10 Common Australian Pests
Top 10 Amazing Home Pest Facts
Pests – insects, rodents, and other unwanted creatures in your home – can be annoying and damaging, but they also have some incredible abilities that are pretty amazing!
Read on for perplexing and astonishing pest facts.
1. Ants Can Lift Objects 50 Times Their Body Weight
The tiny ant can haul giant loads. On average, ants can carry objects up to 50 times their own weight. This strength allows them to lug meals and other objects back to their nests
Some of the most impressive ant feats include:
- Leafcutter ants carrying leaves many times their size
- Army ants cooperate to build bridges and structures with their colony.
- Weaver ants collaborating to pull leaves together and stitch them up with larval silk to build nests
2. Locust Swarms Can Blanket 460 Square Miles
When conditions are right, normally solitary locusts band together in massive swarms that blacken the sky. These groupings exhibit what scientists call a “superorganism” intelligence that allows them to cooperate.
The largest swarms have been known to blanket up to 460 square miles – greater than the size of New York City!
3. Mosquitoes Can Smell Humans from 100 Feet Away
This blood-sucking insect has an uncanny ability to sniff out its human targets. With two antennae covered in odor receptors, it can detect carbon dioxide and other cues from nearly 100 feet away.
Unfortunately, that amazing sense of smell allows them to home in on us very effectively!
4. Bed Bugs Can Survive Up To A Year Without Feeding
Notorious as nighttime biters, bed bugs can actually survive many months without a meal. In cool temperatures, they may live up to 400 days without feeding. This allows them to hide away undetected and await the opportunity to strike. Their evolutionary adaptations make eradication very difficult!
5. Cockroach Facts Table
Some quick facts:
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Running Speed | 3 miles per hour |
| Daily Food Intake | Equivalent to half of their weight |
| Longest Time Without Head | 1 Week |
| Lifespan | Up to 1 Year |
As you can see, cockroaches have some incredible abilities, made even more perplexing by their ability to survive without major parts!
6. Fleas Can Jump 150 Times Their Own Height
The pesky flea holds the record for the best jumpers in the animal kingdom. They sail through the air with jumping power that allows them to soar 150 times their own height, the equivalent of a 6 foot tall human leaping over the Eiffel Tower!
This explosive jump happens thanks to their specialized legs and a latch mechanism that stores muscle energy.
7. Spider Silk Is 5 Times Stronger Than Steel
Spider silk threads are a marvel of material engineering. The strands extruded by the orb weaver are up to five times stronger than steel of the same diameter. Researchers believe this amazing strength comes from a combination of microcrystals and proteins woven together in a special arrangement.
Fascinating Spider Facts
- All spiders produce silk—up to seven different types used for various functions!
- Their silk was historically used as crosshairs in weapon scopes.
- Some can change colors over their lifespan.
8. Termite Mounds Regulate Temperature
The mounds of this pest in Africa can tower up to 30 feet tall—equivalent to a two-story house! Within the mound, temperatures remain steady at around 30.56 degrees Celsius (87 degrees Fahrenheit). What’s the secret?
The burrow ventilation tunnels throughout the mound allow air to flow, enabling heat to consistently radiate through the porous mound structure. Amazingly, the engineering of these mounds has inspired human building design!
9. The Bombardier Beetle Fires a Boiling Chemical
When threatened, the aptly named bombardier beetle turns its abdomen toward enemies. From this rear end, it blasts a scalding hot substance, reaching 212 degrees Fahrenheit—the boiling point of liquid! Watch out.
This beetle mixes substances within its figure, squirting them out with explosive results. The blast happens so fast that it makes an audible popping sound.
10. Rats Can Tread Water for 3 Days Straight
Known for spreading disease, rats also possess special skills that ensure their survival. One of the most amazing rat facts is that they can tread water for up to 3 consecutive days, helped by their resistant fur. They accomplish this through a special muscle that closes their ears to keep liquid out.
Top 10 Most Extreme Pest Facts
From bizarre behaviors to unbelievable physical abilities, here are the top 10 most extreme and amazing facts:
- Locust swarms blanket 460 square miles
- Mosquitos smell humans from 100 feet away
- Bed bugs survive a year without feeding
- Cockroaches live without a head for a week
- Rats tread water for 3 days straight
- Spider silk is 5 times stronger than steel
- Termite mounds maintain 87 degree temperatures
- Bombardier beetles fire 212 degree substances jets
- Fleas jump 150 times their height
- Ants lift 50 times their weight
Conclusion
As you can see, pests have some truly perplexing and astonishing abilities! Learning about these incredible facts gives us an appreciation for the amazing engineering of their biology and behaviors.
While they may annoy us, one thing is clear: our pesky pest adversaries are impressively adapted for survival! If you want to get rid of them in your home, call a pest control technician to help you exterminate these common pests.
