For many people the mere thought of insects brings about unpleasant thought patterns report Monmouth County, NJ pest control professionals. Certain insects like ladybugs, praying mantis, butterflies, and even the honey bee are usually a bit more tolerated and well-liked by us human folks. The mention of other types of creepy crawlers often causes anxiety, fear, and contempt when they invade our human environments. Who among us is fond of living alongside cockroaches, bed bugs, ants, spiders, ticks, yellow jackets, or fleas? All of these creatures are considered to be pests, especially if they happen to make their way inside of our protected (or so we thought) homes.
An interesting study has been under way by an entomologist and post-doctoral researchers at the North Carolina State University. According to reports by Science Daily on February 4, 2013, the researchers have discovered that like humans, insects have the need to groom themselves, just as we humans do. The discovery of the grooming techniques has led the researchers down a path to find out why it is important for bugs to remain clean…by buggy standards.
According to the article, their research has shown that insects of all ages groom themselves incessantly. The grooming ritual, specifically of the antennas, “removes both environmental pollutants and chemicals produced by the insects themselves.” Insects also practice good grooming rituals so that their olfactory senses remain in tip-top working order so that they will be able to find food, find a suitable mate, and escape dangerous situations. While studying the cleaning behavior of cockroaches, the researchers discovered that cockroaches secreted a “fatty, candlewax-like substance” that helps to protect them against water loss.
Carpenter ants and flies were also tested and were found to have the same results. The researchers believe that their study proves that residual insecticides used on insects is not nearly as efficient at killing insects such as cockroaches. Their research suggests that cockroaches that ingest an insecticide mist or dust are a more efficient method of killing these home and business invading pests. Interesting!