Archive for May, 2010

May is Asthma Awareness Month

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010
  • Approximately 34.1 million Americans have been diagnosed with asthma by a health professional during their lifetime.
  • An estimated 300 million people worldwide suffer asthma, with 250,000 annual deaths attributed to the disease.
  • Asthma rates in children under the age of five have increased more than 160 percent from 1980 to 1994.
  • In 2005, nearly 9 percent of children in the US currently had asthma.
  • 13 million school days are missed a year due to asthma.

Statistics from the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology

Approximately 1 in 4 people have asthma, so it’s likely that you or someone you know is affected by this disease. With so many people affected, we should all understand what triggers an asthma attack and how controlling living conditions can limit the attack’s severity.

People often recognize allergies, irritants (such as pollution or smoke) and exercise as common asthma attack triggers, but did you know that common household pests can also trigger attacks? Studies show that allergens from cockroaches and rodents are significant causes of asthma in children, particularly in urban areas. For example:

  • In November 2008, a study by the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health (CCCEH) indicated that developing antibodies to cockroach and mouse proteins was associated with a greater risk for wheeze, hay fever, and eczema in preschool-aged children living in urban environments. The study, published in the November 2008 issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, suggested reducing cockroach and mouse allergen may have a long-term benefit to inner city children susceptible to these exposures.
  • A 2006 Inner City Asthma Study looked at the relationships between asthma and allergen sensitivity and exposure among children ages 5 to 11 in seven inner-city and metro areas in the United States. More than 1,000 children were tested, and 69 percent of them showed sensitivity to cockroach allergens. The study’s results demonstrated an association of sensitivities and exposures – particularly to cockroach allergens – and the presence of asthma in children.

It’s important to control pests because of the health risks. If you have a severe pest problem, call a professional pest control operator to inspect the situation and eliminate pests effectively. Some tips to control asthma triggering pests, such as cockroaches, specifically include fixing leaks or any moisture problems that could attract pests, keeping open foods (e.g., cereal, pasta, crackers) in air-tight containers, throwing away anything moldy, and properly storing trash containers. Also, never leave pet food out and within pests’ reach overnight.

For more information on pest-proofing your home, check out our Florida Debug my House video. The homeowner is a concerned mother with a son who suffers from asthma. Hear her thoughts on the importance of controlling pests in her home.

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Posted in Pest Management, Schools/Education, Uncategorized, health | 25 Comments »

“The only way to take those weeds out for good is with pesticides”

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

Media coverage about pesticide bans in Canada is popping up like the dandelions are popping up in the resident’s yards. Recent articles in the Guelph Mercury and the National Post give insight on how quickly yards are going from green to yellow and how weeds are uncontrollable without the option of using effective herbicide products.

 Two years ago, the City of Guelph banned landscaping companies from using pesticides, a bylaw that was recently extended to all residents in the province.  Marty Kendall is part of a family lawn care company that lost 30 percent of its business when the ban came into effect and from his understanding, “the only way to take those weeds out for good is with pesticides.” He also added that “lawns are a competition for space, so if you don’t take the weeds out, the weeds will win the war.”

 Murray Cameron is the city’s manager of parkland and greenways and he admits that weeds are something that people “are just going to have to accept. We do our best but in some ways, it’s the new esthetic. You have to get used to the weeds.”  In order to control the weeds without the use of pesticides, the amount of physical labor increases. Seasonal workers have to cut the grass every 10 business days in an attempt to chop the heads off the dandelions before they seed.

 The National Post in Ontario wrote about residents having the same problem. “It took a while for the full impact of this ban to become apparent,” the article stated. “Now, however, the weeds are here to stay. Forever. Residential streetscapes have switched from green to yellow. To white and fluffy. And back to yellow again.”

 The article also states that there is no scientific evidence that government-regulated pesticides, when used correctly, pose any threat to human health, which means the entire effort to ban pesticides was unnecessary.

Even though the Pest Management Regulatory Agency said that the ban was for “our children’s health,” unchecked weeds are causing problems on lawns, parks, school yards and sports fields. When it rains, fields are becoming a “slippery, muddy bog” since there isn’t lush grass to act as a sponge for rainwater. When it’s hot, the surface becomes like concrete, and parents are concerned about the increase of skinned elbows and twisted ankles.

When these bans were proposed,  many residents didn’t consider the unintended consequences. Once they realized the end result, there has been a shift in attitudes toward the effort.  Let us know what you think – would you be okay with “getting used to the weeds?”

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Posted in Legislation, Pest Management, Plant Care, Uncategorized, gardening, health | 3 Comments »

Connecticut Considers IPM Legislation

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

The Connecticut State Legislature is currently considering House Bill 5418, a bill that would implement an integrated pest management (IPM) program in Connecticut schools. The bill would ensure the necessary control of harmful pests on school grounds, and provide children with a safe learning environment.

Opponents of the bill have been active in attempts to stop the legislation. The opposition’s stance, however, is based on emotion, not science.  HB 5418 gives schools the ability to strategically and effectively control pest problems on school grounds.

If you are a Connecticut resident, support this bill by contacting  your state legislator. Even if you don’t live in Connecticut, you can support the proper use of pesticide products by signing our online petition.

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Posted in Legislation, Pest Management, Schools/Education, Uncategorized | 9 Comments »

Attention Florida Homeowners!

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

The Florida State Senate is considering a bill (Senate Bill 382), which would limit the authority of individual municipalities to ban the sale of lawn and landscape fertilizers. This is an opportunity for Florida to pass science-based urban fertilizer regulation,  and prevent localities from passing fertilizer bans not backed by science, such as the one in Pinellas County.

The bill would revise language in the Model Ordinance for Florida-Friendly Fertilizer Use on Urban Landscapes. The revision would prevent local governments from adopting more stringent restrictions without demonstrating a need through a comprehensive, science-based program.

 If you are a Florida resident, contact your Senator and support this legislation. This is an opportunity to protect your ability to care for your home and lawn, which helps protect your property’s value and the environment.

Be sure to spread the word – share this information with friends, family, colleagues, or neighbors. Take action now by sending an e-mail to your state senator.

Posted in Legislation, Plant Care, Uncategorized, gardening | 9 Comments »

Spring Has Sprung: Time to Learn About Lyme Disease

Monday, May 3rd, 2010

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, which means we all should refresh our knowledge about the cause, prevention and prevalence of the devastating disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Lyme Disease is the most prevalent insect-borne disease in the United States, with more than 28,000 confirmed cases and nearly 7,000 suspected cases reported by state health departments in 2008. Here’s a quick look at basic need-to-know information about the disease and ticks:

How can I get it? Lyme disease is transmitted through bites from deer ticks, also known as black-legged ticks, which are primarily found in the northeastern, southeastern, Midwest, and some southwestern parts of the United States.

What are the symptoms? People who contract Lyme disease often experience fever, headache, fatigue and a skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.

How can I protect myself and my family? If you live in one of the affected areas, or plan to visit those parts of the country, take a few moments to review how to protect your family. Just remember to Stop, Look and Listen.

STOP the ticks: Preventing the growth and spread of tick populations is one of the best options for protecting people from contracting Lyme disease. Of course, you could simply stay away from areas ticks often call home, but those areas can include athletic fields and wooded areas near homes. Using products with DEET, or permethrin-based repellents can increase your level of protection when venturing into these areas, working in the yard or hiking on trails. Permethrin repellents should only be used on clothing, not on skin, so keep a set of clothes just for yard work or hiking. Always read and follow the directions when using repellents. (The Connecticut Agriculture Experiment Station has more detail about repellants.)

To control tick populations around your home, talk with a pest management professional who can properly apply pesticide products that will effectively control the disease-bearing insects. Also talk to your community leaders to understand the steps your city, homeowners association, or neighborhood is taking to reduce the threat of ticks and Lyme disease.

Deer ticks live in wooded areas and die quickly in sunny, dry environments. To help keep your lawn less-than-hospitable to these insects, mow it frequently and remove brush and leaf litter. Also, site playground equipment, decks, patios and other areas where you spend time away from the edge of your lawn. Protecting pets from ticks helps Fido’s health and prevents him from bringing ticks into contact with your family and home. Learn more about proper use of tick prevention treatments, such as collars and topical products, in our pet health section.

LOOK for ticks and signs of infection: Understand what a deer tick looks like, and conduct “tick checks” to look for embedded ticks or bulls-eye rashes that could indicate a bite. Deer ticks can range in size from that of a poppy seed to a sesame seed. If you find an embedded tick, remove it by following these instructions: 
-Using thin-tipped tweezers or forceps, grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull the tick straight upward with even pressure. Other methods of removal, including using petroleum jelly to suffocate the tick or heat from matches, are not effective.
-Disinfect the removal area with alcohol or other skin disinfectant. Also apply a topical antibiotic treatment.
-Save the tick for reference and, in some instances, testing. A live tick can be preserved with just a blade of glass in a small plastic vial.
-Make a note about when and where on the body the bite occurred. Watch for signs of a rash and contact your doctor with any health concerns.

 LISTEN to advice: Follow simple tips such as:
-Wear light colored clothing so you can easily identify a dark tick against a light background.
-Tuck pant legs into socks and  tuck shirts into pants to keep ticks on the outside of clothes, where they can be spotted and removed. 
-When hiking on trails, stay near the center of the trail to reduce contact with vegetation.
-Inspect clothes for ticks often while in a tick habitat and check head and body thoroughly when returning from high risk areas.
-Use repellents, applied according to label instructions.

More information about Lyme Disease is available at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Lyme Disease Foundation.

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Posted in Pest Management, Pets, Schools/Education, Uncategorized, health | 31 Comments »