GGA Blog

Border Staff and Dogs Working to Keep Out Pests

Double Check your Christmas Trees for Bugs Before Bringing Them Indoors

Bug Bite Guide We are constantly amidst some type of insect whenever we decide to enjoy the great outdoors. There are a number of kinds of bites you can get, and it's important to know what the most common types look like so you can decide how to treat it or if you need to go to the doctor. Here's a list of the most common bug bites

  Finding the perfect tree to bring home and decorate for the holiday season is a beloved tradition in many American households. However, most people don't always consider that they may be taking home more than just the tree. Christmas trees are always full of various insects

Horrifying Video of Centipede Wolfing Down a Live Cockroach

Stinging Safety With the warmer temperatures throughout the country this fall season stinging insects that would usually be hibernating by now are still out and about. It's important to keep an eye out for them, as severe allergic reactions to insect stings

In Bed With the Enemy The Chagas disease used to mostly affect South American and Latin America, but more and more cases have been found in the U.S. in the past couple of years. Chagas affects around 6 to 8 million people every year, and kills about 50,000. What makes Chagas so dangerous is that it can go unnoticed for years, until it finally attacks the heart, which can lead to heart failure. The number of people infected with Chagas in the U.S. has been growing, and now has reached around 300,000 according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Scientists thought until recently that only the "kissing bug" could transmit this deadly disease, but evidence was found recently that bed bugs can also transmit this disease

The Kissing Bug and Chagas Disease

Hybrid termites It's not science fiction, it is actually happening. Two of the most invasive species of termites have decided to mate creating a new termite hybrid. This version of the termite is considered to be a "super" pest because they have the ability to reproduce even faster than either species of termites who were its parents. Also because of the differences in range between the species, these termites could open the door to entirely new habitats. When researchers observed these two species of termites mating, they instantly became concerned because these two species each cause and estimated forty billion dollars' worth of damage worldwide per year. They originated Asia but they have made their way across the ocean into the lower part of the US, presumably through imported wood and other goods. Termites are probably the most damaging insect when it comes to your home. Really the only thing you can do is your annual inspections and making sure you talk to your local pest control expert about any concerns you might have. Termites are not one to be messed around with as they can completely destroy the main beams in your home before you even know they are there. For more information on termites, please click here