Facts: Fungi Versus Pest

Our physical world is a result of unbelievable number of transactions between all the factors that belong to the environment. These interactions or relationships are established by the living and the non living components of the ecosystem. In a more scientific way of discussing this, we call the living organisms in the ecosystem as biotic components while non living things as abiotic components. The biotic components of the ecosystem consist of producers and consumers in which producers are the plants. There are some organisms that act or look like plants when, in reality, they are not. These are called fungi. Fungi share some characteristics with plants but definitely they are two different things. I started having a very particular interest about fungi after watching a YouTube video about a certain type of fungi killing insects.

One of the concerns of companies that provide pest control services in Florida is a new approach in eliminating pests using more modified and safer method. I believe that what I have watched is not new in the world of science and discovery; however, I am not sure if such discovery has already been applied to pest control.

The Cordyceps, which is a genus of ascomycetes or commonly known as sac fungi, can gradually kill and inhabit the body of an organism particularly insects. According to www.webmd.com, these fungi live on certain caterpillars in the high mountain regions of China. Fungi are parasitic in nature and once other predatory insects that are also considered as pests got contaminated with this type of fungi, it will feed on their nutrients until they die. This seems to be a great advantage against pests at home and even on gardens. With studies and experimentation, the laboratory can also come up with products for termite treatment in Florida. This doesn't sound easy but surely it can be an effective pest eliminator.

In medicine, Cordyceps are commonly used in treating respiratory complications like as coughs, chronic bronchitis, and respiratory disorders. They are also used to cure kidney disorders, nighttime urination, male sexual problems, anemia, irregular heartbeat, high cholesterol, liver disorders, dizziness, weakness, ringing in the ears, unwanted weight loss, and opium addiction. This type of fungi works by strengthening the immune cells and certain chemicals in the immune system. It was found out that they can also fight against cancer.

The knowledge on the attributes of the different organisms that are present in our surroundings has a purpose. Why would we have to deal with extremely harmful chemicals when we have a choice of a safer solution?