PREPARE YOUR LANDSCAPE FOR SPRING!
CRABGRASS PREVENTION
Be ahead of the game by preventing Crabgrass before it starts
February is the month to apply pre-emergent Crabgrass control
APHID PREVENTION
Get an early start with lat e winter Merit injections!
February is the time to innoculate your aphid prone trees and shrubs against infestation.
Call us or
contact us online now to schedule your quote for Crabgrass or Aphid Prevention. |
JOIN IN THE CONVERSATION
AT THE PEST CONTROL CENTER BLOG Stay abreast of pest control issues and offer feedback. Just log on at
|
|
SAVE MONEY!
RECEIVE A $40.00 CREDIT
When you refer a friend to us and they sign on for any program service for a period of one year or more. | |
|
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Greetings!
All of us at Pest Control Center wish you a Joyous HolidaySeason and a Happy, Prosperous New Year! |
New California Regulations Mandate Change of Pest Control Application Methods
In an effort to mitigate minute but potentially harmful levels of pyrethroids type pesticide products that have been detected in our waterways, the state of California has developed and is implementing new regulations that significantly alter the treatment methods and techniques employed by all pest control providers, especially when it comes to treatments being performed during periods of precipitation and when precipitation is in the forecast. The aim of the new rules is to reduce pollution from runoff and protect the delicate ecosystems in our waters.
Going forward you will notice that we are using lower pressure in our power spray equipment and only treating the pervious surfaces such as lawns and gardens, avoiding hard impervious areas like concrete asphalt etc and leaving an untreated area of 2 feet from those surfaces. You will also notice that we are making more pin stream treatments and spot treatments around your home and confining our perimeter treatments to vertical surfaces. During times of rain, as in past years, we are confining our treatments to protected areas such as beneath eaves and overhangs, using materials not affected as much by rain so they don't become part of the runoff that travels to California's waterways. These and other changes that you will notice when we service your property are designed to mitigate and where possible, eliminate waterway contamination from pyrethroid insecticides and protect our aquatic environment.
If you have any questions regarding the changes please feel free to speak with your technician or contact our office and speak with one of our knowledgeable professionals. |
|
Black Widows in Winter?
 | |
Adult Female
Photo By Velo Steve |
The Western Black Widow spider, Latrodectus hesperus, is an unwelcome guest in our homes, businesses and landscapes. We like to think that Black Widows die off in the winter but, alas, it isn't true. This is a hardy species of spider which has a life span of up to two years. In California they tend to overwinter in sheltered locations such as wood piles, children's play structures, under lumber, rock walls, dog houses, under and around unused vehicles and especially in garages, homes and businesses where the temperatures are warmer than outdoors. There are a thousand possibilities as to where they might lurk. The point here is that we can't be casual about it. Because of the special hazard black widows present, vigilance is always in order and pest control measures are advisable; even in the dead of winter. Other things you can do to reduce the chance of an unfortunate encounter are:
- Reduce or eliminate clutter indoors and out to reduce harborage
- Wear gloves whenever working in and around areas where black widows may be.
- Control other pests around the home and yard. Reduced spider prey means fewer spiders.
- Sweep away webs on a regular basis to discourage them. The more frequently you do it, the better.
- If you see one, dispatch it. A fly swatter works wonders, if you can hit the spider before it scurries to its hiding place.
- Maintain awareness of your surroundings and what might be there; even in winter.
|
|
Delusional Parisitosis
 Periodically someone will come in to our office or call us on the phone complaining of tiny pests biting them, often at night. Sometimes they will have physical symptoms such as rashes or sores and scabs. They say they've seen doctors and tried everything; Home remedies, over the counter pesticides, professional pest control services, but nothing seems to help. Some bring in plastic bags, or other containers with "specimens" which are actually only lint, dust, bits of debris and sometimes scabs or other unsavory detritus, hoping that we can identify them as pests. They are in genuine anguish and we want to help them so we go to their houses, we inspect and find nothing. Unfortunately, everything they believe they are experiencing appears, in the final analysis, to be imaginary and we are powerless to alleviate their suffering. Without positive identification of a pest organism we can't prescribe or perform a treatment.
The suffering of these individuals is real but not pest related. So what could be causing their misery? Sometimes there are physical reasons for their symptoms as with a condition described by the Mayo Clinic called Morgellons Disease. This is a mysterious controversial condition that is still under investigation and not all researchers agree that it's real or what its causes may be. According to the Mayo Clinic website, Morgellons symptoms include:
- Crawling sensations on and under the skin, often compared to insects moving, stinging or biting.
- Fibers, threads or black stringy material in and on the skin
- Severe Fatigue
- Inability to concentrate and short-term memory loss
- Behavioral changes
- Joint Pain
- Vision Changes
More often however, the problem appears to be psychological in nature. There are different terms used by the medical profession when referring to this condition:
- Illusory Parasitosis
- Delusory Parasistosis
- Delusional Parasitosis
- Delusions of Parasitosis.
The Minnesota Department of Public Health says on their website that, "Delusional Parasitosis is a psychiatric condition, suffered mainly by older women although younger people, including men, can be affected. DP is a disorder characterized by people having the mistaken belief that they are parasitized by bugs, worms or other creatures." According to University of California, "This belief is based on the sensations felt in the skin that are very real to the sufferer." They state that causes for sufferer's symptoms can include stress, reaction to use or abuse of prescription or illicit drugs, a variety of environmental factors or Delusory Parasitosis. This condition can be induced by various kinds of stress, including work-related pressures, relationship issues, or financial stress. Individuals suffering from delusions of parasites can sometimes scratch themselves so badly as to damage their skin, causing rashes and infections resulting in sores and scabbing. These can serve to reinforce the patient's belief that biting arthropods or other organisms are involved. According to the University of California, persons with DP sometimes employ desperate measures to alleviate their symptoms. They will apply unconventional and toxic substances, including pesticides, to their bodies, jeopardizing their health (and possibly their lives) in the process. It's been observed that persons afflicted by this disorder will sometimes mutilate themselves in an effort to get rid of the perceived infestation.
This condition can become serious and should not be ignored. The consensus of my sources seems to be that, If you suspect that you are suffering from DP or you suspect that someone you know is suffering from it and an actual pest or parasite infestation has been ruled out, medical attention should be sought as soon as possible and tests should be run to rule out any physiological causes for the symptoms. If no physical conditions are diagnosed your physician may refer you to a counselor or mental health professional. Patience is indicated as your health care providers sort through the causes and prescribe the best treatment for your individual case.
|
|
