Safe. Fast. Effective.

West Nile Virus In Connecticut 2018

West Nile Virus Positive Mosquitoes found in several Connecticut towns. Each year The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station traps, identifies, and tests mosquitoes for viruses such as West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus, Zika Virus, and Jamestown Canyon Virus. Scientists conduct a statewide surveillance program annually. Research identified the American robin as a favorite host for some mosquitoes and is an important carrier of the West Nile virus. Other findings revealed that Culex salinarius, a mosquito that breeds in brackish and fresh water, is the probable “bridge vector” moving the virus from birds to mammals. Research is done annually, and the findings is reported via scientific papers and local news. In 2018 there were several towns in which mosquitoes carrying West Nile were identified, later in the month 5 more towns were noted, and in the following weeks even more towns were listed.

I will include a link to The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) website, as well as to the findings for 2018.

The danger of these mosquitoes is not over yet, summer is still in full swing and scientists are still collecting samples for testing. More towns may show mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus, so make sure you check back regularly to see if your town is listed

If you don’t already have treatment in place to protect you and your family from potential West Nile Virus carrying mosquitoes, you may want to think about starting treatment. We have a program called Yard Guard, (https://www.guardian-pest.com/mosquito-services/mosquito-treatment-plans/) where we treat mosquito resting and breeding areas, as well as your perimeter and property foliage. The treatment also covers ticks. You can call today for a free quote for treatment.

If you already use our Yard Guard program, make sure you finish the season in full. The end of summer and fall is when the ticks breed and lay eggs which will emerge the following Spring.

Link to CAES: http://www.ct.gov/caes/site/default.asp

Link to CAES 2018 findings: http://www.ct.gov/caes/cwp/view.asp?a=2819&q=603430

Link to CAES 2018 map: https://www.ct.gov/caes/lib/caes/images/mosquito_testing/2018/wnv_august1.png

Tick-Tock

The threat of so many diseases carried by ticks is scary, it seems every year as soon as summer hits all the news stations, papers, and news sites have another horror story of the various diseases that are threatening us this year transmitted via ticks. So, with all these stories and news alerts which ones should we in Connecticut be worried about? I will dive into this question and others in this month’s blog, in hopes to shed some light on the often confusing and always scary stories we hear from the media.

Which ticks are in New England?
• Black-legged Tick also known as the Deer Tick
• American Dog Tick
• Lone Star Tick

What diseases are these ticks known to transmit?
• Black-legged Tick: Lyme Disease, Human Babesiosis, Human Anaplasmosis, Flavivirus, Powassan Virus
• American Dog Tick: Rock Mountain Spotted Fever (rare), Tularemia (rare)
• Lone Star Tick: Human Ehrlichiosis, Tularemia

Both the Black-legged Tick and American Dog Tick are the more common of the three here in Connecticut, and of the two the Black-legged Tick is of the most concern. Each year ticks are collected and tested in the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station to determine infection percentile. In 2018 they found that 1 in every 2 tested positive for Lyme Disease. That is a 28% climb from last year and significantly higher than past years. So, what is the cause of this uptick? Experts say it is due to the warmer weather and milder winters thus allowing for greater numbers of ticks to survive, as opposed to the previously more treacherous winters in times past. More overwintering ticks means greater numbers of ticks means greater chance for them to become infected from their hosts, namely the white footed deer mouse, and deer. Once infected with these pathogens they can transmit them to humans.

Use every precaution to avoid getting ticks on you, if enjoying summer activities that put you in areas prone to ticks, do a “tick check” at the end of the outing and if found on your person, remove it immediately. If you think you may have been exposed to a tick that could transmit one of these pathogens, go get tested. You can also send specimens in for examination and pathogen testing. Getting your property treated professionally can drastically reduce the amount of ticks in your yard and property line, with numbers of 90%-95% fewer ticks it is well worth the cost for treatment.

I have provided links to the state website with PDF Format pamphlets for information on Ticks in Connecticut, Tick Prevention, Tick Treatment, Disease Transmission, and other Tick related information. Click below to open them in a new window. Stay safe and enjoy your summer!

TICK & MOSQUITOE BORNE DISEASES….TOO MANY TO LIST

With the warm weather comes pool parties, cookouts, back-yard games, camping, and unfortunately ticks and mosquitoes. We all see the news about Lyme disease, Zika Virus, Powassan and all the other countless diseases that ticks and mosquitoes can transmit, so what do we do about it?

There of course are the many preventive measures you can take when going outside, but seriously, who is wearing pants in the summer never mind tucking them into your socks. What do we do, douse ourselves with repellant 5 times a day while we do our gardening? And are we really going to make sure we always have on light colored clothes to our backyard BBQ’s?

There are so many new species popping up in our area, so many new viruses and diseases being found in current and new species it is ridiculous. Birds carry theses ticks all over the country so much that there has been a reported case of Lyme in every US State.

Now I’m not saying these are not great helpful tips, but sometimes we just don’t think about it, or we go out back with our kids in the spontaneously. These are the times when we are at our most vulnerable. The best thing you can do is to eradicate the mosquito and ticks that transmit these pathogens.

Guardian Pest Control has a program called Yard Guard: We use a safe and effective product that is designed to eliminate both ticks and mosquitoes on contact. We will eliminate about 95% of the mosquitoes in your yard. We treat all shaded areas, like wood lines, fence lines, under decks, eaves, and overhangs of homes, as well as trees and shrubs. Mosquitoes and ticks do not hang out in sunny areas. We also will make recommendations to improve areas around the home to help prevent breeding such as clogged gutters, standing water areas and other clutter.

THIS is the way to enjoy your backyard all summer long without having to worry about putting on a gallon of repellent, wearing long pants tucked into your socks, long sleeved shirts, all of which must be lightly colored, and all the other preventive measures you read about. Call Guardian today for a free quote.

Here is a link to one of those news articles about how crazy the tick & mosquito issue is, it comes from MINNPOST https://www.minnpost.com/earth-journal/2018/05/cdc-reports-surge-insect-borne-illness-and-lyme-disease-leads-way

Termite Season

It’s that time of year, when the ground thaws out and we get some warm days with some rain then in the morning the termite swarmers come up to find a mate and head back underground together to start a new colony. Often you don’t even know you have a termite issue on your property until you see these swarmers. The colony is generally located underground, usually below the frost line and above the water table, needing constant contact with the ground these termites construct mud shelter tubes as a means of transportation between the colony and the food source. Occasionally if there is a constant source of moisture a secondary colony may exist above ground and without ground contact.

The most common and widely distributed termite in North America is the Easter Subterranean Termite or the Reticulitermes Flavipes. Subterranean Termites eat mostly spring wood and leave the harder summer wood which they cannot effectively digest. Because of this termite damaged wood appears to be layered. A typical mature colony may consist of 60,000 to over a million workers. Sixty thousand workers can eat 1/5 ounce or 5 grams of wood each day. At this rate, a colony this size could consume 2 1/3 linear feet of 2×4 in a year. Sometimes there are several colonies within a structure so the amount of wood that gets consumed is multiplied, making it so important to get the proper treatment as to protect your investment.

Control is achieved by injecting termiticide into the soil around the perimeter of the structure which the termites cross through and bring back to the colony and being social in nature they then get the product on the other termites. Termite bait stations can also be used as an alternative or alongside of a liquid perimeter treatment.

So whether you see the swarmers, mud shelter tubes, damaged wood, or all three, when you see evidence of termites or anything suspicious call today for a quote.

Why Year-Round Pest Control?

Many insects can survive the coldness of winter.

Other insects will migrate to escape the dropping temperatures, then return into northern areas in the Spring.

Some insects will overwinter in the larval stage, hiding in leaf litter and other covered areas. Grubs can dig deeper in the soil to escape the freezing temperatures. Not too many insects are active in the winter, but the nymphs of dragonflies, mayflies and stoneflies live in waters of ponds and streams beneath the ice. They eat and grow all winter, so they can emerge as adults in early spring. A few insects lay eggs that can survive the winter. One important insect that does this is the Praying Mantid.

Many adult insects will go into hibernation to survive the winter often entering homes and other structures to do so. Certain wasps also use attics, eaves, and tree hollows to hide from the harsh cold. Once the weather starts to warm up in early Spring they will leave their hiding place to look for food, mates, or to build nests. We all know that mice are very active in your home through the winter.

I usually recommend that you get year-round pest control, so you have a plan in place no matter what. Some winters are milder than others, so activity will be higher and longer in the year. Also, if we are out there on a regular basis we can treat appropriately.

Remember life will always find a way.

Baby It’s Cold Outside…

The colder it gets the harder the mice are going to try and enter your home to escape the harsh weather. Mice cannot survive long in the winter, so they search your home for any way possible to enter your home and survive. Mice can enter via many different routes including garage doors, utility lines, plumbing lines, electrical line, gaps in foundations, and any other crack or crevice they can fit through. Once in your home they can cause damage in various ways. In a garage they will nest in cars and mowers causing destruction to the carbonator, cabin filters, and other costly repairs. In your home they can destroy your insulation, doors, drywall, wires, and electrical boxes. Usually by the time you notice any sign of these destructive rodents they have already found a nice safe place to lay low.

The key is prevention. Go around your home and look for any entry points around electrical lines and plumbing and seal them up from both the inside and the outside of the home. Install door sweeps on any entry doors. Sometimes a new garage seal or even a new door is needed.

Guardian Pest Control offers these types of services and specific recommendations for your home with our Rodent Exclusion Service. We will seal all visible rodent entry points around and inside your home, set traps in areas of rodent activity and areas know to be rodent traveling areas, as well as apply an all-natural rodent repellent to the exterior foundation of your home. This is a tried and true method that attacks with a threefold process. We will also give you other recommendations particular to your home that will help for future prevention.

So yes, it’s cold outside so let’s keep the mice out using prevention and an attack plan so you won’t have any uninvited guests this season.

Fall Pest Control

Once the temperature starts to drop certain pests look for a warmer dryer place to dwell, thus moving into man-made structures. These pests are also known as “occasional invaders” and they typically will only enter structures to escape colder weather. Most of these pests are unable to survive inside a structure for long periods of time so they find a warm place to overwinter and some even hibernate. The following are the most commonly encountered here in Connecticut.

1. Halyomorpha halys): The brown marmorated stink bug start entering structures in late summer and early fall. Stink bugs enter the home via soffits, eaves, siding, windows, doors, vents, and fireplaces. To help reduce these home invaders from entering your home you can remove foliage next to the home, turn off any exterior perimeter lights in the evening, move any potted plants and flowers away from the house, and better seal your windows, doors, and other structural openings.
2. (Coccinellidae): The ladybug will enter your home through small cracks around windows, doorways and under clap boards. Ladybugs want to hibernate in a warm, comfortable spot through the winter months. Ladybugs gather in groups to hibernate, so if you see one, you can be sure more will follow. The best way to prevent ladybugs from entering is to repair damaged clap boards, screens, doors and caulk any small cracks or openings.
3. (Harmonia axyridis): The Asian pumpkin bug spends the winter indoors. Asian pumpkin bugs can be a pest all winter long and if disturbed they will release a yellow, smelly substance from their joints known as “reflex bleeding”. This reflex is a defensive mechanism to help defend itself from predators. Prevention is to caulk cracks and crevices around doors, windows, pipes, and replace or repair damaged clap boards. Once overwintering in a home Asian pumpkin bugs typically return year after year, knowing this was a good site to rest. Pheromones released by them are detected by future generations.
4. (Boisea trivittata): Boxelder bugs make their homes in box elder, maple and ash trees during warm seasons and enter buildings and homes to find shelter for winter. Boxelder bugs enter through small cracks and crevices, and remain inside to hibernate through fall and winter. They do not feed or reproduce while overwintering. If possible, remove their nesting trees from around your home. If you decide to plant box elder trees in your yard, choose male trees since female box elder trees are more susceptible to infestation. Boxelder bugs enter through windows and doors; so sealing windows and doors can help to keep box elder bugs from getting into your home.

Oh the weather outside is frightful, the fire is so delightful, and since these bugs have no place to go, they decide to come into your home. 😊

MOSQUITOES ARE STILL BITING!

This has been a peculiar year temperature wise, but even though it’s cooler out the ticks and mosquitoes are still very active. With all the different diseases out there, West Nile, Zika, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, we need to protect our yards right up to the end of the season. Make sure you are not leaving any kind of water collecting containers sitting around the yard, old bird baths, tires, buckets, trash can lids, kiddie pools, etc. If you are having your yard treated professionally, finish the season off, if you are not then now is still a good time to call for treatment. Remember, pests are seasonal, and right now we are still in mosquito season.

Mosquitoes are well known by most people because of their annoying biting habit. Of greater concern, they are the most significant vector of disease in history, responsible for more human deaths than any other animal, with diseases such as West Nile virus, malaria, yellow fever, filariasis, dengue fever, and encephalitis. There are approximately 150 species of mosquitoes found in the United States and 49 different species of mosquitoes in Connecticut alone.
Mosquitoes have adapted to almost every kind of aquatic situation such as permanent ponds and marshes, temporary flood water or woodland pools, drainage ditches, and water contained in tree holes, leaves of plants, or artificial containers.
A common misconception is that mosquitoes require blood to live. Mosquitoes feed on nectar. Male mosquitoes are NOT blood drinkers at all; however, the female mosquito does require a blood-meal to lay her eggs. Once she has laid her eggs, the female will seek out more blood in order to produce more young. She continues this cycle during her entire lifespan, which is only about two weeks.

West Nile Virus, has been an issue in other countries for centuries, but was first identified in Connecticut in 1999. The following year in an effort to learn more about West Nile Virus in Connecticut, The Department of Public Health collaborated with various other state agencies to implement Mosquito Surveillance Systems. These systems helped to track West Nile Virus infections in humans, horses, wild birds, and mosquitoes.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis, is commonly called Triple E or the Sleeping Sickness. EEE is an alphavirus (group IV virus positive sense, single-stranded RNA genome) and arbovirus (virus transmitted by arthropod vectors) able to infect vertebrates such as humans, rodents, birds, horses, and even fish. Present in North America it was first recognized in Massachusetts in 1831 when 75 horses died of encephalitic illness. The first confirmed human cases were identified in 1938 when thirty children died of encephalitis in the northeastern United States. Symptoms in humans include: high fever, muscle pain, altered mental status, meningeal irritation, photophobia, and seizures. These symptoms usually occur 3 to 10 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, maintains 91 mosquito trap sites in 73 different towns in Connecticut. These sites were strategically selected using factors such as; mosquito habitat, proximity to residential areas, and historical findings related to mosquitoes. The information gathered from these sites helps guide statewide prevention as well as control measures.

Although the state of Connecticut has implemented many different strategies regarding control measures for mosquitoes, the threat is still present. As a homeowner, it’s important to know a local mosquito exterminator who is knowledgeable in both mosquito habitat, and mosquito breeding grounds to attack the problem from its source. Guardian Pest Control’s certified technicians are here to help keep you and your family safe from the #1 vector of West Nile Virus….The Mosquito.

Cicada Killer Season

Lots of recent calls about “wasps the size of a small bird!”, or “huge, I mean huge yellow-jacket!” has urged me to write about this somewhat beneficial solitary wasp. Beneficial in the sense that they help to control the cicada population. Adult cicada killers emerge in summer, typically beginning late June or early July, and die off in September through October.

Cicada Killer-Females

The female cicada killers are typically seen “skimming” around lawns looking for a good site to dig burrows and hunting for cicadas around trees and tall shrubs. Female cicada killers do possess a stinger but are non-aggressive, they use their sting to paralyze their prey rather than to defend their nests; they do not attempt to sting unless handled roughly or stepped on accidentally. Adult cicada killers feed on flower nectar and other plant extracts, yet they provision the nest with a cicada for the hatching larva to feed on.

Cicada Killer-Males

The male cicada killers are more often seen in groups, challenging and fighting each other for position on the breeding aggregation from which they emerged, and will usually inspect anything that moves or flies near them. Even though the males are territorial and have an intimidating defense style, they cannot sting so they pose no threat to humans whatsoever. The males are usually the ones to intimidate or scare approaching humans and prompt the phone call to an exterminator.

Cicada Killer Habits

Cicada killers can be found in dry, sandy soils, bare or patchy areas next to raised sidewalks, steps, driveways, and patio slabs. The female cicada killer will dig a burrow by dislodging the soil with her jaws and using her hind legs to push loose soil behind her as she backs out of the burrow. Although they may live in the same general area, each female has their own individual burrow. They hunt down a cicada and paralyze it then put in in the nest as food for the hatching larvae. Each nest may have one or two cicadas then the female lays an egg on each one. The full-grown larva will over winter then pupate in the spring and emerge as developed adults in mid-summer.

Long Term Control

If you desire to rid your property of these large solitary wasps for more than one season at a time, you will have to be willing to put some work in. The only way to achieve long term control of cicada killers is the same as any ground nesting wasp. Eliminate sandy soil, bare ground areas, and any patchy areas to your lawn by building up healthy grass. You must eliminate the areas that are conducive to a cicada killer infestation so till, overseed, water, and build up your turf. Or as always you can call Guardian each year to eliminate your current infestation for the season.

Don’t Let The Bedbugs Bite!

It seems like we have a bedbug epidemic in the U.S. as well as a great increase of bedbugs in Connecticut. Although the exact reason eludes us at the moment I believe we can attribute much of it to a lack of widespread public knowledge and awareness. It is my hope to shed some light on the topic and give some tips for identifying and preventing a bedbug infestation.

Bedbugs are parasitic insects that feed exclusively on blood. Cimex lectularius is the best known as it prefers to feed on human blood. The name comes from their preferred habitat: inside warm houses near or inside beds, couches, mattresses, box springs, headboards, bedding, or other sleep areas. They hide in tight spaces such as under platform frame slats, between boards on a frame, under meshing of box springs and couches along the frame, around screw heads attached to frame, and any other tight areas they can fit in. Bedbugs are mainly active at night, but not exclusively.

One common misconception is that only “dirty people” end up with a bedbug infestation. This is far from true. I had a customer with a bedbug infestation whose house was spotless of dirt, dust, grime, and clutter. Bedbugs don’t discriminate, they will BUG anyone they can. Bedbugs are attracted to warmth and blood of the host which they find via carbon dioxide breathed out during sleep. Clutter does however offers more hiding spots, so neatness will help but not stop a bedbug infestation.

Bedbug Reproduction:

The average female bedbug will lay approx. one to seven eggs a day after a blood meal. With access to regular meals the female will lay anywhere from 200 to 250 eggs during her lifetime. Due to the hazards involved in the mating process, a female bedbug is more likely to travel away from the males and to an area where she can guarantee a meal. While traveling to protect themselves from continued mating a pregnant female can “hitchhike” and start an infestation of more than 5,000 bedbugs within a six-month period. Eggs take approximately six to seventeen days to hatch a nymph which is not able to reproduce until it has fully matured. Depending on the temperature an egg can hatch and become a mature bedbug in as little as three weeks in warmer temperatures. Nymphs begin feeding as soon as they hatch. Bedbugs are survivors, they can go months to a year without a meal.

Bedbug Health Concerns:

Few adverse health effects may result from a bedbug bite such as skin rashes, allergic reactions, and psychological effects. There is no evidence of bedbugs transmitting any pathogens to a human host.

Bedbugs A Brief History:

Bedbugs have been known as human parasites for thousands of years. In the 1940s, they were mostly eradicated with DDT and Malathion. Bedbugs have increased in prevalence since the mid 1990’s, most likely due to pesticide resistance, governmental bans on certain effective yet ecologically damaging pesticides, and an increase in international travel. According to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) there has been a 70% increase in bedbug reports from 2000 to 2005. A lack of public awareness, has enabled this insect to move very efficiently from one dwelling to another and has helped with their rapid increase throughout the country. Bedbugs are great at hitch hiking they travel from an infested area to a new site via furniture, bedding, luggage, boxes, and clothing, once introduced into a new environment they can spread from infested locations to un-infested areas quickly. To spread an infestation all someone has to do is to spend a night in a bedbug infested environment and there is a good chance that they will take bedbugs with them to their next destination.

Tips For Bedbug Prevention: