This post brought to you by The Orkin Ecologist. All opinions are 100% mine.
I'm not the hugest fan of bugs. Bugs tend to fall into one of three categories – a friendly bug, bugs that are scary but can be caught under a glass, or bugs that are so scary, I need backup (Gil!!!!). The scientists and staff at Orkin take a more well-rounded view of bugs. Studying bugs for the past 100 years, Orkin knows that bug knowledge is critical in finding the best way to control pests.
To help share their knowledge of these creepy crawlies, Orkin has set up a new website, The Ecologist that shares their insect insights and celebrates the unique nature of bugs. From the way bugs can be used in drugs to the scariest and deadliest bugs in the world, The Ecologist is full of interesting bug-related articles.
Since moving to the mountains, we've definitely had to deal with bugs a lot more. From black widows hanging out by the door to gargantuan globe spiders spinning their webs to these weird bugs that click when they fly, we've been dealing with more bugs and more types of bugs than ever before.

Image Source: The Ecologist
I saw my first black widow here. If you've never seen a black widow before, it's true that the females can easily be spotted by the red hourglass on their bodies. It's pretty distinct and can't really be missed (fortunately.) Not surprisingly, the black widow made it onto The Ecologist's deadliest insects list due to the neurotoxin in their venom.
Whether you're a bug or science lover, or just want to learn more about bugs so you'll know which are friendly bugs (and which aren't), The Ecologist is a great resource for bug information, including articles on the history of different bugs, the different roles some bugs play in the environment, and top 10 bug-related lists.
To get more "bugged out", you can "like" The Ecologist on Facebook and follow The Ecologist on Pinterest.
Do you have a #BugOut moment? What's the scariest bug you've ever seen? Let us know in the comments below!
When I first moved to Texas I was dive-bombed by a flying cockroach. Ick!