rodent droppings, finding rodent nests, or seeing chewed wiring) you need to call The Bug Dude at 817-354-5350 to find and eliminate the problem before it gets completely out of control. For more information on rodents, see our articles: “Rats: Not Even Their Own Are Safe!”, “Are Unexpected Guests Crashing Your Thanksgiving?”, and “The Twelve Days of Squirrels”.
Cats
Though cats might not be an animal you would associate with the plague, they have a long history with this particular bacteria. In fact, cats were killed during the Black Death as possible transmission agents. Unfortunately for our furry feline friends, people weren’t far off the mark in thinking that cats transmitted the disease; indeed, cats can become infected with the plague (somewhat easily it would seem) and can then transmit it through aerosolized droplets. So while cats weren’t the main reason for the disease being transmitted, they could potentially have contributed to a small portion of the spread. The good news is that most house cats are unlikely to encounter the fleas that carry the plague, so are unlikely to ever contract it. The bad news is that community cats, as well as cats that roam free in rural areas, are at risk of contracting this deadly disease as well as a whole host of other health concerns. For a more in-depth discussion of community cat and free-roaming cat issues, see our article: “Will A Black Cat Cross Your Path This Halloween?”.
Woman in red boots raking Fall leaves with rake.
Preventative Measures You Can Take
When it comes to keeping yourself safe from the plague (which, admittedly is not a major risk for most people), the fortunate thing is that the steps you would take to keep your yard and home free of fleas and rodents are close to the only steps you need to take. Those steps are:
Maintain a regular pest control service with The Bug Dude
Keep your pets on a regular flea preventative program
Seal all visible holes, cracks, and gaps around your home
Remove all debris from your yard (brush, rock piles, etc.)
Trim tree branches away from your roof and keep vines away from your walls
Keep trash cans sealed
Keep pet food in sealed metal containers
Remove bird feeders and bird baths from your yard
Place sheet metal bands around tree trunks to discourage rodents from climbing them
Make sure attic vents are properly screened
Make sure you have a chimney cap installed and in good condition
The only other measures to take are specific to keeping humans safe from disease, rather than keeping pests away from your home and yard. They are:
Wear gloves if you are handling potentially infected animals
Use repellent and wear appropriate clothing if you think you could be exposed to fleas while outdoors.
While the news can sometimes make us fear the worst, just remember that when it comes to pest issues, you don’t need to stress and worry, just call The Bug Dude at 817-354-5350 and let us handle the problem so you can quickly get back to enjoying the beautiful things in life.
Author Bio: Alissa Breach has been gaining knowledge and experience around pest control concerns over the last 14 years while working for Mid-Cities Pest Control. She has a creative writing BA from UW-Madison and is always pursuing new and interesting writing projects.
