Robert Bowling, the entomology diagnostician at K-State spends his time examining and identifying insects submitted by amateur entomologists. She wanted to know if termites were infesting her wood pile, but it was just debris. Bowling says he became interested and fascinated with insects because he saw how so many were harmless and actually helped people. Because of their fierceness they are respected and feared by most people.
Testing is free to the public.
Bowling says you can bring your discovery to your county extension agency and have them send it in for identification, or send it in yourself to K-State's entomology diagnostic lab in an unbreakable container containing alcohol. But fall is a common time of year for many insects to enter homes, causing concern from residents. All are harmless, but crickets can be an annoyance and have been known to eat holes in clothing. Bowling says the best way to keep bugs out of your home is to apply a sealant to cracks around the outside of your home, and place aluminum screens over vents and ducts.