It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a �.. SPIDER? Flying spiders? WHAT! Spiders don't fly! Of course they don't, but some appear to be gliding which is a feat for such a small insect that doesn't have wings. Researchers in the rainforests of Panama and Peru have researched and documented the instances of spiders appearing to fly and are astonished. Spiders are typically nocturnal and lay flat in the bark in the rainforest. The species called Selenops are large at three inches wide, but remarkably thin at less than one sixteenth of an inch thick. With dimensions like that, they are not at all naturally aerodynamic. The researchers collected nearly 60 spiders and released them from the tops of the trees in the rainforest. Nearly all of them literally glided down to land on tree trunks standing nearby. They noticed upon release, the spiders would automatically turn their body facing their heads towards their intended landing spot. It was also observed that they seem to use their front legs to steer themselves in the right direction while gliding. One of the important parts of this research is the realization that these spiders are not just free falling from a silky web like most will do to cascade through the air. They are gliding with no cords or parachutes. Almost like a free fall if you will. For more information on flying spiders click here

Are you being watched? Do you have that gut feeling that something is out there spying on you? Maybe just in the shadows or behind the baseboard? Ghost ants might be your answer. While they may have an eerie name, they aren't really scary. It's their small size and pale, ghostly color that gives them their name. This also make it difficult to see so they may just surprise you! Would you call a black widow spider a war hero? If you answered "yes", than you may already know that the black widow spider web was used to mark targets in World War ll. Have you ever seen a flying squirrel? They don't really fly, but rather glide. They have a fold of skin that when stretched out becomes their own personal sail. While this may be a cool skill, they can become pests if they gain access to your attic. The smell alone will let you know they are visiting. Don't attempt to remove them yourself, as they are biters. Be sure to call a professional. Did you know that a cricket eats both plants and animals? You do now! Bed bugs love blood. So much in fact that they can consume up to seven times their own body weight. It's easy to spot when they have been snaking because their bodies will turn bright red in color. All it needs is a warm blooded body and opportunity. The fact that humans aren't covered in fur makes us their favorite. For more information on ghost ants, black widow spiders, crickets and bed bugs click here

Different Stingers Do you know the difference between and wasp, hornet and bee? Missy Henriksen has some answers and some tips on how to avoid them. A wasp is slender and generally not aggressive. They will however sting if messed with or when threatened. The will also gaurd their nest so beware trying to remove one. You will usually find the nest up high in trees or under eaves for instance. Do not attempt to remove the nest. You should call for professional treatment and removal. Hornets will come out later in the summer. They look much like a wasp, but their aggression is quite different. Walk into their space? Be prepared to get stung! Hornets can also sting multiple time and the stings can be very painful. If a nest is spotted in a tree or by your house do not attempt to remove it. Again, call a professional. You can spot Honey bees around your gardens and plants as they are natures pollinators. Usually living in hollow trees and in colonies. Bumble bees are much larger and usually nest in the ground. They also have the ability to sting more than once. Carpenter bees are similar to bumble bees, but are less aggressive. They seldom sting, but can do damage to wood if not controlled. Remember if you do encounter these stinging pests, don't swat at them or provoke them in any way.

The danger of mosquitoes When you think of summertime what comes to mind; picnics, baseball and of course mosquitoes the size of Texas are the first things that pops into most people's minds. The danger with mosquitoes isn't just their annoying itchy bite. They can also carry some significant diseases like West Nile, valley fever, and yellow fever are just a few that could cause major health issues; West Nile virus being of most concern here in the US. West Nile virus has affected more than 30 thousand people in the United States just since 1999. This illness spreads from birds to mosquitoes to humans. In 1999, West Nile was brought to the forefront of the insect discussion after it was implicated in several deaths. If you are suspect that you may have contracted the virus, one of three symptoms may appear. The symptoms include fever, headache, body aches and a general feeling of just not feeling well. Symptoms can last up to a few weeks. In some cases, extreme carries may suffer from meningitis and in other cases there are no symptoms at all, you can go through your life not even knowing it was contracted. If you think you have been bitten by a mosquito carrying West Nile, if the symptoms do not clear up in day or two it is important to seek medical attention. For more information on the risks of West Nile Virus and mosquitoes, please click here

Ants - the original body builders Did you know ants actually have strength that would equal a 200lb man putting a truck with a hippo in it, on his back? Of course, this strength level is a bit off kilter. If a man were the size of an ant of course, his strength level would go up. Ants have the ability to carry a piece of food 50 times its own body weight back to its colony. In fact, there is an entire species of ants called worker ants, whose job is simply that. Their sole purpose in life is to go gather food for their queen; these ants have lean bodies and will use their bodies as if they are actual machines. Ants are no pest to mess with because of their extreme strength in their body to mass ratio, and in the social being mentality. Most times ants are known to work together to move food sources back to their queen. While a crumb may seem insignificant to you, they are more than enough to draw in the chemical trail of ants in their masses. Make sure to keep your living space clean and tidy if you truly want to avoid ants. For more information on ants, Click here

Why do mosquitoes like me? I can't think of anyone that I know that says, "Ya, I like mosquitoes". However, I have heard time and time again, "I just attract them". So why is it some people attract the biting flying nuisances? Scientists may have discovered a possible reason. Is it genetics? In a recent study, mosquitoes were put into a Y shaped tube under the duress of making the decision which side to choose. The scientists had a human set of twins one on each side of the Y. The twins with identical DNA each got bit equally and it seems as though the mosquitoes didn't favor one or the other. However, the set of non-identical twins, got different results. Oder, bacteria, and sweat are a big attractor for mosquitoes. Pregnant women and people carrying extra pounds tend to sweat more which will tend to make them more likely to receive the annoying attention of the mosquito. The good news is even if you sweat, stink or have built up bacteria in your skin, you can still protect yourself with mosquito repellant to try to save yourself from being bitten. Mosquito bites are not fatal, however they are at least annoying if not painful and overall irritating. To learn more about mosquitoes, click here

Because lighting matters Why is it that sometimes you will see insects collecting around an artificial light source yet other bugs and creepy crawlers stay away? Bugs can mistake a lightbulb for sunlight, which to them equates food causing them to swarm the light looking for dinner. However, other bugs like bees for instance, steer far from these light sources. Are they smarter than your typical moth who will beat its head against a lightbulb a million times, still not realize it's not the sun? There are different species of moths, nocturnal moths for instance will not participate in the behaviors of swarming a light source, whereas the lower moth species are highly attracted to the same source of light. We've all heard, "like a moth to a flame". The moth sees the light and assumes food must be near. According this species there can't be light where food isn't involved. Bees however, are daytime bugs. It is rare to see a bee flying during the night, even if the distraction of a high powered artificial light source. Bees are just too smart for their own good and stay "home" at night. Grasshoppers also will swarm near an artificial light source. While they are very intelligent insects, the light gets them every time. For more information on moths, grasshoppers and bees lighting preferences, click here Why is it that sometimes you will see insects collecting around an artificial light source yet other bugs and creepy crawlers stay away? Bugs can mistake a lightbulb for sunlight, which to them equates food causing them to swarm the light looking for dinner. However, other bugs like bees for instance, steer far from these light sources. Are they smarter than your typical moth who will beat its head against a lightbulb a million times, still not realize it's not the sun? There are different species of moths, nocturnal moths for instance will not participate in the behaviors of swarming a light source, whereas the lower moth species are highly attracted to the same source of light. We've all heard, "like a moth to a flame". The moth sees the light and assumes food must be near. According this species there can't be light where food isn't involved. Bees however, are daytime bugs. It is rare to see a bee flying during the night, even if the distraction of a high powered artificial light source. Bees are just too smart for their own good and stay "home" at night. Grasshoppers also will swarm near an artificial light source. While they are very intelligent insects, the light gets them every time. For more information on moths, grasshoppers and bees lighting preferences, click here

Building a future on bugs Centipede Vodka? No thanks, right? No bugs needed! Or is there really a market for just that? Insects are the newest delicacy. Roasting ants, saut�ed mopane and even tarantula infused alcohol seem to be all the rave. Insect farms are now booming across North America, even spanning to a few new markets in Europe as well. One farm, Next Millennium Farm, is recommending its own cricket flour which was featured on the popular TV show "Shark Tank". Revenue from the farm has exceeded $100,000 a month in 2015. While livestock farms cost nearly $300 Billion per year, insect farms cost a mere fraction of the money to run effectively, not to mention the ecological benefits and lower environmental foot print of an insect farm. Farms like Next Millennium Farm, are working to chance public opinion on the "ew gross" factor of eating bugs like crickets. The protein value in these insects specifically is extremely high. Who knew, eating bugs could be good for you! These farms could really be the future of farming once research institutions come up with not only the best practices but also then put regulations into place to insure the safety and approval of the FDA. For more information on insect farming and cricket farming, click here

What makes wasps be such jerks? Who knew that just like humans, bad behavior of wasps turns out to be family related? Wasps are very village family oriented, doing their work on a daily basis for the good of the group instead of the good of just one. Every year hornets and yellow jackets will remake their home and colonies. With the spring time comes a newly crowned queen who builds the colony from the ground up, teaching her offspring how to help. Sometimes these colonies can house up to 1000 worker wasps. The offspring of the queen, or larvae, appear and get very angry during the summer because they are growing through the toddlerhood and adolescence phase of their lives and are hungry. These young soon to be full grown wasps need protein to continue to grow. They obtain this necessary protein from family deliveries of small insects. Yellow jackets are scavengers who search for these insects to feed their sibling spawn. By the middle of the summer, humans tend to be on the lookout for these nests and colonies, yellow jacket have a tendency to create them in the walls of our homes creating a major problem. Throughout the season of summer into fall, the worker hornets and wasps grow to be very tired of delivering food to their larvae and queen. Because of all of that work, and the annoyance of humans trying to destroy their homes, but the end of the season they are rightfully grumpy and tend to sting. To read more on Yellow Jacket Wasps and bald face hornets, click here