All posts in “Hanta Virus”

Did you know that rodent teeth continue to grow?

Comments Off on Did you know that rodent teeth continue to grow?

This story is from Grant County, Washington and just highlights the need to understand rodents. I have on occasion had people tell me “I don’t care if I have rodents or birds in my attic”. “I don’t care if they are under my crawlspace, they are not bothering me”. Well maybe not today but how about tomorrow? What happens when they leave, what parasites do they leave behind? What damage can be done to the structure? “911 outage in Grant County possible caused by rodents”

  1. Rodents incisor teeth continue to grow and they need to keep them in check.
  2. Fleas, ticks and other critters make their homes in the nest or on the bodies of wildlife.
  3. Animals/wildlife seek shelter within our homes but it is very important to keep them out. They produce feces, urine and other bodily secretions daily – you don’t want or need them in your home.
  4. Mice urinate almost continuously, if this becomes airborne you have the chance to breath it in. This is how Hanta Virus is spread.

Home-sealing is a key to keeping them out.

StormShield

TX Health officials warn about HantaVirus

Comments Off on TX Health officials warn about HantaVirus

“Health Precautions“

Even though this comes from Texas I thought the video was worth your read or watch.

Always use caution when cleaning, especially if you are in areas known to house the Deer Mouse

Picture7

Photo by NPMA

Hantavirus is serious, what precautions can you take?

Comments Off on Hantavirus is serious, what precautions can you take?

 

Alert: New Mexico Health Department confirms fatality in NorthWest New Mexico.

Hantavirus is a deadly disease transmitted by infected rodents through urine, droppings or saliva. People can contract the disease when they breathe in aerosolized virus.

CDC Hantavirus site

Tips:

  1. Seal the home or cabin.
  2. Trap or use outside rodent bait/trap stations to reduce numbers, I also suggest TickBoxes.
  3. Reduce food sources, don’t leave out dog/cat food.
  4. Don’t allow clutter to get the best of your home.
  5. Trim trees and bushes.
  6. When cleaning cabins or homes, use a dust mask and follow the CDC guidelines on cleaning.
  7. Rodents cause other issues, be safe and follow CDC guidelines.

tickbox

Rodents – why are they scary?

Comments Off on Rodents – why are they scary?

 

Did you know Rodents encompass 43% of all mammals on earth, the mouse is #2 and Norway rat is #3.

There are about 4260 species of mammals known on this planet at the moment, though taxonomists are still arguing and species are still being found.

Diseases directly transmitted by rodents (thanks to the CDC)

Diseases indirectly transmitted by rodents (thanks to the CDC)

It was far easier to report information directly from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) site, click the link for more information.

Bubonic Plague right on our doorstep in New Mexico

Comments Off on Bubonic Plague right on our doorstep in New Mexico

 

“New Mexico reports second human case of Plague of 2013 in Torrence County Girl” Plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium, Yersinia pestis. It is found in animals throughout the world, most commonly rats but other rodents like ground squirrels, prairie dogs, chipmunks, rabbits and voles. Fleas typically serve as the vector of plague. Human cases have been linked to the domestic cats and dogs that brought infected fleas into the house.

“Squirrel with bubonic plague closes campgrounds in Angeles National Forest – July 2013‘

So did you think that Bubonic Plague was a long forgotten disease, or how about Hanta Virus, Lyme disease  or Rabies? Every once in awhile these little diseases pop up around the U.S. and we all need to remind ourselves of their potential to kill.

probestDSC03962  Rub marks where rats are getting into the structure.

The war on bugs, whose winning?

Comments Off on The war on bugs, whose winning?

 

“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.

  1. “There is definitely an economic impact to bed bug infestation,” Romero said.
  2. Psychological effects are often underestimated. Romero said having bed bugs can cause sleeplessness and anxiety.
  3. 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.

  1. Hanta Virus (weekly reports)
  2. Bubonic Plague
  3. WNV (West Nile Virus) from mosquitoes also Malaria or Dengue Fever from around the world
  4. Africanized Bees
  5. Ticks (Lyme Disease)
  6. 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.

NewACE_logo smaller

Promoting the proper use and handling of pesticides

Comments Off on Promoting the proper use and handling of pesticides

 

I ran across some great information (BASF ran a home seal) and wanted to pass it along as it pertains to all you Do IT Yourselfers (DIY) pest control folks. The pest control industry is regulated and yes, I know there are some out there that just can’t seem to be honest and ethical about it. The use of pesticides – read the Label and understand before you use it, the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) or (MSDS) and all use directions.

So here is the homeowner site from “Pesticide Environmental Stewardship” site. You know my stance on the use of pesticides, they are essential to our lives. There are some that would argue and honestly I’m sorry that they just don’t understand the big picture. Without pesticides death would constantly be knocking at our doors. I’m not kidding we often hear of Hanta Virus and Bubonic Plague here in Arizona. Even West Nile Virus (WNV) rears its ugly head occasionally and in others states Lyme Disease.  There are some that advocate oils and organics (if you want to argue – put your money where your mouth is and send me some to test – has to be labelled for scorpions) but they in general just don’t hold up long enough. If my tests are proved wrong I’ll tell you about it. We have scorpions in Arizona and in a perfect world we could exclude homes and do other things to keep them out and by the way we do that with home-seals. But not everyone has that kind of money, wish they did. I advocate Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and prefer to do our work from outside (trying to limit the amount of pesticides within homes and if possible outside as well).

Don’t get me wrong here; I don’t advocate power spraying unless there is a need. We do it every once in a while on ticks but if possible we recommend that the pets to get properly treated and try to solve the issues to the benefit of our customers. That is the reason why we are members of PESP and QualityPro, to protect and serve our customers from the bugs that might be harmful and nasty.

pesp_logo

Sometimes you never know what you might find!

Comments Off on Sometimes you never know what you might find!

Sometimes you never know what you might find!

 

One of the biggest challenges in servicing a large warehouse is keeping out the rodents especially in the winter. Just like us animals/wildlife like to be warm and have a roof over their head. So they try really hard to get into our homes or businesses. One single mouse could shut down a warehouse or facility, so it is extremely important to stay on top of these little critters. The first line of defense is the exterior of the building and then the interior. If you can keep them from getting in – you have succeeded from possible complications of shutting down a line or facility. The backup to the plan is inside tin-cats or devices which may catch the possible sneaky little rodent, if it gets past the other devices.

Specialized foaming treatment home sealing

1 Comment

Update and official notice of my Specialized foaming treatment and home sealing…

This is just a reminder of my Specialized foaming treatment and home sealing:

  1. I started home sealing in 2009, I  use specialized foaming treatments and home sealing and telling my stories of the critters I may have come in contact with and because I enjoy it and want to pass along my knowledge of pests.
  2. Many people are good at what they do, I don’t change my own brakes because I don’t know anything about car repair – but I know bugs and I’m very good at it.
  3. This home seal is intended for my customers and anyone else interested in professional pest management.
  4. I tend to pass along information as it occurs in the real world, when someone uses to many bug bombs, or uses a blowtorch to get rid of webs, or the spread of various diseases within a vector like mosquitoes or fleas takes place – such as like Hanta Virus, West Nile Virus etc.
  5. Your home shifts and moves throughout the day, home sealing helps to cover those cracks and crevices that development over time. This also helps save air conditioning or heating costs. The jtrim under the stucco moves as well, foundation and jtrim move away from each other and that allows scorpions access into your home or business.
  6. Have you ever looked in your attic, how much insulation is in there? Are there dropping or open louver doors or windows, there should be a screen in place. Just adding some new insulation may help heating and cooling costs, and advise you of any potential pests issues like birds, bats or critters.
  7. I consider myself a Public Health Pest Management Professional and here to assist you in keeping your family safe from the bugs and pests.
Specialized foaming treatment

Specialized foaming treatment

Who takes the heat on pesticides?

Comments Off on Who takes the heat on pesticides?

Who takes the heat on pesticides?

It’s difficult for me to side any other way than to say Pesticides are good! Many will disagree but the fact is that pesticides have saved countless lives throughout history. I was reminded of this through my distributor “Univar Environmental Services” in a story they posted in their monthly newsletter.

  • When mosquitoes are controlled, you help prevent West Nile Virus transmission.
  • When products help ensure proper termite control, they save you from massive property damage.
  • Helping to keep cockroach allergens at bay lowers asthma triggers for children.
  • And fewer ticks and rodents can mean less Lyme disease and Hanta Virus.

It all adds up to Univar supplying both the products and services to help you improve your customers’ environments.

Contact Us