Pests in the News
Pests are constantly affecting our lives, either by destroying our property, annoying us to death or making us sick. The following recent news articles spotlight the importance and relevence of proper pest control. Read on and you may just see why we feel pest control is now a major issue.
Did you hear about the bed bugs case in the childrens hospital? We posted a link to an article in our blog the other day. The story went around to alot of major publications. Now, people are scared and rightly so. Hospitals are not supposed to get infested - they are supposed to be clean. Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible to prevent bed bug problems. It does happen and will continue to happen. We can only hope that all hospitals handle the situation as well as the Rileys Hospital for Children - act fast and contain the situation. But beware, bed bug in hospitals are not a new thing. Read more here.
I just read an article that accurately protrays the bed-bug war. You can read the article here. Basically, a unit of a public housing complex was experiencing a bed bug problem. This issue was not immediately treated. Over the course of six or seven months, the bed bug population grew and spread out. Now, all residents are waging a war. One resident spent her own money ($200.00) on furniture encasements, bug spray and rash ointments; all without much success. She now lives knowing that these creepy-crawly blood suckers could be crawling on her and living off of her. It's not a pleasant way to live. The management team at her complex didnt jump on the issue soon enough and now all of the residents are suffering. The moral of the story is: bed bugs are a serious threat to your property and well being, they can be quite difficult to kill but the early you start the better your chances of irradication are.
We're not the only ones expecting increases in pest activity in the Spring. Many geographies are experiencing a warmer winter. Pest control companies are getting ready for an increase in general bug populations like mosquitos, carpenter ants and termites. Without that deep freeze we normally experience and with soft ground, these bugs are expected to pop up even earlier this year. We'll have to wait and see, but it sure does seem that way. This news report is from Indiana, and you can read more here.
Ever wonder why the thought of insects creeps you out, makes you shake and itch all over? Scientists have wondered the same thing and have been working on the answer. Is it an evolutionary response due to the dangers some insects pose or simply a heightened awereness to normal sensations? Learn more about it on msnbc.
For every bed bug job we do, we use Mattress-Safe encasements on the mattress and boxspring. This is a vital step in our bed bug treatments. We beleive the mattress-safe encasements are a step above the competition. If you or someone you know is battling these pests, encasements are strongly recommended. Mattress-safe's encasements were recently tested in an independent study, here's the buzz!
A Malden DPW garage was shut down after employees reported a flea infestation. Turns out, that infestation came from a racoon that frequented the facility. How nice!
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The Worcester Telegram has just reported that mosquitos found in Shrewsbury and Auburn have tested positive for the West Nile Virus. Previously this month, samples in Worcester and Sturbridge have also tested positive. The local health departments urge people to take precautions but not to panic.
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Sick of fleas in the news yet? Heres a blog (i guess) about a chemical called Permethrin which is used in some over the counter flea treatments. Turns out, it's not as safe as some might think. This is why it's best to call a professional who has access to different classes of chemicals a full education on these pests. We're honest people and it's our job to make customers happy and we would never use anything with a possibility of it becoming dangerous.
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*WEIRD* news out of Waterbury, CT. Firefighters were called to an abandonded house on suspicion. Following their dutues and on their way back to the station, they began itching. Soon they noticed the thousands of little black fleas that covered them and their truck. Each firefighter was tested for flea-borne diseases and the fire truck will be out of commission until it can be fumigated.
Learn More Here! 08/18/2011
NPMA - the organization that encompases nearly all pest control companies just released a new article giving surprising statistics about bedbugs. This organization is trusted and their findings are much more accurate than those reported by other organizations. An interesting read that highlights the susceptability of certain locations to bed bug infestations.
Learn More Here! 08/18/2011
This is a very old article from 22 News, but its a good read. We're getting quite a few calls from bugged-out homeowners with flea infestations. Veterenarians are running out of options as some flea treatments are loosing effectiveness. Most (if not all) "Over-the-Counter" flea treatments just dont work, as stated by a reknowned pet-store owner. Dave's Soda and Pet Food City offers some effective treatments while others are useless. Sifting through the barrell for what works is pain-stakingly difficult. If you decide to go with a something you can buy at a store - make sure you do your homework. If you cant solve your infestation with whats on the market or cant handle the risk, save the headaches and just give us a call.
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Mosquitos are no fun: aggrivating us on hiking trips, ruining backyard barbaques - and now making large cities a nightmare. The Asian tiger mosquito (a much more aggresive and harder to kill mosquito) has moved into our neighborhoods. And guess what? It prefers the city life - not that marshy, wet environments we all know to steer clear of. Entemologists are calling it the "urban mosquito."
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With all the hype and fear surrounding bedbugs, few people realize the threat of fleas. Unlike bedbugs, fleas actually can cause numerous diseases. Alot of us dont realize the threat these bugs impose, but for homeowners with pets you should read this article.
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Mosquitos are out in full force already. Homeowners are using tiki-torches and repellant sprays with little help. Are you one of many homeowners affected by these pests? Our mosquitogard service will give you relief so you can relax in your back yard now. Read more on the story from 22 News.
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A new study done in the city of New York has found that a childs exposure to cockroaches and/or cockroach dust is strongly related to the occurance of asthma. Cockroach dust is even more likely to trigger asthma than mice or cat dander.
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Stink bugs have increased in number and caused concern to residents of Massachusetts. They have infested homes and destroyed crops. This article was in the Replublican newspaper on May 16th and on the Masslive website.
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Three new independent studies have concluded that bed bugs are not disease-proof after all. One study took bed bug samples from a hospital and tested them for known diseases. They were found to be carriers of the drug resistant MRSA virus, likely picked up from patients. These studies have not yet concluded if bed bugs can actually spread this disease.
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How relevent are bed bugs to you? Apparently more than you think. On the 2nd and 3rd of February 2011, leaders of the EPA along with members of other federal agencies and experts will convene for a meeting strictly on bed bugs in Washington. Signs of a growing problem are forcing governemnt agencies to get much more serious about erradication and public education.
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Forbes Magazine recently compiled a list of the most bed-bug infested cities in America. Numbers of infestations were reported form pest control companies and then compiled to determine the rankings. Folks, I am sorry to say Boston, MA is on the list. Smaller cities did not compute into this list, however.
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Here's a great list of reasons to get rid of the pests in your house. If this doesnt convince your, read on.
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As we begin to dust off our holiday decorations, keep an eye out for pests. Christmas decorations are only used once a year and typically stored in areas where pests may have access. These materials are typically great hiding and nesting spots for rodents like squirels, mice and rats as well moths, spiders, ticks and fleas. November 30, 2010.
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This interesting article brings peoples perceptions about bed bugs to light. It is based on a survey involving just 1,005 people nationwide, but the numbers are likely acurate. November 16, 2010.
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According to a new survey, nearly 60% of American homeowners use pest control companies for prevention purposes. 54% of respondents said their biggest concern was with ants. And 84% of customers said their problem was solved in one or two visits.
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More news on Stink Bugs infesting homes all over the country. This report comes from the New York Times.
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We've had plenty of calls for boxelder bugs this season, and we're not the only ones. This report comes all the way from Pheonix.
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Fall is the season where stinkbugs start infesting homes. This is one annoying invasive pest that has been increasing in numbers and range.
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A woman in eastern mass wass stung more than 500 times by yellow jackets simply by disturbing a ground nest. September 7, 2010.
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Scientists have learned that bed bugs do not transmit the AIDS virus; they actually kill it. August 31, 2010.
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An innocent trip to a hotel lands a guy in the hospital with over 40 bed bug bites. August 31, 2010.
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This weeks special by 22News focuses on the rising number of Bed Bugs in Western Massachusetts. Our own Guy George was asked was asked to comment. August 25, 2010.
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22News reports that 1 in every 5 exterminators across the U.S. has found bedbugs in office buildings... and that number is growing. August 20, 2010.
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Bed Bugs have been found crawling in even the wealthiest sections of Boston. This shows that income and/or cleanliness have nothing to do with wheather or not an individual or family picks up these bugs. The entire population is susceptable. August 24, 2010.
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Health Departments: Risk of more cases of West Nile Virus are "rising fast." Mosquitoes are one tough pest to irradicate. With a dwindling budget from the state, most cities and counties do not have the resources to fight this health threat. August 24, 2010.
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Bed Bugs found in the basement of the Empire State Building. Apparently the bed bugs were transported by employee changing rooms. This marks one the first landmarks bed bugs have been found... (at least publicly!) August 22, 2010.
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The third horse in Massachusetts has died from EEE. While we assume animals are safe from such threats, we are sadly mistaken. The more time spent out doors increases the risk of contracting this mosquito virus. August 24, 2010.
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Cambridge, MA mosquito tests positive for West Nile. What is particularly frightening about this situation is the proximity of the mosquito to the general public; with millions of "available" Americans in striking distance. August 15, 2010.
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Man contracts EEE from mosquito in Massachusetts. The Rhode Island resident got the bite from a mosquito in Southeastern Massachusetts. Unfortunately, these diseases are not flukes and more infected mosquitoes are still waiting for a host. August 15, 2010.
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Mosquito virus warnings issued by Health Dept. after a horse in Warren, MA tested positive for EEE. This was one of the earlier warning signs this season. August 6, 2010.
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