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Insect Control

Mosquitos and You

March 11th, 2016 by ifiadmin

Aedes_aegypti_mosquitoMosquitoes spreading the Zika Virus is one of the hottest topics on the national news. Before that it was West Nile Virus.

It’s believed that 4 in 5 people with the virus don’t show any symptoms, and the primary transmitter for the disease, the Aedes mosquito species, is both widespread and challenging to eliminate. That means that fighting Zika requires raising awareness on how people can protect themselves. Google, whose mission is helping people find information, is providing UNICEF with a $1 million grant to help their efforts in analyzing, mapping and getting out information on the virus.

First, we were told to not worry because Zika Virus would not come to the U.S. A month later, the Zika virus was discovered in Texas, but not to worry because it would not come to the Midwest. A few weeks later, a woman in Indiana was diagnosed with the Zika Virus, but not to worry because it won’t come to Michigan. Then, a week later it was diagnosed in a woman in Lansing.

Zika Virus is spreading throughout the U.S. almost as quick as the promises by the presidential candidates. Zika Virus causes severe, permanent neurological disorders. It is spread by mosquitoes and once in the human system, it can be spread via sex.

Mosquitoes are the largest threat to our health. There were 5 confirmed cases of West Nile Virus in Michigan last September. While our mosquito program cannot eliminate every mosquito or prevent any diseases, it significantly reduces the mosquito population. You will be able to enjoy the outdoors and not get eaten alive.

Zika Virus is found in Michigan

February 24th, 2016 by Tuff Turf Molebusters

#ZikaVirus

February 18th, 2016 by Tuff Turf Molebusters

Zika Virus

February 10th, 2016 by Tuff Turf Molebusters

Mosquitoes are the most dangerous creatures on Earth

January 30th, 2016 by Tuff Turf Molebusters

Mosquitoes Play Genetic Favorites

October 16th, 2015 by Tuff Turf Molebusters

A twin study suggests that the blood-sucking insects are more attracted to people with certain genes.

People who claim that mosquitoes just love them may be onto something. According to a new study of a few dozen pairs of twins, genetics may play a role in whose blood a mosquito chooses to dine on.

“Twins that were identical were very similar in their level of attractiveness to mosquitoes, and twins that were [not identical] were very different in their level of attractiveness,” study coauthor James Logan, a medical entomologist at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, told NPR’s Shots. “So it suggests that the trait for being attractive or unattractive to mosquitoes is genetically controlled.” Logan and his colleagues published their results in April in PLOS ONE.

The fact that mosquitoes—specifically, female mosquitoes, which feed on blood to nourish their eggs—are more attracted to some people than others has been long established. And genetics are not the only factor involved. For some reason, mosquitoes find pregnant women particularly attractive, and people infected with the malaria parasite appear to attract the most insects during the period of the parasite’s life cycle that it is most transmissible. There are also some people that just seem to “smell differently to mosquitoes,” Logan told NPR. The new study suggests a genetic basis for this different scent.

Logan and his colleagues compared mosquitoes’ attraction to 18 pairs of identical twins and 19 pairs of fraternal twins by having the siblings stick their hands in either side of a Y-shaped tube. Aedes aegypti were then released from the long arm of the Y. While the mosquitoes showed no preferences among genetically identical twins, they often preferred one fraternal twin over the other. Logan now plans to investigate which genes may be behind the difference.

 

“Once we identify the genes involved, we may be able to screen populations to better predict the likely level of risk of being bitten, which is directly correlated to transmission of diseases like malaria and dengue,”

 

National Mosquito Awareness Week

June 24th, 2015 by Tuff Turf Molebusters

This week is National Mosquito Awareness Week.  There are 3 D’s to protection from mosquitoes.  Drain, Dress, & Defend.    mosquito fact sheet

Protecting your property from Mosquitoes

June 11th, 2015 by Tuff Turf Molebusters

Pyrethrins are a class of natural insecticides produced from dried chrysanthemum blooms.   Pyrethrins work by penetrating the nervous system of insects. Small doses of pyrethrin are very effective against insects with exoskeletons. Humans and animals do not have exoskeletons, so it does not affect nervous systems the same. Pyrethrins are often used in pet shampoos to kill fleas and ticks. Apply a pyrethrin based product as a light spray in shady areas where mosquitoes land, such as in bushes, mulch or under decks. The residual will typically last about a month and kill insects that pass through it or land on it. In addition to spraying, you can protect your yard from mosquitoes by:

  • Eliminating standing water on your property. Check your gutters, drains, flowerpots, and even bird baths.  Anywhere water stands is a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
  • Use insect repellent when you are going to be outside (especially true from dusk until dawn when mosquitoes are most active.)  Repellents that include DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus are the most effective.
  • Wear light, long sleeve shirts and pants when you are going to be outside for an extended amount of time (especially from dusk until dawn.)  Mosquitoes are drawn to heat and carbon dioxide (which is why it is important to wear lighter clothing so your heat signature isn’t too great.)
  • Use air conditioning or make sure there are screens on all doors and windows (and they are in good repair) to keep mosquitoes from entering the home.

Finding pyrethrin products in the hardware store is easy. Finding the time to apply them is the challenge. That is why many of our customers rely on the Mosquito Abatement program.  Our program is very effective and allows our clients to enjoy being outside without being eaten alive.

First grub of the year

April 9th, 2014 by Tuff Turf Molebusters

Grubs are already mature and feeding on the grass. The deep snow acted as an insulating blanket to keep the ground from freezing. That means that grubs never went that deep and are already at the surface and feeding.

 

 

House Fly Trivia

July 23rd, 2013 by Tuff Turf Molebusters

House Fly trivia: Despite years of trying, no researcher has ever taught a fly anything. Fish, ants, snails, cockroaches, and even worms all can learn, but not flies. If a house fly sees a group of flies, he will join them. That is why fly paper works so good, it is peer pressure.