Monthly Archives: November 2013

Insect Immune Suppression

Posted on November 30, 2013 by jjneal

Of the hundreds of thousands of described insect species, over 10 percent of the total are parasitoids. Parasitoids are insects that lay their eggs inside another insect. The parasitoid larvae feed on the host tissues. Many insects have defenses against … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomaterials, by jjneal, Environment, Health | 1 Comment

Laws and Labels

Posted on November 29, 2013 by jjneal

Anyone who has purchased a pesticide product in the US since the 1970s may have noticed the writing on the container, known as the pesticide label. The label and its contents must be approved by the EPA as part of … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Environment, Health, Pest Management, Policy | Leave a comment

Feeding the Wild Turkey

Posted on November 28, 2013 by jjneal

Wild turkeys, Meleagris gallopavo, are omnivores, eating a variety of plants, seeds and insects. Insects are an important source of protein for young turkeys. Turkeys have been observed pecking more often at insects than at plants. Turkeys eat flies, true … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Flea Allergy in Cats

Posted on November 27, 2013 by jjneal

Flea allergy in cats is a common affliction. Cats with flea allergy have immune reactions to fleas and flea secretions and droppings. Flea allergy can irritate the cat and cause excessive grooming leading to hair loss and other issues. Flea … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Health, Pest Management | 3 Comments

Living With Tick and Flea Collars

Posted on November 26, 2013 by jjneal

Insects and ticks are both arthropods, but they are distantly related. We expect their physiology to have substantial differences and this applies to their nervous system. Repellents for ticks and insects affect the nervous systems, increase mobility and inhibit settling … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, by jjneal, Health, Pest Management | Leave a comment

Exploiting Synergies

Posted on November 25, 2013 by jjneal

In some cases, application of 2 insecticides to an insect will have effects that are greater than the additive effects of each insecticide alone. The greater than additive effects are called “synergistic”. Treatments that combine neonicotinoids and pyrethroids have synergistic … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Pest Management | Leave a comment

Flea Collar Formulations

Posted on November 24, 2013 by jjneal

Flea collars for pets all work on the same principle. A pesticide is imbedded in a plastic matrix in the form of a collar that can be buckled onto the neck of the animal. The plastic is formulated to slowly … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Health, Pest Management | 6 Comments