Hurricane Sandy Predicted to Have Long-Term Effect on Pest Populations

Posted on November 14, 2012 with No Comments

National Pest Management Association warns of serious pest health and property risks in storm’s wake

As those affected by the destructive damage and widespread power outages caused by Hurricane Sandy begin the rebuilding process, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) is focusing on the impact the super storm will have on pest populations in affected areas of New York and New Jersey, specifically in hard-hit communities. Flood and storm-ravaged areas can expect to experience greater contact with pests including rats, bed bugs, termites and flies in the weeks and months after the storm due in large part to population displacement, as well as increased moisture. The NPMA is monitoring the situation, as the increase in contact poses serious health and property risks that must be addressed during recovery efforts.

“Communities devastated by the storm will likely experience an increase in pest encounters due to displacement and destruction caused by flooding,” said Jim Fredericks, Ph.D, technical director for the NPMA. “From the delay in sanitation services caused by power outages and road blockages, to the widespread structural damage and increased number of people staying at shelters, hotels or with family and friends, there are a number of ways Sandy will affect a variety of pest populations both in the short-term and months after the storm.”

“Our hearts go out to all who are struggling in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy,” remarked Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for the NPMA. “We are working internally with member companies and manufacturers to develop an action plan to help in mitigating these expected pest pressures, specifically in those areas hardest hit by Sandy.”

The NPMA has identified the following pests to be of greatest concern:

• Rodents: Many rodents were likely killed during the hurricane, however, a great number were displaced and immediately began seeking harborage and food. The delay in garbage pickup that many areas experienced, or continue to experience, will result in an abundance of food sources, while the expected increase in construction debris from remodeling will serve as excellent temporary harborages for displaced pests. As sanitation workers are likely to focus on “garbage” first, and place less of a priority on construction debris which may sit for extended periods, homeowners should keep food trash and construction debris separate so that sanitation workers can easily pick up the items most conducive to rodents.  When these two are mixed, food and harborage may be in place for extended periods of time, which can be conducive to infestations. Rodents are known to spread several dozen diseases.  Any homeowner coming into contact with rodent carcasses during clean up should wear protective gloves to protect against disease transmission.

• Flies: Flies breed in spoiled food, dead rodents or wildlife, and sewage caused by backups or broken pipes. Homeowners who lost power for several days or were unable to return to their homes for long periods of time are likely dealing with the disposal of rotten food. Fungus gnats breed in areas affected by moisture where mildew is growing, and may continue to be a problem in the coming months, especially in coastal areas, like NJ’s Barrier Islands, which are still closed off to many homeowners. Phorid flies breed in areas contaminated by sewage, which could be a problem for Rockaway Channel in Nassau County, Long Island, which is being flooded with raw sewage from the Bay Park sewage treatment plant.

• Bed Bugs: The large number of people forced out of their homes and living in hotels and shelters or receiving donated furnishings or clothing create an increased opportunity for bed bug infestations. Bed bugs are a much greater concern in urban areas hit by the storm, such as New York City, where larger populations of people live close together and interact in enclosed spaces on a regular basis. Because of the bed bugs’ ability to “hitchhike” on people and their belongings, bed bugs can become a problem for anyone living in close quarters while displaced from their home.

• Termites: Homes that were treated for termites in the past need to be retreated if the neighborhood was flooded and soil was moved or displaced by the water. The pesticide barrier was most likely disturbed and may no longer exist to protect the home from the serious structural damage termites can cause.

Just One Empty House Can Lead to Pest Problems For An Entire Neighborhood

Posted on March 9, 2012 with 1 Comment

While the effects of a foreclosure are obviously most devastating to the homeowners and their family, neighbors can also be impacted.

For one, a foreclosure can drive down the value of the rest of the homes in a neighborhood. An empty and uncared for home can attract a variety of pests. pests find that an empty house makes a great home for them – providing shelter and even food and water from leaky pipes, toilet bowls and standing water. Once these pests find their way into a foreclosed home, it is only a matter of time before the population grows and offspring venture out, seeking food and shelter in other homes on the block.

A rodent infestation is especially likely to spread from a foreclosed home to other nearby houses. As it is, rodents invade an estimated 21 million homes in the U.S. each winter.  Once rodents do invade a home, they can pose serious health and property risks. Rodents contaminate food and spread diseases.

Unfortunately, if a house in your neighborhood is under foreclosure, there is little that you can do to prevent pests from infesting that home. But there are many steps that you, as a homeowner, can take to prevent those pests from finding their way into your home. Your first step should be to contact a licensed pest control company who will be able to determine what types of pest infestations your neighborhood is most at risk for, and recommend a prevention plan to help keep your home pest-free.

Warmer Winter Means More Bugs

Posted on March 7, 2012 with No Comments

In Albany, New York the average high in January was 37 degrees, when it’s usually less than freezing, according to the National Weather Service.

The mild winter has been a blessing for so many cold-weary people across the United States, but it could feel more like a curse come spring and summer — thanks to a surge of mosquitoes and crop pests.  This January and February have been among the warmest on record for many states, which means numerous species of insects that are typically decimated by frigid temperatures will survive to the spring with unusually large populations.   Mosquitoes, which lay their eggs in water, have thrived this year, thanks to lots of rainfall and very little snow — combined with the unseasonably balmy weather. 

Winters are usually what one agriculture specialist calls a ‘reset button’ that gives farmer a fresh start come planting season for farmers. But with relatively mild temperatures and little snow, insects are surviving, growing and, in some areas, already munching on budding plants.

But the warmer weather hasn’t been all bad, said Henry Talmage, executive director of the Connecticut Farm Bureau. He compared this winter with last year, when southern New England endured back-to-back snow storms and an ice storm.

In early February 2011, farmers in Connecticut lost nearly 150 barns and other structures as feet of snow accumulated. Those in Massachusetts and upstate New York also struggled with roof collapses.

This year, farmers were able to spend the winter working outside, maintaining equipment and buildings, Talmage said.

‘Instead of shoveling snow, farmers can do something more productive,’ Talmage said.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2111289/Balmy-winter-means-mosquitoes-crop-pests-come-summer.html#ixzz1oSkhUyhb

Fairfield County Pest Control

Posted on August 24, 2009 with 1 Comment

Fairfield County is located in the south west portion of Connecticut. Home to Greenwich, Bridgeport, Norwalk, and Stamford, Farifield county is home to approximately 1 million people.  Its location is perfect, about one hour away from New York City, and it lays right on the long island  sound

JP McHale Pest Management is in Fairfield County, Connecticut every day, and offers all of our services there.

Please check out our Connecticut Pest Control page of more information about our presence in Connecticut and use the links above to go to services you may be interested in.

Greenwich Pest Control

Posted on August 14, 2009 with 1 Comment

Located in beautiful Fairfield County, Connecticut, Greenwich is the 12^th “Best Place” to live in the United States (CNN/Money). Greenwich is a great town and we proudly perform all of our services there. Only one hour away by train, many residents commute to their jobs in Manhattan.

Nearby Greenwich there are many colleges such as Yale, UConn, Bridgeport, Fairfield, and Sacred Heart. This town has four beaches on the Long Island Sound.

If you live in Greenwich or nearby areas give JP McHale a call so we can evaluate your home and property to ensure you are living in a happy, healthy environment. Estimates and inspections are free, so don’t hesitate.

Please contact us at (800) 479-2284, email us, twitter us or live chat with us.