United News of Bangladesh

Scientists have identified prehistoric insects preserved in amber in South America for the first time, offering rare insight into life on Earth more than 100 million years ago, when flowering plants were just beginning to spread across the globe. The discovery was made at a sandstone quarry in Ecuador, with many of the amber specimens dating back about 112 million years, said Fabiany Herrera, curator of fossil plants at Chicago’s Field Museum and co-author of the study published Thursday in Communications Earth and Environment. Until now, almost all amber deposits from the past 130 million years had been found in the Northern Hemisphere. Their absence in southern regions of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana had long puzzled scientists, said David Grimaldi, an entomologist at the American Museum of Natural History who was not involved in the research. For the first time, researchers have found fossilized beetles, flies, ants and wasps in South American amber, confirmed Ricardo Pérez-de la Fuente, a paleoentomologist at Oxford University Museum of Natural History. “Amber pieces are little windows into the past,” Pérez-de la Fuente said, noting that the find will help scientists trace the early interactions between flowering plants and insects during the dinosaur era. The team uncovered hundreds of amber fragments containing insects, pollen and tree leaves at the quarry, which lies on the edge of today’s Amazon basin. But Herrera said the prehistoric rainforest looked very different from the one we know now, with ferns and conifers — including the distinctive Monkey Puzzle Tree — that no longer exist in the region. “The forest back then was not like the Amazon we see today,” Herrera explained. The amber deposits had been known to local geologists and miners for years. Study co-author Carlos Jaramillo of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute first learned about them a decade ago and later pinpointed their location through field notes. “I realized this place is extraordinary,” Jaramillo said. “There’s so much amber in the mines, and it’s easier to spot in the open quarry than in dense forest cover.” Scientists plan further analysis of the amber to shed light on Cretaceous biodiversity — particularly how insects shaped the evolution of flowering plants. “Amber tends to preserve the tiniest of details,” said Grimaldi. Pérez-de la Fuente added: “This was the period when insects and flowering plants began their relationship — and that turned into one of nature’s most successful partnerships.”

Dealing with cockroaches and bugs can be a pain, especially when they invade your kitchen and home. While conventional insecticides are commonly used to destroy these pests, they often contain harmful, toxic chemicals that can pose risks to human health and the environment. Fortunately, there are several natural methods you can apply to get rid of cockroaches and bugs without using harsh insecticides. This article will explore some effective techniques that can help you keep your kitchen and home cockroach- and bugs-free. How pesticide can be harmful to health Exposure to toxic insecticides used for killing cockroaches can pose significant threats to human health. Some chemicals designed to kill pests can also have adverse effects on humans. When insecticides are applied at home or other indoor spaces, they can contaminate the air we breathe -- leading to respiratory problems such as coughing, wheezing, and irritation of the throat and lungs.  Prolonged exposure or excessive use of these chemicals has been linked to more severe health issues, including allergic reactions, skin rashes, headaches, nausea, and even neurological disorders. Additionally, children are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of insecticides due to their size and developing immune system. Read more: 9- and 15-year-old brothers in Dhaka’s Bashundhara dead after ‘pesticide poisoning’ 10 completely safe ways to get rid of cockroaches and bugs at home Leave no dirty dishes in the sink Leaving no dirty dishes in the sink is an important practice to prevent the presence of bugs and cockroaches in your kitchen and home. When dishes and utensils are left unwashed and pile up in the sink, they become a potential food source for pests. The leftover food particles and residues on the dishes attract insects, including cockroaches, ants, and flies. To avoid this, make it a habit to clean your dishes promptly after use. Wash them with hot, soapy water, ensuring that all food residues are removed. If you are unable to wash them immediately, at least rinse off the leftover food before placing them in the sink. Clear your garbage Clearing up your garbage is crucial to preventing the presence of bugs and cockroaches in your kitchen and home. Pests are attracted to the odor and food waste in the garbage, making it a potential breeding ground for infestations. Read more: 2 insect species classified as threatened as glaciers melt To effectively manage your garbage, use a sealable trash bin with a tight-fitting lid to contain odors and deter pests. Dispose of your garbage regularly to avoid the buildup of food waste and odors that attract bugs and cockroaches. Double-bagging is particularly strong for wet garbage. Make sure to properly secure trash bags before placing them in the bin. Clean the food crumbs Cleaning up food crumbs is essential for preventing the presence of bugs and cockroaches in your kitchen and home. Crumbs and food particles left on countertops, tables, and floors serve as a tempting food source for pests. To effectively prevent infestations, make it a habit to clean up food crumbs promptly. Regularly sweep or vacuum your kitchen and dining area to remove any stray crumbs. Use baking soda To effectively stop the invasion, a blend of baking soda and sugar proves to be a highly efficient technique. Sugar acts as an attractive agent for cockroaches, while baking soda kills them. To effectively address the issue, it is crucial to identify the hiding spots of the pests and generously apply the mixture to the corners. Read more: Exploring Dengue Diagnosis: The Essential Tests for Detecting the Virus

Who can resist the existence of creepy crawlies and bugs in home? They not only create unsanitary conditions, but also give annoying experiences. Fly, the mosquito, bees, wasps, scorpions and other insects can cause painful stings. Furthermore, fleas, mosquitoes, and ticks can carry diseases that they can transport to the body of pets or humans. Are you confused about how to keep insects away from the indoor areas of your home? Just keep scrolling! Effective Ways to Keep Insects, Bugs Out of Your Home Seal Your Doors A properly sealed door can help keep out unwanted pests. It is efficient just like a locked door that can keep burglars out. You will be surprised to see that there are a number of unsealed gaps in your doors, each of which makes an easy entrance path for bugs. You can install an aluminum threshold under the door to prevent insects from crawling under your door. Besides, you can combine this with a door sweep for better protection. Moreover, do not forget to add weatherstripping or door-seal kits to the perimeter of the frame to keep insects from entering along the sides or top of the door.  Read How to manage wardrobes, closets to wear fresh smelling clothes everyday? Maintain Your Yard Yard maintenance can prevent bug invasions, especially in the case of mosquitoes and fleas. Mosquitoes breed easily in the stagnant clean water. Storage of pooled water in your yard can enhance the mosquito population. So, you need to replace the water of your swimming pool regularly.  When you are watering plants into your yard, let the water get naturally absorbed into the soil. After rain let the stagnant water pass through the drainage system.  Besides, you must pay attention to the drainage system of your yard, which is related to the slope of the earth. Make sure your yard’s regular drainage channels are properly maintained. Try to keep the drainage channels free from leaves, grass clippings, and debris so they are able to operate effectively. This will reduce the number of bugs that are trying to enter your home.  Read Choose the Right Curtains for Your Home: The Ultimate Guide Finally, you need to remove any piles of leaves or debris from your yard because these areas are the perfect hiding spot for insects to hide and reproduce. Repair Cracks If you can fill in your cracks,  you can stop fewer bugs from sliding through. There are the microscopic sizes of many bugs and they can enter the home through cracks or holes that are nearly invisible to the homeowner. So, make sure you seal cracks on your home's exterior. Don’t forget to pay special attention to the roofline, where bees and wasps frequently build nests.  Set out sticky traps You can use old-fashioned sticky traps. You can trap every different type of pest that comes through, especially spiders and scorpions by using these sticky traps. Sticky traps are inexpensive. They are available in different shapes and sizes and are perfect for placing in areas where chemical insecticides can do damage to plants. Read Best Vacuum Floor Cleaner under Tk10000 in Bangladesh Add Screens A little hole can allow pests to crawl through so make sure there are no holes in your screen. Many people like natural ventilation from doors and windows to bring fresh air into the home, especially in the summer season. But it is a matter of sorrow that summer is the worst time of the year for mosquitoes, fleas, and other pests to invade your home. If you wish to enjoy the fresh air without the annoyance of insects, install screens on windows and doors. However, you need to make sure that you seal all tiny holes to prevent insect entry.  Cover Large Openings If there is a hole in your roof, it allows all the bugs — and bigger intruders into your home. You can fill larger openings and keep bugs out by using very fine wire mesh, often called hardwire cloth. However, you need to check to see if yours are operating properly and repair or replace the dampers as necessary.  Read Benefits of Pets for Kids: Why Raising Children around Livestock? Store Trash Properly Make sure you have a secure lid for your compost bin. The trash cans in a home are an epicure smorgasbord of cockroaches and other pests. So, if you want to prevent bugs from feasting on your trash, proper storage and handling are essential. Besides, it is important to clean and sanitize regularly all interior and exterior trash receptacles and recycling bins. Keep Foundations Clear Remember that your home's foundations are the closest part of the house to the ground and they are also one of the most common entry spots for bugs. So, you can reduce the likelihood of infestation by keeping foundations clear and protected. Try to avoid chemical insecticides or termiticides and instead use natural solutions and non-toxic substances like boric acid or diatomaceous which will not harm pets or family members. Read Pregnancy Care Tips for Summer: How can pregnant mothers beat the heat? Clean Up the Kitchen At night your kitchen becomes a safe living place for bugs. So, besides sealing the holes of your home, you need to deep-clean your kitchen every day. First make sure that there’s no food particles left out in the kitchen which can attract the insects and bugs. Moreover, don’t forget to cover all of your foodstuffs with lockable containers. Following these steps, you can go a long way in keeping a bug-free kitchen.  Dry Up Damp Areas Make sure you always dry up the damping areas of your home because bugs are seeking food and water as well. Some home-invading pests like silverfish, springtails, and house centipedes hang out in damp places. So, fix any leaky faucets, drains, or pipes whenever you find them.  Read COVID-19 Omicron XE Variant: Should we be worried? Besides, don’t forget to test that your air conditioner, washing machine, and dryer are all working properly. In the case of damp areas run a dehumidifier and check the attic to make sure it’s dry.   Kill the Bugs You See You can prevent the indoor bug invasion from becoming serious problems by taking early actions. So, make sure you kill any bugs you see first.   Dust Cleaning Sometimes, tiny, microscopic bugs and insects have invaded your home escaping your attention. To prevent such incidents you need to make sure that you vacuum your floors at least once a week. It will help your home get rid of the insects. You need to clean all the corners of your home to eliminate their attraction to your home. Read Microplastic in Human Blood: Health Risks and Dangers