Dr. Goo’s Corner: Mosquitoes

Disclaimer:  The following are general guidelines to follow and do not constitute medical advice.

Spring brings with it flowers, pollen, birds and bees! But it also brings pests that are returning from their winter break.  For many of us, mosquitoes are a real problem that keeps us from enjoying the outdoors.  But more importantly, mosquitoes can carry diseases such as West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus.  They can also cause heartworm in dogs.  *Click here for a brief outline on these diseases*  These diseases are very serious but fortunately, rarely directly related to mosquitoes.

In General

In general, the problem with mosquito bites is due to an allergic reaction to the mosquito’s saliva and the problems associated with swelling and scratching of the mosquito bite.  When a mosquito bites you they inject saliva which helps keep the blood from clotting. The saliva causes an inflammatory reaction which causes the itching and swelling associated with the bite. Most people just get a big irritating lump on the skin which if they scratch becomes more swollen and lasts longer.  But some people actually have an allergic reaction to the mosquito saliva and can become very ill.

For the itching and swelling, anti-histamines are recommended.  Diphenhydramine (commonly known as Benadryl – TM) can be used orally or applied in creams or lotions combined with calamine. Anti-inflammatory steroid creams may help too – creams like 1% hydrocortisone.

Interesting Fact: Only female mosquitoes bite and suck blood to obtain protein for their eggs; male mosquitoes suck nectar.

Impetigo

Even if you don’t get sick from the mosquito, many people scratch their bites until they bleed. When the skin is open it is susceptible to secondary infection. Children and adults can get a skin infection called impetigo which is a superficial skin infection caused by bacteria called staph and strep.  Impetigo causes open sores and crusting (honey colored) and swelling in the areas. Impetigo is usually worse in the summer when children are out playing in the dirt, getting bitten by mosquitoes, and then getting those sores infected. Excellent hygiene (SOAP and WATER) can prevent most impetigo and cure mild cases.  Over the counter antibiotic ointments (like Bacitracin) can help too as well as prescription ointments like mupurocin. There may be enlarged glands in the area, fever, and a spreading rash. Usually more severe impetigo needs an oral antibiotic so contact your doctor if you think you have impetigo and need medicine for it.

Heartworm

Man’s best friend can be affected with heartworms which are also transmitted by mosquitoes. So protect your entire family against these pests.

Prevention

The best prevention is to eliminate mosquitoes from your environment. Since this is virtually impossible to do completely, several strategies should be employed:

  • Be sure to get rid of any standing water around your home to avoid breeding areas for the mosquitoes. Old tires are notorious for having water inside of them so be sure to get rid of any tires in or around the yard.
  • Call Northwest Exterminating.  Their Green Mosquito Control Program is a 7 month program which sprays the shrubs, bushes and plants where mosquitoes and ticks like to hide.  This will greatly reduce the mosquito and tick population in your yard and will act as a barrier and repellent for any stray mosquitoes that fly into the area.
  • By wearing long pants, long sleeve shirts, hats and socks you can protect yourself from mosquitoes and their bites.
  • Also, use of insect repellents is a good idea. There are many products on the market; but the most popular is DEET.  DEET contains repellents and comes in many different forms and concentrations.
  • Screened in porches, mosquito netting and other barriers are helpful too.

Give your family the best protection against mosquitoes by calling Northwest Exterminating for their Green Mosquito Control Program.  Be sure to ask for your FREE inspection!

Thanks,

Dr. Goo

Invasion of the Kudzu Bug

Due to the massive amount of calls that we have received lately regarding kudzu bugs, or stink bugs, we thought this earlier post would be beneficial!

In the past several weeks, our service centers have seen an emergence of kudzu bugs.  Kudzu bugs, also known as lablab bugs or globular bugs, have made their way to Georgia in recent years from Asia.  Thoughts are that because Atlanta has the “World’s Busiest Airport”, they could have arrived through Atlanta’s Hartsfield Jackson International Airport.  Since kudzu bugs are fairly new to experts, research is still being done on this particular bug.

Kudzu bugs look like brown lady bugs and eat what other than…kudzu.  But kudzu isn’t all that these bugs are feeding on.  Kudzu bugs also eat soybean plants.  More research is being done to find out if kudzu bugs will eat our Georgia crops as well.

The kudzu bug is an occasional invader, choosing to enter properties for the shelter and possibly needing moisture.  Think of them as the same as boxelder bugs, but with an increased amount of generations and smaller so they fit in tiny cracks and crevices. They are known to eat specific plants, but can survive on others.  They have 3 generations per year, so they can build up populations in great numbers, but once the population is reduced, control can be maintained.

Kudzu bugs have a notorious stench they emit when they feel threatened so it is suggested that if you come in contact with such bugs in your home or vehicle that you vacuum them up instead of squashing them.  It is highly recommended that you dispose of the vacuumed bugs so they do not continue to emit their stench.

For more information, check out the University of Georgia’s kudzu video:

University of Georgia – Kudzu Bug

Northwest Exterminating offers a treatment plan specifically for kudzu bugs.  Call us at 888.466.7849 for more information.

Welcome Dr. David Goo to the Northwest Family

As part of Northwest Exterminating’s mission to create healthier living and working environments we have teamed up with Dr. David Goo of CorrectMed Pediatrics.  Dr. Goo and Northwest Exterminating want to make sure that your family and your home are healthy.  Along the way, Dr. Goo will offer medical advice to our readers about things that can affect the health of you and your home when it comes to pest, rodents, and other nuisances.

Dr. Goo is the medical director and lead urgent care physician at CorrectMed Pediatrics.  He is a board certified pediatrician and is boarded in pediatric emergency and medicine.  After working in the emergency room for 25 years, Dr. Goo and his family felt that a better model of healthcare was needed.  With that in mind, CorrectMed Pediatrics was founded.  Click HERE for more information on Dr. Goo and CorrectMed Pediatrics.

Visit Dr. Goo’s Corner often for the latest blogs and tips from Dr. Goo!

You can Like Dr. Goo on Facebook or Follow him on Twitter.

Warmer Temperatures Leave Boxelders Confused

With the abnormal temperatures this Winter we are seeing abnormal pest movement.  Boxelders are typically a pest that is active in the colder months when they enter homes for warmth and food.  Although temperatures are warmer than usual, we are still getting calls about boxelder bugs being in people’s homes.

The best time to have an exterminator treat for boxelder bugs is in the fall when they are trying to find shelter. Boxelder bugs like to overwinterize in warm areas, cracks and crevices of trees, rocks, and other natural areas. Our homes are a perfect habitat for them.

In the fall, it is best to apply a repellant, such as NorPest Green, that would keep them out of the structure.  A micro cap is an alternative option that is effective but cause the insects to die inside the structure. Our pest professionals will use NorPest Green along the walls and voids of a structure and/or a type of illumination device that can be used in the attic with a glue board can also help in the elimination of boxelders.

But since Spring is around the corner and we continue to have calls for these pests, a micro cap is the best option.  A micro cap works well in the Spring because it allows the pest to escape and die outside rather than inside the home.  Now is the ideal time to ensure that your home is properly sealed and caulked with expandable foam.  Using screens on doors and windows can also be beneficial.

In the Summer months, a mosquito application helps keep numbers down since they like to go through their molts on vegetation such as Maple trees and grape vines.

Have you been seeing boxelders inside your home? 

Has the abnormal temperatures affected your home in any other ways?

Why Do Mosquitoes Love Me So Much?

It’s a question that people always ask themselves.  “Why do mosquitoes seem to like me better than everyone else?”  It’s not in your head…mosquitoes are more attracted to some people than others.  Mosquito season is right around the corner so it’s important to know what is drawing these blood-suckers your way.

Signals that attract mosquitoes:

  • Body heat – blood circulation causes your body to radiate heat
  • Carbon dioxide – if you’re breathing, you’re producing it
  • Movement – when objects move, they produce changes in waves of light that act as signals for mosquitoes
  • Smell – sweating, exercising or eating/drinking certain foods (beer is a big culprit) produces lactic acid which is an attractant
  • Color – mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors, the darker your clothing, the more likely you are to be bothered

According to scientists, just one of these attractants isn’t enough for mosquitoes to react – a combination of these attractants is what gets the mosquitoes surrounding you.

Mosquitoes are known to spread diseases.  Northwest Exterminating‘s Green Mosquito Control can protect you and your family from their bites.  Call us at 888.466.7849 or visit us online for more information.

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