All posts in “mosquitoes”

PestBlots

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What do you see? Pestblots

PestBlots is a video from PestWorld.org. This site also serves as the official website of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). It is a non-profit group committed to the protection of public health, food and property. This site serves as a complete resource for consumers, media, educators and pest control pro’s. Furthermore common household pests to do-it-yourself pest control tips, PestWorld.org provides timely info and tools to better serve our visitors’ pest control needs.

Therefore, please utilize PestWorld.org as your main resource for info on bugs, rodents, pest control, and the growing pro’s pest management industry.

Pest control pro’s are invited to visit NPMAPestworld.org to access the NPMA’s member website. This site provides timely news, valuable information and access to all NPMA member benefits.

NPMA - Pestblots

ProBest is a member of the NPMA. PestBlots

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsqNSkaJlcE[/embedyt]

Mission

Support

Provide Business, Education, and Resource Tools necessary for Success by Pest Control Pro’s

Protect

Ensure rule making and laws are Favorable to the Pest Control Industry

Grow

Offer Programs to Support Industry and Group Members’ Business Growth

Mosquito habitat in your yard?

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Is your yard the mosquito habitat and with all the debate going on about Zika virus,  maybe we need to figure out where they are breeding? I have seen beer bottles with an inch of water holding up to 25 wiggler mosquitoes, so anything with standing water tends to be the culprit. Check your property first, then start to spy other areas that me well be the cause. There are different species and they do different things. One mosquito will travel 1 mile for food, while another likes to stay close and feed. What time do they tend to bite, all these little things helps the Pest Management Professional to decide on the treatment protocol. Did you know that adult mosquitoes make up part of the diet of some insect-eating animals, such as birds, bats, adult dragonflies and spiders.

So first off walk around the house see if there is anything holding water – pour it out.

Check old tires, they are notorious for holding water.

Check drip or flood irrigation. I know we live in AZ but some areas are constantly wet, so check low lying areas.

Think about tree notches.

How about water meter boxes?

Don’t just look down, check gutters as well.

mosquito habitat

mosquito habitat

Why am I seeing mosquitoes in Arizona?

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I have noticed lately especially after the rains that we have had numerous calls about flying biting mosquitoes. With all the monsoon rains, a lot of the things that hold water have had the chance to really set things in motion for the issues with biting pests.

Water can accumulate in any container that can hold water, fountains that aren’t working and any indention in the ground. So again I will mention surveying your property monthly or at the very least when the rains occur.

Remember the 3 things that most living things need:

  • Food
  • Shelter
  • Water

Some mosquitoes are well suited for inhabiting local areas but some can travel up to mile just to feed. So tip over those devices that can hold water, don’t forget saucers for planters.

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Photo by PPMA

What do you think about all this rain in Arizona?

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To be completely honest I love rain and you’re probably not going to like my reason for it. The rain brings out the bugs and I LOVE it, the termites become more active and bugs in general just love the water opportunities.

So with all this water, what can you do to prevent the inevitable onslaught of the bugs.

  1. Don’t allow stagnant water to gather on your property. This means any amount, I’ve seen mosquito wigglers in a glass bottle on the side of the road.
  2. Don’t allow wood to touch the ground and especially near the house. This includes firewood stacked against the home.
  3. If you notice puddling, fill it in and that also warrants a check on potted plants – they can collect water as well.
  4. If you have a fountain, as long as it is operating it is OK but when it doesn’t work the water can then become stagnant.
  5. Check your foundation slab for termite activity.

All the talk about Ebola, what are the most dangerous viruses?

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With all the talk about Ebola this last month DW author (Helena Schwar)website wrote a very interesting article “Top 10 most dangerous viruses in the world“.

#3 Hantavirus – rodents

#5 Lassa virus – rodents

#7 Crimea-Congo fever – ticks

#8 Machupo virus – may be transmitted by rodents

#9 Kyasanur Fiorest virus – ticks

#10 – Dengue fever – mosquitoes

 

So do you see a pattern here, I do and its related to my job – Public Health Professional. We are very fortunate here in the U.S., we don’t have as many issues with these pests as some countries do. So stop and think about what we could do to protect ourselves even further against these deadly viruses.

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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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

What do you think are the World’s Deadliest Insects?

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I ran across this story from back in February 2014 “8 Deadliest Insects in the World.” My guess was correct as I frequently mention it in many of my bug presentations. So what do you think are the top eight? Go ahead and take a good guess.

I asked this question just this last week at the Nature Camp, can you name the bugs that bite or sting here in Arizona?

  • Honeybees
  • Wasps
  • Scorpions
  • Mosquitoes
  • Ticks
  • Assassin Bugs
  • Bed Bugs
  • Some flies

The trend of GREEN, what do I mean?

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As Kermit the Frog has said numerous times “It ain’t easy being Green”. The trend over the last 10 years or more is to lean against the use of pesticides unless it is absolutely needed and I agree. Now with that said, I do believe that pesticides are needed. Numerous people die every year from diseases brought on by vectors like mosquitoes or fleas. Along with that number are the people that are stung or biten by things like scorpions, bees and spiders.

“Green Buildings” Have potential to improve health of low-income housing residents.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is the protocol of using tools to stop the pests from gaining entry before using pesticides. It still allows the use of pesticides but after using those tools to keep them out. Examples of this include home-sealing, eliminating hiding spaces and rocks on your property and installing or updating garage or door thresholds/door sweeps.

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Those darn mosquitoes are at it again – Chikungunya virus.

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I probably have said this a few times but a really great reason to read my home seal – I stay ahead of the curve on new species, updates on issues around the US and World  and primarily issues with vector borne diseases.

“3 confirmed cases of Chikungunya virus in NC”  A few of these diseases include symptoms that some of us could account for daily such as joint pain, headaches and rashes.

Stay well my friends…

42_Mosquito

Photo by PPMA

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