Getting Bitten Or Sprung?

We hear it all the time. "I'm getting bit by something." "I have fleas!" "I got bed bugs." "My legs are getting bit up." More often than not there are no fleas or bed bugs biting at your legs. In fact, you might not be getting bit at all. Meet the Springtail... 

Springtails

Springtails are tiny little critters minding their own business but will invade areas of your home or office. Chances are if you go outside to smoke, walk, or just sit near a window you have encountered these itty, bitty boogers. Since there are numerous species of springtails in our region let's just stick to springtails for now.  Springtails love moisture therefore they typically live in environments where leaf litter and soil are slightly damp. Springtails enjoy eating fungus and such. Springtails get their name from the shape of their abdomen and what they can do with it. Like a diving board, springtails can launch themselves into the air a few centimeters on each bound. 

When most people find springtails in their home they mistakenly believe they are fleas or some other insect that bites. Not the case at all! So you can feel safe now knowing springtails do not bite or dig themselves under your skin. In fact, they aren't really known for causing skin irritations. 

Preventing Springtails

Since they love moist conditions and they can be found in all parts of the world, even at the highest elevations, springtails are the largest population of tiny insects making them difficult to control or prevent. Seek out damp areas in and around your home. Eliminating moisture is the most important step towards preventing them. Pesticide in the formulation of dust and liquid will probably be needed in the smallest of cracks and crevices. Springtails breathe through their cuticle making them very sensitive to water. With this in mind they will avoid wet applications of pesticide you buy retail. Sure, you'll kill on contact but most of their population will quickly jump away from your efforts all to return upon drying. 

You will most likely find springtail populations in your basement, kitchen or bathroom. Newly constructed homes and structures typically have springtail infestations due to damp or wet construction material. Population control should be left to the professionals but, you can always give it a shot DIY. 

Can't get rid of your springtails?

If you've tried eliminating springtails without success give us a call and we can help. These tiny critters can be found in all parts of the world and can be very difficult to get under control sometimes. It's ok to throw in that proverbial towel and get help. 1-717-597-1040. Ask for Holly, Breanna or Cynthia and they will gladly help. 

What's That Buzz About?

Did you know their buzz can be heard a mile away, and that some of them can live for 17 years? While they do not bite or sting and they don't destroy crops like locusts, what's that obnoxious buzz all about? 

What is a cicada?

Only heard in the eastern woodlands of the United States, cicadas live a lifespan from 4 to 17 years. As larvae, cicadas live most of their lives underground until they emerge for a period of 2-6 weeks as adults. There are two distinct types of cicada - the annual and the periodical. Interestingly enough, all periodical cicadas emerge from the ground at the same time in one location. Depending on species, the emergence can happen every 13 or every 17 years. On the other hand, there are Annual cicadas which emerge year after year from late June to August. 

Periodical cicadas can have green or red eyes while the annual cicadas typically are found having black.

What do cicadas eat?

Not to be confused with locusts, cicadas do not cause a loss in crops or vegetation of any kind. Cicadas feed on plant juices when below the ground but upon emerging adult cicadas do not eat at all.

So, what's with the buzzing?

The buzzing sound cicadas make is for one thing only - to attract other cicadas. Male cicadas create the dramatic and whirling buzz to attract more males, as well as females, to an area for the single purpose of mating. After mating, females deposit eggs in slits they cut along branches  then die. Once the eggs hatch, the orphaned cicadas go down into the ground all to emerge in 4-17 years. As for the annual cicadas, obviously, they return again year after year. An interesting insect to say the least!

Top 3 Most Abundant Insects

Beetles

Flies

Ants

Beetles make up the largest portion of the food chain. Beetles have a hard shell covering them, wings and many species can fly very well. They are found in all parts of the world with about 25000 species.

With 20000 different species of flies, most people don’t know they can only eat liquids because they have no teeth. Although flies can consume tiny, soft granular-like items but only after they are broken down into a liquid.

The Hymenoptera family of insects are the sawflies, bees, ants, and wasps. They make up around 18000 species. These top 3 insects make up around 53,000 species of insects found throughout the world. 

Centipedes vs. Millipedes

Centipedes and millipedes are certainly considered two of the most revered household pests with their long slender bodies and numerous legs, and, how they suddenly appear out of nowhere. Centipedes can move quickly while most millipedes take their time but, how can you tell the difference between the two? And, can either bite or sting? 

Millipedes are actually less threatening, not venomous, and will more than likely curl up into a ball in defense.

Differences between millipedes and centipedes:
Centipedes have one set of legs per each body segment, and millipedes have two.
Centipedes have long antennae while millipedes have shorter.
Along with antennae, centipedes have long legs allowing them to move quickly than millipedes.

Symptoms of a Centipede Pinch
According to the United States Library of Health Medicine, the 3 most common symptoms of a centipede pinch are:

• Pain in the area of the pinch
• Swelling in the area of the pinch
• Redness in the area of the pinch

Crickets Can Save Your Life

Crickets will save your life and the environment soon!

If you haven't heard by now crickets are the future of food and not just as a snack. Turns out crickets are high in protein and packed full of nutrients. In addition to being a healthy food choice, they are sustainable and environmental-friendly to produce as a food over any other meat manufactured. Crickets are beginning to emerge in our food supply everywhere. You can find cricket meal and flour. You can have fried, dipped or dried crickets as a tasty snack. You can choose from cricket granola or have them as a trail mix with brown sugar and maple. 

After hearing the truth about crickets I decided to try them for myself. All I can say is I welcome them into our future. I tried the simple and plain salted crickets as a snack and honestly... they tasted just like a saltine cracker. 

The Psychological Effects Of Bed Bugs In Our Lives

If you haven't ever felt unwelcome in your own home you will with a bed bug infestation! Bud bugs are probably the most feared pest in recent years. Imagine waking up in the middle of the night to find bed bugs feeding on you.  Worse yet, think about trying to go to sleep at night with the thought of your kids being fed on. Could you even walk into your own house knowing bed bugs are hiding somewhere just waiting for you to fall asleep? Living in a home with bed bugs is certainly no way for anyone to live.

Over the years I have spoken to our customers, listened carefully, and truly felt their fears with them. By far, the one thing I have heard from everyone is how quickly we brought them peace of mind. By following bed bug prevention guidelines and hiring a professional at the first sign is the most effective way to ensure a good night’s sleep. Feeling safe and secure in your home is essential for optimum wellness in your life.

A bed bug infestation isn’t just an inconvenience for you and your family or an unexpected expense – they can provoke a psychological impact on you for a long time. So, if you're worried about the cost, health risks, or the lack of sleep, give us a call so we can bring you the peace of mind you deserve. Let Gladhill Services check out the situation for you and determine the best way to handle it. 

Check out this video of a technician discovering a bed bug infestation in a living room chair.

Gladhill Services finds bed bugs in living room furniture

Christmas Tree Pests

efore you grab that Christmas tree be sure it's not home to unwanted pests this holiday season.

Freshly cut Christmas trees not only liven the holiday spirit, they may be a direct way for insects, mites, and spiders to enter your home. When brought inside, some insects may remain on the inner trunk of the tree never being noticed but, others may come out to venture around your home once they feel warm temperatures inside. Most insects remain on the tree for winter hibernation while some may be attracted to light fixtures and windows. Following a few preventive steps can help ensure you won't introduce them into your home this holiday season.

Mechanical tree shakers
These are very useful in removing insects and nests from trees. If not done when purchasing your Christmas Tree, shake the tree vigorously before setting up inside for the holidays as this will serve the same purpose.

Bird nests, although considered decorative by some people, bird nests may contain mites and lice. Any nests should be removed by hand if not by mechanical or hand shaking.

Natural Aerosol sprays can be sprayed on the Christmas tree.
There are many useful and natural aerosol products you can easily find to spray directly into the tree. With having no residual and being natural, these products quickly repel any insect that may be hiding within your tree. Your tree will be safe to set up inside shortly after you spray them. 

Vacuum cleaners
Vacuums work very well by removing insects that may collect on walls, floors or ceilings. Quickly remove nesting debris, eggs, cocoons and live insects this way. 

A Christmas tree may be home to numerous structural, environmental and landscape pests like adelgids, wooly adelgids, aphids, bark beetles, mites, chiggers, ticks, fleas, praying mantids, scale insects, psocids, and spiders. The odds of finding all the listed pests on your Christmas tree this year is slim but, sometimes one or more may have made a home in it. So follow these holiday hacks to limit any pest problem this holiday season.