Today a local Rhode Island news paper published a story about how researchers from URI have noticed that there should be a decrease in ticks this year. They predict to see 20 to 25% less cases this year. That’s a pretty good number! A decrease in deer ticks means a decrease in Lymes Disease. A research lab at URI invests most of its time focusing on studying ticks. Scientists go around the state each year and focus on counting how many deer ticks they find state wide. Last year, since the summer was very moist, ticks lasted until August but scientists think the number of cases will decrease significantly. They still want people to be aware and take precautions so they will not get ticks. Wear long sleeved clothing when you are outside and repellent with 30% DEET. When you apply repellent, make sure you spray you sock and shoes. Researchers say you at 70% less likely to get bitten if you do so because tick crawl up your leg and then bit you. JP McHale is a Westchester pest control company that can conduct an inspection for your home or building to check for ticks and we have treatment for your lawn to prevent ticks. Simply contact us by phone 800-479-2284, email, live chat, facebook, or twitter.
Ticks: Deer Ticks are coming out! Westchester County, New York, New Jersey, and all states are affected with ticks. They are very hard to feel when they bite and can be on your skin for days. The problem with ticks is that they can transmit diseases such as Lyme’s Disease to humans.
Mosquitoes: Everyone slaps their skin once in a while to get rid of mosquitoes, but they keep coming back. Mosquitoes can also transmit diseases like the West Nile Virus. When you go to bed at night, try sleeping with a fan, mosquitoes will go with the stream and away from you. Mosquitoes like to lay eggs in stagnant water, so make sure there is none laying around.
Consumer Reports rated Top insect repellents against ticks and mosquitoes. Most of the products contained 30% DEET. Here are some other ways to keep off ticks and mosquitoes: Ware long sleeved clothing when outside, ware light colored clothes, use yellow lights instead of white, use candles outside but position them in the corners and on the floor of the space, cut your lawn often, and tuck your pants into your socks. If you get bit by a tick, freeze the tick once you remove it so you can bring it to your doctor if you feel sick within the next few days.
Termites: Termites are very destructive pests that come out in the spring and summer. Colonies can form with thousands of workers. Read more about termites.
Carpenter Ants: Carpenter ants and termites can get confused with one another. The difference is that termites eat wood were the ants only hollow it out. Read more about carpenter ants.
Carpenter Bees: Carpenter bees are not only destructive to homes, but they are a nuisance to humans. Carpenter bees like to hollow out the wood so they can nest in it. Read more about carpenter bees.
A few days ago, an article was published on wtop.com explaining how the amount of tick cases is on the rise. The tick population is growing and there are more tick-borne diseases that are being introduced. Once a tick bites a human, it has to stay intact with the skin for 24 hours until it can transmit a disease. Whenever you come inside from being outside, make sure you check your whole body for unusual spots. If you do find a tick, make sure you remove the whole body and all of the legs. If the tick is far underneath the skin, go to the hospital as soon as you can to remove it. Once you remove the tick, put it in a small bag and keep it in the freeze for a few days so if the tick did transmit a disease, a doctor can identify the tick and treat it properly. The article points out some tips to prevent ticks including the following:
Avoiding tall grass
Avoid walking where your lawn meets the woods. Do not brush up against bushes because ticks could easily transfer from a tree or bush to a person
Use insect repellent that contains 30% DEET or .5% permethrin
Wear light colored clothes when outside so you can see if a tick is on you
Tuck you pants into your socks
Wear long sleeved pants and shirts
Cut your lawn often
Get rid of places where rodents like
If you have pets, ask your vet for tick control methods you can use
By following these tips you will stay healthy and tick free. If you are concerned about ticks in your lawn, JP McHale can help! Contact us by phone 800-479-2284, email, twitter, or facebook.
Summer has arrived and everyone loves to enjoy the outdoors. Mosquitoes and ticks are very active during the late spring so people have to be cautious not to get Lyme disease or the West Nile Virus. Yesterday on WebMD an author published an article rating the top 6 insect repellents judged by Consumer Reports, focusing mainly against mosquito and tick bites. The top repellents included the following: Off Deep Woods Sportsmen, Cutter Backwoods Unscented, Off FamilyCare Smooth & Dry, 3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent 8, Repel Plant Based Lemon Eucalyptus, Natrapel 8-House with picaridin. 5/6 of these products contain between 15 and 30% DEET, an active and very effective chemical in repelling insects. Consumer Reports had volunteers spray on the repellents and put mosquitoes and deer ticks on the volunteers. The repellents protected the volunteers for seven or more hours! Consumer Reports also notes that people should not use DEET on babies and no higher than 30% when using both a sunscreen and insect repellent in one. DEET is safe in proper amounts but when people apply sunscreen, they usually apply excessively so they do not get burnt. Other ways to prevent insects from biting you include the following:
Wear long sleeve, light clothing
Do not be outside at dawn or dusk when mosquitoes are most active
Make sure there is not stagnant water built up
Inspect your body to look for suspicious marks or spots on your body
When using candles outside in a space, position them in the corners on the floor
Water down the area before a gathering because bees do not like water or wet areas
By following these tips you will have a happy and healthy summer. For more information or help with a tick, mosquito, or any other problem feel free to contact us by phone 800-479-2284, email, live chat, facebook, or twitter. We even offer a special VIP Program that protects your lawn specifically from ticks, mosquitoes, and rodents. Read more about ticks and mosquitoes in our other blog posts! Tick Blog, Mosquito Blog. JPMcHale is one of the leading pest control companies in Westchester, New York, we would love to help you with your pest problems!
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.”
Today a local Rhode Island news paper published a story about how researchers from URI have noticed that there should be a decrease in ticks this year. They predict to see 20 to 25% less cases this year. That’s a pretty good number! A decrease in deer ticks means a decrease in Lymes Disease. A research lab at URI invests most of its time focusing on studying ticks. Scientists go around the state each year and focus on counting how many deer ticks they find state wide. Last year, since the summer was very moist, ticks lasted until August but scientists think the number of cases will decrease significantly. They still want people to be aware and take precautions so they will not get ticks. Wear long sleeved clothing when you are outside and repellent with 30% DEET. When you apply repellent, make sure you spray you sock and shoes. Researchers say you at 70% less likely to get bitten if you do so because tick crawl up your leg and then bit you. JP McHale is a Westchester pest control company that can conduct an inspection for your home or building to check for ticks and we have treatment for your lawn to prevent ticks. Simply contact us by phone 800-479-2284, email, live chat, facebook, or twitter.
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.
