 As mosquito season ramps up, several cases of Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE) have been reported in horses in North Carolina. The four horses were located in Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, and Durham counties. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) says these are the first cases of EEE reported this year. Pestech of Greenville, Inc. is sharing information to protect your animals from deadly mosquito-borne diseases. Experts say EEE and West Nile Virus (WNV) could be more prevalent during the 2020 season due to the recent mild winter.
Along with vaccination, your East Coast Extermination Professionals at Pestech of Greenville, are reminding homeowners that they can go an extra step in protecting their animals and their families. Our integrated pest management team is able to reduce the mosquito population on your property with many methods. We are fully licensed and insured to spray North Carolina-approved larvicide pellets and insecticide mists to kill adult mosquitoes and prevent mosquito larvae from hatching. These services utilize superior products applied in strategic locations to solve the problems, while limiting the exposure of any toxins to your animals. We use products and mists that keep our environment safe while delivering high-class service.  In addition to finding and eliminating breeding grounds for mosquitoes, our technicians are able to tell homeowners how they can continue to maintain a safe environment. After a mosquito control treatment from Pestech of Greenville, we suggest that horse owners use the following methods to maintain safety and effectiveness until it’s time for their next treatment:
 According to the North Carolina Quarter Horse Association, there are over 300,000 horses in all 100 counties. These horses are housed at over 53,000 households and equine operations. In addition, a study commissioned by the North Carolina General Assembly, found the annual economic impact of the equine industry in North Carolina to be approximately $1.9 billion dollars. Given the importance and economic impact of this industry, Pestech of Greenville wants to encourage owners to do everything they can to prevent these illnesses in their animals. Last year, state officials say there were only two reported cases of EEE in horses in North Carolina. Already this season, with four cases reported, there is added concern to educate horse owners. In a news release from the NCDA&CS, EEE causes inflammation or swelling of the brain and spinal cord and is usually fatal. Symptoms include impaired vision, aimless wandering, head pressing, circling, inability to swallow, irregular staggering gait, paralysis, convulsions and death. Once a horse is bitten by an infected mosquito, it may take anywhere from three to 10 days for signs of the disease to appear.  People, horses, and birds can become infected from a bite by a mosquito carrying disease, but there is no evidence that horses can transmit the viruses to other horses, birds, or people through direct contact. There is no vaccine to protect people from EEE, yet people can protect themselves with repellents and by reducing mosquito populations on their properties.
Trust Pestech of Greenville, Inc. for your mosquito control and pest management needs. Give us a call at 252-353-4760 for a free estimate. Your East Coast pest management professionals are honored to serve you, your family, your animals, and your properties.
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 As we continue through the Atlantic Hurricane Season in eastern North Carolina, Pestech of Greenville is sharing important information on preventing pests after a storm. Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30 of each year. During this time, the North Carolina’s coastal communities and even inland regions are known to experience heavy rain, wind, storm surge, and flooding. We recently posted a blog about how you can prepare your homes and properties ahead of a storm with pest prevention in mind. Just as you prepare for a potential severe weather event, we also have several suggestions after a storm and as you move through the recovery process to minimize bugs and rodent issues.  Here are four simple steps you can take after a storm to prevent pests: 1. Clean Up DebrisHurricanes and storms are known to cause debris on property. Vegetative debris creates the perfect home for many insects and pests who are looking for shelter. This can include downed trees, broken limbs, and brush. The North Carolina Emergency Management Department recommends separating debris into three different piles when you clean up your yard.
 Vegetative: Dispose of these types separately and safely. Carefully check this type of debris for animals or insects living within the cracks and crevices. Then, place limbs, brush, and leaves at your curb for trash pickup. When doing so, be sure not to block roadways, fire hydrants and utility boxes. Local officials can provide information on removal procedures so be sure to check with your municipality. Household Trash: When it comes to household trash, you’ll want to dispose of it quickly to prevent pests from lingering. As we explained in our previous blog about preparation for a storm, if trash ends up in yards or on roads, insects like flies and rodents like rats, will be attracted to it. If you see trash on your property, it is important to pick it up immediately.If your power went out during the storm, you’ll also want to remove spoiled food from your refrigerator and/or freezer. Spoiled food and trash should quickly be taken to your local waste collection site. Other Materials: If you have other materials or potentially hazardous waste to dispose, check with your city or town for guidelines and regulations. If you choose to burn debris, state officials say to limit open burning and never burn trash, lumber, tires, plastics and other man-made materials. Click here to read the North Carolina Emergency Management Debris Removal Guide. 2. Assess Home for DamageAfter the storm, carefully check your home and property. You’ll want to inspect for roof, siding, window and door damage. If you notice cracks or holes, seal them immediately to prevent pests from entering. If you're missing flashing, gutters, or shingles, those will all need to be replaced as well. Be sure to take photos of damage and document the conditions so you can report a claim with your insurance company. As you assess your property, be aware of any potential wildlife that may have entered your homes. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, animals like snakes, rats, squirrels, and various insects have been encountered in homes after hurricanes. Click here to learn more from the CDC about rodent control after a natural disaster.  (Credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) 3. Remove Standing WaterPestech of Greenville encourages homeowners and renters to remove standing water from their properties throughout the year. This is encouraged as a way to prevent breeding grounds for mosquitoes. However, after a hurricane, it is especially important to quickly remove standing water from various areas of your property. It doesn’t take a lot of water to become the perfect place for mosquitoes to breed and populate. After a hurricane, be sure to remove water from puddles, flower pots, buckets, rain barrels, bird baths, pet bowls, discarded tires, lids, tarps, and grill covers. Speaking of water, unfortunately, hurricanes can cause significant flooding in homes. Homeowners and renters insurance plans typically don’t cover flood damage. Without flood insurance, most residents have to pay out of pocket or take out loans to repair and replace damaged items. With flood insurance, you’re able to recover much faster. If you’d like to learn more about flood insurance and your flood risk, click here to visit North Carolina’s free property risk resource website. 4. Contact Pestech of GreenvilleOur fully licensed integrated pest control team at Pestech of Greenville can conduct a full interior and exterior survey of your house or other property. With a thorough inspection, our technicians can point out any problems or issues that need to be addressed after a hurricane or storm. In the past, our specialists have pointed out structural damage, cracks that can allow pests to enter, and holes where moisture can seep in. Our team is also knowledgeable about identifying issues including ants, termites, and other wood destroying insects. No matter your pest problem or concern, Pestech of Greenville, Inc. is here to help. Our experts can assist in your various pest management needs. Give us a call at 252-353-4760 for a free estimate. Your East Coast pest management professionals are honored to serve you.  If you’d like additional information about hurricanes in North Carolina, click here to download the 2020 Hurricane Guide from the North Carolina Department of Emergency Management.  As we know in North Carolina, storms and hurricanes are known to cause significant damage to communities, properties, and homes. Ahead of any potential severe weather event, Pestech of Greenville encourages everyone to make sure they are prepared in various ways. The Eastern North Carolina region is prone to heavy rain, wind, storm surge, flooding, and much more during hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30 of each year. In addition to having an emergency kit ready and being knowledgeable about an evacuation route, property owners should also develop a plan for getting their homes and businesses ready. Our pest control experts say during severe weather events and natural disasters, it is common to see a rise in pest and rodent problems. There are many reasons why, including:
 As a way to prevent pests from seeking shelter in your home, garage, shed, etc., here are three simple ways that you can protect your property before a storm: 1. Contact Pestech of GreenvilleOur fully licensed integrated pest control team can conduct a full interior and exterior survey of your house or other property. With a thorough inspection, our technicians can point out any problems or issues that need to be addressed. In the past, our specialists have pointed out structural damage that could worsen with a storm, cracks that can allow pests to enter, and holes where moisture can seep in. Our team is also knowledgeable about identifying current pest issues including ants, termites, and other wood destroying insects. No matter your pest problem, Pestech of Greenville, Inc. is here to help. Our experts can assist in your various pest management needs. Give us a call at 252-353-4760 for a free estimate. Your East Coast pest management professionals are honored to serve you. 2. Conduct Routine Home MaintenanceThroughout the year, we encourage homeowners to conduct routine maintenance on their homes regularly. During hurricane season or ahead of a severe weather event, it turns into a necessity. Mosquitoes are known to breed in standing water, which means that they are extremely common after storms and wet weather. Be sure to dump and turn over items on your property like buckets, pots, lids, grill covers, water bowls, and birdbaths. In the event of an approaching hurricane or storm with strong winds, it’s a good idea to clear your entire yard. So rather than just dumping and turning those items, you’ll want to remove them and place them somewhere safe indoors. In addition, remember to clean your gutters. Be sure they are cleared of leaves and debris which may harbor insects.  3. Remove Trash From PropertyAlong with routine home maintenance, residents should remove trash and garbage from the outside premise. Whether that means moving them to a safe spot in your garage or dumping them at a waste collection site, homeowners should have a plan. In the event of a storm that topples a trash can or trash bags outdoors, pests and rodents are likely to appear. Food remnants attract insects like flies and rodents like mice, rats, and raccoons. Once these pests discover a place to get their next meal, they won’t leave easily.  After the storm, be sure to discard additional trash quickly. The same goes for potentially spoiled food in the event of a power outage. Typically, local public works employees prioritize trash removal after a severe weather event so be sure to get rid of it as soon as possible. Click here to read our blog about preventing pests after a natural disaster. If you’d like additional information about preparing your home, property, and family for hurricanes, click here to download the 2020 Hurricane Guide from the North Carolina Department of Emergency Management.
Throughout Pestech of Greenville, Inc.’s 20 years of pest control experience, we’ve learned a lot of interesting things about the insect population in North Carolina. Here are 50 of our favorite facts about common bugs that you might also find fascinating… and maybe even a little bizarre: 1. While humans have only been around for 130,000 years, insects have been present for about 350 million years. 2. There are about 91,000 different species of insects in the United States. 3. There are about 1.5 million different species of insects in the world.  Houseflies: 4. Houseflies eat their own vomit. 5. A female housefly can lay up to 600 eggs in her short lifetime. 6. Most flies live an average of 21 days and take on various shapes throughout their short lives.  Beetles: 7. Beetles account for one quarter of all known species of plants and animals. There are more kinds of beetles than all plants. 8. Adult beetles have two sets of wings. 9. Most beetles only live for a year. 10. Beetles cannot see very well, so they communicate using pheromones, sounds or vibrations. 11. Ladybugs are beetles and are considered to be good luck in many cultures. 12. Fireflies and lightning bugs are also in the beetle family.  Stink Bugs: 13. Originally found in East Asia, stink bugs were not even reported in the United States until the late 1990s. 14. Stink bugs get their name from an unpleasant odor released when you crush them or when they are protecting their homes. 15. Stink bugs do not hurt humans, but they can cause a lot of damage to crops and plants. Termites: 16. The queen of a South African termite species can lay 40,000 eggs per day. 17. The total weight of all of the termites in the world is more than the weight of all the humans in the world. 18. Termite colonies eat non-stop, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 19. Termites have wings that they shed once they have found a good place to build a nest.  Ants: 20. Ants can lift and carry more than fifty times their own weight. 21. There are more than 12,000 species of ants all over the world. 22. Ants cannot chew their food. They move their jaws sideways, like a scissor, to extract the juices from the food. 23. Ants don’t have ears. Ants "hear" by feeling vibrations in the ground through their feet. 24. The total weight of all the ants in the world is equal to that of all humans in the world. 25. Of all insects, ants have the longest lifespan. They can live up to 30 years.  Spiders: 26. The largest spider in the world is a species of tarantula found in South America where one specimen had a leg span of over 11 inches. 27. Spiders don't get caught in their own webs because they have self-oiling legs. 28. There are about 3,000 species of spiders roaming around North America. 29. Only two species of spiders in the United States can cause serious harm when accidentally disturbed - the black widow and brown recluse. 30. When hunting or trying to escape a predator, jumping spiders are able to make very agile movements and jump multiple times their body length.  Bed Bugs: 31. Bed bugs do not spread disease, but their bites can become red, itchy welts. 32. Bed bugs can feed on the blood of any warm-blooded animal, yet their most common targets are humans. 33. As their name implies, these bugs are most commonly found in beds, hotels, airplanes, and couches.  Bees: 34. Male bees have bigger eyes to help them find the Queen Bee. 35. The bees’ buzz is the sound made by their wings which beat 11,400 times per minute. 36. Honeybees have to make about ten million trips to collect enough nectar for production of one pound of honey. 37. All worker bees are female. 38. Honey bees must gather nectar from two million flowers to make one pound of honey. 39. While gathering food, a bee may fly up to 60 miles in one day. 40. There are over 20,000 different bee species, found on every continent except Antarctica.  Caterpillars: 41. Some caterpillars can camouflage themselves as bird poop. 42. A caterpillar has 4,000 muscles, while humans have 650 skeletal muscles. 43. Caterpillars have 12 eyes. On each side of its head, a caterpillar has 6 tiny eyelets.  Butterflies: 44. There are more than 17,500 recorded butterfly species around the world, 750 of which can be found in the United States. 45. It takes about one hundred Monarch Butterflies to weigh an ounce. 46. Butterflies can smell each other from miles away. 47. An adult butterfly has a very short life, living just three to four weeks.  Cockroaches: 48. A cockroach can live a week without its head. The roach only dies because without a mouth, it can’t drink water and dies of thirst. 49. More than five million children are sensitive to cockroaches. 50. Cockroaches can run up to three miles in an hour. No matter your pest problem, Pestech of Greenville, Inc. is here to help. Our experts can assist in your various pest management needs. Give us a call at 252-353-4760 for a free estimate. Your East Coast pest management professionals are honored to serve you.
(Facts gathered for this post consist of several expert pest technician opinions. Information was also sourced from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Pest World, the National Pest Management Association, Live Science, and EcoWatch.) May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. Lyme disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lyme Disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. Each year, approximately 30,000 cases are reported to CDC. The blacklegged tick is found mainly in densely wooded areas that provide an appropriate environment for animal hosts like deer and mice. That said, in addition to human transmission, dogs are also susceptible to Lyme Disease and other tickborne diseases.  Pestech of Greenville, Inc. is fully licensed and trained to help you prevent ticks on your property in order to keep your family and pets safe. Our experienced technicians use pesticides to control infestations. These types of treatments must be done thoroughly with proper equipment in order to achieve adequate control. The time of day, weather, and climate have a large impact on how well the treatment takes to the area. Our experts are trained in the best practices for these types of applications. They are also knowledgeable about all state and local rules and regulations regarding pesticide application on residential properties.  In addition to professional treatment with Pestech of Greenville, all homeowners are encouraged to create a tick-safe zone in order to reduce their population. According to the Chief Entomologist for the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, there are various landscaping techniques that are found to reduce blacklegged ticks in the yard. These suggestions include:
 When spending time outdoors it’s important to take additional steps to keep yourself, your family members, and pets protected from ticks. This includes:
 If you have pets, veterinarians recommend using a tick preventative. Talk to your vet about the best prevention option for your dog or cat. There are different treatments for each so be sure to discuss this with them in detail and get specific recommendations. To further reduce potential tick bites, check them for ticks each time they come in from outside. If you find a tick on your pet, remove it right away. Click here for removal information from the CDC. In addition to Lyme Disease, there more than a dozen other types of diseases that are transmitted through tick bites. A report from the North Carolina State Extension found that the blacklegged tick, the American dog tick, the brown dog tick, and the Lone Star tick are the most common ticks found in North Carolina. The Gulf Coast tick has also been found in the Eastern North Carolina region. These types of ticks can be prevented on your properties with service by Pestech of Greenville. Call us at 252-353-4760 to schedule a free consultation. Your East Coast exterminating professionals are honored to serve you with the utmost quality, care, and experience.
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Pestech of Greenville, Inc.
Pestech of Greenville, Inc.