Diseases Caused by Pests

With our commitment to healthier living and working environments, we at Northwest understand the importance of good pest management for personal health. Living in a hygienic environment and minimizing exposure to unwanted pests can literally save lives. For instance, the lives of twenty-five million Europeans during the Late Middle Ages were claimed by fleas that had spread the bubonic plague. They managed this feat by using another pest as a host – rats! Modern improvements on hygiene, sanitation and pest management have dramatically reduced the impact of this disease.

 

Another more common disease brought on by insects is Lyme disease. This disease is carried by the deer tick in the form of a bacterium called Borrelia bugdorferi. If a deer tick bites you, the bacterium enters the bloodstream and will lead to skin rash and in extreme cases, paralysis. When caught early, antibiotics can eliminate the bacteria before it causes furthermore harm.

Mosquitoes in particular can carry a host of diseases such as dengue fever, malaria, pogosta disease, and West Nile virus. They carry similar traits in that when infected, a person will experience a fever indicating that more serious effects are on the way such as meningitis or arthritis.  All these diseases can lead to death if not caught or treated properly. For some of these diseases, the best form of prevention is pest management. Northwest Exterminating provides solutions to reduce the presence of mosquitoes in and around your home or work environment.

If you come in contact with a pest and feel you may have been exposed to any disease, be sure to immediately seek medical attention. Many of these diseases, as well as others such as malaria or rabies can be treated when caught early.

Melissa Brown
[email protected]

Sources:

http://www.si.edu/Encyclopedia_SI/nmnh/buginfo/diseases.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_diseases_caused_by_insects

 

Spiders are Here for the Holidays!

Common house spiders have made their way back into the comforts of your warm home this winter season.  Luckily, house spiders are a nuisance pest more than anything, meaning that your biggest concern is really the webs that they leave behind rather than the threat of the spider itself.

Spiders do not survive very long in modern homes with low humidity and that are pest free.  Without insects to feed on they cannot survive.  (This is just one of many reasons to make sure that your pest control stays up-to-date).  However, spiders do thrive in places with high humidity and insects to feed on such as garages, sheds, warehouses, basements, etc.

Spiders are often found in a home in corners, window frames, along baseboards, in garages, and close to light sources.  Dusting webs and keeping your pest control up to date can help you in keeping spiders out of your home.

For pest control, call Northwest Exterminating at 888.466.7849 or visit us online at www.callnorthwest.com

Bon Appetit?: A Different Type of Insect Bites

Normally, an invitation from a friend to go out to lunch will be met with enthusiastic acceptance. However, if your friend tells you that bugs are on the menu, you’ll probably take a rain check. Here in the U.S. most people go great lengths to avoid creepy crawlers in the kitchen, but other countries around the world have a different view.

In some countries, dishes featuring insects are delicacies, so these meals are a rare and unusual treat, much like escargot and caviar. Grasshoppers are the favorite insect to eat, being included in the diets of some people from Latin America, Japan, Africa and the Middle East. Other insect treats include wasp larvae, silk moth pupae, and termites. Some brave students over at Princeton University decided to give it a try, though they described their silkworm treat as “surprisingly bland.”

One researcher states “insects have been a delicacy… not only because of their delicious flavor, but also because they provide a more complete protein… and are concentrated sources of calcium, magnesium, potassium and many other nutrients.” So not only do some people think they taste good, but some insects are also good for you – better than soy, meat, and fish! In addition, insect farming is ecologically less damaging than raising animals for human consumption. At Northwest Exterminating, we have a different type of recipe when it comes to insects. Our goal is also to reduce our impact on the environment while protecting your home from unwanted pests.

Sources:

http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/2795548-insects-are-worldwide-delicacies

http://blogs.princeton.edu/paw/2010/11/bugging_out_stu.html

Melissa Brown
[email protected]

Live Christmas Trees and Insects

For many families, a live Christmas tree is part of the Christmas tradition in their household.  Whether you are chopping down a Christmas tree yourself at a Christmas tree farm or buying one that has already been cut, Christmas trees can bring much more than holiday spirit and that infamous Christmas smell to your home.

Christmas trees can often serve as homes to insects and birds. Although this can be unnerving to think about, with careful inspection you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.  The insects that make themselves at home in trees often can not survive in the warmth of your home.  In this case, it is best to wait for the insects to die and vacuum them up.

Other insects that are overwintering in your tree may confuse the warmth of your home for spring time and begin to hatch or come out of hibernation. This is why it is so important to thoroughly inspect your tree when picking it out.  Take a look at each branch for signs of insects.  If you see insects, simply remove them.  If you see a large amount of insects, it is probably best to choose another tree.  Make sure to vigorously shake your tree before bringing it into your home.  This will dislodge any insects that may be in your tree.

Most importantly, do not spray your tree with an insect repellant.  These products are highly flammable and could be dangerous with the lights and decoration you put on your tree.

If you are concerned about insects brought into your home by your Christmas tree, call the experts at Northwest Exterminating.

"The Pest Detectives" Free eBook

Pests may not be something that intrigues most adults but most kids enjoy watching and learning about insects and other bugs.  If you have a pest explorer in your home, we have just the read for you.
PestWorld.org has a FREE eBook where your little explorer can join “Millie, an 8 year old insect lover, as she solves real-life pest mysteries with her father, a pest professional.”  Your kids can follow Millie and her dad as they help Mrs. Romero identify the pest in her home, where they came from, and a treatment plan to get rid of the pests.
Download this FREE eBook today…you and your kids will both enjoy this pest mystery!
 

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