Cockroaches can cause asthma

The National Pest Management Association is contributing to National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month this May and warning homeowners against the dangers of cockroaches.

The NPMA recommends homeowners seal the cracks and holes surrounding their home, properly ventilate basements and other crawl spaces, and keep garbage and other food items away from living areas.

"Cockroach droppings, saliva, shed skin and other body parts contain potent allergen proteins known to cause allergic reactions and exacerbate asthma symptoms, especially in children," said Dr. Jorge Parada, medical spokesperson for the NPMA. "Unfortunately, people who are exposed to these allergens during childhood are at an increased risk for bronchial hyperresponsiveness and asthma problems later in life."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 25.7 million people, including 7.1 million children, have asthma.

Pest control companies across the country will likely have their hands full this month as National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month works to bring the information of cockroach influence on the issue to light. In addition to other pest situations, cockroach infestations can be attributed to warm weather, which many parts of the country have experienced lately.

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Beetle threatens California avocado trees

The avocado industry in California could be negatively affected by the presence of a new beetle.

According to a report from The Los Angeles Times, the Tea Shot Hole Borer has been detected in avocado trees found in several communities in southern California. The beetle spreads a fungus that scars the tree bark and causes branches to shrivel up and die.

A report from The Press-Enterprise revealed the bug was identified by a researcher at the University of California, Riverside and the damage done by it could be severe, with Riverside County's avocado crop valued at $24 million in 2010 alone.

As a result, members of the California Avocado Commission as well as members of other growers' organizations met on May 8 to discuss the situation.

“We’re just trying to understand what the problem actually is,” Scott Bauwens, of West Pak Avocado in Temecula, told The Press-Enterprise. “Everyone is racing to this meeting, because California has done a good job of localizing pests.”

In Florida, a similar infestation is under way, troubling pest control companies across the state. The Redbay Ambrosia Beetle is spreading the laurel wilt, a deadly tree disease that affects avocado trees in Miami-Dade County and elsewhere in South Florida.

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New termite plagues Floridians

In Florida, pest control companies have their work cut out for them with the infestation of a new type of termite.

According to Tampa ABC affiliate WFTS, the Nasutitermes corniger termite is a native of the Caribbean, but cases have been popping up throughout South Florida and homeowners are turning to the experts for help.

"You don't know what the potential is that it can harm us until it goes rampant," the owner of one area pest control company told the news source. "Then you're dealing with something that you have no control over."

If the termite continues to spread to South Florida homes, it would become the state's 21st species to threaten businesses and homes, the news source stated, and it would also increase the termite population by 30 percent.

Mosquitoes are also causing problems for Florida residents. According to Bloomberg Businessweek, the bugs are causing the dengue fever, which is common in more than 100 countries but just recently appeared in the United States, with cases cropping up in Miami last year and in Key West in 2009 and 2010.

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Pennsylvania detects virus-carrying mosquito

Pennsylvania has reported the earliest detection of a mosquito that carries the West Nile virus since testing began 12 years ago.

Citizens throughout the state are urged to be aware and use any methods possible to avoid contracting the disease found in a mosquito that was discovered May 3 in Exeter Township, Berks County.

"The unseasonably warm weather in March caused the virus cycle to begin early this year," said Mike Krancer, Department of Environmental Protection Secretary. "Our staff will continue to monitor mosquito populations and conduct spraying to reduce the threat to public health."

Department of Health Secretary Dr. Eli Avila added there is no human vaccine for the West Nile virus and the best method to avoid the disease is to take the typical precautions against mosquito bites.

Mosquito infestations occur across the country and pest control companies across Pennsylvania often deal with other pests, including bed bugs, ticks, termites and more. Many of these insects can spread from the home to the office or school, which is why proactive measures should be taken to prevent the spread of infestation.

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Utah event brings consumers, pest control companies together

Utah's recovering economy has led to one area pest control company reporting a surge in business.

According to The Salt Lake Tribune, the lawn care and pest control company is hoping the uptick in business is not just an aberration and the trend will continue as more Utah homeowners are coming out of the woodwork and reporting their various pest issues.

"It’s easier to convince people of the benefits of doing things organically now," the lawn care and pest control company owner told the news source.

The Live Green Event brought consumers interested in being greener together and attracted roughly 5,000 people, the news source stated, with Alaina Caudillo, member advocate for the ReDirect Guide, telling the source they have gained much support from the local community.

One of the most common types of pest infestation is related to bed bugs. After virtually falling off the map over the past 50 years, the bugs have come back with a vengeance and reports are ramping up across the country, including in Utah.

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San Francisco family concerned about possible bed bug infestation

The parents of one San Francisco boy recently wrote into a pest control expert with the San Francisco Chronicle about why their son is waking up with red itchy bites and what steps to take next.

Richard Fagerlund, who has 42 years of experience in the pest control industry, responded to the concerned parents, saying bed bugs make their presence felt by leaving small fecal spots on the sheets they infest. However, if those signs aren't there, then the bites could be the result of something else.

"Fleas don't bite in group patterns as you described – the bites would be random on the body – and other people in the house would be bitten as well," Fagerlund writes. "It could be bird mites if you have pigeons or other birds in your house or rat mites if there are rats in the house."

California residents who are concerned about bed bugs and want to learn how to prevent them can attend a one-day seminar led by a leading pest control company. The Sleep Tight Academy will take place at the Joan and Ray Kroc Center in San Francisco on June 8 and will offer the latest in training techniques and related information on the pest.

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New York reports drop in bed bug cases

A leading bed bug control company has released data analysis that shows the number of bed bug complaints in New York has dropped.

The city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development reported a drop in called-in bed bug infestations with 649 recorded in Manhattan in 2011 compared with 846 the year before.

Overall complaints to the city's HPD were down 12 percent to 9,029 in this fiscal year, compared with 10,241 for the same period last fiscal year, according to New York NBC affiliate WNBC.

In addition, one leading pest control company is reporting a change in tone of its customers' voices from panic to acceptance.

"I think the hysteria has gone down," Natalie Raben, with the firm, told the news source. "People have gotten used to bedbugs. It's not as shocking anymore."

However, bed bug and other pest infestations remain an issue for many New Yorkers as well as those across the country. Bed bugs can spread through clothing, backpacks and apparel, which is why proactive control efforts should be implemented immediately.

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Massachusetts forum on bed bugs planned

In Massachusetts, homeowners will have the opportunity to learn how to get rid of their bed bug problems at a forum planned for June 15.

The Cambridge Health Alliance and Community Action Agency of Somerville will host the forum, which also will serve as a workshop for those interested in ridding their lives of the pesky critters.

Melissa McWhinney, a CAAS spokeswoman, told the Town Correspondent that the summit will feature presentations from experts and discussions about the best possible approach to get rid of the bugs.

The forum is set for 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Tufts University in Medford.

Homeowners elsewhere can get their hands on the Bed Bugs Removal Guide to help with their pest control efforts. Oftentimes, bed bug infestation starts in the home and can spread to the office and elsewhere via clothing and other materials.

The guide provides information on not only how to identify the bugs but also how to get rid of them and prevent further infestation. The United States was rid of the bugs for more than 50 years but they have come back and are more prevalent than ever.

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Lyme disease prevention tips

With May being Lyme Disease Awareness Month, pest control experts across the country are educating individuals on how to prevent infestations from ticks.

According to the Muskego Patch, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed more than 30,000 probable or confirmed cases of the disease in 2010 and more than 250,000 cases have been reported since the late 1990s.

May is also a common month for tick infestations and Lyme disease with experts suggesting individuals toss excess leaves, grass and fire wood and turn over large items in children's sandboxes to uncover any possible tick activity.

In Massachusetts, Governor Deval Patrick is celebrating May as Flower and Nursery Month and is urging citizens to encourage their younger family members and students to take a proactive approach to the state's agriculture industry.

“It gives me great pleasure to recognize a $2 billion industry that helps to beautify Massachusetts and kick-off a program that will help enhance the outdoor learning experience for students here at the Mather School,” Patrick said. “I encourage everyone to go out and ‘Plant Something.’”

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California experts weigh in on citrus pest

Experts dealing with the citrus pest plaguing California farmers and citizens are plotting their next step.

According to the Ventura County Star, mass pesticide spraying already occurred in an effort to rid the state of the citrus pest, but state agriculture experts maintain that treatment is unlikely to happen again.

However, there are still effective ways that California farmers can prevent the spread of the citrus pest throughout the state.

"The psyllid moves if you buy a tree," Ted Batkin, president of the California Citrus Research Board in Visalia, told the news source. "If you live in Ventura County, don't go down to L.A. County and buy a tree. If people continue to do that, they will find psyllids."

It's been nearly two months since the first case of the citrus pest to cause damage to the California agricultural community was reported on a backyard citrus tree in the Hacienda Heights area of Los Angeles County.

According to The Press-Enterprise, the bug was also detected in Jurupa Valley, where pest control efforts were made and ground treatment was started to rid the area of the Asian citrus psyllid that spreads citrus greening disease.

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