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.
