bed bugs, Featured, General Pest Control, News, Pest Control, Property Managers, Realtors, Uncategorized
Bed Bugs Bigger Bother Than Before!
The Smithsonian recently reported that current studies indicate that bed bugs could be significantly more hazardous to our health than we thought!
Sure, nobody like having bugs as bunkmates. They come in uninvited, eating whatever they want and generally making an unsightly mess. Not to mention the biting, itching, and scratching that goes on when pests are involved… but now—to add to those sleepless nights— research indicates that bed bugs in the US could become a carrier for Trypanosoma cruzi… the parasite which causes Chagas disease.
Chagas disease is a disease that can result in heart failure and, ultimately, death. In the early stage, symptoms are typically either not present or mild and may include: fever, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, or local swelling at the site of the bite. After 8–12 weeks, individuals enter the chronic phase of disease and in 60–70% of individuals, it never produces further symptoms. The other 30 to 40% of people, however, develop further symptoms long term, such as enlargement of the ventricles of the heart. 20 to 30% of theses cases end up leading to heart failure.
Early treatments for Chagas are effective at curing the disease, but often have side effects, and the longer an individual goes undiagnosed or untreated, the less effective the treatment becomes. There is no vaccine currently available for preventative measures. The best method of prevention is to eliminate the threat of being bitten.
Triatomine occurrence by U.S. state.
Although Chagas disease is typically attributed to Triatominae (also known as “kissing bugs”) in South American regions, researchers have found evidence of the Chagas virus in the US — 40% of “kissing bugs” captured by researchers in Louisiana were infected with the parasite. “Kissing bug” territory has been positively identified in half of the United States (see chart above). Studies indicate the T. cruzi parasite has ALSO taken up a comfortable residence in the digestive system of bed bugs, which are a close relative of the Triatominae.
How likely is the scenario of a wide scale infection? An estimated 300,000 people in the U.S. are already positive for Chagas disease, and in addition to having kissing bugs AND bed bugs as carriers, the T. cruzi parasite can also live in pets who have been infected by those bugs. Any fecal matter left by these pets can potentially be contaminated. The disease can also be transmitted via blood transfusion / contact.
The CDC is already predicting that “kissing bugs” (the primary carriers for the disease) will expand their territory range as the national climate begins to warm, and bed bug activity has been on the rise in Los Angeles and surrounding areas since 2011.
ABC News reported in 2013 that Los Angeles and surrounding areas ranked 3rd in “Worst Bed Bug Infestations” based on bed bug services provided… the year before the city was ranked at number 5. This year, Los Angeles and surrounding areas rank at #2 and San Diego jumped up 6 spots on its own! Bed bug activity is on the rise, and shows no indication of slowing down… which compounds the risk of Chagas infection.
Which is a prime reason to get started on bug and pest prevention now!
Contact us to find out about our pest prevention services today.
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Think your city might be infested? Check out the map below to see the 50 spots that have had the largest occurrences of bed bug infestations in 2013. Click on the dot to see the latest ranking and the previous year’s ranking.
For reference, these are this year’s top 50 U.S. cities, ranked in order of the frequency of bedbug treatments, and their ranking compared to last year:
1) Chicago
2) Los Angeles (+1)
3) Columbus, Ohio (+3)
4) Detroit (-2)
5) Cincinnati
6) Cleveland/Akron/Canton (+2)
7) Dayton (+4)
8) Washington D.C. (-1)
9) Denver (-5)
10) Indianapolis (+6)
11) Richmond/Petersburg, Va. (+1)
12) Raleigh/Durham/Fayetteville, N.C. (+3)
13) Dallas/Ft. Worth (-4)
14) Syracuse, N.Y. (+7)
15) Atlanta (+14)
16) Houston (+2)
17) New York (-7)
18) Seattle/Tacoma (-5)
19) San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose (-5)
20) Boston (+2)
21) Milwaukee (-2)
22) Miami/Ft. Lauderdale (+3)
23) Nashville (+17)
24) Pittsburgh (+12)
25) Charlotte (+18)
26) San Diego (+6)
27) Baltimore (-7)
28) Phoenix (+7)
29) Cedar Rapids/Waterloo, Iowa (+4)
30) Charleston/Huntington, W. Va. (+1)
31) Knoxville, Tenn. (-4)
32) Louisville, Ky. (-2)
33) Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo, Mich. (+5)
34) Hartford/New Haven, Conn. (-8)
35) Champaign/Springfield, Ill. (+13)
36) Greenville/Spartanburg/Asheville, S.C. (+11)
37) Omaha, Neb. (-20)
38) Buffalo, N.Y. (-10)
39) Lincoln/Hastings/Kearney, Neb. (+2)
40) Lexington, Ky. (-16)
41) Sacramento/Stockton/Modesto, Calif. (+4)
42) Colorado Springs/Pueblo, Colo. (-19)
43) Albany/Schenectady/Troy, N.Y. (-1)
44) Minneapolis/St. Paul (-10)
45) Honolulu (-8)
46) Toledo, Ohio
47) Peoria/Bloomington, Ill.
48) Davenport, Iowa/Moline, Ill.
49) New Orleans
50) Kansas City
Bees, Cockroaches, Mice, Pest Control, Property Managers, Rats, Realtors, Silverfish, Spiders, Ticks, Wasp
Are Foreclosed Homes Causing Pest Problems?
An ideal nesting spot for pests is an enclosed space that offers a nearby food source and has low foot traffic. You may consider these conditions all in one place a rarity but this type of environment commonly exists within residential neighborhoods and densely populated areas. They are typically referred to as foreclosed homes or abandoned properties – Yes; these are a pest’s paradise.
Pest problems within a foreclosed home can significantly increase the risk of pest infestations to adjacent properties. The pest population can outgrow the abandoned house and begin to overflow to other homes in the neighborhood.
Common Pest Infestations In Foreclosed Homes
Mosquitoes breed in pools and bird baths that have stagnant water from the lack of cleaning and rainfall. Rodents use unoccupied structures to nest and hide during the day, then travel to neighboring properties for food at night. Eventually the rodent population will become too large and will be forced to seek shelter elsewhere – possibly your home.
If conditions are right, honeybees will invade any home. It is possible to have a hive of thousands of bees neighboring your house. Be cautious of beehives and nests of other stinging insects during spring and summer months since this is when they are most active. The slightest noises or motions can disturb the nearby colonies.
Ticks can thrive in lawns that are unmaintained and contain high grass and overgrown weeds. Rodents or pets that run through these lawns are subject to become a host for these parasitic creatures, thus indirectly spreading them to your home. Keep your pets away from lawns that are not groomed.
Defend Your Home From Neighboring Pests
If a home near you is not maintained, you should contact the property owner. For foreclosed homes, the party responsible for the property is often banks or managing real estate companies. If no action is taken by the party you contacted, advise the municipal animal control services.
In the meantime, get regular pest control treatments to provide a preventative barrier protection around your property. Most pests will be unable to migrate into your home with bi-monthly treatments.
Applying weather stripping to doors and pest repellent screens to vents and windows is a great preventative measure to keep pests away. Also, seal any exterior hole the size of a quarter or larger on your home with gnaw-proof materials, including steel sheeting, hardware cloth, galvanized steel and concrete.
General Rodent, Mice, Rats, Realtors
San Diego County Homeowners in Encinitas use Rodent Control to Protect Property
Rodent Control can do more than get rid of rats for Encinitas and San Diego area homeowners. Using a professional rodent control service will keep your gardens and other home features unharmed.
Often times, San Diego County clients have already used DIY techniques and have been unsuccessful. DIY products require some knowledge about the nature of rats to make products most effective. Our technicians have the experience to maximize the effectiveness of our industrial rat removal techniques. The rodent population in your home will be reduced to zero.
Encinitas and other San Diego coastal cities are covered with beautiful landscaping. However, the greenery makes for an ideal spot for rodents. Rodents are omnivorous (eat plants and animals) so they can destroy gardens and landscaping over time.
Our professional rodent control company has defensive techniques to keep rodents off your property and prevent damage from occurring to your home.
San Diego County residents do not have to settle with living with rat for another day. Pro Pacific Pest Control will take care of the rodent problem in no time with modern rodent control techniques. Call today to schedule a FREE inspection and written estimate from a licensed technician.
General Pest Control, News, Property Managers, Realtors
Realtors and Property Managers Trust Pro Pacific Pest Control
Pro Pacific Pest Control is a leading provider of service to residential customers throughout San Diego and southwest Riverside County, but we also specialize in servicing Realtors and Property Managers. Our technicians are specially trained and equipped to properly treat a wide variety of common pests as well as bee swarms and colonies. We can help you avoid expensive repeat problems with pests at your homes for sale, rentals, or other properties.
We Understand What You Need
Pro Pacific understands that when a bee problem occurs, you as a Realtor or Property Manager primarily are looking for a company who can respond quickly, in a professional manner, and take care of the problem. You want to be able to promise to your tenants that you are taking care of the problem and not have to worry about it anymore.
You can count on Pro Pacific to be your ace in the hole for problems with all kinds of common pests, as well as bee swarms and bee hives. We will take care of your tenant’s problem promptly and effectively. You can count on us!
Properties We Service
Pro Pacific has experience servicing the following types of managed properties:
- Apartment Complexes
- Rental Properties
- Office Buildings
- Commercial Complexes
- Town Houses
- Mobile Homes
Need Newsletter or Blog Content?
Many Realtors and Property Managers publish monthly or regular newsletter or blog updates to keep current clients informed and attract new clients. However, these professionals may have trouble finding the time or energy to devote to writing, editing, and publishing a newsletter, blog content, Facebook updates, and other social networking content.
At Pro Pacific, we can write and send directly to you compelling, up-to-date content about pest control, bees, and bee removal work that you can print in your newsletter or blog. Your clients will benefit from reading interesting content and you will have more time to devote to other tasks. If you would like to subscribe to our newsletter content service, just call Pro Pacific at 800-PEST-CONTROL.
