Before you grab that swatter, the slipper, or the spray, LSU Ag Center entomologist Dr. Kristen Healy wants you to know not every bug is the enemy.
Bees and wasps are crucial pollinators, responsible for keeping a third of the world’s food supply on our plates.
"One in every four bites of food is thanks to a bee's pollination. So we definitely need them around."
Butterflies add beauty and can even help reduce stress. And spiders? They’re the unsung heroes of pest control, feeding on other unwanted insects in and around your home.
"I even tell my kids, even though they are scared, don't kill them, they really are our friends!"
While there’s no scientific evidence that squishing a bug spreads disease or further spreads the infestation, Dr. Healy says some species carry their young on their backs, meaning one stomp could send dozens more crawling away.
Her advice: Be selective in what you squash. However, when it comes to roaches?
"Even as an entomologist I'm not a fan of roaches."
So, for those, stomp, baby stomp!
