Pests and Rodents are Vectors of Disease

Posted on September 19, 2012 with 1 Comment

Fall is among us and that means that means that pests and rodents are going to start seeking shelter indoors.

Rodents and pests will seek entry ways into homes during the winter months in search of food, water and shelter.  Cracks in foundations, open chimney’s are just two vulnerable entry points for rodents.

There have been recent stories in the news about bubonic plaque, hantavirus and lyme disease.  All of which are alarming – but not a cause to panic – amongst pest management professionals.

Protecting and preparing your residence is key to fending off rodents. At JP McHale Pest Management we recommend our Home Pest Prevention Program (HPP). Every home occasionally has unwanted visitors. As seasons change, insects and rodents take shelter in and around your home. Protect yourself with a comprehensive pest control program that not only treats existing problems, but also prevents them from coming back with regularly scheduled visits. We deliver complimentary service calls, at no additional charge, in case you need us between regular scheduled visits

Please contact us today if you are interested in our Home Pest Prevention Program.

California Tourist Dies from Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

Posted on August 21, 2012 with No Comments

A California tourist has died after contracting hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease carried by rodents, the Associated Press reports.

The disease could be linked to a popular lodging area in Yosemite National Park. The man stayed at Curry Village in June, and officials have reported that a woman who also stayed in a canvas tent cabin about 100 feet from him on overlapping days has become seriously ill, according to the AP.

The virus was found in the feces of deer mice in the lodging area of the cabins, according to tests by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state health officials. The deer mouse is the primary reservoir for the virus in the United States; rodents shed the virus in their urine, droppings and saliva, and it is primarily transmitted to humans when they breathe air contaminated with the virus, according to the CDC.

“There’s no way to tell for sure, but state health officials feel (the victims) may have contracted it here in Curry Village,” Scott Gediman, a park spokesman, told the AP.

The man, who was from Alameda County in the San Francisco Bay area, would be the first person to die from the disease contracted in the park, though two others were stricken in a more remote area in 2000 and 2010, officials told the AP.

Read more on this story at ABC News.

Bird Feeders Can Attract Rodents

Posted on January 5, 2012 with No Comments

Rodents are attracted to seeds dropped beneath feeders. Once a population is established, it can be very difficult to discourage. The first step is to discontinue feeding for a couple of weeks to encourage the rodent population to disperse. Next, consider ways to feed without any waste falling to the ground. There are several feeders available that will catch dropped seeds, but most of the catch trays aren’t big enough to really do the job. You may want to look into constructing a large catch tray to place under your feeders that you can clean out or remove each night or that can be hung off the ground. The key is to prevent rodents from getting to any seed. Also, it is important to clean any catch tray that you construct, because bird droppings contaminated with bacteria may survive on the catch tray and cause disease among your birds.  If your rat and rodent problem continues, contact JP McHale Pest Management for remediation.

Avoiding Rodents: Tips for Homeowner’s

Posted on November 22, 2011 with No Comments

Wintertime can bring more than just cold weather and snow, it is also the time when rodents like mice and rats that are seeking shelter.

Following are some preventative tips for rodent control that you can do yourself:

• Store items in boxes and sealed plastic containers, rather than cardboard boxes.
• Keep food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly.
• Install screens over chimney vents and openings.
• Seal cracks and holes on the outside of the home, including areas where utilities and pipes enter the home.
• Replace loose weather stripping around basement foundation and windows.
• Install gutters or diverts to channel water away from your home.
• Store firewood at least 20 feet from the home.
• Inspect wires, insulation and walls for any signs of gnaw marks.

If you find rodent feces, hear sounds of scurrying in the walls or observe other signs of an infestation, contact a licensed pest professional.

Rodent Virus Kills Long Island Man

Posted on June 28, 2011 with 3 Comments

A tragic story was reported by the Wall Street Journal over the weekend about a young, healthy man who died of Hantavirus. Hantavirus is a rare but deadly virus spread by the droppings, urine, or saliva of rodents. The virus is transmitted to humans when the particles from the rodent excretions are inhaled. This 35-year-old Long Island man is thought to have inhaled infected particles while vacuuming up remnants of a flash flood last month. The Wall Street Journal stated that the Montauk, Long Island case was only the second in New York since 1995, both ending in fatality.

Rodents are not only nerve wrecking for some home and business owners, but full of deadly germs that can be transmitted to humans. Here at JP McHale we offer a Home Pest Prevention Program that covers a multitude of pests including rats and mice which spread Hantavirus. The ability to make unlimited call backs through the purchase of any of our programs allow you to schedule follow up visits any time you suspect a pest problem.

Call us today if you suspect any rodent or other pest problems!

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Cold weather is here. Don’t let uninvited guests into your home!

Posted on December 20, 2010 with 1 Comment

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!

Picture credits:
elite-xpressions.com
amazon.com

DIY: How To Seal You Home From Pests In The Winter

Posted on November 11, 2010 with 1 Comment

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.

1. Install door sweeps: Installing sweeps under exterior doors prevents insects and rodents from entering your living quarters. A gap of just 1/16^th 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.
2. 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…
3. 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.

JP McHale Pest Management’s inspectors are professionals at sealing homes. Give us a call to get a free consultation on all of our services.

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NYC’s restaurants graded for the second time

Posted on August 9, 2010 with No Comments

Yesterday the NY Post published an article about the second round grades for New York City’s top restaurants.  Last week, 24,000 of New York City’s finest restaurants were graded on a new scale to judge the cleanliness of the dining area.  If a restaurant gets a low grade, they have two more inspections to improve or else their grade will be open to the public.  The second inspections were conducted this past week.  The final inspections will be conducted in the following week and then that’s it. Restaurants will be required to show the grade they are given right at the front door or window for the public to see.  The following violations will earn restaurants points:

-          Keeping cold foods at a temperature higher than 41 degrees

-          Evidence of pests or rodents

-          Employees not wearing hair nets

-          Eggs are cracks

-          Food is left uncovered

-          Not vermin-proof

-          Plumbing issues

-          Light bulbs not shielding

These are just of the few violations that can make restaurants earn a C.  The article lists some of the finest restaurants in the city that are struggling to make the cut.  If you are struggling with a pest or rodent problem in your home or business, JP McHale can help.  We are the leading pest control company in New York that will solve your pest problems! Contact us by phone 800-479-2284, email, live chat, twitter, or facebook for an inspection!

Keep your cats indoors! They can become prey!

Posted on August 5, 2010 with No Comments

Yesterday Boston.com published an article that warns residents in and around the Boston area to keep their house cats indoors. The fisher, a close relative to the weasel, has been spotted in neighborhoods and shortly after residents cats have gone mission.  The fisher, which can grow up to 3 feet long from nose to tail, weighs approximately 8 to 16 lbs is known to feed on rodents and cats.  One woman who was interview said she said she saw this creature then went inside because the sight of the creature startled her.  Then later that day her cat went missing.   She said the fisher looked like a raccoon, but three times larger.  In 2006 the fisher was first spotted in Cape Cod and last year there were two reported cases.   MassWildlife suggests residents to keep their pets indoors, especially cats.  If you have a rodent issue, JP McHale can help.  Contact us by phone 800-479-2284, email, live chat, twitter, or facebook.

Sport arenas food vendors in NYC cited for health violations

Posted on July 27, 2010 with 3 Comments

Earlier today the NY Post published an article that talks about the vendors in sports areas and how they are not up to the health code.  ESPN surveyed 107 sports areas across the county and the results they found are disturbing.  The Version Center in Washington, DC topped the list.  100% of the vendors inside the arena were cited with health violations.  Madison Square Garden rated the worst among the New York stadiums with 61% of their vendors being cited.  Yankee Stadium and Citi Field rated above MGS, but not by much.  Yankee Stadium had 48% of their vendors cited and Citi Field had 45%. The health violations include inspectors finding mouse droppings and roaches in the area where food is being prepared. Many spectators were interviewed and most of them had the same response.  They are going to continue to go to the sporting events, just going to think twice about getting a hot dog.  The spectators are also angry at the fact that they pay good money to see the sporting event and feel the least that the stadium could do is provide them with a healthy food vendor.  If you have dropping or cockroaches in your home or business, JP McHale can help. We are a Pest Control Company in Westchester New York that serves the tri-state area.  Contact us by phone 800-479-2284, email, live chat, twitter, or facebook for an inspection!

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