PSA: Common Household Pests Incite Allergies & Asthma

PestWorld.org and The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America have teamed up for a public service announcement to warn homeowner’s of the dangers of allergens in the home caused by pests and rodents.  Common household pests such as cockroaches and mice are responsible for inciting allergies and aggravating asthma.  In fact, 63% of homes contain cockroach allergens.  That number increases to 78%-98% in urban areas.  82% of homes have asthma triggers spread by mice.
Watch NPMA’s public service announcement below:

Keep your family (children are especially at risk) and home safe by keeping your home pest free, call Northwest Exterminating. For more information visit pestworld.org or The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
The NPMA will donate $1 to The AAFA for each new Facebook LIKE (HERE) until Sept, 15th.  Go LIKE them…and LIKE Northwest Exterminating (HERE) while you’re there!
SOURCE

What's Eating At Your House?

Carpenter Bee Damage Source: NPMA

Carpenter Bee Damage Source: NPMA

There’s been a lot of buzz (pun intended) on our blog about carpenter bees and termites.  It’s termite season so we always want to keep our readers aware of the potential risks and damage that termites can cause.  And carpenter bees are our Pest of the Month for the month of April.  Both of these wood-boring pests should be taken seriously due to the great amount of damage that they can cause.

Carpenter bees eat through soft woods where they make their nests and lay their eggs inside the tunnels.  This can cause damage to decks, eaves, porches, or even support beams in your home.  Luckily, they are rarely a threat to humans.  Males don’t have stingers but do tend to be aggressive toward other bees, animals, or humans that are near their nests.  The female carpenter bee has a stinger but rarely uses it.

 

Termite Damage Source: NPMA

Termite Damage Source: NPMA

Termites (March’s Pest of the Month) are working 24/7 to find food…and unfortunately for us, their food is typically the wood that was used to build our homes.  Without termite protection, your home could be at risk for severe damage.  Termites are responsible for more than $2 of damage to homes in the US each year.  Like carpenter bees, termites often leave a trail of wood that can serve as a tell-tale sign that they are there.

Whether you have carpenter bees or termites, you should contact a licensed pest professional.  Not only will they be able to correctly identify the insect but they will be able to develop a customized plan that is specific to your home and your situation.  By doing this, you are ensuring that the problem is diagnosed correctly, that the correct product, if any, is being used correctly and safely, and that proper steps are taken to ensure that the issue does not reoccur.  Northwest Exterminating and our highly trained pest professionals will be glad to come to your home and do a free inspection of your home.  Just give us a call at 888.466.7849 or visit us at www.callnorthwest.com

3 New Cockroach Species Discovered

Source

NBCNews.com has reported that researchers found three new cockroaches to add to a list of more than 4,000 living species in the world. These yellow-bodied creatures are the first of the genus Pseudophoraspism to be found in China.

In the United States, there are about 70 cockroach species, with German cockroaches being the most common.

Experts at the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) encourage homeowners to practice good sanitation to prevent a cockroach infestation. Specifically, people should keep garbage in sealed containers, check under appliances and sinks for moisture, properly ventilate crawl spaces and seal cracks around the outside of the home.

– http://www.pestworld.org/news-and-views/pest-news/news/three-new-cockroach-species-discovered/

For more information on common cockroaches found in the US, visit out PEST ID page by clicking HERE.

 

4 Diseases Caused by Rodent Droppings

4 Diseases Caused by Rodent Droppings

The NPMA recently posted an article on their website that explained the dangers that rodents can cause to your home and your health.  We often talk in our blogs about the unsanitary conditions and the property damage that a rodent infestation can lead to but we rarely discuss the health risks that are involved.

Rodents, such as mice and rats, can leave droppings that can spread bacteria, contaminate food, and cause allergic reactions.  Droppings can also spread diseases and viruses such as the following:

  • Hantavirus – “Hantavirus is a potentially life-threatening disease transmitted to humans by rodents—primarily, the white-footed deer mouse. People become infected through exposure or inhalation of infected rodent urine, droppings or saliva, and the chances increase when people are near spaces where rodents are actively living.”
  • Bubonic plague – “…is usually spread by the bite of an infected rodent flea and can cause fever, headache and painfully swollen lymph nodes.”
  • Salmonellosis – Salmonellosis is a type of food poisoning spread by rodent feces, especially through the consumption of contaminated food. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever and abdominal pain.”
  • Rat-Bite Fever – “Rat-bite fever (RBF) is a potentially fatal infectious disease spread by infected rodents or the consumption of food contaminated by rodents.”

To read the full article or get more information on the diseases above click HERE.

Please don’t take chances with the health of you or your loved ones.  If you have rodents in your home, call a licensed exterminator, Northwest Exterminating, to get rid of the rodents in your home.

Source: http://www.pestworld.org/news-and-views/pest-articles/articles/health-threats-posed-by-rodents/

NPMA's Top 5 Pests of Summer

 

The NPMA recently released the results of a survey that listed the Top 5 Pests of the Summer for homeowners.  The results are not too surprising to us here at Northwest Exterminating.

  1. Mosquitoes
  2. Ants
  3. Ticks
  4. Wasps & hornets
  5. Spiders

Along with being an annoyance, these pests can cause health and sanitary issues for homeowners and their families.  Stings, bites, and disease are all risks that come with such pests.  Luckily, with good housekeeping and an exterminator that you can trust, you can rest easy.

The NPMA has offered tips to avoid these pests throughout the summer:

  • Clean out all parts of your kitchen where food products are stored to ensure that there are no crumbs or spills. Keep foods like cereal, crackers and cookies in sealed containers. This eliminates the food supply that attracts ants, mice, and cockroaches.
  • Dust and vacuum regularly to prevent cobwebs and the spiders that weave them.

CLICK HERE to view the rest of the tips to avoid these summer pests.

Do you agree with the Top 5 pest results?

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