West Nile Virus Cases Increase

The following press release is courtesy of the NPMA Staff...

Thursday, August 2, 2012
Government Officials Warn of Public Health Threat

Mosquito season is in full swing and with it the increased threat of West Nile virus (WNV) infection. As of July 31, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 241 cases of WNV disease and four deaths have been reported. This is the highest number of cases reported through the end of July since 2004. These figures grow daily as more West Nile virus reports are confirmed. Government health officials and the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) experts are warning that this mosquito season may pose a severe public health threat. In fact, health officials have said that WNV cases in Texas are at epidemic levels.

“The CDC is closely monitoring West Nile virus reports from around the country,” said Roger Nasci, Chief of CDC’s Arboviral Diseases Branch. “Compared to this time last year, the number of reported human cases is much higher. People spending time outdoors, particularly in areas of the country where WNV activity is increasing, should take precautionary measures to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.”

”In addition to protecting oneself, NPMA is asking the public to help by limiting the number of mosquito breeding grounds around their homes. Mosquitoes can breed in as little as half an inch of water, so it’s important to take stock of any items that may collect water after a rainfall such as flowerpots, children’s pools and toys, grill covers, and others,” advised Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for NPMA.

WNV is a mosquito-borne virus transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has fed on an infected bird. “In most cases West Nile virus is a mild infection with symptoms so slight they can go unnoticed, or feel like a summer flu,” said Dr. Jorge Parada, medical spokesperson for the NPMA. “In extreme cases, it can be a potentially life threatening infection with higher fever, head and body aches, worsening weakness, confusion and even coma. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.”

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control Company
Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators www.davespestcontrol.net

Autumn Pest Are Coming . . . Part Two

The cool weather initiates rodent activity around the home and announces the pre-cursor for the over-wintering insects to begin looking for that winter resting location.

Falling leaves and decaying vegetation materials accumulate around and provide food and harborage for pill bugs, millipedes, earwigs, and more. These nuisance pests can become invasive and show up inside your home in significant numbers.

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

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control Company Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
www.davespestcontrol.net

Autumn Pests Are Coming...Part One

Autumn is only a few weeks away, so now is the time to prepare and guard against those biting and stinging pests.
As cooler weather becomes more routine and many insects species have reached their annual population zenith, we see significant surges of activity from fleas, ticks, crickets, ants, spiders, and more.

This is the time of year, too, where numerous instances of yellow jackets and hornets are sited around homes. Any observed entrance and exit locations should not be sealed as this will trap them in the wall. They will bore holes through interior walls to escape and enter your home.

If you're concerned about these biting and stinging pest at your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control Company Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
www.davespestcontrol.net

House Flies

House flies do not bite, but they are capable of transferring more than 100 pathogens, including malaria, salmonella and tuberculosis. They contaminate food and surfaces by spreading disease organisms picked up on the silla on their bodies and through their saliva that is used to break down foods. Food contamination is one of the main reasons that fly pest control is so important.

House fly control requires a commitment to vigilant sanitation. Remove trash regularly and use well-sealing garbage receptacles to get rid of house flies around waste bins. Clean up pet waste immediately. Use fine mesh screens on doors and windows to prevent fly entry.

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

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control Company
Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
www.davespestcontrol.net  
Reference: www.pestworld.org</

Did You Know . . .

And now for a little male pest trivia.  Did you know . . .

• Male mosquitoes do not bite humans, but rather live on plant juices and other natural liquids from plants and decomposing organic material.
• Males of most cricket species make a loud chirping noise by rubbing their forewings together.
• Male silk moths can detect female moths up to several miles away.

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control Company
Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
www.davespestcontrol.net  
Reference: www.pestworld.org</

Wolf Spiders

Wolf spiders are hunting spiders and will chase their prey. These spiders are often big and hairy which alarms some people, but they are primarily nuisance pests. Over 100 species occur in the United States and Canada.

Wolf spiders actively hunt during the night and sometimes during the day. They are fast on their feet and pursue prey. Because of these habits, they are commonly seen by people.

Wolf spiders may enter structures in search of prey. Although they are not inclined to be permanent residents in structures, once inside, they often stay. Inside they tend to stay at or near floor level, especially along walls under furniture and other objects. Wolf spiders may be brought indoors with firewood. Outside they can be found under stones, landscape timbers, firewood, under decks in leaf litter, etc. They often rest in such sheltered places during the day.

Because wolf spiders feed on a variety of insects, including crop pests, they can be beneficial. Wolf spiders can bite, but it's extremely rare to experience a wolf spider bite unprovoked. They will only bite if they are handled. The presence of wolf spiders in homes is usually accidental.

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

 Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control Company
Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
www.davespestcontrol.net  
Reference: www.pestworld.org</

Common Ant Myth

Another common myth is that seeing one ant indoors does not equal a full-blown infestation. Although this can be true, ants leave an invisible chemical trail for other ants to follow once they locate a food source.

If that food source is in your home, you can count on ant colonies developing. And while most ants are considered harmless, there are those - such as fire ants, which sting and carpenter ants, which damage wood - that can pose threats to your family's health and property.

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control Company
Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
www.davespestcontrol.net  
Reference: www.pestworld.org</

Biting Spiders

Some biters are harmless, but the most venomous spider in North America is the black widow. (Courtesy of NatGeo)

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control Company
Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
www.davespestcontrol.net

More Insect Trivia

• There are about 10,000 different species of grasshoppers.
• Carpenter bees drill round holes about one inch deep into wood and then turn 90 degrees and drill galleries four to six inches long in which to lay their eggs.
• Silk comes from the cocoons of the true Silk Moth. More than 25,000 cocoons must be unraveled to make a single pound of silk thread.
• Once away from the human body, mites do not survive more than 48-72 hours.
• Of the 20 million people in Latin America who are infected by Chagas disease, a serious kissing bug-borne illness, about 50,000 die annually.

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control
Company
Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
www.davespestcontrol.net  
Reference: www.pestworld.org</

Mosquito Myth

Another prominent pest myth is that mosquitoes are only active at dawn and at dusk. Although most are active then, mosquito activity is not limited to these times of day.

Mosquitoes feed on blood, which means that they will be seeking out meals whenever they prepare for reproduction. Although known for causing itchy, red welts, today, mosquitoes pose a much different threat due to their ability to transmit West Nile virus.

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control Company
Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
www.davespestcontrol.net  
Reference: www.pestworld.org</

Innovative Scorpions

An interesting video about scorpions from NatGeo Wild.

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control Company
Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
www.davespestcontrol.net

Did You Know . . .

Most people believe stinging insects must be physically provoked to attack and sting. However, stinging insects, especially wasps, do not have to be physically touched/provoked to attack and sting.

These pests must only feel that they or their colony is threatened, which can simply happen when a human gets too close.

Stinging insects send over half million visitors to hospital emergency rooms every year.

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control Company
Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
www.davespestcontrol.net  
Reference: www.pestworld.org</

About Stinging Insects

Stinging insects are most active in the summer and early fall when their nest populations exceed 60,000. Some 500,000 people are sent to the hospital emergency room every year due to stings from insects such as yellow jackets, honeybees, paper wasps, hornets and fire ants.

"Stinging insects pose a major health concern for families around the country, and these are the months when you are at the greatest risk," says Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for NPMA. "It is important to take certain precautions to ensure that you are not their next victim."
Experts at NPMA offer numerous tips for preventing stinging insects and treating stings:

• Hire a trained pest professional to destroy hives and nests around the home.

• Eliminate standing water and other sources of moisture in or around the home.

• Keep trashcans covered and sealed.

• When dining outside, keep food covered until ready to eat.

• If approached by a stinging insect, remain calm and quiet. Avoid swaying or swinging, as this may provoke an attack.

• Avoid wearing dark colors and floral prints, loose-fitting garments, open-toe shoes and sweet-smelling perfumes or colognes.

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control Company
Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
www.davespestcontrol.net  
Reference: www.pestworld.org

Household Pests Threat

A few things you should know about insects and rodents . . .

• Did you know cockroaches trigger asthma? 
• Have you heard that termites cause more than $5 billion in property damage every year in the U.S.? 
• Were you aware that rodents and ants contaminate food? 
• Have  you  heard about mosquitoes and West Nile Virus, ticks and Lyme Disease… 

The threats that household pests cause are very real. But, they should only scare you if you are uninformed about these pest-related health and property threats.

From insights on integrated pest management to tips on seasonal pest proofing, visit Dave's Pest Control web site for the latest information on household pests and how to get rid of them.

Of course, you can always give Dave a call too! 1-800-400-6009.

We serve Central Mass and all of Worcester County.

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control Company
Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators www.davespestcontrol.net

Green Pest Control is Possible

Dave's Pest Control is pleased to offer the envirocare™ program, in partnership with the Nisus Corporation. Green Pest Management (GPM) is the heart of any green solution to pest management issues, is the smart choice for anyone who wants to minimize the use of chemicals in and around the home while maintaining an effective and diligent pest control program.

GPM is an integrated, multi-step approach that combines prevention and monitoring techniques with a prudent approach to pesticides (using products like Bora-care) to render a more responsible, yet highly effective solution. If you're concerned about pests in your home or place of business and you want an environmentally- conscious approach to your pest management, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

 Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control Company
Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
www.davespestcontrol.net