A few weeks ago, the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil predicted there would be six more weeks of winter, and whether or not you buy into his ability to forecast the weather, it’s never too early to prepare your home for Spring. During the winter months, many bugs lie dormant; however, as the temperatures rise, bugs tend […]
Once you get the jingle in your head, it’s tough to get it out. Lookie, Lookie, Lookie, Here Comes Cookie has become synonymous with Cook’s brand over the years. But, are you aware of how the song became the focal point for the pest control company? Early Sponsorship and the Cookie Jingle As it was […]
The German Roach, or Waterbug Often times when people have German roach, they will say that they have “water bugs”. Admitting that you have roaches is distasteful, so this is a more palatable alternative. The belostomatid, I’m sure, would take offense to this because it is the actual “water bug.” As one of the largest […]
The Giant Water Bug Belostomatidae, also known as “giant water bugs,” are easily recognizable by their large size and a pair of short, strap-like posterior respiratory appendages. They are one of the largest insects in the Hemiptera order. They use these appendages to obtain air at the water’s surface. They are large, predatory aquatic insects […]
Thanks, Norway: The Norway Rat’s Range and Natural Resilience Norway rats are often referred to as the street or sewer rats. They are a large species of rat that is said to have first arrived in the Americas on ships in the 1700s. Today they can be found throughout the world. They are very agile […]
One of my favorite speakers in the pest control industry is Dr. Bobby Corrigan, a rodent enthusiast, or, as he’s more professionally known, an Urban Rodentologist. Some of the most useful information I have learned about rodents has come from seminars Dr. Corrigan has led. In one such event that I watched recently, he talked […]
Although beautiful with bright green coloration, the Japanese beetle is a widespread and destructive pest of turf, landscape, and ornamental plants in the United States. It is also a pest of several fruits, garden and field crops, and a host of about 300 different species. They feed on foliage, flowers, and fruits. Their damage can […]
Pest Profile: Yellow Jackets (Vespula spp.) Having a Party? Invite the Social Wasp Yellowjackets are one of many wasps that we commonly encounter. They are in the family Vespidae and the Genus Vespula. Yellowjackets are predatory social wasps that can be identified by their distinctive markings, rapid side-to-side flight and landing patterns, their occurrence only in […]
What does it mean to be social? Being social, or sociality is defined as a group of individuals of the same species exchanging information and cooperating in one way or another. The key to this cooperative living is communication. The word communication is derived from the Latin word “communis”, which is translated to mean “to exchange […]
The Formosan termite Coptotermes formosanus is the most widely distributed and most economically important termite in the genus Coptotermes. A single Formosan colony may contain millions of termites that forage up to 300 feet in soil; this population size and foraging range pose a serious threat to structures. The Formosan Termite’s Unique Attributes This subterranean […]
When we think of termites, we typically think of destruction, damage, wood-eating, and good-for-nothing insects. However, termites are so much more than that. Termites are complex insects and one of the few insects out there that can eat wood. They have a uniquely complicated reproduction cycle, and they are one of the truly social, or […]
Have you ever been to a soccer field or other sports field during the evening and see swarms of large insects crawling around? There could be a number of critters out; however, oftentimes they are mole crickets. These crickets are fascinating and very different looking than what you would expect of a cricket, but unique […]
President and CEO of Cook’s Pest Control, Brian Cook, was recently featured on a leadership podcast to discuss the importance of giving. He’s joined by Larry Little, CEO of the Eagle Center for Leadership, who’s been a friend to the Cook family for years. Listen to the Conversation Brian discusses his desire to follow in […]
The Electric Buzz: The Secret Behind Bumblebee Fuzz I love writing about bugs, but sometimes I struggle to think of new and exciting topics to explore in my writing. Sometimes I ask around for ideas, and I recently asked our Training Coordinator Ashley, “if you could ask one question about insects, what would it be?” […]
Aside from my birthday, one of my favorite days in March is St. Patrick’s Day. The holiday brings back fun memories of silly green outfits I used to wear as a kid, and, more importantly, my mom’s yummy corned beef and cabbage. When we think of St. Patrick’s Day, we often think of good luck […]
The luna moth (Actias luna) is one of my favorite moths and arguably one of the most beautiful moths out there. This moth is so popular that it appeared on a U.S. postage stamp in 1987. The Luna moth was one of the first recorded moths from North America in its family Saturniidae. They get […]
It’s once again that time of year when store shelves abound in heart-shaped valentine boxes, kids are making valentines, couples are planning dates and maybe you’re doing none of those things, which is perfectly okay! Would you believe me if I told you that there are some creepy crawlers that may be planning their dates, […]
The Beautiful, Bulbous Golden Silk Orb Weaver Spider Ever go for a hike and come across a large, magnificent web with a large spider that looks like it could potentially eat you if given the chance? Such a spider may be the Golden silk-orb weaver (Trichonephila clavipes). This spider can be found in Florida and […]
Being from Florida, I really do not like the cold. It makes me want to stay inside and stay snuggled on my couch with a warm glass of tea. However, I am not the only one that wants to be inside during these frigid months. Field mice have the same feelings about the cold as […]
Silverfish are in the order Zygentoma. This soft-bodied insect is a voracious feeder on items high in starch, glue, and cellulose. For example, they are common in libraries and museums where paper books and labels are abundant. However, they can also be found outdoors in cool shaded places, such as under leaf litter, under rocks, […]
When I think of snow, I don’t think of many things living in it that aren’t covered in fur or blubber. You especially don’t think of insects being able to survive. Sometimes, I don’t think I am going to survive, being from Florida I would take the sand in my toes than the snow in […]
The beloved matriarch of Cook’s Pest Control, Inc. passed away on Monday, December 7, 2020, age 92, at her home surrounded by family. Mrs. Cook’s desire throughout her adult life was to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and to share her Savior’s love with others. Born September 21, 1928, in Atlanta, Georgia, Eleanor Elizabeth “Jo” […]
The Tiny Fungus Gnat As colder weather approaches, some outdoor plants are now getting chilly and need to be brought inside. Although moving plants indoors is great for keeping them alive, this can bring in some unwanted house guests, specifically fungus gnats. The fungus gnat is a small fly that enjoys eating fungus and decaying […]
Silverfish are in the order Zygentoma. This soft-bodied insect is a voracious feeder on items high in starch, glue, and cellulose. For example, they are common in libraries and museums where paper books and labels are abundant. However, they can also be found outdoors in cool shaded places, such as under leaf litter, under rocks, […]
The Pests Hiding in Your Bookshelves I have always been a big reader of books, and nowadays reading is more convenient than ever thanks to eBooks that can be read on whatever electronic device suits your fancy. However, I find that there is nothing better than a new paper book. I love the way they […]
