Archive for May, 2012
Posted on May 31, 2012 with No Comments
Response to Baltimore Sun Article About Lyme Disease Study
Using Bifenthrin in ZIP Codes With High Incidence of Lyme Disease
Overview and Talking Points
Prepared for the National Pest Management Association
By the Professional Pest Management Alliance
May 29, 2012
Background
On May 29, 2012, The Baltimore Sun newspaper published a front-page article about a study underwritten by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that is taking place in Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties in Maryland. The study involves spraying the yards of residents in these areas with bifenthrin to determine how well this product will protect them from Lyme disease.
All the residents volunteered to participate in the study after receiving a flyer asking for their participation and responses to a survey about ticks. The flyers were sent to residents in ZIP codes with a high incidence of Lyme disease in the past. Half the participants’ yards will receive applications of bifenthrin while others will be sprayed with water in order to see how well the bifenthrin performs. The CDC conducted this study last year and 440 families participated, according to the article. The article also states that similar studies are taking place in Connecticut and New York.
Here is a link to the study notice as well as Q&A regarding bifenthrin on the CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/ticknet/ltdps/
Environmental activists and some health experts were quoted in the article expressing concern about the safety of bifenthrin. They claim that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified bifenthrin as a possible carcinogen and that it is being studied by the EPA for possible harm to reproductive and immune systems, among other things.
http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0384-0007
Statement
“The article published in the May 29, 2012, edition of The Baltimore Sun discusses the CDC study, ‘Using Bifenthrin in ZIP Codes With High Incidence of Lyme Disease,’ and draws attention to the fact that tick-borne illnesses are very serious and can negatively impact humans and animals in areas where ticks are found. While we cannot specifically comment on the study itself, we understand the CDC’s concern about Lyme disease and agree that eliminating tick populations can go a long way in decreasing the risks posed to people and their pets. Tick control is necessary due to the fact that these pests are vectors of serious disease, including Lyme disease. Lyme disease, which according to the CDC is the most commonly reported vectorborne illness in the U.S., can be transmitted to humans by the blacklegged tick, also commonly known as the deer tick. Maryland residents are at high risk for tick encounters this year, as many health and pest experts have predicted this to be one of the most severe tick seasons in years.
The article also raises an issue regarding the safety of the pest control product, bifenthrin, when applied to yards for the purpose of tick control and elimination. Bifenthrin is a product that is very effective against ticks and according to its label instructions, can be applied in yards and wooded areas to protect people and pets against ticks.
All products used by licensed pest professionals are rigorously reviewed and approved for use by the Environmental Protection Agency. Pest management professionals are trained in the biology and control of pests such as ticks and are licensed and regulated by the states in which they operate.“
Talking Points
- Experts are predicting a large tick population this year due to several environmental factors and as such, there is a concern that we may also see an increase in human cases of tick-borne diseases.
- We can confidently say that the professional products used in the treatment of ticks, just like other pests are rigorously reviewed and registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Licensed pest professionals in Maryland, through the National Pest Management Association, work closely with the EPA to ensure that all products used in pest management practices are consistently reviewed, re-registered and provided with accurate and comprehensive labeling for use.
- If consumers are concerned by the issues raised in the Baltimore Sun article, we encourage them to contact the EPA and the CDC to discuss these concerns and to consult with a qualified and licensed pest professional to determine what preventative measures are available if they suspect their yards are harboring ticks and to discuss all treatment options.
- It is important to be aware of ways to prevent being bitten by a tick. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- When in an area where ticks are common, wear long sleeved shirts and pants, preferably light colored so ticks will be easy to detect.
- Tuck pants into socks.
- Use a tick repellent containing DEET.
- Upon returning indoors, inspect clothing and your entire body, including your head, for ticks. Don’t forget to check your family members who may have been out with you and/or your family pet as well.
- After spending time in a tick habitat, it’s a good idea to take a shower because it will afford you the opportunity to thoroughly inspect your entire body.
- Wash clothes immediately.
- Keep grass cut low, including around fence lines, sheds, trees, shrubs, swing sets and other difficult to cut locations and remove weeds, woodpiles and other debris from the yard.
- Inquire about lawn tick treatments, especially those that focus on the edges of the lawn where it interfaces with natural areas. This method has the greatest chance of preventing ticks from establishing themselves in your back yard
- Pet owners should speak to their veterinarians about preventative flea and tick treatments, as these can help deter pet pests and kill ticks on contact/upon being bitten.
- If a tick is found attached, it should be removed with a slow, steady pull so as not to break off the mouthparts and leave them in the skin. If possible, it’s best to use forceps or tweezers and grab on or just behind the mouthparts. If you must use fingers, the fingernails of the thumb and forefinger should be placed on or just behind the mouthparts. Once removed, wash hands and attachment site thoroughly with soap and water. Ticks should then be flushed down a toilet or wrapped tightly in tissue before disposing in a closed receptacle since they can be difficult to crush.
If you are contacted by a member of the media and would like to talk through an appropriate response or wish to have NPMA support your participation in the story, please contact Missy Henriksen at (703) 352-6762 or mhenriksen@pestworld.org.
Posted on May 31, 2012 with No Comments
Bed bugs are still plaguing New York. This time reports are that bed bugs were found in the 78th precinct’s holding cells, according to the precinct’s Executive Officer, Captain Julio Ordonez. “On Friday night, a couple of perpetrators complained about bites on their arms. We notified Central Booking and we closed them down to be fumigated,” Captain Ordonez told Patch. Ordonez explained that when they learned about the infestation, they notified building maintenance, closed the cells and they will be fumigated on Thursday.
The 78th precinct usually tests the blood-alcohol levels of people who were arrested for DWIs in Brooklyn, but for the time being, Ordonez said, DWI arrests will be sent to the 120th precinct on Staten Island.
The New York Post first reported the bedbug problem earlier on Wednesday.
“We had a problem in the cell area and that’s where it was maintained,” Ordonez explained. “We haven’t had any other incidents, accounts or allegations of bedbugs being anywhere else.”
Posted on May 30, 2012 with No Comments
Pest Control to help keep your yard tick free this summer
Ticks and lyme disease are on the rise in New York. Here are some more prevention tips to reduce the number of ticks in your yard:
- Keep your yard clean of debris such as leaf litter and grass clippings and keep flowerbeds dry.
- Keep grass mowed and trim bushes and shrubs, especially near paths and walkways.
- Minimize ground cover.
- Separate your lawn from any wooded areas with a barrier.
- Minimize anything that will attract tick infested wildlife, including bird feeders and bird baths.
- White-tailed deer are known to be a carry of ticks. Deer enter suburban yards seeking food sources
- Have a New York Pest Control Company apply a pesticide to your property.
JP McHale can help protect your family and pets from diseases carrying ticks. Ticks are very small insects that feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals, including dogs, cats, mice, deer, and, of course, people. A tick will latch onto the skin, dig in its feeding apparatus, and then bite. When the tick is full, it swells in size. Then it drops off the host, only to repeat the cycle again later.
Posted on May 30, 2012 with No Comments
A mysterious bat-plaguing disease has shown up in a seventh species, the U.S. reported Tuesday, and said even more could succumb as white-nose syndrome makes its way across the nation from the East Coast. That’s particularly bad news for farmers who benefit from bat colonies that can devour a ton of insects in a single serving.
Gray bats, a vulnerable species that’s been federally protected since 1976, are the latest to get hit, with infections of the white fungus found on bats in two Tennessee counties, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service announced.
If trends continue, the syndrome “is likely to continue to spread west and it is probable that other bat species will be impacted,” Paul McKenzie, a service staffer who works on endangered species issues, told msnbc.com. The 26 species of hibernating bats across the U.S. are the ones at risk, since the disease thrives in the cool temperatures of caves and mines where those species spend their winters. The concern is not just about protecting bats for their sake, or even the ecosystems they create inside caves, but their contribution as a natural pest control saves farmers billions of dollars a year and means fewer chemicals used on our foods.
“Gray bats eat a lot of moths, beetles, flies” and other insects, Ann Froschauer, a spokeswoman for the service’s White-Nose Syndrome program, told msnbc.com. “A colony of 250,000 gray bats can eat about one ton of insects in a night.”
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Posted on May 29, 2012 with 1 Comment
Summer is around the corner and you can almost smell the burgers on the grill. You can also hear the faint buzzing sound of the deadliest, and most annoying, insect as it comes in for a landing. The American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) reminds the public of the health risks associated with mosquitoes as they become active during the summer months.
Mosquitoes have been seen unusually early this year due to the country’s warm weather patterns and rainfall in recent months. In most parts of the country, mosquito populations usually stay at low levels until late April. This year is different due to the warmer temperatures forcing them out unusually early in search of hosts to feed on.
“The mild winter, combined with tropical storms last year will lead to a banner year for mosquitoes,” said Joseph Conlon, AMCA Technical Advisor. “The weather will have an impact both on the amount of mosquitoes and how soon they become a problem. The public needs to be prepared to meet the threat so that it doesn’t get out of hand.”
Conlon expressed the importance of public action. “We promote integrated, effective and sustainable mosquito control as the key to enhancing the public’s quality of life.”
He shared how the general public can adopt safe mosquito control following “the 3 D’s”:
• Drain: Empty out water containers at least once per week
• Dress: Wear long sleeves, long pants, and light-colored, loose-fitting clothing
• Defend: Properly apply an approved repellent such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon-eucalyptus
“Don’t forget that your rain gutters, tree holes, old buckets or tires-all make excellent spots for mosquitoes to lay their eggs,” says Conlon. “Encouraging your neighbors to eliminate sources on their own property is critical to a community-wide control program. Mosquitoes require water to complete their life cycle. If their water source is eliminated, so is their offspring. ”
There are over 170 species of mosquitoes from North America, with several species having been accidentally introduced from other parts of the world. One female can lay 100-300 eggs at a time, averaging 1,000-3,000 offspring in their lifetime. The average female mosquito can live anywhere from 3-100 days feeding on blood several times during that period. Male mosquitoes live 10 to 20 days, feeding only on plant nectar.
Worldwide, mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, yellow fever and dengue fever, continue infecting and killing millions every year. In the United States, mosquitoes spread several types of encephalitis, a swelling of the brain, in addition to transmitting heart worm to common household pets.
Source: PCT Magazine
Posted on May 25, 2012 with No Comments
Looking for pest control in Dutchess County? JP McHale Pest Management services all of Dutchess County! We have technicians throughout the area every working day. Give our office a call to see how our services will best fit your needs.
Posted on May 23, 2012 with 1 Comment
Hiring a New York Pest Control Company can reduce the number of ticks in your yard. These benefits have been best-studied for Ixodes scapularis (the black-legged tick), and include:
- Consistent and timely pest control
- Easy to apply
- Relatively inexpensive
- Safe if applied according to the label
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station has developed a comprehensive Tick Management Handbook 
[PDF - 8.53 MB]
for preventing tick bites. Here are some simple landscaping techniques that can help reduce tick populations:
- Remove leaf litter.
- Clear tall grasses and brush around homes and at the edge of lawns.
- Place a 3-ft wide barrier of wood chips or gravel between lawns and wooded areas to restrict tick migration into recreational areas.
- Mow the lawn frequently.
- Stack wood neatly and in a dry area (discourages rodents).
- Keep playground equipment, decks, and patios away from yard edges and trees.
- Discourage unwelcome animals (such as deer, raccoons, and stray dogs) from entering your yard by constructing fences.
- Remove old furniture, mattresses, or trash from the yard that may give ticks a place to hide.
Posted on May 23, 2012 with No Comments
With the increase of tick’s expected this summer in New York State, if you do find a tick on yourself or a loved one, it is best to know in advance how correctly remove it.
Tick Removal
If you find a tick attached to your skin, there’s no need to panic. There are several tick removal devices on the market, but a plain set of fine-tipped tweezers will remove a tick quite effectively.
How to remove a tick
- Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove the mouth-parts with tweezers. If you are unable to remove the mouth easily with clean tweezers, leave it alone and let the skin heal.
- After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.
Posted on May 22, 2012 with No Comments
A Connecticut bill establishing a bed bug task force that the House of Representatives approved in late April died when it failed to pass the Senate before the General Assembly adjourned in early May. Senate Bill 190 would have charged the task force with studying ways in which bed bug infestations are controlled in multifamily housing and recommending legislation to assist landlords and tenants to better control and prevent such infestations. The task force would have considered how to apportion liability between landlords and tenants for the cost of treating a bed bug infestation.
Posted on May 21, 2012 with No Comments
Stay vigilant and check for ticks. Here’s some news just in from Hopewell Junction, a town in Dutchess County, New York. An American Dog tick burrowed into a little girls scalp, injecting a paralyzing toxin, causing paralysis.
“A New York mom is talking about a mystery paralysis that left her daughter fighting to survive. It all stemmed from a tick bite.
Two weeks ago, precious 2-year-old Jenna Tomlins of Hopewell Junction gave her mother, Rachel, a scare of a lifetime when she woke up paralyzed. Rachel Tomlins said she asked herself if her daughter was going to die. Doctors at their local urgent care and ER were stumped and thought it might be botulism. “They did an IV, blood work, urine analysis, they did CAT scans, X-rays, MRIs and everything was coming back negative,” Rachel Tomlins told CBS 2′s Hazel Sanchez on Friday.
Jenna was rushed to Albany Medical Center, where pediatric neurologist Dr. Karen Powers recognized Jenna’s symptoms from a tick paralysis case she had handled in Virginia.
“I said we really should check her hair for a tick,” Powers said.
That’s exactly what Dr. Powers discovered behind Jenna’s left ear — an engorged American Dog tick burrowed into Jenna’s scalp, injecting a paralyzing toxin.
The tick-borne disease Jenna had is very rare and much different than Lyme disease. Lyme disease is an infection some deer ticks have and some don’t. But experts say all American dog ticks carry the toxin that can cause paralysis.”
Source: CBS New York
