West Nile Still A Threat

The mosquito season in Georgia is officially at its highest point, which is made even more evident by the report of the first human case of West Nile virus for 2017. Health officials in DeKalb County are diligently working to prevent additional infections from occurring, which could prove to be a daunting task, considering this is a particularly bad year in terms of the mosquito threat. So, we’re helping to get the word out about what people can do to reduce the risk of contracting this and other mosquito-borne viruses.

We had a lot of rain in June. This is good and bad news when it comes to mosquitoes. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in any location that can contain water. In fact, a single bottle cap full of water can add several hundred mosquitoes to the population in one season. The heavy rain we got in June caused many containers to overflow and push mosquito eggs out onto the ground, where they were able to be dried in the sun and eliminated. But that rain has set up the conditions for a lot more mosquitoes to develop in September, October and even November–weather permitting.

What you need to know most about this increased population of mosquitoes is that there is something you can do to protect yourself from them. Most people think mosquitoes are an inevitable pest, but they actually aren’t. When you prevent mosquitoes in your yard, you have a wider impact than you think. This is because mosquitoes don’t travel very far in their 2-month lifespan. The typical mosquito isn’t likely to go more than 300 yards from where it was born. That means the mosquitoes that are biting you in your yard probably came from your yard. When you actively work to dry things out and prevent still water from accumulating, you can reduce your chances of being bitten.

Okay. So, what about the mosquitoes that will come into my yard from my neighbor’s yard? This is where it helps to have a professional pest specialist treat your yard. You can make it hard or impossible for mosquitoes to multiply on your property, but that won’t stop your neighbor’s mosquitoes from biting you. This is done by having your yard treated by a professional. Mosquitoes hide from the sun during the day. When they do, they will use shaded locations in your yard. If these are treated with a knockdown agent, those mosquitoes will not only be unable to bite you any longer, they will not be alive to lay eggs in your yard or anyone’s yard.

West Nile virus is a threat in Georgia. But, if we all take part in mosquito abatement, we can significantly reduce the risk that this and other dangerous mosquito-borne diseases present. To learn more, or to schedule service for your Georgia property, give us a call.

2017 Zika Outlook

Last year, Zika was covered by news agencies across the country, and rightfully so. Zika is a virus that is directly connected to microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome. But, as mosquitoes are the prime vector for this virus, the winter has caused a lull in cases, as well as news coverage. And, many people are asking, “What does 2017 look like?” Are we going to have a repeat of last year? Will it be worse? Will it be better? We have some good news and some bad news.

The Good News

Here in the U.S., we have been mostly spared from the devastating impact of this virus. While Zika continues to be a scourge for Latin America and countries to the south of us, the United States has seen only small outbreaks. Most reported cases have been connected to travelers returning from countries with high infection rates. And, local cases that have been found here in the states, like those documented in Brownsville, Texas, which is near the border of Mexico, have been closely monitored by the CDC and local state health organizations. On top of this, Congress has approved $1.1 billion dollars to combat this dangerous threat and to work toward developing a vaccine. All good news, indeed.

The Bad News

You may have noticed that we had a fairly mild winter. While it was certainly nice to have fewer cold days, that warm winter weather did nothing to reduce mosquito populations and will, almost certainly, lead to a faster developing and more tormenting mosquito season. If itchy bites were the only threat, there would be nothing to worry about. But increased mosquito populations are a fertile soil for the quick spread of an outbreak.

People come into the United States from Latin America, and points south, all the time. If an infected traveler is bitten by an Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus mosquito, an outbreak could spread like wildfire in a mosquito-rich environment.
Mosquito abatement services are one of the first-line defenses the U.S. government relies on to protect its citizens from mosquito-borne viruses. When mosquitoes are reduced, it is harder for viruses to find a vector. If we are to keep our states and our communities safe, it is vital that we increase our mosquito reduction efforts to meet the threat of this coming mosquito season. This cannot be accomplished by government agencies alone. It is up to private property owners to take part in mosquito abatement to ensure the coverage necessary. Reach out to us today to learn more, or to schedule mosquito services.

Summer Fun in Rome, Georgia

Summer in Rome is a lot of fun. There are so many things to do outside. If you like taking a walk in nature, the Jackson Hill and Heritage trail systems are a great way to do it. If you want a little adventure, you may take a trip to Cave Spring and look through the cave or splash some cold water on you somewhere downstream from the spring. If you like to kayak, canoe, hike, swim, and more, there is a lot to do in Rome every summer.

But, you don’t have to go anywhere to have summer fun. You can have summer fun right in your own backyard. If you have a pool, summer is when you’re going to be spending the most time in it. If you have a garden or flower beds, summer is when you’ll be out there tending to them. We use our backyards for a lot of fun things, but do you know what is not fun? Dealing with mosquitoes in our backyards.

As you are well aware, Rome has mosquitoes–lots and lots of them, and those little biters can be frustrating to have around. Not only that but mosquitoes are becoming more and more of a danger every year. Do you know that mosquitoes are directly connected to over a dozen diseases that they spread to humans? You’ve probably heard of some of them: West Nile, dengue, malaria, yellow fever, chikungunya, several types of encephalitis, dog heartworm, and Zika.

If you like using your backyard, it is a smart idea to take part in mosquito reduction. This is the solution the U.S. government uses to protect us from the mosquito-borne diseases above; and when you take part in this solution, it becomes even more effective.

Why does mosquito reduction work?

Most mosquitoes will not travel very far from where they hatched. You might already know this, but mosquitoes are terrible at flying. That is why you’ll notice fewer mosquitoes on a day when it is windy, and since they don’t travel far, there is a good chance that the mosquitoes biting you in your backyard are mosquitoes that hatched in your yard.

When you have a pest control company like Active Pest Control identify breeding sites, reduce those sites, and control mosquitoes in all stages of development on your property you will have fewer bites. Plus, you’ll be helping to bolster buffer zones for the spread of infectious disease. It is a win-win.

Take your backyard back with mosquito services from Active Pest Control. You’re going to enjoy your summer fun a whole lot more with fewer mosquitoes biting you.

Zika Virus In Atlanta

In 2015, Atlanta had the distinguished honor of, once again, being added to the list of top mosquito cities in the United States. So, where did we rank in this list of 50 cities across this great land of ours? Did we make it into the top 10? We sure did! Not only did we make the top ten, we were number one! And, not only were we number one in 2015, we were number one for the two years before that. There is no doubt about it, Atlanta is number one. And, with the looming threat of a Zika virus outbreak here in the state, this has agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention watching Atlanta closely.

This is a virus that causes microcephaly in unborn babies at all stages of pregnancy. Microcephaly is a congenital condition that is characterized by an abnormal smallness of the head and incomplete brain development. For expecting mothers, this is a scary virus.

Reasons to not worry about Zika virus:

  • For 80% of those infected with the Zika virus, there are no noticeable symptoms. That means the vast majority of people don’t have to fear this virus like they would West Nile virus or malaria.
  • Zika is also not currently known to be spreading through local mosquito populations here in the United States. Cases that have been reported are from people who have recently been to other countries where Zika virus is rampant.

Reasons to be worried about Zika virus:

  • Since 80% of those infected with Zika don’t show symptoms and those that do will not likely admit themselves to a healthcare facility, Zika has the potential to spread great distances before it is detected.
  • This is not a virus pregnant women should take lightly. It is wise to take strong precautions to prevent mosquito bites if you are currently with child or attempting to become pregnant.
  • Atlanta’s high mosquito rating is an extra reason to be worried. More mosquitoes mean more chance of getting Zika or other mosquito-borne viruses. If you live in Atlanta, it is vital to learn all the many ways that mosquito bites can be prevented and to take a moment to develop an understanding of the importance of mosquito abatement.

At Active Pest Control, we work with homeowners, business owners, and municipalities to employ mosquito abatement in Atlanta and throughout Georgia. We encourage you to consider these services to help us reduce mosquito populations in our city and make Atlanta a safer place for all of us to live–and get ourselves off the list of top mosquito cities, for good. Now that would be something to be proud of.

ZIKA VIRUS INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

With increasing media attention regarding confirmed cases of the Zika virus in the United States, we are providing a list of resources with more information about your health and safety concerns.

Important Things to Remember:

  • The Active Pest Control Mosquito Control plan includes a property inspection and treatments tailored to your family’s needs.
  • Active Pest Control’s current treatments DO reduce the population of mosquitoes known to carry the Zika virus.
  • The best way to prevent bites from mosquito and other insects is to wear a bug spray with DEET or a natural repellant, along with long sleeves and pants, while outside.
  • The U.S. already has strong mosquito control protocols in place; air conditioners, window screens, and vigilant chemical treatments by local governments help reduce the population of disease-spreading mosquitoes throughout the country.

Additional Health and Safety Resources:

Tennessee Mosquito Dangers

Mosquitoes are one of the most dangerous pests to which we are exposed. The danger isn’t in the fact that these pesky stinging insects can ruin an outdoor party. It isn’t because they can drive you crazy during the night as they buzz around your head while you try to sleep. Although both of those instances are very irritating, the real danger with mosquitoes is their ability to transmit diseases.

There are many diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. While some of these diseases are governed by geographic location, the more common risks include malaria, dengue, West Nile virus, yellow fever, chikungunya, and encephalitis.

Two of the more recent viruses that have become prevalent in some locations are La Crosse encephalitis (LACV) and chikungunya. The symptoms of La Crosse encephalitis are very similar to that of meningitis. The LACV virus seems to be quite hard on younger children under 15 years of age. The difficulty of early diagnosis makes treatment more difficult to administer on a timely basis.

Chikungunya is a virus that people are usually exposed to while out of the country enjoying a tropical vacation. While it is rarely ever fatal, patients will experience severe pain similar to an extreme case of arthritis. Even with proper diagnosis and treatment, the effects of the virus may linger for 6 months or more.

The male mosquito is not capable of biting and feeds on nectar. The female mosquito, however, needs blood in addition to nectar. She must feed on the blood of humans and animals in order to secure the protein and iron needed to develop her eggs. It is through this process of stinging and sucking blood that they enable dangerous diseases and viruses to be transmitted.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely eradicate one’s property of mosquito infestation. They will travel many miles if necessary in search of the much-needed blood meal. However, there are a few precautions you can take to reduce the population of mosquitoes on your property and thus, reduce the risk of a mosquito borne disease.

  • Mosquitoes need a supply of shallow water for eggs and larvae to develop. Remove any items from your deck and yard that will hold even the smallest amount of water, keeping the mosquitoes from reproducing.
  • Clean dead leaves and other debris out of your gutters and downspouts. These clog up the drain, hold water, and create a great source of water and food for those growing mosquito larvae.
  • Keep weeds pulled and the grass cut short. The tall vegetation is a great place for mosquitoes to gather.

Don’t hesitate to contact Active Pest Control any time you feel there is an unusually high population of mosquitoes on your property. Our mosquito abatement programs will greatly reduce and limit the number of mosquitoes that you will have to deal with.

 

Summer Pests In Tennessee

Summer is finally here. That can mean many things to many people. To students, it could mean a break in the monotony of daily studies. For seniors, it may mark the beginning of a life of possibilities. For builders and subcontractors, it has the potential to mean business opportunity. For a large variety of bugs, it means: “Time to make the babies!” But to make babies, some bugs need blood. Your blood. And that is not okay. If you would rather not have your blood used to increase the number of biting insects in the world, here are a few pests to watch out for, and some ways to keep them from making you their next meal.

Ticks: This parasite not only eats blood, it can spread disease. Here are a few things you need to know.

Ticks love an unmaintained lawn. If you have tall grass and weeds you will invite this pest to leave eggs in your yard. Tall grass also makes tick-carrying wildlife more interested in being in your yard. Your goal should be to give wild animals fewer reasons to pass close to your home. You can do this by sealing and securing trash cans, by putting up a fence, or by removing food sources, like bird feeders.

Fleas: If you own a pet, this parasitic pest can be quite a problem. But pet owners aren’t the only people who suffer with fleas. Here are a few things you need to know.

Fleas and mites are small enough to live on a field mouse. If your home has gaps, cracks or other entry points, you are inviting rodents to bring fleas into your home. Use a caulking gun to seal rotted areas and gaps around pipes and fixtures.

Mosquitoes: If you look beyond the itchy welts this insect leaves on your skin, you will see a vector for dangerous flu-like viruses, like West Nile and Dengue fever. Here is what you need to know about these frustrating little biters.

Protecting yourself and your family from mosquitoes starts in your own backyard. Pest control companies have treatments that will reduce mosquitoes, ticks, fleas and other insects that leave eggs in your yard. They will also find and remove the conditions that invite these insects to breed. If you plan on going out into nature, wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants. Use DEET to ward off the less motivated biters. And always use netting to protect areas where you sleep and eat.

Bed Bugs: Though not specifically a summer pest, this blood eater is much more active during the summer months. It loves the summer heat and it loves to travel. Here are some ways you can keep it from making you a part of its travel itinerary.

Bed bugs are hitchhikers. When you travel anywhere, even a 5-star resort, always check for bed bugs. This insect will leave black residue on mattress seams and corners. It can be found in between sheets and covers or on upholstered furniture in a room. And, you can detect them by examining sheets and pillowcases for tiny brown blood stains. Before you head home, always check your suitcases and bags for uninvited guests.

In summer, all pest bugs become more active, but you don’t have to let them make a meal out of you. Keep a watchful eye and protect your home from summer pests with help from the pest control professionals at Active Pest Control.

Give us a call or submit a form online for more information!

Mosquitoes In Atlanta

Do you live in Atlanta? How bad do you think the mosquitoes are? They’re pretty bad, aren’t they? But are they worse than any other area of the country? How would you know? You can’t exactly count them. They’re everywhere. Well, thanks to a competitor, we finally have the answer. And the way they figured it out is quite clever.

According to this article when the company that shall remain nameless set out to determine the 20 worst mosquito-infested cities in the United States, they didn’t do it based on a head count of every mosquito. They chose instead to base their list on the number of calls received nationwide for mosquito control. It makes sense. The more people who come to the point where they are willing to spend their hard-earned money to get rid of a pest, the more of that pest there must be. So, what city hit the top of their list? That’s right. Atlanta.

Now you might be thinking to yourself, “I knew it!” because where you are in Atlanta, the mosquitoes are out of control. But I guarantee there is a group of you who live in Atlanta and think the mosquitoes are no worse than anywhere else. There is a good reason for this. Atlanta may have the worst mosquito problem in the country, but residents are doing something about it. They have the most mosquito control calls out of all the other cities in the country. If you were thinking, “I live in Atlanta and the mosquitoes aren’t so bad.” It may be that you live in a community where your neighbors are fighting mosquitoes.

Here’s how mosquito control works:

A typical mosquito will not travel more than 300 yards in its lifetime. That means that if it were possible to create a 300-yard barrier of mosquito resistant yards, all around the city it would be possible to keep most mosquitoes out. But a complete buffer is hard to accomplish because every business and every home would have to have mosquito control. The good news is, the barrier doesn’t have to be complete. Every property owner who chooses to invest in mosquito control adds to an intricate maze that mosquitoes have to navigate in order to get to the center of the city. With every home or business that adds mosquito control, Atlanta becomes less infested with mosquitoes.

The truth is we all have busy lives and we simply don’t have time for the annoyance of mosquitoes. Here at Active Pest Control, we are a locally owned and operated pest control company that provides mosquito control in Atlanta and has for decades. We know this city and we know how to protect its residents against annoying and potentially dangerous mosquitoes. Contact us today to learn more.

Mosquito Season Has Arrived In Macon

Who doesn’t love warm weather? Okay, so we know not everyone’s a fan but it’s such a great time of year. There is one downside though, it means mosquito season has arrived. These pesky bugs are relentless in Macon once the warm weather hits and unfortunately multiply quickly. What’s worse, you really can’t prevent mosquitoes from venturing onto your property.

Mosquitoes are considered one of the most dangerous animals in the world because of the diseases they spread. Here in Georgia, we don’t really have to worry about Malaria like in other countries but West Nile virus is a concern when you find yourself covered in mosquito bites. Click here to learn more about the West Nile virus.

Though you cannot stop mosquitoes flying in, you can reduce the mosquito population and the threat to your health. Standing water is ground zero for mosquito breeding. Even just the tiniest bit of water will allow females to lay their eggs. You can go on the offense this summer by eliminating potential breeding sites. This means removing or fixing any area that allows water to accumulate or become stagnant. Drainage ditches, clogged gutters, wading pools, bird baths, and even old tires hanging around are all potential sites that need to be attended to.

To keep mosquitoes out of your home, you should make sure all windows and doors are kept closed. Don’t forget to check your screens, they should be free of rips and tears.

You should also protect yourself from mosquito bites. Wear long sleeved shirts and pants if you’re spending time outside. We know that this just seems wrong when it’s t-shirt, shorts and flip-flop season but it will help you avoid itchy bites. You might also use a bug spray that contains DEET on your clothes to repel these bugs.

One last tip… Call Active Pest Control to protect your family from mosquitoes this mosquito season. Our mosquito control program is your greatest defense against mosquitoes and includes a thorough inspection and treatment for adult mosquitoes as well as breeding sites. Contact us today to learn more about mosquitoes and how we can help you make the most of your summer.

What If We Worked Together To Rid The World Of Mosquitoes?

I’m fairly confident that no one likes to be bitten by mosquitoes. That goes without saying. But there are far worse reasons to hate those little blood suckers than an irritating sting. Mosquitoes spread disease as they feed. If it sticks its needle into a disease-carrying animal and then pokes it into your neck, it can transfer that disease to you. They are known to spread Malaria, chikungunya, dog heartworm, dengue, yellow fever, eastern equine encephalitis, human encephalitis, and other viruses.

What can anyone do about mosquitoes?

It may seem like a battle that can’t be won, but this is not entirely true. You may not be able to keep all mosquitoes off your property, but you can reduce populations and make your yard resistant to breeding.

There is no shortage of mosquitoes in the South, but you can reduce their impact on you. Modern pest management companies like Active Pest Control have treatments that kill mosquito eggs on lawns, shrubs and other greenery. This treatment kills mosquitoes on contact and bonds to foliage so eggs cannot be left in your yard to hatch when it rains. Shortly after this solution is applied, your family and pets are free to enjoy the yard–with a whole lot fewer mosquitoes to worry about.

Complete mosquito protection requires more than just a lawn treatment.

A professional like Active Pest Control will also help you get rid of wet areas where water collects, clutter in your yard that holds water, and obstructions in your gutter system that give mosquitoes a place to breed.

Can you imagine a world with a lot fewer mosquitoes?

A typical female mosquito will not fly more than 1.5 miles for a blood meal. If enough people in your neighborhood were to get their yards protected, your mosquito population would be zero. We’re a ways from that, but you’ll notice a difference even if you only worry about your own lawn.

Reduce the mosquitoes on your property, and protect your family from mosquito-spread disease. If we all do our part, we can keep our neighborhoods mosquito free. Spread the word.