Is Global Warming Affecting the Tick Population?
Posted by janegwalker in Deer ticks, Life cycle of the tick, Lyme disease, Tick Protection, Tick Tubes on January 23, 2012
Global warming has been a hot topic the past few years resulting in a greater awareness of Mother Nature, her ever-changing status, and what we can do to protect her. According to PlanetSave, a blog focused on saving the planet, global warming could lead to the extinction of over a million species. Ticks, however, is not one of them.
Ticks thrive in warmer weather. Whether it’s the heat of the summer or dead of winter, ticks can become active anytime the temperature rises over 40 degrees and there isn’t snow and ice on the ground. For many areas around the country, that’s the case right now.
With ticks coming out earlier in the year and staying later, their population has increased in many areas, resulting in more cases of tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease. On a recent warm day here in Virginia a friend of mine asked me if I continue to give my dog flea and tick medication throughout the winter. The answer is yes as you never know when a tick is on that plant my four-legged friend is sniffing so intently. Depending on where you live, it’s important to protect yourself, your kids and your pets from ticks all year round (for those of you in states with inches of snow right now, you’re safe).
How can you protect yourself from ticks and the illnesses they carry? It’s all about being observant and proactive:
- If you are going outdoors, wear light colored and loose clothing that covers the majority of your body. Ticks’ dark bodies are easier to see on a light background.
- Check yourself. Check your clothing and skin for ticks when coming indoors. Make sure to check those hard-to-see areas like behind the ears, armpits, etc.
- Remove all ticks immediately. Here’s a guide to remove ticks properly from the CDC. Record the date and location of the bite and place the tick in a baggie if you can in case you notice any symptoms in the future.
Mosquito Squad kills ticks dead
Ticks are small, but they can be big trouble. If you want to rid your yard of ticks, contact Mosquito Squad. Our tick tube application will get to the ticks before they get to you.
2011 Brought Advances in the Fight Against Vector-Borne Illnesses
Posted by janegwalker in Dengue Fever, Malaria, Mosquito-Borne Illnesses & Diseases on January 6, 2012
Happy New Year!
One interesting part of starting a new year is always to look over the “best of” lists: Best celebrity weddings, best technology improvements, most fascinating people, etc. Discover Magazine annually puts out the “Top 100 Stories” of the year before. This year, several of Dread Skeeter’s nemeses made the list.
#90: Chronic Lyme Patients Validated
Diagnosing Lyme disease can often be difficult as its symptoms are very similar to other ailments, and in the case of post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, some patients have been told they either have chronic fatigue syndrome or are perfectly fine. Well, in 2011 immunologist Steven Schutzer was able to prove that there is a difference between patients with chronic fatigue and post-treatment Lyme patients, proving the syndrome does exist.
Mosquitoes can be deadly when carrying certain illnesses like Dengue Fever and malaria
According to the Center for Disease Control, 2.5 billion people live in areas where Dengue Fever is present in mosquitoes, resulting in severe headaches, joint, muscle and bone pain and in some cases death. Australian scientists believe they may have the answer. When they injected mosquitoes with the Wolbachia bacterium, the insect was unable to transmit Dengue. 2011 tests proved optimistic when the bacteria was proved to be passed on through reproduction.
#28: Hepatitis B Boosts Malaria Vaccine
Past malaria vaccines haven’t shown great promise in trial, but a new GlaxoSmithKline test is showing a 50% success rate. The vaccine tricks the body into protecting against malaria by heightening the immune system via hepatitis proteins. With the trial running through 2014, we at Mosquito Squad are interested to see how it can help against Africa’s fight against malaria.
#13 Can Gut Bacteria Stop the Spread of Malaria
George Dimopoulos of Johns Hopkins University has found that the Enterobacter bacterium, when ingested by a mosquito, renders that mosquito unable to transmit malaria by killing a parasite that causes malaria. It was a happy mistake that hopefully leads to a cut in the number of malaria cases in future years.
2011 was a big year in the mosquito and tick world. Here’s hoping that 2012 brings the same, but as long as you are bothered by mosquitoes and ticks, Dread Skeeter and Mosquito Squad are here to protect you, your family and your friends.
Releasing genetically modified mosquitoes can wipe out disease?
Posted by Robin Steele in Genetically modified mosquitoes on December 27, 2011
Deadly mosquito
Mosquitoes are not only pests. They spread diseases. These diseases can be range from feeling like a bout with the common flu to even death. The diseases mosquitoes spread include Malaria, Dengue Fever, West Nile Virus various strains of encephalitis and more. In the U.S., we have mosquitoes that carry and spread almost all of these in different parts of the country. The best protection is prevention. Preventing mosquito bites is the best way to say safe from the diseases mosquitoes carry. You can prevent mosquitoes from entering an area such as when you have your yard sprayed to keep mosquitoes at bay. But, often times you can’t prevent the number of mosquitoes around you. This is especially true when going on vacations especially in warmer climates.
But, even vacation area now might have a line of defense against mosquitoes. A company in Oxford England develops genetically modified mosquitoes that are free from disease. These mosquitoes are delivered to the U.S. and then released in controlled areas very carefully by knowledgeable local agencies. By releasing a large number of disease free mosquitoes for mating, the offspring will not have enough potency of the various diseases to infect their subjects. This company released such mosquitoes in the Cayman Islands and eradicated over 80% of the mosquito population. Another controlled release is being considered, debated, and argued currently in the Florida Keys.
If you have the ability to control your own environment with a barrier spray that keeps mosquitoes and ticks out of your yard, that’s your best bet. Mosquito Squad’s barrier spray protects your yard all summer. The safe and effective product is sprayed at 2- or 3-week intervals throughout mosquito season keeping most mosquitoes out of your yard. It keeps ticks out also.
But, when you can’t control your environment, the advent of weird science might be there to help.
Dread Skeeter for Mosquito Control
Recent discoveries provide proof that man has been battling against the bite for thousands of years
Posted by Robin Steele in All Natural Mosquito Spray, Garlic Mosquito Spray, Mosquito barrier spray, Mosquito Bites, Mosquito Control, Mosquito Factoids, Mosquito misting, Mosquito prevention tricks, Mosquito Squad, Mosquitoes, Mosquitoes In the News, Outdoor Events, Outdoor Living Bug Free on December 23, 2011
Yes, research now proves the stereotypical caveman was knowledgeable in mosquito control
When we think of things that come under the category of “pre-historic” our minds automatically gravitate towards fur loin cloths, wooden clubs and dinosaurs. However, did you know that mosquitoes have been around for over 170 million years and survived the ice age even when the dinosaurs did not? This proves that the pesky, blood sucking insects we continuously wage war upon were even a constant thorn in the sides of the cave men. Recent findings show that early man was even using primitive methods of plant-based mosquito control remedies nearly 77,000 years ago to control their wrath.
Scientists have recently discovered evidence of bedding that was constructed from plant stems and leaves which contained a natural plant derived insecticide. This bedding would have served as much for mosquito control as for comfort at the time. The bedding was discovered in a rock shelter in Sibudu South Africa and is believed to be left by our early ancestors who slept in the shelter from 38,000 to 77,000 years ago.
This resilient creature survived the ice age
The use of these plants and leaves prove that the cavemen had knowledge of the specific insecticidal and medicinal uses of the plants within the world around them. Analysis of the bedding also concluded it was refurbished with the insecticidal plants and leaves on more than one occasion proving again, that the inhabitants of the Sibudu site were well aware of the properties and attributes of the plants and leaves they were choosing to “feather their beds” with at the time. Researchers also learned from excavation of the sight that the cavemen burnt spent and used bedding in a way to possibly further mosquito control efforts within their living space and to maintain an insect free space for further occupation. This discovery is 50,000 years older than the most ancient preserved bedding we have found in the past.
Now, when you think of our earliest ancestors keep in mind the intelligence and ingenuity that may have kept them mosquito free amid a world of insect frenzy, without the conveniences we know and are accustomed to today. This is truly a miraculous discovery indeed. Our advanced technology in the world of mosquito control all lead back to early man and his battle against the bite, which research can prove has been going on for thousands of years.
No Mosquitoes
When it comes time to enjoy those outdoor activities that we all look forward to over the winter months, contact Mosquito Squad to ensure you and your family stay mosquito free this season. Our methods are proven safe and highly effective in the ongoing battle we wage on the dreaded mosquito- and with Mosquito Squad you will come out the winner every time.
To locate the Mosquito Squad closest to your cave, visit our locations list available on our website.
Mosquito breeding season maybe over, but West Nile Virus is still a reality for many states in the US
Posted by Robin Steele in All Natural Mosquito Spray, CDC, Garlic Mosquito Spray, Mosquito barrier spray, Mosquito Bites, Mosquito Control, Mosquito Factoids, Mosquito misting, Mosquito prevention tricks, Mosquito Squad, Mosquito-Borne Illnesses & Diseases, Mosquitoes, Outdoor Events, West Nile encephaltis and meningitis, West Nile Virus on December 8, 2011
Dread Skeeter of Mosquito Squad
It is the time of year when most people think that mosquitoes are a distant memory of summer past. West Nile Virus as well as other mosquito-borne illnesses and diseases don’t rear their ugly heads until the latter part of the mosquito season. The duration of the mosquito season varies from state to state, but typically mosquitoes are active from April until October. As 2011 draws closer to an end the CDC ( Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) released it’s findings for West Nile Virus for the present year-to-date on November 29th, 2011.
The findings show that for 2011, there have been a total number of 658 reported cases of West Nile Virus in the United States so far. This number reflects both neuroinvasive as well as non-neuroinvasive cases reported. Out of the 658 reported cases of West Nile Virus, 452 of those cases were diagnosed as neuroinvasive. Neuroinvasive West Nile Virus means that the disease affects the nervous system. This can include encephalitis which is inflammation of the brain and meningitis which is an inflammation of the membrane around the brain and the spinal cord. Meningitis can also lead to acute flaccid paralysis which is an inflammation of the spinal cord. Non-neuroinvasive cases reflect those patients that display less acute signs of West Nile Virus. In many instances the true number of those affected by non-neuroinvasive aspects of the disease can differ greatly from the actual number of reported non-neuroinvasive cases because a great deal of those infected do not seek medical attention when the disease is mild. In some of the mildest cases the patient many times does not even know they are infected. All of these numbers reflect both mild and severe cases confirmed as well as probable human disease cases occurring between January 1st, to November 29th, 2011.
Photo of West Nile Virus under a microscope
Some of the states that show the highest level of reported cases include California with 151 confirmed West Nile cases and 8 deaths as a result of the disease. Next in line are Arizona with 58 confirmed cases, Mississippi with 51, New York with 43 and Illinois and Michigan tie with 33 confirmed cases. Nationwide the total number of deaths attributed to the disease totals 40. Only five states show non-human activity and those are Washington, Maine, Oklahoma, Oregon, and South Carolina. There is only one state which has reported no West Nile Virus activity either human or non-human for the year so far, and that is Maine.
This very important data reminds us of the importance of reporting any symptoms of the disease early. The CDC’s data also includes non-human infections and deaths reported by way of birds and other animals. If a high number of dead birds are reported in a specific geographical region it alerts the CDC and local health departments in that area to be on the alert for human cases that may present themselves.
The mosquito is responsible for this years current West Nile numbers
In all our efforts to prevent and control mosquitoes and mosquito-borne illness, including nationwide, statewide and down to our own backyards we all hope each year that the impact of West Nile is less. These finding remind us that before we know long mosquitoes will begin breeding again and now is the time to plan for the upcoming season. The winter months give us a great opportunity to inspect our own surroundings and devise a mosquito control plan for the upcoming season to keep our families safe from mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile. Take time to inspect your property for areas that are prone to hold water such as lawn and patio furniture, children’s play areas, bird baths, planters left from spring blooms and even gutters to ensure they are free of debris. Check any screened areas or windows for damage or tears and have them repaired before spring arrives. Getting your property in tip-top shape before the arrival of the mosquito season will start a good habit and help keep you safe and bite free. Hiring a professional mosquito control company to ensure you are on schedule prior to the invasion of mosquitoes in April is also a great way to keep mosquitoes and the diseases they harbor out of your property and out of your life.
Dead mosquito - Mosquito Squad kills mosquitoes dead
Mosquito Squad has a safe and effective way to keep mosquitoes and the risk of mosquito-borne illness out of your property. Our mosquito programs will begin at the dawn of the 2012 mosquito season. We offer a worry free mosquito control program that entails Mosquito Squad’s barrier spray service scheduled at regular intervals to kill and prevent mosquitoes all season long. Contact Mosquito Squad to learn more. You can contact a Mosquito Squad location close to home by visiting our website at http://www.mosquitosquad.com/ContactUs.html
Contact us 1-877-667-7823
