A Look at White-Nose Syndrome in Chester, MA

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service endangered species biologist Susi von Oettingen talks about white-nose syndrome in bats and investigates a hibernaculum in an abandoned mine and the area around it.

White-Nose Syndrome = More Mosquitoes

White-Nose Syndrome has been associated with the deaths of more than a million bats. Named for a distinctive ring of fungal growth around the muzzles and on the wings of many affected bats, it was first identified in a cave in Schoharie County, New York in February 2006. To date, it has spread to other caves in New York caves and into Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire,New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Tennessee, and Ontario, Canada. As reported in The Huffington Post, White-Nose Syndrome could decimate the brown bat populations in the Northeast.

The fungus grows on the nose, wing membranes and ears of bats while they hibernate during the winter. Researchers report that his causes the bats to wake up frequently, burning up vital fat stores, resulting in starvation.

Bats are vital to insect control, particularly mosquitoes which spread EEE, West Nile Virus, and other potentially fatal diseases.

If you're concerned about the mosquito population around your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net

Merchant Grain Beetles

Merchant grain beetles are typically not found in grain products, but instead like to attack cereals, cake mixes, macaroni, cookies and chocolate. Merchant grain beetles are dark brown and have six saw-like teeth on each side of their bodies. They can grow to be one-eighth of an inch long and have very flat bodies. The beetle's body shape allows it to crawl into packaging to eat, live and have babies.

Merchant grain beetles are found in pantries or in food processing areas or warehouses. They can infest stored food products and can contaminate food.

Prevention: Discard infested packages. Clean spilled grain and food sources.

If you're concerned about pests in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net

Reference: www.pestworld.org

Stinkbug Eggs Hatching

If you're concerned that you have stink bugs in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net

Roof Rats

Roof rats get their name from their tendency to be found in the upper parts of buildings, and can also be found under, in, and around structures. They only need a space of one-half inch to get into buildings.

Ranging in size from 6 to 8 inches in length, not including their tails, they have very poor vision and are color blind. They do have extremely strong senses of hearing, smell, touch and taste.

Roof rats are known for the damage they cause by chewing on materials and eating stored foods.

Roof rats secured their place in history by spreading the highly dangerous bubonic plague. They support many ectoparasites and urinate on food.

If you're concerned that you have rats in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net

Reference: www.pestworld.org

FAQs About Mosquitoes - Part Two

How often should a property be treated for mosquitoes?
The length of effectiveness is dependent upon several variables including temperature, humidity, surfaces treated, materials or control methods employed. The time lapse between treatments depends upon these factors and specifically the materials used.

What can homeowners do to reduce the risks from mosquitoes?
There are many ways a homeowner can reduce the risks from mosquitoes:

* Eliminate or reduce mosquito breeding sites by replacing all standing water at least once a week. This includes bird baths, ponds and swimming pools.
* Remove unneeded vegetation or trash from around any standing water sources that cannot be changed, dumped or removed.
* Introduce mosquito-eating fish such as gambusia, green sunfish, bluegills and minnows to standing water.
* Screen windows, doors, and other openings with fine mesh, sealing around all screen edges and keeping doors and windows shut to prevent entry.
* Avoid going outdoors when and where mosquitoes are most active: during dusk or dawn.
* Use repellent on exposed skin whenever and wherever mosquitoes are likely to bite. The most effective repellents currently available contain the active ingredient N,N-diethylbenzamide (DEET), in concentrations up to about 35% (greater concentrations don't offer better protection).
* Wear long-sleeved shirts and long-legged pants, preferably treated with a repellent as well.

If you're concerned about mosquitoes around your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net

Reference: www.pestworld.org

Not for the squeamish...

Be glad you don't live here...



Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net

Pests, Pest Control & Asthma

The following information comes to you from The National Pest Management Association:

What’s the connection between pests and asthma in children? Could you explain it?
Cockroaches and rodents contain allergens that aggravate existing asthma in children.

How does pest control (commonly called exterminating) help alleviate asthma?
Proper pest control will help prevent or remove pests that can trigger asthma. A pest management professional, often referred to as an exterminator) can inspect the home for these pests, treat to get rid of them and provide homeowners tips to prevent reinfestation.

What are cockroach/mouse allergens? What is it in these pests that causes the problem?
Allergens include pest “frass,” or carcasses, feces and other debris.

What happens after you control the pests? If the frass is left behind, won’t it pose a health risk also?
The residual frass is still an allergen, even after the pests are removed. A pest control professional can remove the frass as well.

If you're concerned about pests in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net

Attention Teachers!

PestWorlds For Kids has a number of fun and educational projects for you to share with your students.




Here's a sample Report Project...

You deal with pests all the time. But how can you prevent them from taking over your home?
Assignment: Become a Pest Expert

Select a pest from any of the more than 20 animals featured in the Pest Research section. Then, follow our 10-step procedure for organizing and communicating your new knowledge.

In fact, why not share that information with others? At the end of this manual are a few ideas for how to share your new knowledge. Maybe you’ll want to publish a research report for your school library. Maybe you’d like to make a digital slideshow for a PTA meeting. Or maybe you’ll want to script a Public Service Announcement to broadcast during your school’s morning announcements.

No matter what project you’d like to do, you first need to do a little research and a bit of writing. Research writing may seem like a lot of work, but if you follow a few simple steps you’ll be amazed about how much you can learn.

FAQs About Mosquitoes - Part One

Here are questions and concerns many people have about mosquitoes:

Are mosquitoes a real health threat?

Mosquitoes transmit at least three human diseases that have been found in the United States. All of them are potentially fatal. These diseases include West Nile Virus, Malaria and Dengue Fever.

What is West Nile Virus?
West Nile Virus was first detected in the U.S. in 1999, it can lead to serious complications of the liver or nervous system, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), meningitis or paralysis. It is the most widely known disease, likely due to its rapid spread throughout the nation. West Nile Virus has spread across the country from Pennsylvania to Washington state since 1999. Forty-one states and Washington D.C. now have confirmed cases of West Nile.

Do we get Malaria in the United States?
Malaria was thought to have been eradicated in the U.S. but was detected in mosquitoes in Fairfax County, VA in 2002. From 1973 to 1983, travelers introduced 2,575 cases of malaria into the United States.

Are Americans at risk for Dengue Fever?
A small but important risk for dengue fever exists in the United States. Travelers introduce up to 100 to 200 cases into the U.S. each year.

What do you use to treat for mosquitoes?
Many homeowners erroneously believe that all pest management professionals do is spray chemicals to treat their homes. This is simply not true anymore. Many pest management professionals today use an Integrated Pest Management or IPM approach. IPM controls pests by getting rid of the three things they need to survive: food, shelter and water. And consumer education is a vital part of any IPM program. This approach consists of inspection, identification of the pests, employment of two or more control measures, and evaluation of effectiveness through follow-up inspections.

If you're concerned about mosquitoes around your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net

Reference: www.pestworld.org

What's Bugging Your Pets?

Fleas are parasites that feed on the blood of any warm-blooded body. The most common species is the cat flea, which often feasts on cats, dogs and humans. Fleas transport themselves on rodents and other mammals. They infest both household pests and wild animals. Fleas use their powerful legs to jump as high as 8 inches vertically and 16 inches horizontally.

Fleas usually remain on their warm-blooded hosts at all times. They can also be found on shoes, pant legs, or blankets, which can transfer the fleas to new environments. They are often found infesting opossums, raccoons, and skunks in urban settings.

Fleas are the most common transmitter of the rare Bubonic Plague. They also transmit the bacterial disease murine typhus to humans through infected rats. Their saliva can cause serious Flea Alergy Dermatitus in pets, and their debris has been reported to cause similar allergic reactions in humans. Fleas can also transfer tapeworms and cause anemia in pets. Flea bites commonly cause painful, itchy red bumps.

Prevention: Clean and vacuum frequently to help remove flea populations and prevent the laying of eggs. Keep your lawn groomed to avoid rodent habitation. Protect pets by keeping them on a leash when outside, bathing and grooming pets regularly, visiting a veterinarian annually, and using flea treatments according to direction. It is important to hire a pest professional to rid your home of rodents and fleas.

If you're concerned that you have fleas in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net

Reference: www.pestworld.org

What's Buggin' You?

Silly wabbit...Hope you enjoy this pesky creature...



Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net

NPMA Releases Comprehensive Bed Bug Study - Part 2

What to look for...

Visual inspections are the preferred method of determining if a bed bug infestation exists according to survey respondents. Bed bugs are the size and color of an apple seed, like to travel and will hide in suitcases, boxes and shoes to be near a food supply. They are elusive, nocturnal creatures, and beside the mattress and headboard, they can be found behind baseboards, electrical switch plates, picture frames, wallpaper, upholstery and in furniture crevices. They come out at night for a blood meal.

1. Professional pest management companies have experienced an 81 percent increase in bed bug calls since 2000. While, there is not one clear answer for the resurgence of bed bugs, the majority of respondents cited increased travel and movement of people from across town and around the globe, lack of societal awareness and precautions, and changing pest control products and methods.

2. Bed bugs are a much greater problem in urban and suburban areas with larger populations of people who 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, these living environments will continue to see higher infestation occurrences than those living in rural areas.

3. Bed bugs are the most difficult pest to treat, more so than cockroaches, ants and termites. As for where infestations occur, residences top the list with 89 percent of pest professionals treating bed bug infestations in apartments/condos and 88 percent treating bed bug infestations in single-family homes. Respondents also report other common areas, with 67 percent treating bed bug infestations in hotels/motels, 35 percent in college dormitories, 9 percent on various modes of transportation, 5 percent in laundry facilities, and 4 percent in movie theatres.

4. Although bed bugs are not known to transmit disease to humans, their bites do leave itchy welts on human skin and can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Additionally, the emotional and mental toll of experiencing a bed bug infestation can be severe and should not be taken lightly. S

If you're concerned that you have bed bugs in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net


Reference: National Pest Management Association

NPMA Releases Comprehensive Bed Bug Study - Part 1

A new survey conducted by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and the University of Kentucky, confirms what pest management professionals across the U.S. and around the world have been seeing in the field – bed bugs are back in a very big way, with 95 percent of U.S. survey respondents indicating that their company has encountered a bed bug infestation in the past year. Prior to 2000, only 25 percent of U.S. survey respondents encountered a bed bug infestation.

“Because bed bugs don’t discriminate between rich and poor, don’t have a preference for climate or environment, public awareness, education and vigilance are key in detecting and preventing bed bug infestations.”

“The results of the 2010 Comprehensive Global Bed Bug Study suggest that we are on the threshold of a bed bug pandemic, not just in the United States, but around the world,” said Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for NPMA. “Because bed bugs don’t discriminate between rich and poor, don’t have a preference for climate or environment, public awareness, education and vigilance are key in detecting and preventing bed bug infestations.”

In the U.S., bed bugs are infesting homes, apartments, hotels, retail stores, offices, places of worship, college dorms, hospitals, daycares, libraries, modes of transportation, movie theaters, laundry facilities and other places where humans live and gather.

In the next blog I tell you how to spot bed bugs, where to look for them, and what you need to do.

If you're concerned that you have bed bugs in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net

Reference: National Pest Management Association

"Pest Quest" Children's Show Launches

This summer marks the debut of the PPMA-produced children's show "Pest Quest." The educational show, hosted by a group of energetic junior scientists in a fun, colorful science lab, teaches kids about the fascinating world of insects, rodents and small wildlife.

In addition to sharing fun facts, the show educates children about the risks posed by certain creatures when they enter our homes and properties and become pests. The show also encourages children, the pest management industry's future customers, as well as parents who watch the show along with their kids, to recognize the value of professional pest management.

"Pest Quest" is available through NPMA's Websites, PestWorld.org and PestWorldForKids.org, as well as the new Pest Quest Channel, where brand new episodes will be posted twice a month.

Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net