The Lowdown on Bug Repellant

The good news is bug repellants really do work in deterring mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, chiggers and other insects. The bad news is that they are ineffective against spiders and stinging insects, such as yellowjackets, wasps, bees or hornets.

The gold standard of insect repellant is DEET. It has been in use for more than 50 years and is recommended for use in persons above 2 months of age. The alternative repellant of choice is picaridin is also effective against mosquitoes, ticks, and sand flies.

(From "Summer Insect Health Risks" by Dr. Jorge Parada for the National Pest Management Association.

If you're concerned that you have carpet beetles 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

Summer Insect Health Risks -

Here is another excerpt from Dr. Jorge Parada's article on summer insect health risks forthe National Pest Management Association.

Ticks, like the mosquito, offer us humans virtually no upside. They transmit serious illnesses such as Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Babesia (“tick malaria”), amongst others. Obviously, the best way to avoid ticks and their associated problems is to not pick them up in the first place, but that can be easier said than done. It’s a good idea to wear clothing that leaves less skin exposed that can act as a barrier to the ticks. So flip-flops, sandals, shorts and T-shirts are out when planning a hike to areas that are likely to have ticks. Wear boots and long socks, and remember to tuck your long pants into your socks when hiking. The best protection against ticks consists of permethrin-treated clothing and gear, combined with DEET applied to exposed skin.

Keep in mind that most ticks need to feed for hours before they can successfully transmit infections. So, it is very important that after hikes you do a full body check (including in the hair) to look for ticks. If removed promptly, the risk of infection decreases significantly.

If you do find a tick on your body or that of a family member or pet, it’s important to carefully remove the tick right away. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don't twist or jerk the tick as this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. Avoid squashing the tick because spreading tick blood in the bite wound might increase the risk of infection. Once the tick is removed, clean the area with soap and water and perhaps an antiseptic. If you develop a rash, headaches, pains or fever, call your doctor immediately.

If you're concerned that you have ticks around 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

Summer Insect Health Risks - Mosquitoes

Here is the next blog post excerpt from an article by Dr. Jorge Parada for the National Pest Management Association on summer insect health risks.

Like Dr. Parada, I do wonder: Is there an upside to mosquitoes?

A mosquito bite typically results in a pink bump that itches. As tempting as it may be, don’t scratch it! Scratching only agitates the venom and increases your itching. In addition, over-scratching might cause breaks in the skin that can serve as a port of entry for bacterial superinfections.

Although less common, some people can be more sensitive to mosquito bites and have more severe reactions, such as welts or hives. All bites should be washed with soap and cold water. Benadryl and over-the-counter 1 percent hydrocortisone cream may be indicated for intense itching and the larger reactions. If there are signs and symptoms of infection you may need to see your doctor for antibiotics.

While mosquito bites are no fun, those itchy lesions, thankfully and rarely lead to severe reactions. Unfortunately, mosquitoes can leave more than a local reaction. Sometimes they may transmit infections like malaria, dengue, or West Nile Virus (WNV). Luckily, in the United States we rarely encounter malaria or dengue, but WNV has become widespread. The good news is that in most cases WNV is a mild and self-limited infection. Symptoms may be so light as to go unnoticed, or present as a “summer flu,” with mild body and headaches and low-grade fever. In rare and extreme cases WNV is a potentially life threatening infection. Symptoms include higher fever, head and body aches, confusion and worsening weakness and such symptoms should prompt you to seek medical attention.

Mosquitoes bite most intensely around dawn and dusk. So if you must be outside during those times, it’s best to be inside a screened-in porch or dressed in clothing that leaves very little exposed skin. Your best protection is an insect repellant.

If you're concerned mosquitoes around 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

Summer Insect Health Risks - Bees, Hornets, Wasps, and Yellowjackets

Over the next few blog posts I am going to share with you excerpts from an article by Dr. Jorge Parada for the National Pest Management Association on summer insect health risks.

Bees, hornets, wasps, and yellowjackets are really beneficial to the balance of nature. They pollinate plants and flowers and help give us fruits and vegetables. They also eat other harmful pests such as grubs and flies. However, they give us anxiety about being stung, particularly is you are one of the millions of Americans at risk for suffering severe allergic reactions.

Although typically a source of great anxiety for fear that they might sting you, in fact, bees and yellowjackets rarely do sting unless provoked. So, the number one rule is not to panic and swat at a bee when it comes for a visit. If it lands on your skin, just blow gently rather than smack at it.

More aggressive species such as wasps can sting in painful attacks if they feel threatened or if you wander too close to their nest. While painful, most insect stings usually result in a limited local reaction, with pain and swelling.

Unfortunately, about 3 percent of people have more widespread allergic reactions, with rash and hives. The most extreme cases of allergic reactions are called anaphylaxis and symptoms include tongue and throat swelling, wheezing, dizziness or even life threatening shortness of breath and drop in blood pressure. If these symptoms arise, call 911.

If you are allergic to stinging insects you should know how to use an epinephrine kit and carry it with you at all times. If stung and the stinger is still in place, first remove the stinger. Then clean the area with soap and cold water and apply ice. Benadryl and over-the-counter 1 percent hydrocortisone ointment may help calm the reaction. Consider taking a pain reliever as needed.

If you're concerned about bees, wasps, hornet, or yellowjackets  around 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

Jumping Spiders

National Geographic reports that researchers have discovered a unique visual attribute that jumping spiders use in attacking and catching prey. Here's a video that demonstrates their unusual ability!



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

Meet The Pillbug

The pillbug is the only crustacean that has become completely adapted to spending its life on land.

Pillbugs have oval bodies and seven pairs of legs. They are easily recognized by their back, which is made up of seven hard individual plates. Pillbugs are sometimes referred to as rollie-pollies, as they are known for their ability to roll into a ball. 

These little creatures like to eat decaying vegetable material and are most active at night. Pillbugs live in moist locations. They are found under damp objects or under vegetable debris.

Pillbugs do not spread diseases or invade food products. However, the pillbug is often considered a pest when it gains entry into a home.

If you're concerned that you have pillbugs 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

Those Darned Ants!

Besides ruining our fun at picnics, some species of ants can be quite destructive to the wood in and around homes. Carpenter ants, for example, like to make their nests in porches, roofs, windowsills, even telephone poles.

Ants are social insects that prefer nesting in wood. They commonly hollow out galleries or tunnels in trees, structures, wood, and foam insulation.

Carpenter ants are often found in conjunction with moisture problems. An indication of possible infestation is evidence of sawdust, pieces of insulation, nesting materials, and winged adults, known as swarmers.

To protect your home against carpenter ants, a seasonal program from Dave's Pest Control may be the solution. This allows us to get to your home before the wood destroying ants do each year.

So, if you're concerned that you have an ant problem 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