What is urban entomology?
Urban entomology is the study of insects and related arthropods that impact people and their property. In the past urban entomologists often focused their attentions on just two insects - termites and cockroaches.
Now the field is expanded to include structural pests, like termites, carpenter ants and powderpost beetles as well as numerous nuisance-type pests like ants and boxelder bugs and even some medically important pests (see The Complete 'Bugs Index). Garden and landscape pests are sometimes included in urban entomology, or in the more specialized field of horticultural entomology.
Happily, the emphasis in urban entomology in recent years has been on least-toxic approaches to the management of these pests. "Least-toxic" means minimal toxicity to people and domesticated animals as well as low environmental impact.
