World Pest Awareness Day

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World Pest Awareness Day

World Pest Awareness Day – June 6th, 2017. The goal is to create awareness with citizens all over the world. Pest managers provide protection for food, home, family, the environment in which they live, against public health risks. In agreement with the National Pest Management Association of the U.S.. NPMA joins the Federation of Asian & Oceania Pest Managements Association (FAOPMA), Chinese Pest Control Association and the Confederation of European Pest Management Associations (CEPA) in support of this event.

The video below brings home the need for public health pest control by comparing some fascinating statistics. In the opening sequence the audience is asked what do you think is the world’s deadliest creature? Sharks we are told kill 12 people a year, grizzly bears 90 people, crocodiles 800, hippos 29,000 people, snakes 90,000 people. But that tiny mosquito kills 2 million people. Mosquitoes are linked to water because that is where their young develop and that is also the best place to exterminate them. Mosquitoes are the vector (carrier) of several BAD diseases. They include Malaria, Yellow Fever, Encephalitis including West Nile virus and other equine, Zika virus, Dengue Fever, Chikungunya and dog heartworm.

Diseases

Don’t forget that any blood feeder may spread disease, such as fleas and ticks. Bed bugs at this moment are not known to spread any diseases but more research is needed to verify. So please take precautions if traveling or hiking in areas where these pests can attack. Remember to also inspect your home for possible sightings and for possible entry points. Just a simple fix to a screen or doorway (IPM) might prevent pests from getting in and possibly hurting our family or colleagues. As always if you need help or assistance please give ProBest Pest Management a call at 602-249-7378.

https://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dvbd/pdf/dvbd_factsheet.pdf

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jr06dMFlRa4[/embedyt]

Why worry about the pests?

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Throughout history we humans have done some terrible stuff to each other, wars only to mention one. But did you know that compared to all the wars ever fought the bugs have killed more of us.

Yes number one the list is Mosquitoes, they have killed lots of humans and animals. Malaria, Dengue Fever and Yellow Fever are among the biggest threats to us still to this day.
Fleas probably rank as number 2 and may have contributed to killing 1/3 of the people in Europe during 1340’s known as Bubonic Plague, still with us today.
My number 3 may not have killed as many as above but worldwide cause more damage to food, foodstuffs including grains and other type products. Rodents including mice and rats may spoil 1/3 of all grains worldwide and may directly lead to food shortages or starvation than any other insect or wildlife.

So yes I worry that as we progress as a society that we consider the wise use of pesticides. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is very useful within the confines of general pest management but there are reasons why pesticide use must continue. This article “Kissing Bug disease prompts growing concern in U.S.” shows that the concerns are justified. Here is Arizona we deal with Bark Scorpions and there is no magic bullet to stop them. The only method is home sealing and proper use of pesticides, so until that day arrives where we can target this critter I see no alternative than to spray them before they make it into our homes.

The war on bugs, whose winning?

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“Entomologists study ways to kill urban pests” Why is this important, I’ll point out some remarks made in this story. Please read the story lots of great information.

“There is definitely an economic impact to bed bug infestation,” Romero said.
Psychological effects are often underestimated. Romero said having bed bugs can cause sleeplessness and anxiety.
There is concern over chemicals in insecticides that could be harmful to humans, but Romero said they must be used properly and according to procedures.

Here are some factors that I see and read daily.

Hanta Virus (weekly reports)
Bubonic Plague
WNV (West Nile Virus) from mosquitoes also Malaria or Dengue Fever from around the world
Africanized Bees
Ticks (Lyme Disease)
Assassin bugs (Chagas Disease)

So as we continue the fight against those bugs/insects/pests that can kill us if not kept in check, new manufacturing continues to create new molecules to destroy those killers. What can you do?

Check your home monthly.
Keep trees and shrubs trimmed and away from your house.
Repair screens and keep doors closed.
When traveling – keep an eye out for various bugs like Bed Bugs.
If you encounter a pest, do some investigation and have it checked – don’t panic.

Hey, its only my opinion.

5 Comments

OK I’ve had enough, let’s stop our bickering and whining folks and let’s get to solving the more important issues at hand. Nothing gets me madder than all this constant disintegration of our lives here on earth. We are only here a very short time and whether we are picking on this class of person, or another – it just isn’t worth the time or aggravation (by the way if you made a mistake 30 years ago, it’s time to forgive and move on). Let’s work on making this place we live a better place for as many as we can.

I like the premise of “Star Trek”, everyone is equal and all are working toward equality for all. Remember the one where the guy was black on the left side and white on the right side the and the other was black on the right side and white on the left side. It showed the hypocrisy of the entire race point anyway. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the Constitution spelled it out “all men are created equal” – period! The United States is a great place, I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. Why do we continue to beat ourselves up, often focusing our attention on hurting each other?

Anyway to my point, why can’t we focus in on the really important things like solving Malaria or Dengue Fever or Stop Dengue or for that matter any of the known diseases? So tell me what is your opinion, why can’t we all get along (Rodney King said it Best)?

Don’t be shy, comment below.

Modified Mosquitoes – WOW science advances!

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Modified Mosquitoes – WOW science advances!

Florida asks FDA approval to eliminate Dengue Fever with genetically modified mosquitoes. I’m constantly amazed at the speed of technology and the advances made my humans in regards to our betterment as a species.

Mosquito’s have killed more humans than anything else and probably have killed more animals and pets as well. So I think it is extremely important to wage the battle against this little pest. “The trial planned by mosquito officials and the British company Oxitec would release non biting males that have been genetically modified to pass along a birth defect which will kill the offspring.”

Thanks to peabody.yale.edu for the use of their photo

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