The Superheroes of the Bug World by EcoFirst Pest Control

It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s a … bug? Yep, there are millions of species of insects on this earth but there are some that simply shine brighter than the rest – they are, The Superheroes of the Bug World!

1. THE BIGGEST: Giant Camel Spider
   In the world of superheroes, size and brute strength can go a very long way. The Incredible Hulk, for example, doesn’t have any magical super powers per se, but much like this Giant Camel Spider from the deserts of the Middle East, that can grow up to 14 inches long, super size matters.

   

2. THE SCARIEST: Japanese Giant Hornet
   Much like The Hulk, even if you don’t have any notable super powers, simply looking ferocious can go a long way. Fortunately, for the Japanese Giant Hornet, they’re not only enormous (5 times bigger than any honey bee) but they’re also fiercely venomous – so much that they account for approximately 70 deaths in Japan each year!

   

3. THE STRONGEST: Horned Dung Beetle
   It’s not the biggest insect on the list but the Horned Dung Beetle certainly has super powers – the gift of sheer strength. In fact, these insects are so strong that they can heave weights in excess of 1,100 times their own body weight! Considering that is the equivalent of a 150lb person lifting 12 adult elephants, this feat makes them the strongest insect in the world.

4. THE PRETTIEST: Butterflies
   Enough with the brutish characteristics of superheroes; in some cases its all about the beauty (aka Storm). That said, although there are over 100,000 species of butterflies in known existence, we’re going to dub the entire species as the most beautiful of all insects. Just check out this video highlighting a few of the vivacious varieties – we think you’ll agree!

5. THE MOST VERSATILE: Giant Waterbugs
   Because many superheroes tend to be One-Trick-Ponies with known limitations and an obvious Achilles’ heel, there is something to be said for versatility. Making the list as a Jack-of-All-Trades is the Waterbug. While the name would suggest that it’s restricted to water only and destine to be the next Aquaman, this is an insect that can fly, run and not only swim, but also skate across the surface of the water.

   Here’s an even better video but, unfortunately, embedding was disabled: http://youtu.be/gBnsUyfkaKY

6. THE MOST CUNNING: Portia Labiata Jumping Spider
   When combative and cosmetic powers elude, some superheroes have relied on the power of the mind – cue the Portia Labiata Jumping Spider. Widely considered to be the smartest insect on the planet (because of its cognizant problem-solving abilities), this unique spider plucks various rhythms at the edge of its web to mimic a trapped and struggling bug – different rhythms for different bugs. Of course, this attracts other scavenger bugs and an opportunistic meal for the patient Portia Labiata Jumping Spider that uses its brains as its advantage.

7. THE MOST Poisonous: Brazilian Wandering Spider
   Just as the smart superheroes use brains to compensate for their lack of size and strength, some smaller insects enlist the power of poison to take down prey that might otherwise be too hard to handle. That said, the Brazilian Wandering Spider is a trigger-happy nomad that is known for its lethal neurotoxin venom that is more than twice as potent as the infamous Black Widow, making it the most poisonous spider on earth.

   NOTE: The Brazilian Wandering Spider section starts at 1:50.

8. THE INVISIBLE: Orchid Mantis
   Although these creatures could be considered dually cunning and beautiful, the Orchid Mantis uses the additional power of deception to both survive and hunt. Much like a chameleon or the superhero Mimic, this unique mantis looks like the plants in which it lives and can assume the coloring of its environment; thus, appearing invisible to the unsuspecting creatures on which it feeds.

9. THE FASTEST: Cockroach & Dragonfly
   Joining the ranks of The Flash, the fastest superhero in the known universe, we have two speedsters that are worth noting – one on land and one in the air. For starters, the cockroach is the fastest insect on land, as it can run roughly 3.4 mph and cover about 50 body lengths per second (the equivalent of a human running 210 mph). Meanwhile, the Dragonfly can reach upwards of nearly 60 miles per hour in the air!

   

   

10. THE MOST UNASSUMING: Bullet Ant
    Last on our list is an insect that may look more innocent than he really is – a superhero that you’re likely to underestimate – that is, until it’s too late. While the bullet ant looks like an overgrown but rather unassuming carpenter ant, he gets his name because his bite feels like being shot by a bullet. In the end, it won’t kill you but it will certainly make you remember … The Bullet Ant (said in an intense superhero-esc whisper).

People that eat bugs? Really? Yes! The act of eating insects is actually known as entomophagy and although a lot of us find the idea absolutely disgusting, it’s actually very common in many cultures around the world. Check out this somewhat disturbing info graphic full of creepy crawlers that you won’t believe people eat! Brought to you by EcoFirst Pest Control.

Online libel is a serious problem. It can quickly and easily spiral out of hand and have far-reaching effects.  People become emboldened by posting information anonymously and think that online defamation will be too difficult to prove or that the victim will be unable to fight back. Indeed, it can be a lengthy and laborious task, but it can be done. Recently, EcoFirst Pest Control (formerly EcoSure Pest Control) took on that fight and won.

The accusation: for several years, competitor, Johnny Hebda, had been going to online sites such as, RipoffReport.com and ComplaintsBoard.com, placing fabricated customer and employee reports of bad experiences with EcoFirst (EcoSure at the time).

Although EcoFirst Pest Control knew of the seeded fictitious postings, it took them some time to realize they needed to address the problem legally.

“We were shocked once we completed the analysis to determine how many customers we were losing on a weekly basis as a result of Johnny Hebda’s fictitious complaints.  We ultimately decided that taking the matter to court was the only way to clear EcoFirst’s name and put the matter behind us.” Says David Royce, owner of EcoFirst Pest Control.

In the libel case 2:09-cv-01108-DB between the two rival companies, Judge Dee V. Benson (United States District Court, District of Utah) ruled in favor of EcoFirst Pest Control. Judge Benson found Johnny Hebda’s fictitious postings were indeed libelous and made the following ruling:

• Hebda was ordered to pay EcoFirst $1,973,300 in damages.
• Hebda was ordered to refrain from posting any additional statements on websites (including RipoffReport.com and ComplaintsBoard.com) about EcoFirst or any affiliated companies.
• Hebda was ordered to pay EcoFirst’s attorney fees.

Judge Benson also ordered the two websites named in the proceedings, RipoffReport.com and ComplaintsBoard.com, to remove the falsified postings placed by Hebda.

“Unfortunately customers don’t have a way to discern what is true and false online.  If a competitor writes numerous fictitious complaints online with mal intent, pretending to be former EcoFirst customers/employees, then the competitor should be held responsible for his/her actions in a court of law and be prepared to pay for all damages incurred. We hope that our commitment to resolve these matters in court will deter other competitors from engaging in similar acts of libel in the future,” says Royce.

EcoFirst is an accredited Better Business Bureau (BBB) business and has recently been named by PCT magazine (http://66.181.99.28/PCT0511_top100list.aspx) as the fastest growing pest control company in North America.

“Reputation is important for all service industries.  We are proud of the quality growth EcoFirst Pest Control has been able to achieve in the past three years, and we are excited to move forward from this experience stronger because of it.” –David Royce

If you have a pet in your home, chances are, you’ve dealt with fleas. Of all the pests one can have, fleas are absolutely tenacious, which means you’ll most likely need the assistance of EcoFirst Pest Control. EcoFirst uses environmentally responsible extermination methods that fully treat infestations while minimizing the impact on your family, your pets and your local environment. Fleas require a comprehensive solution that treats the entire home, and EcoFirst Pest Control can deliver. Don’t trust your home to just anyone.



While most cases of flea infestations are started by dogs and cats that go outside and then bring the jumping pests back in, there are plenty of cases where people bring the bugs in themselves. Regardless of the source, simply washing our pets and putting them back on your carpets will only lead to frustration. Washing your pets is a good first step, but you’ll also need to treat the carpets and also treat other surfaces like pet bedding, sheets, blankets and more. Miss even one of these steps and the problem will continue. Since so much of your home will need to be treated, it is important that you rely on an environmentally responsible exterminator like EcoFirst Pest Control.

Getting rid of your flea problem is the responsibility of EcoFirst Pest Control. Keeping fleas out of your home will require some work on your end. Wash your pets on a regular basis and give them proper flea treatments so any bugs are naturally repelled. Your pets will naturally scratch themselves but if you notice a near-constant scratching, it may be time for another bath. Keep a close eye on your flea situation and treat your carpet as soon as you detect the problem is trying to return. Call EcoFirst Pest Control for pet and family friendly treatment for fleas and other pests.

If you’ve never had fleas in your home before, they are tiny, dark bugs that are about the size of a period at the end of a sentence. They have incredible jumping abilities and they leave a small, red welt behind when they bite that itches a great deal. Some flea infestations can be so bad they attack en masse when a person enters a room. You don’t have to be under siege in your own home. Flatten fleas with EcoFirst Pest Control.  

Depending on the season, different pests are active in and around our homes, looking for shelter, food and water. As the temperatures rise and fall, pest activity can change, causing problems for homeowners everywhere. The good news is, EcoFirst Pest Control can help. 

The warm summer weather sends pests like spiders, ants, scorpions and rodents looking for shelter inside people’s homes. The lack of food and water available to them outside makes the pests desperate to get inside. Bees, wasps, and yellow jackets are also very active in warmer months, as well as ants, earwigs, millipedes, crickets, and outdoor cockroaches.  

In order to prevent pest infestation, EcoFirst Pest Control offers a four-season protection plan to keep homes covered all year long. The plan provides a thorough inspection of the property to assess any areas that may be prone to pest activity. Then, the pest specialist will create a customized plan to get rid of your pest problems. EcoFirst will then visit the home each season, and reapply products while suggesting any improvements that can help prevent future problems.  

EcoFirst Pest Control prides itself in taking an environmentally responsible approach to pest control. The products that they use are some of the industry’s less toxic yet most effective. Their progressive solutions provide customers with a pest-free environment without causing damaging effects to their customer’s lawns or home interiors.

If you are being dive-bombed the moment you leave your front door by a yellow and black winged bug that’s the size of a small passenger car, it may be time to call EcoFirst Pest Control. EcoFirst uses environmentally responsible pest control methods to minimize damage on the environment while safely and completely eliminating the threat that wasps pose.

Not to be confused with the noble honeybee, wasps are significantly larger, longer and thinner, and unlike honeybees, they do not serve too much of a real purpose other than some pollination and more often the terrorizing of homeowners throughout California. Bees are often rounded up and moved to a safe location so that they retain their valuable spot in the local environment. Wasps need to be eradicated so they no longer pose a threat to children and families.



EcoFirst Pest Control has years of experience in dealing with wasp issues. If you are seeing wasps in and around your home on a regular basis, you could have a nest nearby. Try and see where the wasps are going without endangering yourself. A wasp’s nest is usually in a high corner, but they can also build a nest inside objects. Simply look for a collection of wasps and the nest will likely be nearby.

A wasp infestation is not to be taken lightly. Wasps, unlike honeybees, can sting repeatedly and if you are attacked by a swarm, you could find yourself in a life threatening situation. A wasp nest is usually round or oval in shape, grey in color and appears to be made out of paper.

Wasps can be very aggressive and if they sense a threat to their nest, they can and will sting you. That’s why it is important to rely on EcoFirst Pest Control for all of your wasp removal needs. They use pet-friendly methods that eliminate the problem without you having to risk getting stung. Don’t be a hero, call EcoFirst Pest Control.

Nests are most frequently found in the eaves of your home but they can sometimes be outside hanging from tree branches or in the ceiling of a shed or other nearby building. Paper wasps are the most common in California and they have black bodies, gold wings and a loud, angry buzz. If you are seeing paper wasps in and around your property, contact EcoFirst Pest Control today to have the problem taken care of in a family friendly way. You don’t have to live under the threat of wasps.

It is a nightmare none of us want to think about. Waking up to realize that your home is infested with bed bugs is a scenario none of us want to face, but it is a reality more and more people are dealing with. Your first step should be to call EcoFirst Pest Control. They use environmentally responsible pest control methods to rid your home of bed bugs and their eggs. The last thing in the world you want to do is ignore the problem and hope that it goes away on its own. It won’t. The longer you wait to call in a professional, the longer you’ll have to deal with the threat of bed bugs while you sleep.

The first casualty of the bed bug invasion is going to be your box spring and mattress. In almost all cases, pest control companies will ask you to toss them since this is the main hiding place for bugs and their eggs. You can check them to see if you can spot any live bugs or any signs of habitation like red and black splotches, but even if they look good, there could be hundreds of eggs waiting to be hatched.

Next, your clothing is going to need some major attention. Put all of your clothes in plastic bags and take them to be washed. It is important that you wash them in hot water and dry them on high heat. This is the easiest and only sure fire way to kill both live bugs and their eggs. Put your clean, dry clothes into different, new plastic bags and keep them as far away from your bedroom as you can.

Depending on how severe your infestation is, you may be asked to toss out all of your bedding along with your box spring and mattress. Items like blankets and sheets can easily be washed and dried but things like pillows and comforters are often breeding grounds for bugs. Some items can be washed while others can be dry-cleaned. Ask your EcoFirst Pest Control representative which option is right for you.

In addition to having your home treated, you’ll likely be asked to vacuum as much as 7-8 times per day to help remove any eggs or bugs from your home. It may sound like a lot of work, but it beats waking up with bed bug bites.

It is important to remember that while bites from bed bugs do itch and they leave a red welt, they are not thought to transmit diseases. A bed bug infestation can take a while to recover from so it is important to call upon a family and pet-friendly pest control service that puts the safety of everyone in your home above all else. At EcoFirst Pest Control, they can end your bed bug problem fast and do it with the kind of care you are looking for. If you have found bed bugs in your home, don’t hesitate, call EcoFirst Pest Control today.

There can be no sound more unnerving than the ceaseless scratching in your walls caused by a rodent infestation. You don’t feel safe in your own home and you are afraid to enter into dark rooms because you may not be alone. At EcoFirst Pest Control, we can help rid your home and your property of mice but there are things you too can do to reduce the chance of an infestation taking hold. While these tips are not a failsafe, they should improve your chances of staying mouse-free.  

Remove yard hiding places  

In most cases, mice don’t simply gnaw their way into your home without first invading your property first. They move like soldiers invading an enemy holding. They creep closer and closer to your home over a period of time before chewing their way into your walls. If you have any piles or structures on your lawn, these spaces can be fortifications for mice. Woodpiles, sheds, stacks of almost anything can act as mouse hiding places. You will also want to mow your lawn regularly as long grass provides great cover to mice. If you have a shed on your lawn, you may want to consider trapping it if you are finding signs of droppings or chewed wood.  

Remove food sources  

Mice enter our homes for two reasons: warmth and food. Since you can’t exactly turn off your heat in the middle of winter, your only option is to try to shut off the food supply. Always clean up after meals and never leave your dishes in the sink overnight. Clean your counters of crumbs before you go to bed. Go through your cabinets and see if paper or plastic bags show signs of chew marks. If you can, put everything in glass or metal containers with screw or latch tops. If you make the mice work for their meal, they will be forced to find someplace else eat.  

Find entry points  

If you are finding droppings in your cabinets or under your sink, then you should call EcoFirst Pest Control and have your infestation treated. In the meantime, you can try to find how they are getting into your home. The spaces around pipes are usually good entryways. They attract mice since they are warm and the holes don’t have to be very big for mice to get through to your living space. Use an expanding caulk to seal these holes shut. Not only will it keep out mice and bugs, it will lower your heating bills to help you live a greener and thriftier lifestyle.

Contact your EcoFirst Pest Control Professional for assistance in taking care of your rodent problem.

More than any other pest, ants can invade a home and drive you crazy without any obvious cause. Mice and roaches will enter your home for warmth and food, but ants seem to come and go with the tides. You can keep an immaculately clean home and get ants, and then they can disappear almost as soon as they arrived. If you are currently up to your eyeballs in ant issues, call EcoFirst Pest Control. They have the experience and the know-how to keep your home pest free. If you are looking for ways to keep the ant menace at bay, these tips can help you keep an ant-free home.  

First, you need to look for possible entry points. Even if your home is brand new, it can be a little unnerving to realize just how many entry points there really are. For example, loose fittings around pipes, or a less than secure seal around a window or a screen door that doesn’t close all the way, can act like a highway for ants. Seal as many of these issues as you can and keep a wary eye out for trails of ants in your kitchen or pantry. That’s not to say that you won’t find ants in other parts of your home, but you are most likely to find them in places where food is readily available. 

In many cases, the first time people notice they have ants is when they get up in the morning and see a party going on inside the pots and pans they left in the sink overnight. The reality is that this practice has got to stop if you are serious about ending your ant problem.

You do not have to turn your kitchen into a hospital room, but you do need to remove theses easy food sources. Go through your cabinets and search for spilled food. Often times it is something like a bag of chips that got spilled in the back of a cabinet 6 months ago and never got cleaned up. Ants can live off that bounty for a long time.

By transferring dry baking ingredients, especially sugar, to containers that have a screw top, you all but end the ant buffet. It can be somewhat tedious, but only costs a small amount to purchase such containers, and cleaning up your kitchen will go a long way in helping prevent infestations.  

Ants can be a pest that just won’t go away. If you need help, call EcoFirst Pest Control. They have the skills and the experience to rid your home of all your home’s ant issues.