A group of doctors from around the country will come together to discuss the treatment methods involved with Lyme disease. Lyme disease is commonly found in deer ticks, which are prevalent in the northeast of the county. Some doctors say its a short fix, other say its a long hard battle. We will let you know the outcome..
The front page of the Wall Street Journal today featured an article written by Gwendolyn Bounds about using natural pesticides to control pest activity around your home.
The use of natural products to control pests is not new. Garlic based sprays have been used for many years to control outdoor pests such as mosquitoes. The author of this, reported on the products she used to control pests on her property. Garden pests can cause a lot of damage to your plants, therefore controlling them is imperative.
Many companies that manufacture over the counter pest control products are trying to release new green products. There are a few problems with launching these new products, the most popular being consumer acceptance. Bounds’ makes a great point from the consumer’s view.
“…consumers say we want (natural products) and what we really want (dead bugs, now!).”
Another interesting side was that the side effects of pesticide to not even come close to the effects of Lyme disease and West Nile like virus.
“…pests can transmit illnesses such as West Nile virus and Lyme disease that can be more harmful than some potential side effects from pesticides. S.C. Johnson & Son Inc., for instance, launched a Raid “Earth Options” product in 2006, then discontinued it the next year due to low consumer acceptance.”
Spectrum Brands Inc. said that they released a mosquito repellent without DEET, and it did not sell well.
“Over the years, the EPA has banned some insecticides considered too risky from use in the home market, such as diazinon and chlorpyrifos. It also now maintains a list of active ingredients used in what it dubs “minimum risk” pesticides. “It’s a pretty good bet it’s a safe product if it’s on that list,” says John Kepner with Beyond Pesticides, a not-for-profit group based in Washington, D.C.”
In conjunction with all natural products, it should be known that some pests, such as ladybugs, can be used to control harmful pests such as aphids in your garden.
The author mentions in the article that she could not find an all-natural method to control carpenter ants.
JP McHale is constantly exploring new environmentally friendly products, also taking into account the effectiveness of them. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates pesticide products, and the way they are applied. Please contact us so we can create a custom home pest prevention program to protect your family and home from pests.
The original Wall Street Journal article can be read here.
It is the middle of the summer and everyone is outside. The last thing you want is to contract a pest transmitted disease like Lyme or West Nile.
JP McHale is a unique pest management company. With the power of a entomologist and a plant pathologist, custom service programs can be created, controlling more pests then just the general pest control. Therefore, we have created the VIP, Vector Intervention Program. The VIP program is performed by our tree and turf department.
The VIP program is targeted at pests that transmit diseases. Most specifically, ticks, mosquitoes, mice and rats. All of these pests transmit different diseases, and are present in the northeast in high populations.
Mosquitoes:
They transmit the West Nile Virus. West Nile is usually found in Africa, and has made its way to the United States. When an infected mosquito bites a human, they will get a short illness. However, if left untreated, there are high chances that the West Nile could turn into a more harmful disease such as encephalitis or meningitis.
The ecotone if your property is treated with a liquid or your property will have mosquito dunks placed strategically where mosquitoes are found to breed on your property.
To ensure that your property will be mosquito free, our VIP program along with integrated pest management techniques will be the best possible thing you can do.
Ticks:
Transmitting Lyme disease, Babesiosis and Ehrlichosis. Lyme disease is one of the most well know diseases, if contracted; symptoms include dizziness, stiff neck, abdominal pain, joint pain, acute headaches and symptoms that relate to arthritis. Deer ticks are most know to carry Lyme disease. Another disease found in ticks is Babesiosis. Contraction of Babesiosis is not common in the northeast of the country, but there have been reports of it. This disease targets the red blood cells in your body, and symptoms are sever and include fever, chills, body aches, muscle pain, nausea, and vomiting. This disease is especially harmful and dangerous to the elderly and people with a weakened immune system. The most recently discovered disease to be carried by ticks is Ehrlichiosis. Reports of this disease are increasing rapidly in the northeast of the country. This disease will target white blood cells, creating flu-type symptoms such as fevers, muscle aches and fatigue. Children may get rashes. Diagnosis of Ehrlichiosis is key, and if not treated, can lead to hospitalization and possibly death.
You can control ticks from your property and prevent them from infecting you by a few integrated pest management methods, and the VIP program through JP McHale Pest Management
Rodents:
The last pest covered by the VIP program is rodents, most specifically, mice and rats. Mice and rats leave urine, dropping and salvia behind when they are percent in homes. These secretions left behind can cause Hanta Virus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). Here at JP McHale, our customer service representatives get calls all the time from people that have been diagnosed HPS by their doctor. HPS is usually contracted by breathing in the virus. Symptoms include fever, headaches, muscle pain, dizziness and chills. If left untreated, you will notice lunch filling with fluid and shortness of breath.
All of these pests are covered by our Vector Intervention Program, that is administered by our Tree & Turf Management department. Please contact us at (800) 479 2284 if you would like more information or would like to sign up for the program.
As most of you know, here in the northeast we have been receiving a massive about of rain fall this month (June). We have said before, this rain will bring out high populations of Ticks, Mosquitoes and Carpenter Ants. These pests also carry diseases which are harmful to humans.
Ticks can carry Lyme Disease. When not spotted and dealt with, it can lead to major peoples. Residex was awesome enough to provide us with a great Q&A regarding Lyme Disease. Here is what they had to say…
1. What causes Lyme Disease and how would I contract it?
Lyme Disease is caused by a bacterium from a group of bacteria known as Spirochetes. Spirochetes are corkscrew-shaped bacteria that can actually bore into essential organs and other tissues of the body, and can go into dormancy for long periods of time. The Lyme Spirochete is called Borrelia burgdorferi, and it is transmitted to humans and pets by the black legged (deer) tick and the lonestar tick. When an infected tick bites, it transfers spirochete bacteria into the blood stream of humans and pets.
2. How will I know if a tick bite transmitted Lyme Disease?
There is an early warning bull’s-eye rash in the area of the bite that some, but not all, bite victims see. The other early warning sign is the embedded feeding tick itself. Unfortunately most victims of Lyme Disease never know that they were bitten by an infected tick, and go untreated until concerning health issues begin to manifest within the victim. Detection of embedded ticks is difficult because of the black legged tick’s extremely small size
3. What should I do if I find an embedded tick on my body?
The tick must be carefully removed either by a medical professional, or you can do it yourself or have someone assist you. A proper removal device is necessary to firmly grasp the tick by the mouthparts only and gently remove the tick from the skin. Do not grasp the tick by its abdomen because pressure will force the tick to regurgitate its gut contents, which may contain disease microbes, into the bloodstream. Save the tick for proper identification by a trained professional.
4. Are there removal methods that I should avoid?
Yes. Never use alcohol, lit matches, cigarettes, insecticides, repellants, gasoline, ammonia, or any other solvent or heat source to remove any embedded tick. All of these methods cause the tick to regurgitate the contents of its gut into the victim’s bloodstream, which further increases the likelihood of contracting a tick- borne disease.
5. What happens if I get Lyme Disease?
The nature of your illness will depend on the length of time that Lyme Disease goes untreated. Additionally, not all humans respond the same way to this very complex disease, and ticks can also transmit more than one type of disease with a single bite further complicating a proper diagnosis and treatment. Lyme Disease is a syphilitic-type condition that left untreated can cause severe debilitating issues both physically and mentally. This stage is known as chronic Lyme, and is very difficult to diagnose and treat. Early stages of Lyme Disease can be completely cured with common antibiotics issued by a medical doctor. However catching Lyme Disease in its early stages is difficult at best, and many physicians and laboratories lack the experience and testing protocols to properly identify the disease.
6. How can I prevent contact with Lyme Disease?
Currently there are only a few preventative measures to protect your family and self from contracting Lyme Disease and no method is guaranteed. Lyme Disease is a 49 State issue and not just a problem of the Northeast. At present time, it is known that black legged ticks and lonestar ticks are disease vectors of Lyme. Avoiding human contact with ticks is the critical element in prevention. Unfortunately there isn’t a human Lyme vaccine at this time, although there is one for your pets available through a veterinarian. So without a vaccine, all humans are vulnerable to this very serious disease.
7. Who is most at risk to contract Lyme Disease?
Since Lyme Disease is a disease of the active population who use the outdoors as their playground for sports, hobbies and other activities, children, athletes and outdoors adventurers are highly susceptible to coming into contact with disease carrying ticks. Playgrounds, parks, trails, fields and your very own backyard are the harborage areas for Lyme-carrying ticks. This condition is more related to the deer and mouse populations in these areas versus the human populations. The deer and the white-footed mouse are reservoir hosts of Lyme Disease, and wherever these animals are found, you are surely to find Lyme infected ticks. As deer and mouse populations go unchecked because of local and state regulations, the disease spreads at uncontrolled rates. Lobby your local and state legislators to get control of these out-of-control animal populations in densely human populated areas.
8. What is the most effective preventative control method available today?
An insecticide application to the lawn and wooded transition zone around your home is an effective method to kill ticks that are present in areas where humans and pets are active. These applications should be rendered by a licensed professional pest control operator with a deep understanding of tick biology and treatments. Most professional pest control operators understand the concerns of homeowners when applying insecticides in areas where pets and children play and use extreme care and sound judgment in the selection of the right product for your situation. Lyme-carrying ticks are a serious threat to public health, yet many legislators are banning the use of effective pesticides due to the unproven claims levied by special interest groups. Tell your state and local legislators that you demand protection against Lyme Disease, and effective pesticides are the only viable weapons for prevention at this time.
9. Are there any non-pesticide methods available?
Non-pesticide methods of prevention include staying out of areas where deer and field mice frequent including your yard, wearing white clothing for ease of detection, inspecting your body thoroughly after returning from areas where deer and mice live, using tick repellants on clothes and skin, maintaining a well-manicured lawn and removing all leaf and litter debris from the surrounding property, treating pets with a tick repellant, keeping field mice from entering the home or other out properties. All of these methods along with a residual insecticide application should be incorporated into a comprehensive tick control program. There are no guarantees that you or a family member will not contract Lyme Disease even if all of these methods are employed due to the number of variables outside of your control and the professional applicator’s control.
Lobby your elected officials to protect humans from the serious effects of Lyme Disease.
Written by Christopher Donaghy, Board Certified Medical Entomologist.
From the Nation Pest Management Association-
“Cockroaches, rodents, termites and other common pests can be annoying, hard to control and sometimes, even scary. However, while we are often quite fearful of the creatures themselves, what should really scare us are the powerful and serious threats that indoor and outdoor pests can cause to our health and our homes.
For example, rodents are known to carry and spread as many as 200 human pathogens. Cockroach allergens in the home have been linked to the increased incidence of asthma attacks in children, and termites cause an estimated $5 billion in property damage in the United States each year.
Pests and pest-transmitted diseases are not restricted to any particular region of the country or a specific time of year – these serious public health issues threaten all of us at any time. The National Pest Management Association encourages you to learn more about proper pest management today.”
Have you found your dog or cat itching a lot lately? It could be from the increase in flea population with the increasing temperature. The National Pest Management Association released a list of things you can do to reduce the number of fleas that can en up on your animals or even you!
-Pets must be check regularly for pests, pets must also be cleaned regularly
-Avoid tall grassy areas where all types of ticks, fleas and mosquitoes can breed.
-Pets’ bedding should be washed frequently.
-Vacuum carpets often.
If you do recognize a flea or insect infestation please bring your pet to a licenced professional.
Have you seen a flying or crawling insect? Have you seen rodents? You can easily identify them using our Pest Identification Library! This is very useful for identifying pests, and knowing what they like to eat, and what conditions they like to live in.
Integrated Pest Management is a method of treating a group of pests. The IPM Program is a system that is implemented to create a bug free atmosphere. Some of these steps include keeping a cut lawn, proper garbage disposal and using minimal pesticides. All work that we do is under the IPM program. We are environmentally friendly as possible and give recommendations to customers on how to prevent the pests from coming back with non-pesticide usage.
If you live in Monmouth County, NY you are eligible to get ticks lab tested. To help prevent Lyme disease the county is offering this program. If you contract a tick you should store it, then bring it into the The Mosquito Commission Office, 1901 Wayside Road, Tinton Falls. In Monmouth county there are mainly three different types of ticks. These include the deer tick (backlegged tick), the lone star tick and the American dog tick. The only one that carries the Lyme disease is the deer tick. If you get a tick tested they will call you and mail you a full report on what type of tick it was and if it had Lyme’s disease or not.
The front page of the Wall Street Journal today featured an article written by Gwendolyn Bounds about using natural pesticides to control pest activity around your home.
