Archive for June, 2011

Protect your family from tick transmitted deadly virus

Thursday, June 30th, 2011

Are you a local of Minnesota? A fan of being outdoors? Prone to tick bites? Make sure you know all the necessary information about diseases and illnesses cause by ticks before heading outdoors, including the Powassan virus.

The Minnesota Department of Health announced a death related to the Powassan virus which is carried by ticks, on Wednesday, June 29.  Read the full article from the Winona Daily News.

The Powassan virus is transmitted by the same tick that carries Lymes disease. It is unknown how long a tick must be attached to an individual in order to transmit the disease. The virus affects the central nervous system and can cause inflammation of the brain and meningitis. To learn more about the Powassan virus visit the Minnesota Department of Health.

Fewer than 60 cases of the Powassan virus have been reported in the United States since 1958. However, you can never take too many precautions to keep you and your family safe.

In order to keep your family safe from tick-borne illnesses, health officials recommend using tick repellant and wearing long-sleeved pants and shirts when outdoors.

Debug the Myths is committed to educating the public about the health-related dangers that pests can cause. To learn more about how you can keep your family tick-free visit the Health section of www.debugthemyths.com.

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Step four: Don’t forget the bug spray!

Thursday, June 30th, 2011

 If you’re prone to frequent mosquito bites, then you may be familiar with The Five D’s step number four: defend yourself with an effective mosquito repellent.

Using a mosquito repellent is an effective and safe way to keep mosquitoes away when working and playing outdoors.

When selecting a mosquito repellent you should keep a few things in mind:

  • Always read and follow the directions on the insect repellent container, especially when using on young children.
  • Apply the spray to skin surfaces that are not covered and to your clothing. Only a thin layer is needed.
  • Do not put repellent on children’s faces and hands.
  • You can use both sunscreen and repellent when outdoors. Apply the sunscreen first – then the repellent.

Insect repellent is a safe and easy way to ensure your family stays mosquito-bite free.

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Step three: Dressing right for mosquito control

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

Tired of having itchy mosquito bites all over your legs and arms? The clothes you wear during your time outdoors plays a role in the number of mosquitoes you’ll come across.

The third step in The Five D’s is to DRESS appropriately in long sleeves and pants.

While you may be tempted to beat the heat during the hot summer months by wearing shorts and sleeveless shirts, protecting your arms and legs is important in preventing mosquito bites. Dressing in lightweight, long sleeve shirts, pants and socks could make a big difference.

For master gardeners or lawn care professionals, keeping as much skin covered as possible is important; tucking in your shirt and your pant legs into socks will decrease mosquito-skin contact.

Mosquitoes tend to be drawn to darker colors and heavier fabrics. Wearing lighter colors and softer fabrics will decrease your chances of being bitten.

While it may be inconvenient at times, dressing appropriately is important to keeping your family and self mosquito-bite free.

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The Five D’s of a mosquito free yard. Step two: Avoid Dawn & Dusk

Tuesday, June 28th, 2011

Keeping your family safe from mosquitoes could be as simple as knowing when and when not to play in your lawn and garden. The second step of The Five D’s is avoid DAWN and DUSK.

Mosquitoes tend to thrive in the cooler weather of early mornings and late evenings, making these good times to avoid being outside without the proper protection.

Minimizing your time spent outdoors during early mornings and late evenings is a simple way to keep your family safe from mosquitoes. Protecting yourself from the harm that mosquitoes can cause is an important step in keeping your family and pets health. To learn more about the harm that mosquitoes can cause, visit “Tis the Season… For Mosquitoes.”

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Want a mosquito free yard? Step one: Drain all standing water

Monday, June 27th, 2011

Want a mosquito-free yard? Step one: Drain all standing water

The time is here! This week we’re recognizing American Mosquito Control Association’s National Mosquito Control Week.  Each day this week we’ll be posting one step you can take for better mosquito control. By the end of the week, you’ll have “The Five D’s” – of mosquito control to keep family and pets mosquito free.

So, what’s step number one? DRAIN all standing water.

Mosquitoes use water as a breeding ground to hatch and develop their eggs. Whether it’s a tiny amount of water in the saucers under flowerpots or your dog’s bowl on the patio, mosquitoes flock to standing water.  Here are some key areas that you’ll want to check for standing water:

  • Lawn ornaments: birdbaths, saucers under flowerpots, garden ornamental pools
  • Toys: unused kid’s pools, pets’ watering dishes, play toys, boats, canoes, tire swings
  • Tools: buckets, tarps, wheelbarrows
  • Around the house: air conditioning units, flat roofs, rain gutters, pipes, plastic sheeting
  • Swimming Pools: pool covers

Taking the time to check around your home and lawn could make all the difference in enjoying a mosquito-free summer. Do you have other tips for places to check for standing water?Let us know by posting a comment. We’d love to hear from you!

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Worried about mosquitoes? Get the help you need this National Mosquito Control Week!

Friday, June 24th, 2011

We’ve all seen them, feared them, been bitten by them and do our best to prevent them from coming near our kids and pets. No matter where we live, the mosquito continues to buzz its way into our daily lives.

Each summer, the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) recognizes a week as “National Mosquito Control Week.” AMCA uses the week to educate people about the significance mosquitoes play in our daily lives and the control measures that are available to manage the pest. This year National Mosquito Control Week is from June 26-July 2.

AMCA wants people to know mosquitoes can be a serious threat to public health. They can transmit harmful and potentially deadly diseases such as West Nile virus, malaria, yellow fever, heartworm (in dogs) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

 West Nile virus is now present in every U.S. state. In 2010, 981 human cases were reported within the U.S. To learn more about the West Nile virus, check out one of our previous blog posts “Tis the Season… For Mosquitoes.”

Making your home, lawn and garden inhospitable to mosquitoes is one important step towards keeping your family and pets healthy. Over the course of next week, we’ll be posting “The Five D’s” or five simple steps you can take to keep your home and lawn mosquito-free. The Five D’s were created by the  Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control District.

Don’t let National Mosquito Control Week pass you by! Check back with us each day next week to get all your questions answered.

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Getting on the green with quality turf management

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

Do you ever wonder how golf courses keep their greens and grounds attractive and functional? At one time or another, we’ve all wished we could have a lawn that looks at least a little like the greens at the U.S. Open. Debug the Myths went on a behind the scenes tour recently with Jim Ferrin, golf course superintendent and director of landscape, at Timber Creeks Golf Course in Roseville, Calif., to learn some of the “tricks of the trade” you can use to make your lawn attractive and functional for your family.

On the tour Jim shared his extensive agronomic knowledge of turf grass management, which we’ve narrowed down to a top five list for keeping your lawn healthier and ready for play. 

1)      Make your lawn see your shadow. A thriving, well-maintained lawn requires a time commitment. You’ll need to walk around during the day, not only to see your shadow, but also to scout  for disease or pest problems, identify nutrient needs and to ensure you are watering properly.

2)      Pick well-adapted plants. When soil is disrupted – as it is when planting – weeds will thrive because they adapt to the environment. Selecting plants that will do well in your local conditions helps to control weeds and ensure the plants will grow.

3)      Don’t plant a pest. Invasive species of plants can take over an ecosystem and push out native species. Be aware of what you are planting by reviewing the “Don’t Plant a Pest” information on the California Invasive Plant Council website (http://www.cal-ipc.org).

4)      Integrate. Managing your lawn and landscape is a multifaceted process. Combine prevention, identification and, when needed, treatment to control pests, weeds and disease.

5)      Remember the end game. While taking care of your outdoor space is a lot of work, think about how it contributes to your quality of life and enjoyment of your home. A healthy lawn keeps you and your family active and helps maintain your property value. Thanks to Jim and his staff, including members of Valley Crest Landscape Companies and his agronomist, Dave Wilbur, for all the helpful information!

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Termites, bedbugs, and more! – Orchard Supply Hardware

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

Second stop, Orchard Supply Hardware in Modesto!  Rollin’ up Debug the Myths style, RISE spent the afternoon at OSH educating consumers about the importance of lawn maintenance and pest control.

This event served as a one-stop-shop for consumers to get questions answered and to obtain educational information about common household issues, such as termites, bedbugs, and ticks.

Local pest control specialists, Robin Tabuchi, University of California at Berkeley, and Karen Robb, Target Specialty, were onsite to answer California-specific questions from consumers who wanted to more information.

A big hit at this event was Robin’s termite display, which included real termites!  Both adults and children were highly engaged and interested to learn how to prevent termite infestations and what to do once there is a problem. 

Visitors to the event included homeowners and professionals seeking answers about pesticides and fertilizers. RISE was able to provide the answers consumers needed to help solve their pest challenges in their home and lawn.

A big thanks goes out to the management and employees of OSH in Modesto. RISE also greatly thanks Robin and Karen for committing their afternoon to promoting consumer education regarding these issues!

Stay tuned for more updates on Debug The West!

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Posted in Pest Management, Pets, Schools/Education, health | 2 Comments »

Team Up to Clean Up – The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Sacramento

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011

Debug the West has officially begun. First stop, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Sacramento!  On Friday, June 10, RISE teamed up with local landscaper, John Williams from Terra Care & Associates and local vector control specialist, Luz Maria Rodriguez from the Sacramento Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District, to help members of the Boys & Girls Club freshen the club’s outdoor spaces, while educating them about how to be safe from potentially harmful pests in their environment.

Not only was this event fun, but it was also educational! Through several hands-on activities at the club, members were actively involved in digging, fertilizing, and planting dozens of native plant species, such as vines, shrubs, and flowers. Members of the club’s “Garden Club” honed in on their skills and gardening knowledge, and for other members of the club, it was their first time with a shovel and gloves.

In addition the gardening activity, Luz was onsite to host an interactive presentation on vector control. Mosquitoes thrive in the warm summer weather, and it is important that children understand that these little bugs can cause more than just annoying bites. Members of the club learned how to protect themselves and their homes from mosquitoes, while learning about the deadly West Nile virus, which in 2010, had 111 reported cases in California.

A big thanks goes out to Terra Care & Associates and the Sacramento Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District for helping to facilitate this program—your knowledge and expertise was well-received by everyone in attendance.

Also, thank you to Felicia and Tyler from the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Sacramento for assisting with arrangements and all of the Boys & Girls Club members for their hard work!

Stay tuned for more updates on Debug The West!

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Posted in Miscellaneous, Pest Management, Plant Care, Schools/Education, Uncategorized, gardening, health | 1 Comment »