If you have acorns in your yard, you should read this article about acorns, mice and lyme disease. Dr. Richard S. Ostfeld of the Millbrook, New York, describes the situation in detail and says:
“The northeastern United States faces potentially “the worst year yet” for Lyme disease and other tickborne infections because of the periodic abundance of a little-noticed component of the disease’s complex ecology: acorns.
Dr. Richard S. Ostfeld of the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, New York, explained during a presentation Tuesday at the International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases (ICEID) that a heavy crop of acorns in 2010 — a phenomenon known as a “mast year” — fueled a 2011 population bloom in white-footed mice, which stash acorns for winter food and begin breeding earlier in years when they are well-fed. That surge intersected with the two-year lifecycle of the ticks that transmit Lyme disease, for which mice are the key host, and this summer could produce a bumper crop of infected tick nymphs looking to bite large mammals — including humans.
“We’re already working with health departments” in Lyme-endemic areas to help craft messages to the public about the potential risk, Ostfeld said during his talk.
The prediction, which is based on earlier work by Ostfeld and colleagues (including these papers in 2006, 2005 and 2001) relies on the key role that white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) play in perpetuating Lyme disease. That species, he said, appears to be the most competent reservoir for Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterial cause of Lyme. Mice sustain the infection without cost to themselves, are frequently bitten by tick larvae, and groom off or otherwise kill the larvae at lesser rates than other small mammals that are bitten — allowing the larvae to drop off naturally and complete their transformation into tick nymphs that transmit infection in their second year of life.
Mice also can survive in much smaller areas than the larger animals, chiefly deer, that are usually blamed for perpetuating Lyme, Ostfeld pointed out. In sampling of “forest fragments” sliced up by development in three northeastern states, his team has not found a parcel in which mice did not thrive. Larger parcels with more balanced ecosystems, with natural mouse predators and larger mammals, actually tend to have lower Lyme density, he said.
Because of the yearlong gaps between bumper crops of acorns, mice, and then ticks, the reliable but irregular masting phenomenon could be used as an early-warning signal for Lyme exposure risks, Ostfeld pointed out. Oak trees mast roughly every three to five years, “and when you are in a mast year, you always know it,” he said.
Cite: Osterfeld R. “Ecological Drivers of Tickborne Diseases in North America.” 8th International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases, Atlanta, Ga. March 13, 2012.
House mice are so small and they can gain entry into homes and other buildings easier than rats. As a result, house mouse infestations are probably 10 to 20 times more common than rat infestations in homes. Effective control involves sanitation, exclusion, and population reduction. While sanitation and exclusion are preventive measures when a mouse infestation already exists, some form of population reduction such as trapping or baiting is often required.
A key to successful long-term mouse control is limiting shelter and food sources wherever possible. Trapping works well, especially when a sufficient number of traps are placed in strategic locations. Trapping also can be used as a follow-up measure after a baiting program. When considering a baiting program, decide if the presence of dead mice will cause an odor or sanitation problem. If so, trapping may be the best approach. After removing mice, take steps to exclude them so that the problem doesn’t recur.
If you reside in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut and mice have entered your residence, contact JP McHale Pest Management.
CBS News in and the New York Daily News both reported that a famous Brooklyn pizza place could reopen on Wednesday after it was shut down by the local health department for failing a health inspections. Di Fara Pizza, located in Brooklyn was given 67 points for code violations last week by the city because of food storage temperatures and signs of mice and flies.
On their facebook page, Di Fara Pizza has 7,072 friends as of Wednesday morning and many of their loyal customers are posting comments saying they cannot wait for the NY pizza place to reopen. One customer even posted on facebook that “Moved to NC 12 years ago and the thing I miss most about NY is Di Fara. Been going there from before I could see the top of the counter – not a just a fan since Zagat found you guys but since the 70s. Hate to hear about your troubles. Open back up soon please. I coming home for a visit. Dom could make my pizza in the clothes he just wore to clean out the sewer if he wants!”
The above story was posted to help educate commercial business owner’s in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut that they should employ an Integrated Pest Management program to help avoid negative publicity.
Happy Halloween!! Tonight, you expect to see vampires, ghosts and goblins around your neighborhood but it’s the bats, spiders and other pests that will be giving you the nightmares! As temperatures have begun to cool in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut outdoor pests are seeking a warm place for the winter and they want to come into your home and place of business.
Certain pests, such as bats and bed bugs, have a resemblance to Halloween characters! Bedbugs are similar to vampires in the sense that they are both nocturnal, bloodsucking creatures.
To keep spiders, mice, roaches, and other unwelcome creepy crawlers out of your home, keep all food and sweets stored in air tight containers. Don’t let your kids leave their candy on the floor as this is an open invitation for pests. If you insist on carving and leaving your pumpkin outside, it’s a good idea to bring it in at night to avoid attracting mice, rats and other outdoor pests that are looking for food and warmth.
Don’t let pests be a nightmare in your home anymore! If you live in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut call JP McHale Pest Management Inc. for all of your residential and commercial pest control services.
We’ve all heard of musical chairs, but musical mice?
Who knew!
According to a Boston news article, there are singing mice known as Alston mice which are native to Latin America. Scientists have been coming across more and more creatures that have vocal abilities, but extensive searching is required to seek new species.
The males possess the musical talent, using their vocalizations to attract females. Females are very particular when it comes to the male song, and studies show they were attracted to males who trilled with rapid speed. Scientists believe that faster trilling Alston males may have superior mate qualities which the females can sense based on the songs that are sung.
Be sure to check out the video to listen to the trilling vocalizations of the Alston mice!
The Times of India reported severe damage to their most sacred Hindu temple, Pashupatinath. The damage was inflicted by mice and the structure is said to be in jeopardy of collapse if action is not taken immediately.
The temple is said to have been built in 1459 AD and reportedly renovated twice since then. The temple walls are coated in silver, but the wood beneath it is being gnawed away by the mice infestation. The pillars surrounded by gold and copper are thought to be hollowed out, and thousands of mice scurry around interrupting prayer. What pests!
Mice chew their way through wood and other materials in order to keep the length of their teeth under control to prevent starvation. These rodents have caused extreme damage to this sacred temple all to keep themselves well fed!
Pests do not consider others, such as home and business owners or religious followers when they want infest a cozy place.
Most people are concerned with cleanliness (or lack thereof!) when mice infestation is upon them, but many don’t think of the physical damage that can be done. It is very important to be on the lookout for these pests because their damage can cost you!
According to the Wall Street Journal, the EPA is on track to ban various rat and mice pellet poisons. Although many consumers swear by these over-the-counter products, and merchants profit from their sales, this decision holds great promise for protection of families and businesses.
These products are sold in pellet form that can result in spillage around the area. In addition, if the rodents are not hungry, they store the pellets in walls and other areas for future consumption.
The storage of these materials in other areascan result in children and pets coming in contact with them which can result in harmful non-target exposure.
These stored products leave room for other potential pest problems. When the stored products are left in walls, etc. throughout a home or business, the wet rodent bait becomes a breeding and gather area for other pests and insects.
Who wants greater activity of unwanted pests? You probably don’t!
The ban of these pellet poisons could be a positive move on behalf of the EPA.
Here at JP McHale Pest Management Inc., we use a block form of this product which extinguishes the ability for mice and rats to relocate the material. The block is concealed in a bait station which forces the rodents to feed at the site and eliminates the possibility for storage in other areas. The banning of the alternate pellet form could decrease negative effects you may encounter through use of the product in your home or place of business!
As many New Yorkers can tell the temperature is falling drastically and it’s time to start turning up the heat as well as grabbing the jackets, hats & gloves. While in these winter months household will see a decrease in summer pests such as wasps, carpenter ants and mosquitoes, there will be an increase in rodent activity such as rats and mice in homes.
Mice and rats are always looking for a warm place to live, and homes especially in Westchester County are a perfect area for them to live. These little critters can fit through holes and crevasses ¼” small! It is imperative that these be sealed, so rodents cannot enter in the winter months. Garages and attics are the most common entrances and must be inspected on a yearly basis. The two pictures below are examples of do it yourself sealers to keep rodents out of your garage.
For current customers on our Home Pest Prevention plan, we will come out and prepare your home for the winter to keep these rodents out of your home. Please note, many times we receive calls here about a “scratching” in attics. Many times this is a squirrel or other type of wildlife. JP McHale Pest Management is not licensed to deal with wildlife. Please call our customer service representatives to assist you in determining your pest problem at (800) 479-2284 or live chat with us!
The key to getting rid of pests and rodents (Mice & Rats) during the winter seasons is to not even allowed to enter your place of shelter. Pest-proofing consists of many different prevention techniques for different types of pests.
Install door sweeps: Installing sweeps under exterior doors prevents insects and rodents from entering your living quarters. A gap of just 1/16th of an inch allows small incects including spiders to enter. A gap of around ¼ of and inch will allow mice to enter into your warm cozy house.
Get rid of those Cracks!: caulking any crack either in the exterior or interior will help prevent pests from entering your home. Cracks on the exterior include: siding cracks, any cracked pipes or around electrial work. In the interior, close up cracks in windows, doors, baseboards etc…
Use ¼ inch wire meshing to areas of concern where rodents may find there way in. These areas include; the attic, chimney roofing, crawl spaces etc.
If you have acorns in your yard, you should read this article about acorns, mice and lyme disease. Dr. Richard S. Ostfeld of the Millbrook, New York, describes the situation in detail and says:
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