• Dans Best2017

East End Tick Control®

Mosquito-Borne Disease: Chikungunya

by

Chikungunya diseaseWhile the winter months can offer us a brief reprieve from some pests out in nature, it’s always short-lived. One of the biggest persistent pests on Long Island remains the mosquito, an insect that’s active most of the year from the spring going well into the fall. Not only do their bites cause itchiness and discomfort that can last days, but they also spread diseases.

Mosquitos are known for carrying several diseases, one of the most well-known of which is the West Nile Virus. Today we’re going to highlight a lesser-known mosquito-borne illness, Chikungunya Fever. While this disease is rare in the United States, it has increased over the past decade. As travel continues to increase as the pandemic wanes, the risk of Chikungunya becoming more common here will increase. So, what do we need to know?

What Are the Symptoms of Chikungunya Fever?

Symptoms of Chikungunya Fever typically develop between three to seven days of the initial exposure. The most common symptoms are fever and joint pain. While fever won’t necessarily persist for long, the joint pain can be crippling and severe and could linger for months. Accompanying symptoms may include headache and joint swelling in addition to joint pain. Another disease symptom is Chikungunya rash, which can occur in patches over the face, torso, and limbs.

How Is Chikungunya Detected?

The only way to detect if you have Chikungunya Fever is through a blood test. The Chikungunya virus remains detectable in your blood for at least a week. Because of this, it is vital that if you think you may have contracted this disease, you avoid mosquitos biting you again, as that is how the disease continues to spread.

Who Is at Risk for Chikungunya Fever?

Such as the case with many diseases, Chikungunya Fever will more severely impact infants and the elderly. Those with comorbidities, including heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes, will also be at higher risk for more severe symptoms from Chikungunya Fever. You are also more at risk if you travel to a part of the world where an outbreak occurs. It’s always important to research where you’re traveling beforehand for any diseases you may be at risk of contracting while abroad.

The only way to decrease your risk to zero is to keep mosquitos away from you and your family. And the best way to keep mosquitos away from your home is to consult with trusted mosquito control professionals in your area.

East End Tick Control® Can Help Protect You from Mosquito-Borne Illnesses

Mosquito-borne illnesses like Chikungunya Fever can have debilitating symptoms that last for months and, unfortunately, have no treatments or vaccines to fight against or prevent it. The only way to avoid some mosquito-borne illnesses is to avoid contact with a mosquito. If you reside on eastern Long Island, you need trusted mosquito control that is safe for your family and pets. For those living near Southampton, please call (631) 287-9700. If you are closer to East Hampton, please call (631) 324-9700. If you reside near Southold, please call (631) 765-9700. You can always send us a message, and we will get back to you as soon as possible

What Insects Have Been Genetically Modified?

by

gmo mosquitoesAs insects increasingly become resistant to pesticides, scientists seek innovative ways to decrease their numbers. Genetic pest management is one of the techniques being explored in the U.S. and around the globe. From mosquitoes that transmit dangerous viruses to moths and flies that destroy crops, scientists are altering insects’ genes to prevent them from reproducing and causing harm.
[Continue Reading]

Exploring the Anatomy of Mosquitoes

by

mosquito anatomyIn “The Art of War,” Sun Tzu wrote, “If you know the enemy… you need not fear the result of a thousand battles.” The general probably wasn’t thinking of mosquitoes when he wrote his influential treatise on military strategy. However, the wisdom still applies: By understanding how mosquitoes function, we are better equipped to fight them.

What Is The Anatomy Of A Mosquito?

A mosquito’s body has three parts – the head, the thorax, and the abdomen. Each segment contains organs that make the species efficient, effective hunters. Some of these organs are found only in female mosquitoes because they carry the burden of laying eggs and hunting.

The Head

Do mosquitoes have brains? Yes, they do! The mosquito’s head contains its sensory organs, including the brain and eyes. It’s also home to the proboscis, the mosquito’s “Swiss army knife” multi-function mouthpart.

Although a mosquito’s brain lacks complexity and is proportionally very small, it’s more than adequate to fulfill its functions: sight, movement, taste, and detecting scent and temperature.

One of the more fascinating processes in the female mosquito’s brain is how it integrates olfactory and visual cues to create a behavioral response. When a female mosquito picks up certain scents, her brain triggers the visual system to seek out shapes that are likely to be potential prey. After identifying a likely blood meal, her brain directs her to track and hone in on it.

Mosquitoes have two compound eyes with photosensitive cells that detect variations in light. Their eyes are covered with “ommatidia,” tiny lenses that function as dozens of individual eyes-within-an-eye.

Arguably the most exciting and complex part of a mosquito is the proboscis, the long, needle-like “straw” through which a female extracts blood while biting a person. The proboscis comprises six individual needles, each of which has a function, whether it is to cut into the prey’s skin or hold tissues apart. At the same time, the mosquito feeds to locate blood vessels underneath the skin, inject saliva and blood-flow enhancing chemicals, or siphon the blood. Unfortunately, it is also the part of the mosquito through which diseases like malaria, Zika virus, West Nile virus, and others are transmitted.

The Thorax

A mosquito’s thorax is where its legs and wings are located. Mosquitoes have six legs, each with tiny claws used for gripping surfaces. Mosquitoes’ wings are large, considering the size of their body. They fly to hunt for food and mates, but strangely, despite the power in their wings, they rarely travel more than a few hundred feet from where they were hatched.

The Abdomen

The mosquito’s long, narrow abdomen is where it takes in air and digests fluids. This section has small openings on either side called “spiracles,” which allow the mosquito to draw in air. It is also where the female mosquito holds blood drawn from her prey. The abdomen usually contains a small amount of water, which is squeezed out as blood comes in. If you watch a mosquito as she feeds, her belly will go from nearly clear to red as it fills with her prey’s blood. The abdomen is also home to a mosquito’s reproductive system.

How Many Hearts Does A Mosquito Have?

Contrary to widespread misinformation, a mosquito has a single heart, but it doesn’t function like a human heart. Like other insects, mosquito hearts have two sections – an abdominal heart and a thoracic aorta. The heart pumps a substance called hemolymph, a compound that functions like our blood. A mosquito’s organs rest in this liquid, and the heart pumps it around the mosquito’s body. The mosquito’s heart reverses direction periodically, sometimes pumping hemolymph toward the front of its body and sometimes toward the rear.

Do Mosquitoes Sleep?

Sometimes it feels like these aggravating predators never sleep, a partly true impression. Mosquitoes don’t sleep in the way that humans understand the process. Instead, they become “inactive,” resting during their off-peak hours when they’re not actively seeking a host on which to feed.

East End Tick Control® Can Eliminate Your Mosquito Problem

You don’t have to fight alone if you are combating mosquitoes at your Long Island home. We can eliminate them and ensure that they do not return. We are proud to note that all our options are family and pet safe. For those living near Southampton, please call (631) 287-9700. If you are closer to East Hampton, please call (631) 324-9700. If you reside near Southold, please call (631) 765-9700. You can always email us as well.

Can Perfume Repel Mosquitoes?

by

perfume as mosquito repellentDo mosquitoes frequently bite you? Does it seem like mosquitoes go after you more when you wear perfume? Or other types of fragrance, like scented lotion? Do you imagine it, or does your perfume attract them? Let’s take a look so you can be appropriately prepared for spring and summer outdoor events.
[Continue Reading]

Are Mosquito Control Services Safe and Effective?

by

mosquito controlNot many decades ago, it was commonplace for children to chase the mosquito control truck, running in the street and frolicking in its spray. Those days are long gone, and even though mosquito control products have become safer over the years, we’re all more careful about what we may be breathing in or letting touch our skin.

Mosquito spraying and residential mosquito treatments are critically important for protecting ourselves, our families, and our communities from mosquito-borne diseases like Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Zika virus, and West Nile virus. But how safe are the products we use? And how effective are they?

Is Mosquito Spraying Safe For Humans?

Community spraying and home treatments for mosquitoes are regulated by the EPA and deemed safe for humans. Commonly used products have a low toxicity level, and some pest control companies, like East End Tick Control®, go out of their way to ensure the safety of your family, your pets, and the environment.

Still, it is advisable to stay indoors when spraying takes place and to avoid inhaling or having direct contact with any outdoor mosquito treatment. Inhaling large quantities of mosquito products can lead to skin, eye, and throat irritation, nausea, headache, dizziness, and vomiting. Children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues should avoid direct exposure. Fortunately, the ingredients in these products break down in the body, and these rare symptoms typically resolve quickly with no lasting buildup.

After spraying or yard treatment, remain indoors or avoid the area for about 30 minutes; the spray will have settled by that time. As with any pest control treatment, these precautions also apply to your pets. Bring them inside during spraying, and keep them away from sprayed areas for at least a half-hour.

How Effective Is Mosquito Spraying?

Spraying is an essential component of mosquito abatement. To understand the effectiveness of spraying and other treatments, it’s critical to know what they do and don’t accomplish.

Both community spraying and home treatments kill the mosquitoes they touch. These treatments then settle and leave a residue that repels other mosquitoes that would otherwise populate the area. Spray-based treatments are most effective at killing mosquitoes at dawn and dusk when they are most active.

A treatment will temporarily reduce the number of mosquitoes in the area, but it is not a permanent solution. The battle against mosquitoes is an ongoing one, and treatments need to be reapplied on a regular schedule throughout the mosquito season. Some other things you can do to provide a less hospitable environment for mosquitoes are:

  • Clear any standing water from your property,
  • Keep your yard free of debris that might attract mosquitoes,
  • Add mosquito-repelling plants to your landscape,
  • Avoid letting mosquito-harboring thatch build up on your lawn,
  • Use yellow outdoor LED lighting instead of white light.

How Long Does It Take For Mosquito Treatments To Work?

Both public spraying and home treatments work quickly. Mosquitos should decrease dramatically within 24 hours. Adulticide treatments kill flying mosquitoes immediately and will repel other mosquitoes for at least several weeks. Larvicide treatments kill larvae that hatch from eggs. Larvicides work within 24-48 hours and can last several months or more, depending upon the product and method of application.

East End Tick Control® Eliminates Mosquitoes

Residential treatments are an integral component of overall mosquito abatement. By keeping your yard mosquito-free, you can help prevent the spread of diseases like EEE, Zika virus, and West Nile virus. At East End Tick and Mosquito Control®, we are proud to say that all of our options are family and pet safe. For those residents living near Southampton, please call (631) 287-9700. If you live closer to East Hampton, please call (631) 324-9700. If you reside near Southold, please call (631) 765-9700. You can always email us as well. We look forward to hearing from you.

When Is the Best Time To Begin Mosquito Control Services?

by

best time for mosquito controlIt seems to happen overnight. The days get longer, temperatures rise, flowers burst into bloom, and then you hear the whining drone of a mosquito moments before you become its latest meal. You may not be expecting or prepared for them, but mosquitoes are predictable pests, always returning when conditions are ripe for their arrival.

What Time Of Year Should You Start Mosquito Spraying?

To know when mosquitoes will return (and when to spray for them), it’s essential to understand their life cycle and how they respond to temperatures and the changing seasons.

Mosquitos don’t fare well in cool or cold weather. They function most efficiently when temperatures are between 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, become lethargic at 60 degrees F, and cannot function at temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. In New York, mosquito season lasts from April through October, but climate change will likely extend the season even longer in the coming years.

There are two main species of mosquitoes in this region, and both become problematic around the same time. The common house mosquito, culex pipiens, emerges from hibernation when temperatures consistently reach 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The Asian tiger mosquito, aedes albopictus, often doesn’t survive winter temperatures. Still, the eggs they lay in late fall hatch at roughly the same point on the thermometer when their culex cousins emerge.

The best time of year to start spraying for mosquitoes is right before the season begins. It is more efficient to attack emerging and larval mosquitoes than trying to get rid of fully developed, fully functioning adult mosquitoes. If you miss this window, the fight will be a bit more complicated, but homeowners cannot ignore the battle.

When Is The Best Time Of Day To Spray For Mosquitoes?

The best time to spray for mosquitoes is when they are most active. Spraying is most effective when they feed, at dusk and dawn. This isn’t always practical, though, especially if you engage the services of a professional mosquito control company. They will visit your property during daytime hours, considering the differential between the time of treatment and peak mosquito activity.

Should I Mow Before A Mosquito Spraying?

Mow your grass a day or two before having your yard sprayed. This will discourage crucial pollinators like bees and butterflies from being in your yard and protect them from anti-mosquito treatments. Shorter grass provides less cover for mosquitoes and other unwanted pests, so it’s sensible to keep it trimmed regularly anyway.

Should I Wait Until After It Rains To Spray For Mosquitoes?

Mosquito sprays and foggers target flying insects, so rain does not necessarily affect spray treatments. Other mosquito treatments are usually oil-based and water-insoluble, so they will not wash away in the rain. It is wise to give these some time to bond to surfaces and foliage before exposing them to rain, lawn sprinklers, or other water sources. Your mosquito control professional will provide detailed instructions on how long you should wait before allowing a specific treatment to get wet.

We Are Your Mosquito Control Expert

One of the best things you can do to defend your family, pets, and property from this pest is getting a mosquito yard spray treatment from East End Tick and Mosquito Control®. If you wish to schedule a preventative yard spray, give our experts a call today. We have been Eastern Suffolk’s most trusted name in tick and mosquito control for 25 years. If you live near Southampton, please call (631) 287-9700. If you are closer to East Hampton, please call (631) 324-9700. And if you reside near Southold, please call (631) 765-9700. You can always email us as well. We look forward to hearing from you!

Were Mosquitoes Around in Prehistoric Times?

by

prehistoric mosquitosMosquitos have been a pest for a long time – but how long? With the sixth and newest Jurassic Park film, Jurassic World: Dominion, set to arrive in theaters this spring, it’s a good time to look at how old mosquitos are.

As most of you are probably aware, in the films, scientists were able to get dinosaur DNA from blood samples found in the stomachs of prehistoric mosquitos that had been trapped in amber. Is that just a fanciful idea for a science fiction movie, or are mosquitoes so old that they could have bitten dinosaurs?

What Is the Oldest Mosquito?

First of all, did mosquitos exist simultaneously the giant sauropods of antiquity? According to Dr. Ralph Harbach of the Natural History Museum in London, it’s entirely possible.

“Since some of today’s mosquitoes also feed on reptiles, could the more ancient mosquitoes have sucked from a dinosaur?” Dr. Harbach said: “it’s possible. Evidence suggests mosquitoes evolved in the Jurassic Period (200-146 million years ago). If the early ancestral mosquitoes had already evolved to feed on blood, it is conceivable that they may have fed on dinosaurs.”

How Does a Mosquito Get into Amber?

Amber is fossilized tree sap, and tree sap is often sweet-smelling. The most common theory is that mosquitoes would land on a tree branch attracted by the smell and get trapped. Over the centuries, the amber would fossilize, preserving the insect. It is a comparatively typical process, and many types of prehistoric insects have been found preserved this way.

Were There Giant Mosquitoes in Prehistoric Times?

There were giant insects deep in Earth’s past, a side effect of much higher oxygen levels in the atmosphere allowing them to reach sizes that sometimes approached several feet, just like something in a movie. These titans of the insect world attained their largest sizes approximately 300 million years ago, But, as Dr. Harbach pointed out, mosquitos evolved around 200 million years ago.

While it is entertaining to contemplate, there were no genuinely giant mosquitoes back then or in the intervening years. The mosquito’s primary size and shape have hardly changed over the years since prehistoric times.

Did Mosquitoes Evolve from Flies?

No, mosquitos did not evolve from flies; technically, they are flies. Mosquitoes are members of almost 3,600 species of small flies that are part of the family Culicidae (from the Latin culex meaning “gnat”).

East End Tick Control® Eliminates Mosquitoes

If these age-old pests plague your Long Island home, contact us. We can eliminate them and ensure that they do not return. We are proud to note that all of our options are family and pet safe. For those living near Southampton, please call (631) 287-9700 . If you are closer to East Hampton, please call (631) 324-9700. If you reside near Southold, please call (631) 765-9700. You can always email us as well. We look forward to hearing from you!

Why Were Genetically Modified Mosquitoes Released in the U.S.?

by

genetically modified mosquitoWouldn’t it be wonderful to live in a world with no mosquitoes? There would be no need to slather on bug repellent in the summer, and you could sleep with the windows open without being dive-bombed by droning mosquitoes all night. More importantly, mosquito-borne diseases could disappear, it could eradicate Zika virus, West Nile virus, Chikungunya virus, malaria, and dengue fever. Livestock and pets would benefit from mosquito-borne disease eradication as well. To this end, several countries, including the United States, have deployed transgenic mosquitoes to reduce mosquito populations drastically.
[Continue Reading]