As I am traveling later today to Palm Desert, CA for a Tuesday morning television appearance, I am adding this entry today instead of Tuesday for I don’t know how much writing time I will have tomorrow.

I will be discussing mosquitoes, West Nile Virus and prevention tips on Tuesday, June 24 between 5:30 a.m. and 5:45 a.m. Pacific on KPSP-CBS 2. Their website is www.cbstv2.com.

Now, if you are 40 or under in this country, when you hear the word Flea, you probably think of the guitarist from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. However, with summer on the horizon, the only flea that should be top of mind is the kind that can cause problems for humans and animals alike.

The most common species of flea found throughout America is the cat flea, a reddish brown insect that feeds on cats, dogs, rodents, skunks, raccoons and other animals. Despite only being 1/16 of an inch in length, they can host tapeworms and quickly spread diseases if not controlled. More common than dog fleas, they may be found on dogs or cats and they nest in areas where dust or organic debris accumulate.

The best defense for pet owners from cat fleas is to take special care to wash pet bedding and vacuum and clean floors frequently. Active areas inside and outside of your home can be treated by your local pest control professional.

Meanwhile, the adult flea should be taken seriously by more than just animals. These reddish brown to black pests were responsible for the Black Plague that killed over 100 million people during the 14^th century. They are pests of humans and domestic animals all over the world. Their larva feeds on organic debris and animal blood, while adults feed on human or other animal blood. They transmit diseases such as Plaque and Murine Typhus.

Some suggestions for dealing with adult fleas include:

• Monitor areas to confirm whether a large indoor flea population exists.

• Protect yourself. Wear long pants tucked into your socks or boots. Use an insect repellent on pant legs and footwear.

• Remove any wildlife nesting in or under the building.

• Remove organic debris from the exterior of the property.

• Treat any pets that might have a flea infestation. A veterinarian may be required to control fleas on heavily infested animals.

• Vacuum or steam clean infested areas. Often fleas live indoors in carpets; thoroughly clean carpets. In uncarpeted areas, vacuum along baseboards, under furniture, behind doors, or in areas where dust collects and flea eggs are protected from foot traffic.

• Apply an insecticide, if needed. Follow all label directions and wear appropriate protective clothing.

• Call your local pest control professional if the problem persists.

By following these simple precautions and noticing the first sign of a flea outbreak, you can begin to relax and enjoy the summer season.

Has your favorite pet been exposed to fleas previously? Have you ever attended a flea circus? Feel free to share…

Barry The Bug Guy

SPLAT! If you’re over the age of 16 and have driven in Florida on the Turnpike during the summer, you’ve definitely encountered a flock of love bugs (not to be confused with A Flock of Seagulls and no, there is no truth to the urban legend that the insect was created in a University of Florida genetic lab). In fact, by the time you reach your destination, there are hundreds of acidic marks on your windshield that can affect the paint on your car if not washed off.

Yet, something is different in 2008. I just read a story that love bugs are mysteriously disappearing this year. A drier-than-normal May is the reason most experts believe the insects have not yet exploded on the scene like they normally do.

It seems likely that as rain picks up this summer, the love bugs will return in droves as they always do, people will begin refilling their windshield wiper fluid, and all will be okay with the world.

Speaking of low numbers, while we’ve only had eight cases of West Nile Virus in the U.S. in 2008 as of today (including Arizona, Texas and Oklahoma), it’s important to be prepared and take precautions that will help prevent mosquitoes from ruining your summer.

Disrupting mosquito breeding grounds is the key in helping to prevent the spread of West Nile or any other mosquito-borne virus. It is important to drain any sources of standing water in the yard. In addition, emptying old flower pots, tires and other containers of water can also help prevent the spread. Still water is a magnet for breeding mosquitoes.

Besides removing still water, any attempt to prevent mosquito bites should also include the following elements:

• From now until October, minimize your time spent outdoors, especially at dawn and early evening, when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.
• Apply insect repellent repeatedly to exposed skin and clothing.
• Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens.

I will be discussing mosquitoes, West Nile Virus and my prevention tips this Thursday, June 19 at 12:45 p.m. Central on KVIA-ABC 7, which is in El Paso, TX and reaches Las Cruces, NM as well. Their website is www.kvia.com.

Las Cruces is near and dear to my heart, as I have been fortunate to have a weekly column in the Las Cruces Bulletin since January 2007. I encourage you to visit their website at www.lascrucesbulletin.com, as the newspaper is one of the countries’ best weeklies.

Do you miss the love bugs? Does the name Herbie mean anything to you? Do you know anyone who has ever been affected by West Nile Virus? Let me know…

Barry the Bug Guy

I was recently asked to help diagnose a potted plant issue that was causing some stress for a woman in New Mexico. With an arena for basketball in New Mexico affectionately nicknamed “The Pit”, my first thought was perhaps it was something in the air that was causing problems.

Then I examined the problem a little more closely. The woman bought a cheap bag of potting soil and transplanted a plant they had received as a gift. The plant died, but not in a normal plant way. Instead, the plant became slimy, began to rot and fell over.

As there are no warning labels on potted soil bags, it was probably an unforeseen circumstance that something like this could happen. Therefore, here are some reasons why this may have occurred:

For starters, a potted plant has a very limited amount of space and soil to grow; therefore, the plant will normally die if there’s an issue with the soil. Research at the University of Arizona suggests the most common cause of bad soil is a build-up of salts. Whether it’s fertilizers or tap water, small deposits can become a huge problem over a period of time. A great sign that there may be a salt issue with your plant is when a white crust appears on your pot rim or sides. Fortunately, the plant can be cured of the build-up by running a slightly-warm water in the amount three to four times a normal watering through your pot. The drainage hole will allow the dissolved excess salts to exit your plant. Doing this every three to four months can make a huge difference in your plant’s life expectancy.

A second possibly could be if the soil has been over watered. Slow-growing plants can be easily damaged if too much water is applied. Excess water has difficulty draining, which will cause roots to become injured and eventually rot. It is important to keep track of when you are watering your plants so as not to end up over watering them.

A by-product of soggy soil is the attraction of insect pests. From aphids, red spider mites and white flies to springtails and gnats, these insects can cause a whole slew of problems for your plant if not treated quickly. For most insect plant problems, general-purpose houseplant dusts and sprays and should do the trick, but your local pest control professional can also provide helpful advice.

While not everyone has a green thumb, hopefully these helpful tips will keep your plants on the right path to a long and fruitful life without worrying about any recurring soil issues.

Do you have any plant horror stories? Have you ever had an invasion of insects that took out a plant in record time? Or do you possess the Midas touch and have your own plant tips? I’d love to hear from you…

Barry The Bug Guy

The 2008 hurricane season began June 1, and with one named Tropical Storm (Arthur) already in the books, opportunistic pests will be looking for a chance to invade and infest homes. Much like your in-laws, you’re not going to want these pests to pay you a visit.

Did you know the high winds and flooding brought on by a hurricane create new breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes, termites, and other pests and dangerous species such as fire ants and brown recluse spiders seeking shelter and food?

While 2006 and 2007 were fairly quiet hurricane years, people all around the United States discovered firsthand in 2004 (Charley, Frances, Ivan, Jeanne) and 2005 (Katrina, Rita, Wilma) the destruction hurricanes can bring. From an insect perspective, the biggest problems we see during hurricanes and floods are standing water which is a fertile breeding ground for mosquitoes. In fact, the mosquito larvae feed on the organic matter in standing water and this can lead to an outbreak of the West Nile virus in areas where West Nile is present in the mosquito population.

Another nuisance is a species of fruit rat (also known as a ‘roof rat’) that normally feeds on fruit, but when trees are damaged or destroyed during a hurricane, the rodents will enter a home in search of a new food source. Rats can fit through an opening the size of a quarter and mice can squeeze through a hole the size of a dime. People may not realize that rodents are the number one cause of accidental electrical fires.

Insects can find opportunity when a roof is not intact. A roof that has been damaged in a hurricane provides easy access for a variety of insect pests. Insects are not a lot different than humans. They’re seeking safe harbor in a more pleasant environment.

I encourage homeowners to consider these helpful pest control tips when making their hurricane plan:

• Address low-lying areas on your property that need to be drained to properly prevent long term accumulation of standing water.

• Seal any openings or repair damage in the roof, walls, or windows of your home to keep out insects.

• Overturn plant pots, bird feeders and other containers that could create mosquito breeding grounds.

• Secure any trash containers so discarded foodstuff are not scattered by the winds and become magnets for rats and other pests.

• Trim overgrown grass or shrub areas before a hurricane to prevent those areas from becoming pest refuges during and after a storm.

Do you have any additional questions about how best to stave off insects during a storm? Have you ever had a close encounter with an insect during a tropical storm or hurricane that gave you a case of the willies? Has Flick from A Bug’s Life been to your Hurricane Party? Let me know…

Barry The Bug Guy