WebMD's Bad Bugs Slideshow

Sep 12, 2012 | Pest Control

We know that bugs are gross and unsanitary but did you also know that they can be bad for our health.  WebMD discusses some of the worst bugs and the potential harm they can do to our health:

  • Ticks –Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and allergic reactions.
  • Black Widow Spiders – Poisonous.
  • Brown Recluse Spiders – Poisonous, can cause serious wounds, infection, and in some cases can be deadly.
  • Head Lice – Itchiness can lead to infection, loss of hair.
  • Fleas – Itchiness can lead to infection.
  • Bee, Wasp, Hornet, Yellow Jacket – Painful sting, and can cause allergic reaction.
  • Fire Ants – Painful sting, venomous, red bumps that burn and itch, and can cause allergic reaction.
  • Chiggers – Itchy red welts.
  • Scabies – Itchiness, sores.
  • Bedbugs – Itchy, red bumps,  can develop infection from scratching, and can cause allergic reaction.
  • Puss Caterpillar – Poisonous, painful sting, rash, fever, vomiting, and muscle cramps.
  • Scorpions – Poisonous, painful, and can be deadly.
  • Deerflies – Infection, and Tularemia.
  • Mosquitoes – West Nile virus, dengue fever, other diseases, and scratching can cause skin infection.
  • Houseflies – Carries more than 1 million bacteria, intestinal infections by contaminating food.
  • Cockroaches – Salmonella and other diseases, dead carcasses can trigger allergic reactions and asthma.

Tips to prevent feeling the sting of these health issues:

  • Make sure your home is treated by a professional exterminator.  A professional can diagnose current problems, and prevent new issues from coming into your home efficiently and effectively.
  • Wear long clothing when outdoors.
  • Wear DEET repellant when outdoors.
  • Keep a clean, sanitary home and yard.  This will prevent insects from seeing your home as a place for them to call home.

For more information on these insects and their health hazards, visit WebMD: Bad Bugs Slideshow: Identifying Bugs and Their Bites.

 If you think you may have been bitten or stung by any of the insects above, please take note of  your body’s reaction and seek medical assistance immediately.

 

 

Preventing Head Lice

Sep 5, 2012 | Pest Control

With kids being settled back into the school year, September is the perfect time of year for Head Lice Prevention Month.  Here are some tips on how to keep head lice from bugging your household:

  • Avoid sharing clothing or other belongings that might have come in contact with lice or nits (lice eggs).
  • Avoid head-to-head contact.
  • Do not share hats, brushes, combs, hair accessories, helmets, coats, or other pieces that come in contact with someone’s hair.
  • To disinfect combs, brushes, or towels that have come in contact with lice, soak them in hot water for 5-10 minutes.
  • Avoid laying on linens, pillows, or carpets where someone with lice has recently been.
  • Wash and dry clothing, linens, or towels that have come into contact with someone infected with lice during the 2 days prior to treatment.  Wash and dry on the highest heat.
  • Vacuum carpet and furniture where a person with lice has recently come in contact.

Using the simple tips above can help prevent the spread of lice from one household to another.  For more information on preventing head lice visit the CDC’s website.

Other useful blogs about head lice:

September is Head Lice Prevention Month
School Has Started…So Has Lice

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