NATURAL PEST CONTROL
PESTS AND THEIR PREDATORS
There are several ways in which pest infestations are kept under control by Mother Nature.
Here is a list of some annoying pests and their natural predators.
TICKS:
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Frogs:
In the wild frogs have a varied diet. While they will feast on ticks, it is not their most likely prey as they spend most of their time in water while ticks typically are hidden within foliage such as grass, trees, bushes, etc.
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Birds:
Smaller birds typically feed on small insects, and ticks are no exception. In fact, there is even an African savanna bird called Oxpeckers that feed almost exclusively on their local populations of ticks.
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Chickens:
While it may seem odd, chickens are a very prominent tick predator. They feed on ticks that are close to the ground and in grass. They have also been known to even eat them off their fellow farm animals. This makes them an extra positive addition to any farm.
- Beetles and Spiders:
Many different insects and arachnids feed on one another. They dine on other species, as well as sometimes engaging in cannibalism. In the case of ticks, both beetles and spiders are the most likely arthropods to prey on them.
MOSQUITOS:
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Bats:
Bats are a fantastic source of natural mosquito control. In fact, bats will often adjust their hunting ranges depending on mosquito populations.
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Dragonflies:
Dragonflies will consume mosquitos in both their larval and adult forms. In their adult stage, they can eat between thirty to several hundred mosquitos in a single day – making them quite the threat to mosquito populations.
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Spiders:
Flying into that sticky little web is a death sentence for most bugs. Spiders are not very picky when it comes to their food, and they are more than happy to munch on mosquitos when given the chance.
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Mosquitos:
A mosquito known as the elephant mosquito (Toxorhynchites rutilus) will actually feed on the larvae of other mosquitoes when they themselves are in their larval form.
COCKROACHES
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Lizards:
Many different types of lizards are very prolific predators, especially when it comes to insects.
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Snakes:
Snakes are also carnivorous creatures and will consume roaches when the opportunity presents itself.
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Centipedes:
These multi-legged arthropods have strong bite power and will feast on a variety of different insects, including roaches.
- Praying Mantis’:
These insects are well known for consuming other species of insects and cockroaches are no exception. When the opportunity presents itself, they will eat the occasional cockroach.
BED BUGS
Bed bugs are a massive problem and, unfortunately, they do not have many natural predators. But in the right conditions, and with some luck, the following will occasionally feed on those nasty night-time vampires.
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Ants:
There are a few different species of ants that will consume bed bugs if given the opportunity. These species include Argentine ants, Pharaoh ants, European imported fire ants, and Tropical fire ants.
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Scorpions:
It isn’t very typical that scorpions and bed bugs come across one another, but in the case that such a situation occurs, wind scorpions and pseudoscorpions will consume bed bugs.
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Mites:
Pyemote mites are rather small, but when they encounter bed bug eggs and larvae, they have been known to feast on these young stages of bed bugs.
- Lizards:
While lizards are more than happy to have bed bugs as part of their menu, it is not very likely that they come in contact with one another. Furthermore, in the case of a bed bug infestation, some veterinarians warn that it is not advisable to allow a pet lizard to feed on many of the insects at once (although a few are supposedly harmless snacks).
If you have any of these pesky pests and want a professional service to eradicate them, then do not hesitate to contact Sydney’s Best Pest Control. Call us on 1800 819 189 or email us using our easy contact us form.
Further Reading
Is your home a mosquito sanctuary?
Cockroaches – what’s the difference?
Why do I get so many cockroaches in my unit and townhouse?
How to differentiate between bed bugs and fleas?
Am I being bitten by bed bugs?
I have bed bugs, am I going to die?
Where did I get bed bugs from?
