Ticks
Ticks grow from the egg to the adult by what is called simple metamorphosis, meaning there is not a great change in their appearance. They emerge from the egg as a tick, shed their skin later to become the second stage and a slightly larger tick, and then shed one last time to become an adult tick. At this stage, males and females mate with the female laying a large number of eggs. The...
Read MoreFleas
Fleas undergo what is called a “complete” life cycle. The four stages are the egg, larva, pupa, and the adult. The larva is a scavenger, feeding on whatever organic material it can find. It is only the adult flea that bites. However, one very important ingredient in the organic meal found by the larva is dried blood. The source of this meal are the fecal drops from the...
Read MoreJumping Spider
One of the most common jumping spider species in the U.S. is dark black with white spots on top of its abdomen and white spotting on its legs. But even the biggest individuals are not more than one inch long with their legs fully extended. This spider is called different names, including common Jumping Spider the Daring Jumping Spider the 3-Spotted Jumping Spider The jumping spider has a...
Read MoreBed Bugs
Bed bugs have bee associated with humans for quite a long time. It is believed that this bug originally evolved in the Middle East. While this species is not associated with the spread of any diseases, its bite can have a serious effects. Swelling and severe itching or other immune system reactions may be common to people who can be sensitive to its saliva. There are four...
Read MoreArgentine Ant
If you live in southern California, you probably have seen endless single file columns of these uninvited six-legged guests walking through your home. They follow a pre-marked pheromone “scent” trail initially laid down by scouts who were searching out for food and water. Although they prefer the outdoor life style, they primarily enter houses for food and water. They are...
Read MoreBlack Widow Spider
Black Widow spiders may be the only spider in North America with the potential to kill us, and over a couple of hundred years of record keeping no more than one person died each year from the venom of this spider. Now, with the availability of antivenin at most major hospitals, deaths from black widow bites are extremely rare, and in the U.S. there have been no confirmed deaths since...
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