Archive for the ‘Pest Management’ Category
Friday, July 1st, 2011
Mosquitoes have a tendency to make their way through even the smallest openings, flying right into your home. Keeping your doors and windows in good condition can be challenging, but is important to keeping your household healthy.
Step number five of The Five D’s is: DOORS and windows should be in good condition. Here are some general tips to keep your windows and doors in good condition:
- Seal windows and doors the opposite direction of the wind.
- Use caulk to fill cracks to help your windows stay sealed shut.
- Install door and window screens instead of keeping unscreened doors and windows open.
Following the Five D’s this summer will keep your family and pets healthy in all your outdoor fun. The Five D’s from the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control District, are:
- DRAIN all standing water
- Avoid DAWN and DUSK when mosquitoes are most active
- DRESS appropriately in long sleeves and pants
- DEFEND yourself against mosquitoes with an effective repellent
- DOORS and windows should be in good condition
Spread the word this National Mosquito Control Week, so that all your neighborhood friends and family can stay mosquito-free as well.
Tags: children, health, Lawn Care, mosquitoes, National Mosquito Control Week, pest control, Pest Management, pesticides, pests
Posted in Pest Management, health | No Comments »
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.
Tags: pest control, Pest Management, Pesticide, pesticides, pests, ticks
Posted in Pest Management, Pets, health | No Comments »
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.
Tags: children, health, mosquitoes, National Mosquito Control Week, pest control, Pest Management, pests
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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.
Tags: gardening, health, Lawn Care, mosquitoes, National Mosquito Control Week, pest control, Pest Management, pesticides, pests
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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.”
Tags: health, mosquitoes, National Mosquito Control Week, Pest Management, Pesticide, pesticides, pests
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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!
Tags: Lawn Care, mosquitos, National Mosquito Control Week, pest control, Pesticide, pesticides, pests, water
Posted in Pest Management, health | No Comments »
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.
Tags: children, health, mosquitoes, National Mosquito Control Week, pest control, Pest Management, pests, West Nile Virus
Posted in Pest Management, health | 1 Comment »
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!
Tags: children, fertilizer, health, pest control, Pesticide, pests, RISE
Posted in Pest Management, Pets, Schools/Education, health | No Comments »
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!
Tags: Boys & Girls Club, California, Debug the West, Sacramento, Team Up to Clean Up
Posted in Miscellaneous, Pest Management, Plant Care, Schools/Education, Uncategorized, gardening, health | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 25th, 2011
May has been designated Asthma Awareness Month as one important way to help educate the public about this condition that affects millions of people. Asthma has consistently increased over the past decade with more than 4 million additional cases reported.
- One out of every 10 school aged children is affected
- 13 million people have reported having an asthma attack in the last year
Whether you are indoors or outdoors, there are a few simple things you can do to reduce asthma triggers. Dust mites, mold, and cockroaches are a few of the culprits in homes and schools. Recent studies from the CDC and the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health have identified dust mites and cockroach allergens as significant triggers for asthma and that the likelihood of young children developing wheeze, hay fever, and eczema was significantly increased with exposure to cockroach and mouse allergens. Controlling these pests is an important part in creating an allergen and asthma-free environment.
U.S. EPA recommends five steps people can take to help prevent asthma attacks:
- Take it outside. Second hand smoke is one of the most common asthma triggers in the home
- Play it safe. Ozone and particulate pollution can trigger asthma attacks. People should check the Air Quality Index (AQI) to learn if pollution is at unhealthy levels, especially during the summer months.
- Keep it clean. For dust mite control, cover mattresses and pillows and wash sheets and blankets once a week in hot water.
- Stake your claim. Household pets can trigger asthma too. Try to keep them out of the bedroom and off the furniture.
- Break the mold. The key to controlling mold is controlling moisture.
Even if you are not affected by asthma, there’s a good chance that you know someone who is. Help reduce allergens in your own home to make others feel more comfortable and decrease the chance of developing it yourself.
The EPA views asthma as such an important concern that it is hosting a National Asthma Forum in June in Washington, D.C. Visit www.epa.gov/asthma or www.cdc.gov/asthma for other tips and tricks for reducing asthma allergens and preventing attacks.
Tags: asthma, asthma awareness month, children
Posted in Pest Management, Schools/Education, Uncategorized, health | No Comments »
