AZ Pest:: Arizona Pest & Termite Control

The Queen of Cooking came face to face with the Queen of Bugs on May 25th, when Rachael Ray welcomed NPMA’s own Missy Henriksen to the set of “The Rachael Ray Show” for a feature segment on pest-proofing your home this spring.

Missy shows Rachael Ray how to pest-proof the outside of your home.

In the segment, Missy shared her tips for keeping a wide variety of pests out of your home and property, as she walked Rachael through a sample home on set. Missy reminded viewers that heavy precipitation this winter is likely to cause a severe spring pest season, making prevention all the more crucial. Among the tips Missy shared in the segment:

Stinging Insects: Bees, Wasps, Hornets

Over 1/2 million Americans each year find themselves in the emergency room because of some kind of an insect sting.
Walk around the outside of your home to see that caulk and weather strips are in tact so that nothing can get in.
Scan the property for beehives or hornet’s nests, especially in light fixtures.
If you find a hive, it should be removed by a professional.

Termites

Termites eat 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In fact, over $5 billion in property damage every year is done by termites.
If you keep flower beds outside your home, be sure to keep mulch 12 to 18 inches away from the frame of your house, because the mulch can attract termites.
Termites also are attracted to water and moisture, making gutters another potential home. Ensure that gutters drain away from home.
Ants & Cockroaches

Ants are the number one nuisance pest for homeowners.
Cockroaches can carry bacteria that can transmit E. coli, salmonella, and 33 other kinds of bacteria. Cockroaches also create allergens that can cause asthma attacks, especially within children.
Check for leaks under sinks and outside your home in the drainage areas as water is attractive to ants and roaches.
Clean up crumbs wherever you eat and make sure to wipe any syrup or sugar that may spill in cabinets and on counters.
Feed pets at specific times instead of leaving their food on the floor, which attracts pests.
Vacuum rugs on a regular basis.
After a vacation, spend a few minutes inspecting your suitcase to be sure you didn’t pack a bug with your souvenirs. Vacuum crevices in the bag and look carefully at your outfits. Wash all of the clothes that you’ve taken on your trip, even if you haven’t worn them.

The full clip of the airing can be downloaded here: http://vimeo.com/12025215

Also, visit Rachael’s website to see several of the NPMA facts and tips that were featured:
http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/show/segments/view/tips-prevent-spring-bugs-entering-your-home/

Tucson Exterminators

See your account number listed below? Simply contact us at roachman@azpest.com or our offices at 886-PEST and let us know you saw your account number featured on our blog. If you do this within the week, before next Sundays accounts are posted then you will receive your next pest control service FREE!

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The World Health Organization has advised tourists in South Africa to guard against mosquito bites and contact with animals after a Rift Valley Fever outbreak.

The United Nations health agency issued the warning Tuesday after a German woman got sick following a three-week trip in South Africa, which hosts the World Cup from June 11-July 11. It is estimated around 350,000 international visitors will be in South Africa for the event.

There have been 172 cases of the animal virus disease reported including 15 deaths.

Please note: the World Health Organization did not advise avoiding South Africa.

Interesting fact: Mosquitoes have killed more humans then all of the wars in history.

See our previous post on Tucson Mosquito Control

West Nile Virus

The May Newsletter is posted and may be viewed by checking out http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs031/1101588844026/archive/1103355654525.html Don’t Let Pests Crash Your Party!

West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus that was first detected in the United States in 1999 and in Arizona in 2003. It is not known how the WNV was introduced into the United States but it may have entered in an infected traveler, bird, or mosquito. WNV has been present in Africa, West and Central Asia, and the Middle East for a long time. The virus can cause illness in people, horses, certain types of birds, and other animals. The majority of people and animals that are infected with WNV have no symptoms or only a mild illness. Approximately 20 percent of infected people will have “flu-like” symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, swollen glands and muscle weakness. Symptoms can last for days or weeks. In rare cases, WNV can cause more serious conditions such as encephalitis (an inflammation of the brain) and/or meningitis (an inflammation of the linings of the brain and spinal cord).

How do mosquitoes become infected with West Nile Virus?
Mosquitoes become infected with WNV when they feed on birds that are infected with WNV. After a few days, infected mosquitoes can then transmit WNV to other birds, humans and horses. Only certain species of mosquitoes carry the virus. Culex mosquitoes are the main carriers of WNV, and these mosquitoes are common throughout Arizona. Culex mosquitoes tend to bite from dusk to dawn.

How do people become infected with West Nile Virus?
People become infected with WNV from the bite of an infected mosquito. Birds and other animals cannot transmit WNV to people. In 2002, a small number of people in the United States became infected with WNV when receiving blood products or organs from WNV infected donors. In 2003, a blood testing program was initiated to screen blood products for WNV prior to transfusion.

What is “encephalitis”?
Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain. In some cases, WNV can cause encephalitis.
Signs and symptoms might include high fever, headache, confusion, disorientation, seizures, muscle weakness, and coma.

Who is at risk of getting sick from West Nile Virus?
People of all ages can get sick from West Nile virus infection, although the chance of becoming seriously ill is low. Persons over the age of 50 are generally at a higher risk for serious illness. West Nile virus activity can occur anywhere in the State. Everyone should take steps to “Fight-the-Bite.”

What are the symptoms of West Nile Virus infection?
Most people who are infected with WNV have no symptoms or may experience a flu-like illness, such as a fever, headache, weakness and swollen glands. For some people, illness can last for weeks. In some individuals, particularly in those over age 50, WNV can cause more severe illness such as meningitis and/or encephalitis. Symptoms generally occur three to 15 days following the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms may include high fever, headache, stiff neck, muscle weakness or paralysis, seizures, confusion and/or disorientation. Of the most serious encephalitis cases, approximately 3-15% may be fatal.

Is there a treatment for West Nile Virus infection?
There is no specific treatment for WNV infection. As with other viral illnesses, supportive care and symptomatic therapy are given.

Is there a vaccine to prevent West Nile Virus infection?
There is no vaccine currently available to protect people against West Nile virus infection. However, research is underway to develop a vaccine for people. There is a vaccine available for horses. Contact your local veterinarian for more information.

Can I get WNV from another person or an animal?
No. WNV is not spread by person-to-person contact or directly from animals to people.

If bitten by a mosquito, should I be tested for WNV
No. You do not need to be tested unless you develop West Nile virus symptoms.

What time of year are mosquito-borne viruses spread?
In Arizona, mosquito-borne viruses are most likely to be spread from April through October during the peak of mosquito activity.

How can I help protect myself and my family from West Nile Virus?
The best way to protect you and your family from WNV, or any other mosquito-borne illness, is to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and neighborhood and to take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites. These are some of the preventative steps that you can easily take:

• Eliminate standing water where mosquitoes can breed. Check for items outside the home that collect rain or sprinkler water, such as cans, bottles, jars, buckets, old tires, drums, wheelbarrows, boats, kid pools, and other containers.
• Change water in flower vases, birdbaths, planters and animal watering pans at least twice a week.
• Repair leaky pipes and outside faucets, and move air conditioner drain hoses frequently.
• Avoid being bitten by mosquitoes when going outside at night by using insect repellent. Wear lightweight clothing that covers the arms and legs.
• Report mosquito breeding problems (e.g. green pools) to your local environmental health office.

Which animals can get infected with West Nile Virus?
WNV infection has been reported in more than 280 bird species. Certain types of birds such as crows, ravens and jays appear to be most susceptible to WNV infection. Horses are also susceptible to WNV infection but a vaccine is available through veterinarians. WNV infections affecting the nervous system have also been reported in squirrels, goats, sheep and llamas, but the susceptibility of these animals to WNV is not well known. WNV illness in dogs and cats is rare. Contact your veterinarian for information about pets and livestock.

What should I do if I find a dead bird?
If you find a dead bird, you should contact your county environmental health department for more information. A program has been established to test dead birds reported in Arizona. However, not all dead birds can be tested for WNV. To be tested, the dead bird should be relatively fresh, not scavenged or decomposed, and with little or no odor. Also, testing is not being offered for baby birds or pigeons. Always wear gloves when handling dead birds. Refrigerate the dead bird until it is submitted for testing (but Do Not Freeze it!).

Can a person get West Nile Virus infection by eating infected birds?
Proper cooking kills WNV. Consequently, there is no danger associated with eating birds that have been properly cooked. Hunters are encouraged to wear gloves whenever field dressing game, including birds.

What is Arizona doing to prepare for West Nile Virus?
County and state health workers monitor and test mosquitoes at selected sites, dead birds and sentinel chicken flocks (17) for mosquito-borne viruses. Mosquito surveillance involves trapping mosquitoes, counting them, identifying the species involved, and testing the appropriate species for viruses. These surveillance methods are used to better identify areas where mosquito control efforts are needed. Detection and control of mosquito breeding sites depends upon integrated efforts among state, county, and tribal agencies as well as private citizens.

Where can I get more information on West Nile Virus?
Call your local health department for additional information. Or call Arizona’s 24-hour
bilingual Public Health Hotline for the latest information about WNV at (602) 364-4500 in Metro Phoenix or 1-800-314-9243 in other areas of the state. You can also contact the Arizona Department of Health Services Vector Borne & Zoonotic Disease program at (602) 364-4562.

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Courtesy of the Arizona Department of Health Services

http://www.azdhs.gov/phs/oids/westnile/wnv_qa.htm

Arizona Mosquito Control Services

See your account number listed below? Simply contact us at roachman@azpest.com or our offices at 886-PEST and let us know you saw your account number featured on our blog. If you do this within the week, before next Sundays accounts are posted then you will receive your next pest control service FREE!

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