Archive for the ‘health’ Category

One Mother’s Personal and Community-Wide Fight against Lyme Disease

Thursday, May 16th, 2013
In recognition of Lyme Disease Awareness Month, the following article is a true story about one mother’s survival of Lyme disease and her drive to help others prevent and control the disease in their own families.

When Jennifer Reid returned to her car after running errands in her hometown in Connecticut and realized she couldn’t remember how to go home, she knew something was wrong. When she told her doctor about her short-term memory problem and complained about being exhausted all the time, the symptoms were blamed on early menopause.

But then her oldest daughter, who had started college, called home saying she had trouble concentrating and experienced extreme fatigue.  Doctors attributed her symptoms to adjustment to college, growing pains and rebellion. It was nothing to worry about, doctors said.

It took almost a year for Jennifer and her eldest daughter to receive the right diagnosis and two years to return to good health. They both tested positive for Lyme disease, a bacterial infection spread through the bite of the black-legged tick, which picks up the bacteria when it feeds on mice or other rodents infected with Lyme disease.

Just as life was getting back on track for Jennifer’s family, her middle daughter went from being a straight-A high school student to being unable to focus on course work. Fatigue ended her athletic activities. Facial palsy and high fevers were clues that Lyme disease was once again attacking a family member.

Lyme Disease Changed Everything

Photo Credit: CDC PHPL

Photo Credit: CDC PHPL

Having an active lifestyle, that included camping, horseback riding, gardening and throwing backyard birthday parties – all activities Jennifer and her family loved to do – increased their opportunities to be exposed to ticks. The Reids, like many people infected with the disease, never saw ticks on their bodies, but all experienced, at some point, some of the same symptoms: fatigue, chills, fever, general ill-feeling, headache, light-headedness or fainting, muscle pain, and stiff neck.

In the case of Jennifer and her daughters their diagnoses came so late in the course of their illness that each experienced more serious neurological complications including decreased concentration, memory disorders and sleep disorders.  This was particularly true for her middle daughter, who was unable to recover after taking extended courses of antibiotics.  She suffered health consequences for more than 10 years that drastically impacted her performance at school and young adult life.

“Had I known how serious Lyme disease can be, I would have been far more diligent about looking for ticks and spraying the yard in our everyday life, not just when we went camping or hiking,” Jennifer said. “Lyme disease changed everything in our lives. It became so debilitating that we had to change our diets and activity levels. The medical challenges and financial impact were substantial. It was a nightmare.”

Changing Others’ Lives

After her daughters were infected, Jennifer started meeting more and more families with Lyme disease. She decided to do a seminar through Girl Scouts with another mother whose daughters were also infected. Then, she started receiving calls from people in her community asking how they could learn more about preventing Lyme disease. In 2003, she and her friend co-founded the Ridgefield Lyme Disease Task Force. Jennifer and other advocates meet monthly to discuss ways to share information with their communities by holding seminars, running support groups and attending health fairs.

In 2008, they received a grant from the Connecticut Department of Public Health to create the BLAST (Bathe soon after, Look over your body, Apply repellents, Spray the yard, and Treat your pets) program aimed at raising awareness of the most effective Lyme disease prevention practices, as well as to educate the community about the early stages and signs and symptoms of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases to promote timely diagnosis and treatment.

Today the program, established as a nonprofit, holds an office at the Ridgefield Health Department, and Jennifer, as Community Coordinator, continues to make a difference in other families’ lives.

“I’m very excited to be making an impact,” Jennifer said. “But we need to do more in order to spread the word so that families can do something to prevent and fight Lyme disease.”

As Jennifer celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Ridgefield Lyme Disease Task Force, she experienced another milestone this Mother’s Day. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Community Health from Western Connecticut State University. With her new degree, she will continue her fight against Lyme disease by helping other moms and families prevent and identify the disease.

For additional information on how to protect your family from Lyme disease visit: DebugTheMyth or Connecticut Department of Public Health’s BLAST Lyme Disease Prevention Program. In addition, Jennifer recommends the Tick Management Handbook by Kirby Stafford, Ph.D., Vice Director and Chief Entomologist, CT Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven.

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5 Easy Tips to Prevent Lyme Disease

Thursday, May 16th, 2013

In recognition of Lyme Disease Awareness Month, the Ridgefield Lyme Disease Task Force recommends using the BLAST approach to prevent Lyme disease:

  1. Bathe soon after spending time outdoors. A recent study showed that people who bathed or showered within two hours of coming indoors did not contract Lyme disease as frequently as those who did not bathe or shower soon.
  2. Look over your body and family member’s bodies daily for ticks after outdoor activities and remove them using the method recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Speedy removal helps avoid disease transmission.
  3. Apply repellent before outdoor activities. Studies have shown that applying 30-40% DEET-based repellant to skin is effective at repelling the black-legged ticks that transmit Lyme disease.  Read and follow all label directions.
  4. Spray your yard to reduce tick populations. Studies show that one application of the right pesticide at the right time and in the right place can reduce black-legged tick populations by 85-90%.  Select the right product for your location and read and follow all label directions.
  5. Treat your pets to protect them and your family. Local veterinarians offer a variety of products for protecting animals from tick-borne diseases. Pets can carry ticks inside homes as they hide in their fur.

For additional information on how to protect your family from Lyme disease visit: LymeDisease.org, Ridgefield Health Department, or Debug The Myths.

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5 Bed Bug Myths Demystified

Thursday, April 11th, 2013

mage courtesy of CDC/ Harvard University, Dr. Gary Alpert; Dr. Harold Harlan; Richard Pollack Photo By: Piotr Naskrecki.

Image courtesy of CDC/ Harvard University, Dr. Gary Alpert; Dr. Harold Harlan; Richard Pollack Photo By: Piotr Naskrecki.

In recent years, bed bugs have become a major problem in the U.S. Although they’ve lived with humans since ancient times, bed bugs were largely unheard of in the U.S. after World War II, thanks to pesticide use. Here are five of the most common myths about bed bugs.

Myth No. 1: Bad hygiene triggers bed bug infestations

Bed bugs don’t care if a place is messy or clean. They live on blood, and have been found everywhere from apartments to five-star hotels. If you’ve had bed bugs, don’t be embarrassed; it’s not a reflection on your personal hygiene.

Myth No. 2: Bed bugs spread disease

Although this is theoretically possible, bed bugs have not yet been shown to spread disease, according to the CDC. However, their bites can cause severe allergic reactions in susceptible individuals, and the bites often become red and inflamed several days after contact.

Myth No. 3: Bed bugs are only found in beds

Bed bugs do tend to prefer beds, since that’s where their food source is regularly found. However, they can be found on other furniture and surfaces. They’re even being found in libraries — and you thought silverfish were annoying!

Myth No. 4: Bed bugs live on human bodies

Bed bugs aren’t like lice or ticks. They actually don’t like to stay on human skin, which is too warm for their taste. They prefer residing on objects held away from the body, such as suitcases. You won’t “catch” bed bugs from another human being, though you may get them from secondhand furniture that’s been exposed to them.

Myth No. 5: Bed bugs can fly

Bed bugs can’t fly. To get where they’re going, they use their six legs and hitchhike as much as possible.

Undoubtedly, bed bugs are a major pain to deal with, but they are treatable. If you suspect that you have bed bugs in your home, purchase only U.S. EPA-registered products to apply yourself or consult a licensed pest-control professional.

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Top 10 Resolutions to Make 2013 Pest Free

Thursday, January 10th, 2013

Written by: Bobby Kossowicz, mother of two, Branchburg, New Jersey

Editor’s Note: Bobby Kossowicz is a mother of two from Branchburg, New Jersey, who has past personal experience with pests and the importance of controlling them. Before becoming a full-time mom, Bobby worked in the pest control industry, and she combines her professional experience with her perspective as a mom to share the importance of understanding pests and how to protect your family from them.

Everyone has encountered a pest problem from time to time. An infestation can be inconvenient, embarrassing and, at times, a serious danger to our family’s health or property. So while we resolve to make 2013 healthier, wealthier and wiser, let’s consider what we can do to also make it pest-free! Here are the Top 10 ways to make 2013 a pest-free year.

1. Inspect your attic. Take a few extra minutes when returning those holiday decorations, and at least a few more times a year, to inspect your attic or storage area. Have you heard any strange noises or scratching in the attic? Look for visible signs of squirrels, raccoons, rodents or other wildlife infestation by inspecting the perimeter of the room for droppings and nesting material. Depending on the type of critter, droppings can vary in size but are typically dark in color and in the shape of a pellet. Check your walls for droppings as well as these could indicate a bat infestation. Look in narrow crevices for roosting bats in attic walls. Also, inspect for broken vents or holes which would allow wildlife to enter the attic from outside. When not in the attic, simply listen and inspect at the first sign of any strange scurrying or scratching noises coming from the attic.

2. Trim trees and other brush away from your home. Overgrown trees and brush around your home offer a highway into it for wildlife and pests. Walk around the outside of your home regularly and cut back tree branches that are growing too close. Branches can promote bat infestations with their shade and literally create a bridge into your home for squirrels and other wildlife. Shrubs and other brush can encourage pest infestations around the outside of your home. Plus, insects will enter through tiny gaps around your foundation, windows and doors.

3. Caulk windows and doors. After trimming back trees and brush, thoroughly inspect the inside and outside of your windows and doors. Caulk any gaps or openings. This is primarily how insects enter the home and, as the old saying goes – an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

4. Do a perimeter spray. Your home offers the necessary elements an insect needs to survive: food, water and shelter. Create a barrier around your home and you will see a dramatic decrease in common household pests such as spiders, ants, silverfish and more. If you are a “do-it-yourselfer,” visit your local home and garden store to inquire about a perimeter pest control spray. If such work is too much for you, contact a local pest management professional and inquire about using a quarterly service plan to protect your home from pests.

5. Properly collect and store firewood both inside and outside the home. Your state likely recommends or requires that you buy firewood locally, ideally within 50 miles of your home! Doing so helps to minimize the spread of invasive species. Firewood pests can include beetles, carpenter ants, bees, rodents, termites and more. Do your best to store firewood at least 20 to 30 feet away from your home so as not to invite termites and other insects to take up residence. Dry your firewood quickly and keep it dry. Raise the wood off the ground and keep it covered from the elements once it is dry. Always shake firewood rigorously before bringing it indoors to remove any insects that may be living on it.

6. Don’t bring bed bugs home from a trip. The best way to avoid a bed bug infestation is to travel wisely. When at a hotel, pull back the fitted sheets and inspect the mattress for signs of a bed bug infestation.  Immediately change rooms if you find blood stains or bug casings in the folds of the mattress or box spring. Store your luggage on hard surfaces and away from fabrics while in hotel rooms. Leave your luggage in the garage upon returning home. Launder all clothing immediately upon returning and dry at a high temperature to kill any bed bugs or eggs that may have hitched a ride home with you. Read “Don’t bring bed bugs back as souvenirs” for some additional tips on how to avoid bringing bed bugs home.

7. Clean your gutters! Not only will clogged gutters cause damage to your home, but they also are inviting to insects. Mosquitoes and other insects are attracted to the water in clogged gutters, plus birds and squirrels may even nest in them! Experts recommend cleaning gutters at least twice a year to keep them free flowing and pest free.

8. Put a tight seal on pet food! Many pet owners don’t realize how inviting pet food is to rodents and insects. Eliminate the food source by storing in a rodent- and pest-proof container with a tight seal. Take up your pet’s food bowl when meal time is finished.

9. Perimeter spray your yard to keep ticks at bay. Lyme disease is all over the news these days and can be quite serious causing long term effects if it goes untreated. Protect your family by doing a tick check on each member, including pets, every night, especially during the height of tick season (typically April through September).  Have your lawn perimeter treated by a pest management professional, or do it yourself with products from your local home and garden store to reduce the number of ticks. Read my previous post about the dangers of Lyme disease, “Lyme Disease Danger Gets Personal.” You also may want to check read other posts on Lyme disease here.

10. Keep a clean house. Regularly vacuuming your carpets and sweeping floors can help reduce the number of pests. Declutter your home and always try to quickly dispose of garbage to keep your home free from bugs. A clean and tidy home is a healthy home, and it’s probably the easiest step to take to stay pest-free in 2013.

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Trivia Thursday: How much do you REALLY know about ragweed?

Thursday, October 11th, 2012

Photo credit: US Geological Survey

Ragweed season is in full swing and will affect about 10 to 20 percent of Americans. How much do you know about these pollen producing plants? Test your knowledge and learn how to best avoid some of the annoying and painful symptoms!

Ragweed grows in rural areas and does not affect people living in urban environments. True or False?

False. While ragweed is more common in rural areas, ragweed grows throughout the United States, in fact, one plant can produce a pollen count of up to 1 billion! The air carries the pollen and has been measured to transport it as far as 400 miles out to sea. The plants are often found along roadsides, river banks and vacant fields. It is the plant’s pollen that causes ragweed allergies, or hay fever, which becomes irritating as soon as the plants release pollen into the air and continues until frost kills the plants. Common hay fever symptoms include eye irritation, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing and itchy throat. It also can cause asthma attacks, sinusitis, headaches and impaired sleeping.

There is no cure for a ragweed allergy. True or False?

True. Many Americans suffer from hay fever due to allergic reactions to pollen producing plants, such as ragweed. However, there are steps to help avoid contact with pollen and ways to prevent hay fever.

  1. Tracking pollen counts can help you prepare for the symptoms. Online resources and news media usually provide this information for specific areas. Try to avoid spending increased time outside during high pollen periods. Pollen is usually highest between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
  2. Control ragweed in and around your home to help alleviate symptoms. Prevent the growth of this noxious weed by regularly maintaining outdoor spaces, which can help keep pollen levels down in your community. If you start to see the plants pop up anyway, contact your local extension office or lawn and garden center for the best treatment methods for your area.
  3. Antihistamine medications work well to relieve hay fever symptoms. Speak with a doctor or pharmacist to help you discover if an antihistamine option would work for you.

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Cockroaches in School = More Allergens

Saturday, August 18th, 2012

Did you know cockroaches raise the allergen load in the air? This isn’t good for air quality, but it’s especially problematic for children with asthma.

As the nation’s youth heads back to school this month and next, it’s important that administrators, teachers and parents are aware of the reasons why proper integrated pest management (IPM) in schools should be a priority. Read the post below on asthma management and how it’s related to pest control, courtesy of the Texas A&M School of IPM:

Asthma is a growing health problem, especially among school-aged children.  Asthma prevalence has increased from 7.3% of the population in 2001 to 8.4% in 2010 (CDC NCHS Data Brief no 94 May 2012).  In its 2011 Asthma & Children Fact Sheet, the American Lung Association reported that 7.1 million children under 18 had asthma.  The Association also reports that the annual direct health care cost of asthma is approximately $50.1 billion (Asthma in Adults Fact Sheet).  In 2008, there were more than 14.8 million asthma-related school absences (Meng et al. 2012).

A life-long disease once acquired, asthma causes wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightening and coughing.  Susan Hoffmann, the Delaware director of the National Association of School Nurses and lead school nurse for the Caesar Rodney School District in Camden, Delaware, compares asthma episodes to the embers of a fire—“sometimes it’s just smoldering in the background but then you have flare-ups.”  Asthma symptoms are caused by three issues: inflamed airways, increased mucus production and tightening , called bronchoconstriction, of the smooth muscles that surround the airways.

According to Hoffmann, schools should “develop a multi-disciplinary team of administrators, teachers, parents, custodial staff and coaches to create asthma management policies and look at ways to reduce triggers throughout the school.”  Hoffmann recommends the following actions to deal with asthma at school.

  1. Establish strong links with asthma-care clinicians to ensure appropriate and ongoing medical care.  Medical providers should develop an asthma action plan.  Plans should include actions for tiered symptom levels, such as green (no symptoms), yellow (moderate symptoms) and red (asthma crisis).  The school nurse should keep plans for each student on file and share them with teachers, physical education coaches and other staff.
  2. Use a coordinated, multi-component and collaborative approach that includes school nursing services, asthma education for students and professional development for school staff.
  3. Ensure that students have access to all medications.  Consult state laws to determine if children are allowed to carry their own quick relief medications.

Well-controlled asthma should not limit a child’s ability to participate in school activities.  However, uncontrolled asthma is the leading reason for school absences.  “Asthma symptoms can lead to a disruption in sleep because the child cannot rest due to coughing, which can result in decreased school performance, learning difficulties, restlessness or fatigue,” comments Hoffmann.  Additionally, the side effects of some asthma medications include irritability and sleeplessness.

IPM in schools and homes go hand-in-hand with asthma management.  Common triggers for asthma include mold, pet dander, and cockroach and pest allergens.  Sealing leaky pipes, promptly cleaning up spills, and sealing cracks and crevices can greatly reduce these triggers by denying pests water, food and shelter.  Reducing moisture is critical to eliminating mold.

According to the US EPA’s Asthma Triggers: Gain Control, “Droppings or body parts of cockroaches and other pests can trigger asthma.  Certain proteins are found in cockroach feces and saliva and can cause allergic reactions or trigger asthma symptoms in some individuals.”  Some IPM tips for reducing cockroach allergens include:

  • Keep counters, sinks, tables and floors clean and clutter-free. Cluttered areas provide harborage for cockroaches and are difficult to clean.  (More information about cockroach habits can be found in our December 2011 newsletter.)
  • Clean up any crumbs and spills right away. These are a great source of food and water for roaches.
  • Store any food or food products (like pasta or rice used for art projects) in airtight containers, such as Tupperware® containers or Ziplock® bags.
  • Seal cracks or openings around or inside cabinets.

Resources

The US EPA Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools program has a number of free resources to help schools implement IAQ programs, including a set of lesson plans to teach children about asthma.  To manage IAQ in schools, EPA recommends six technical solutions, including providing quality HVAC systems, controlling moisture and mold, practicing IPM and using proper cleaning and maintenance techniques.  The American Lung Association’s Asthma-Friendly Schools Initiative also includes information and tools for school asthma management.  The National School IPM Working Group created a document, Reducing your Child’s Asthma using Integrated Pest Management: A Practical Home Guide for Parents, to educate schools and parents about the cost benefits and asthma reduction that can be achieved through IPM implementation.

Educators and others can gain access to best practices, tools and resources with AsthmaCommunityNetwork.org, a national network designed for community-based asthma programs.  EPA’s School IAQ Connector email discussion list is also available for members to ask questions about asthma management.  Join by sending a blank email message to schools_iaq_connector-subscribe@lists.epa.gov.

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Stay Vigilant for Ticks All Summer Long

Wednesday, May 30th, 2012

While Lyme Disease Awareness Month (May) may be coming to an end soon, tick season is merely just beginning. Read through some previous tick posts below to learn more about how to protect yourself and your loved ones this summer!

Photo credit: CDC/ Cade Martin/ Dawn Arlotta

Photo credit: CDC/ Cade Martin/ Dawn Arlotta

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Trivia Thursday: How much do you REALLY know about ticks and ways to prevent them?

Thursday, May 24th, 2012

Ticks are especially prevalent this time of year. Do you know how to prevent them? Read below and find out how tick savvy you are.

Ticks carry disease, but they won’t kill you. True or False?

False. Ticks can kill you, but only if you do not treat a bite effectively. Small ticks, such as deer ticks, often can go unnoticed. However, these ticks carry diseases, most commonly Lyme disease. Early symptoms of a bite may include headache, fever, pain and swelling, nausea and rashes. The most common indication is the appearance of a “bull’s-eye” around the bite site. Upon discovery of a bite, certain measures are to be taken. First, remove the tick. Clean the area and apply an antibiotic cream to prevent infection. Lastly, be sure to consistently check the area. If a bite goes untreated, serious ailments can occur in the joints, heart and central nervous system. These are very difficult to treat and even may lead to death.

Photo shows “bull’s-eye” pattern rash on woman’s arm after a tick bite. The woman later contracted Lyme disease. Photo credit: CDC/ James Gathany

Photo shows “bull’s-eye” pattern rash on woman’s arm after a tick bite. The woman later contracted Lyme disease. Photo credit: CDC/ James Gathany

You can avoid ticks with several methods. True or False?

True. What a sigh of relief! While you can’t stop the existence of ticks, you can take caution to prevent tick bites. Wet, wooded areas are the most common place to find ticks. If possible, do your best to avoid these target spots. If you are active in such areas, for example camping or playing outdoors, here are a few tips:

  1. Most importantly, wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, pants and socks, so skin is not exposed. It also is a good idea to tape the area where pants and socks meet to avoid ticks crawling under clothing.
  2. Treat or purchase clothing, camping gear and boots with a repellant containing permethrin. Applying bug spray on skin also will help repel ticks.
  3. At home, maintain your lawn and landscaping. Cut grass frequently, install fences to prevent animal intrusion, keep bushes trimmed and pick up leaves to help decrease the prevalence of ticks.
  4. Shower as soon as you return from being outdoors. While two hours is the recommended time period, it is best to do so immediately. Doing a full body check also is a must.

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Control Ticks to Control Lyme Disease

Friday, April 6th, 2012

Long History and High Rates

Lyme disease doesn’t just occur at high rates in Connecticut – the disease was named after the Connecticut community of Lyme. Now, more than three decades since the cluster of disease sufferers in Lyme inspired the name, the disease continues affecting our state significantly. Connecticut experiences more Lyme disease cases relative to state population as any state in the country[i] with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention confirming nearly 2,000 cases in 2010, alone.[ii] The Connecticut Department of Public Health says the continue prevalence of Lyme disease is due partly to “increased tick abundance” and “increased potential for contact with ticks.”[iii]

People suffering from Lyme disease can experience facial or Bell’s palsy, severe headaches and neck stiffness, pain and swelling in large joints and heart palpitations and dizziness. However, Lyme disease is difficult to diagnose as its symptoms can be attributed to other health problems. Left untreated, approximately 60 percent of Lyme disease sufferers experience arthritis, while 5 percent develop chronic neurological challenges months or years after the infection.[iv]

More (Hungry) Ticks = More Lyme

Lyme disease is a concern for Connecticut any year, but 2012 may prove to be a banner season for ticks. Experts have identified various factors that may increase Lyme disease risk this spring and summer. Recent news reports outline several ecological events leading to the predicted increase in Lyme disease:

  • Foxnews.com reported on March 23 that ecologists are blaming a bumper acorn crop followed by a poor crop, which led to a white-footed mouse population surge and subsequent decline, for an increase in hungry ticks looking for a mammal on which to latch. [v]
  • The New York Times noted on March 18 that entomologists say the mild winter is leading to increased tick activity earlier than normal and increased the opportunity for people and ticks to come into contact.[vi]
  • Richard Ostfeld, a disease ecologist for the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, says the warm weather and the lack of white-footed mice for hungry ticks to feed on, creates a perfect storm for an uptick in Lyme disease: hungry ticks, fewer food sources, and more active months to be on the prowl for a meal.[vii]

Important Tick-Fighting Tools

Controlling the tick population helps reduce the likelihood that unsuspecting athletes, campers, hikers, or anyone enjoying the outdoors will encounter hungry ticks. Thoughtful and careful use of pesticide products is an effective step in the process to protect Connecticut from more prevalent Lyme disease problems. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station says pesticides that target ticks (acaricides) are the “most effective way to reduce ticks, particularly when combined with landscaping changes to decrease habitat.”[viii] One application of insecticide targeted at tick habitat (not broad spraying) provides 85 to 90 percent control of tick populations.[ix]

[i]Lyme Disease. Connecticut Department of Public Health. http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3136&q=395590., Accessed 23 March 2012.

[ii] Reported Lyme Disease Cases by State. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3136&q=395590. Accessed 23 March 2012.

[iii] Lyme Disease. Connecticut Department of Public Health. http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3136&q=395590. Accessed 23 March 2012.

[iv] “Signs and Symptoms of Lyme Disease.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/signs_symptoms/index.html. Accessed 23 March 2012.

[v] “Strange events will lead to increase of Lyme disease this year.” Foxnews.com. http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/03/22/strange-events-will-lead-to-increase-lyme-disease/. Accessed 23 March 2012.

[vi] “The Downside of a Balmy Winter? Long Walks with the Dog Aren’ts Carefree.” Nytimes.com. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/19/us/a-mild-winter-means-a-longer-tick-season.html. Accessed 23 March 2012.

[vii] “Nature, the trickster.” Albany Times Union. http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Nature-the-trickster-3419367.php. 20 March 2012. Accessed 23 March 2012.

[viii] “Area-Wide Chemical Control of Ticks.” Tick Management Handbook. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. http://healthvermont.gov/prevent/lyme/documents/handbook6.pdf. 2007. Accessed 23 March 2012.

[ix] Ibid.

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The Ants Go Marching In…By the Thousands

Monday, September 26th, 2011

Summer showers are not only bringing flowers this season but also a flurry of ants to the Southeastern region of the United States.

As Florida residents are baffled by the dramatic spikes in infestation, experts say the rain may be to blame.

“What’s happening is after it rains, they’re going to send out swarmers, kings and queens – starting a new colony,” said Craig Carlson, of All “U” Need Pest Control.

Frequent and heavy rain is forcing these creepy crawlers to search for higher ground, making your home a prime target.

Several types of ants have been reported invading homes and yards across the state, including Pyramid Ants and Florida Ants which can be classified into three groups: house infesting, yard infesting, and carpenter ants.

In search of dry shelter, food and water, these tiny creatures can be spotted emerging from cracks and crannies, swarming indoors and contaminating food. These few ants aren’t operating alone; armies of hundreds or possibly thousands of unseen ants may be marching in and around your home. They create an undesirable situation by colonizing in structures, causing costly and dangerous damage to homes and property.

Don’t leave your home untreated and vulnerable to these pests. Follow these tips for an ant-free home:

  • Seal cracks and crevices to avoid entry.
  • Treat pest problems with the appropriate pesticide or herbicide product to effectively remove the problem.
  • Have a professional pest control operator check your home every three months.
  • At the onset of an invasion, act immediately to control and eliminate pests.

Learning how to keep your home pest-free is important to maintaining a healthy home. Learn more about other steps you can take to ensure a pest-free home by visiting Debug the Myths.

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