Posted by Donna Walker
Spiders Depicted in Various Cultures
In many cultures worldwide, spiders are considered benevolent creatures that bring happiness, good luck and/or money. Chinese have a high regard for spiders and call them “good luck” or “happiness spiders” because they descend from heaven above. In India, it is said that spiders are spread like confetti at weddings! In Ancient Egypt, the goddess Neith was associated with the spider as the “spinner” and “weaver” of destiny.
Egyptian Goddess Neith – Goddess of Weaving and War
As a deity, the goddess Neith wove the entire world into being with her loom. It is said she reweaves the world daily much like a spider that consumes and reweaves its own web. Arachnida, the spider class in taxonomy, originates from the Greek word Arachne, meaning “spider.” Arachne, according to Greek myths, was a human very adept at weaving who thought she was a better weaver than the goddess Athena.
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Monday April 1, 2013
Posted by Donna Walker
Spiders
Spiders are predators and almost all carry venom but their purpose is to kill insects, not attack humans. Whether spiders create webs for catching prey or dig burrows with trap doors, or hunt by chasing insects over short distances, their goal throughout the day (like some of us humans) is to – eat. Many spiders are beneficial outside of the home where they eat ants, crickets, flies, sow bugs (roly-polies), aphids, and other insects. Inside, spiders will help eliminate termites but most people prefer not to share the same living space with these arachnids!
Green Lynx Spider(Peucetia viridans) with egg sac on a Sycamore tree in Escondido, CA
Tagged: Short Informative Articles About Spiders
Friday March 8, 2013Posted by Donna Walker
The Interview at Hearts Pest Management for Pest Control Technician
Justin Quiroz – Hearts Pest Management
It’s hard to believe that it’s been two and a half years since I rushed into Gerry’s office for an interview.
Truth be told, at the time I didn’t quite know what to expect. I had only ever worked for large companies, never a locally owned business. All kinds of little variables were popping up in my head…
What could this interview lead to? Is this the right move for me? What’s this “Gerry” character going to be like?
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Tagged: Pest Control Workers
Monday February 25, 2013Posted by Donna Walker
There’s a Mouse in the House!
Mice and humans have lived together for eons in a “commensal” relationship, meaning they live on the same premises and eat at the same table (sometimes, literally!) People are often afraid of mice and given their propensity to carry disease, they probably should be but others have a love of mice and keep them as pets. For decades, mice in literature have captured the imagination of both children and adults. Mice figures in anthropomorphic drawings depict them with human characteristics in stories of these tiny-tailed creatures.
Three mice discussing how to get a very large
hunk of cheese back to their “living quarters.”
It may be that we find a certain confidence in a story tale that represents these timorous critters who act so brave and bold despite their small size. We think, “If a little mouse can do it, maybe I can too!”
A Fancy Mouse is a domesticated and selectively bred “House Mouse.”
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Tuesday February 5, 2013Posted by Donna Walker
The Island of Sardinia
Sardinia, Italy, is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily. The island terrain resembles a quilt of sandy beaches, forested mountain peaks, valleys of citrus groves, and pastures of happily grazing sheep.
Sheep near Lula, Sardinia, Italy. Casu marzu cheese is made with ewe’s milk.
Thousands of stone buildings called “Nuraghes” dot the landscape as testimony to an ancient past. Traditionally, Sardinian men worked as farmers and shepherds; some families today continue to raise sheep as a means of income. Sheep are milked twice a day to create Pecorino, a cheese used for Sardinia’s Casu marzu.
Sardinia, Italy is the 2nd largest island in the Mediterranean.
Sardinia’s Casu Marzu
Casu marzu is a specialty cheese that was outlawed for a period of time by the EU (European Union). During this period, die-hard fans had to purchase Casu marzu from the black market. Sardinian sheep farmers relying on Casu marzu as a family business, fought to have the ban lifted.
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Tagged: Conservation and Nature
Thursday January 24, 2013Posted by Donna Walker
Cheese Mites – France’s Mimolette
The next time you’re eating out, you may think twice about ordering “extra cheese.” Did you know that some cheeses have mites? And there are other cheeses that have maggots? What’s gross to some of us is but a delicacy to others…. personally, I love cheese and like trying different varieties but after researching cheese mites, I’ve decided a part-time job as a cheese connoisseur is not for me!
French Mimolette Cheese: The textured crust is caused
by cheese mites. Doesn’t look too unusual, right? Keep reading!
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Tagged: Mites and Public Health
Monday January 14, 2013Posted by Donna Walker
True Bugs
The Red-shouldered Bug
An afternoon walk usually involves having my “nose to the ground” checking for any interesting insect activity. This particular bug was very lucky that I was looking down, or it may have been stepped on……it’s little life cut short by a size 8 sneaker! The first thing I noticed was its beautiful coloring of bluish-black wings with red markings and red eyes.
Red-shouldered Bug (Jadera haematoloma)
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Tagged: Conservation and Nature
Tuesday December 4, 2012Posted by Donna Walker
Pest-Free Christmas Trees
Sniff, sniff……ahhhh, ‘tis the season for the smell of pine needles…..and with the wonderful aroma of pine, you just might have a few pests hitching a ride on that Christmas tree — right into your home!
Christmas trees can bring in pesky guests during the holidays.
Christmas Tree Farms and Pesticides
There are very few Christmas Tree Farms in southern California where you can actually have a tree cut fresh for the holidays, but you can purchase a live one in a pot for later planting. Most trees are shipped in from other states and are treated with pesticides during the year; however, sometimes small critters may be shipped into the state along with the trees.
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Tagged: Conservation and Nature
Tuesday November 13, 2012Posted by gerryweitz
A Bit About Bumble Bees
The Bumble Bee Lifecycle
As the cool weather subsides and spring begins the strongest of the fertilized queen bumble bee begins her search for new and suitable conditions for her colony.
The early stages of forming a new colony are filled with much work for the queen, and she first must establish a location. Not all bumble bees share the same preference when it comes to nesting sites; some choose to make their nest in underground burrows, or perhaps a nice patch of grass above ground, while others inevitably find your attic or eaves quite to their liking.
Here is a close up of Bombus Vosnesenkii
Yellow-Faced bumble bee at work in the garden
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Tagged: Bee Civilization
Tuesday November 6, 2012Posted by Donna Walker
Rats in the Attic
Ahhhh, toasty fires, warm comfy rooms, holiday cheese tidbits — just the place for critters to come in from out of the cold. With winter around the corner, rats and mice may also want to share in the warmth of your cozy home…..
Roof Rats (Rattus rattus) – Tail is longer than the body.
“Su Casa Mi Casa!”
Fall is a good time to trim any overhanging branches touching your home; otherwise, the trees are like the Bering Strait, providing a bridge for rats to crossover into new territory—your roof and into your attic!!! If you hear scratching noises coming from the ceiling or in the walls, these explorers may have already set up camp in your home.
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Tagged: Rodent FAQs and Troubles
