Summer is almost gone, but the mosquitoes are still here!   This summer (2018), East Baton Rouge, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and St. John Parishes all have multiple confirmed cases of mosquitos testing positive for West Nile Virus.

Of course the The East Baton Rouge Mosquito Abatement and Rodent Control is working hard to reduce the mosquito population via daytime larval treatments as well as nighttime mosquito spraying with trucks and airplanes.

But what can you do in the meantime?

What You Need to Know About West Nile Virus

The Center for Disease Control states that:

• West Nile Virus is most commonly spread through the bites of infected mosquitos.
• At present time there are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat the virus.
• 80% of people infected will show ZERO symptoms.
• 1 in 5 infected people develop a fever, headaches, nausea, vomiting, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes.
• Symptoms will usually occur between 3 and 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito, if at all.

What Can I do to Protect Myself and My Loved Ones?

Because there are no vaccines or medicinal treatments available, prevention is key this summer. Here are a few ways the Center for Disease Control suggests you protect yourself:

1. Use insect repellent: Specifically, look for repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, IR3535 (ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate), oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), and/or 2-undecanone. (All of these have been proven effective and safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women).
2. Wear long sleeved shirts & pants treated with Permethrin: This may seem counterintuitive with the heat and humidity, but covering your most vulnerable organ, the epidermis, is your best bet. Clothes treated with Permethrin can protect you after multiple washings and it can also be used on boots, socks, tents, etc.
3. Take necessary steps to control mosquitoes inside and outside: Screen doors, mosquito nets, and constant vigilance is one of the most important steps in West Nile Virus prevention. Make sure you’re using screens on all your doors and windows, repair any holes immediately, use air conditioning, and once a week empty, clean or throw out any items that may contain stagnant water (i.e. buckets, old tires, toys, planters, etc.)
4. Schedule an appointment! We offer Mosquito Suppression, Automated Misting, and Large Area Fogging Treatments that can reduce the amount of mosquitos in your yard by up to 90%!

Our certified, experienced technicians are the best and most convenient line in self-defense against pesky mosquitos and the potentially fatal West Nile Virus – don’t wait until it’s too late.

Keeping pests out has never been more affordable – Give us a call today!

“Is the Zika virus still around?”—that’s a great question.

If you’re concerned about Zika, you want to know the facts.

Zika virus is still in the United States, but only in a very small area around Miami.

Right now, the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) is successfully stopping the virus from spreading.

Here’s everything you need to know:

Large Pools of Water Are Being Found and Flushed Out

Tropical storms and hurricanes leave piles of debris, trash, and household items scattered around neighborhoods. This increases the chances of large pools of warm water forming. When they form, large pools of warm water are the perfect breeding ground for mosquitos. The CDC is keeping a close eye on the areas of Florida where this might be occurring.

The CDC is also coming up with mosquito control plans. They include mass spraying, nets, identifying and eliminating breeding grounds, and educating residents. The final precaution the CDC is taking is to familiarize people with the signs and symptoms of the virus and how they can get help should they think they have it.

The Signs and Symptoms Are More “Normal” Then You Might Think

The signs and symptoms of the virus are similar to those of the flu or even a cold. They are:

• Fever
• Muscle and/or joint pain
• Rash
• Red eyes
• Headache

It’s important to note that if the symptoms are present in non-pregnant women, no testing will be done. A physician will be able to accurately diagnose the presence of the virus based on how the symptoms present themselves.

With pregnant women, a series of blood tests will be conducted and then sent to local and federal laboratories. This is done to help the CDC know where the virus came from, how they can stop it from spreading, and how they can develop a vaccine.

The Number One Preventative Measure You Can Take—Protect Yourself from Mosquito Bites

The virus is widely spread by mosquitos. You should always protect yourself from them by:

• Wearing anti-insect clothing that covers your arms and legs
• Spraying yourself with strong repellent
• Using mosquito nets while sleeping
• Screening your windows
• Turning your air conditioner on

It’s also recommended that you use mosquito nets to cover your children’s beds and strollers.

In addition, it’s advised that you take precautionary measures if you travel to Miami or surrounding areas. If you’re a woman planning to travel to these areas, it’s strongly advised that you not go.

There Are Other Preventative Measures Taking Place

Get your home treated to keep mosquitoes away with any of our mosquito control programs:

• Mosquito suppression treatment
• Automated Mosquito Misting Systems
• Large Area Fogging
  

Conclusion—What You Now Know

Zika virus is still present in the United States, but only in a very small area. This doesn’t mean that it can’t spread. You should take comfort in knowing that the US CDC has things under control and is working well with other countries where the virus is more prevalent. Use the information presented in this article to make sure you’re extra protected from the virus.

Contact us to learn more about our mosquito control plans!

There are four life stages a mosquito goes through before reaching maturity. Gaining an understanding about these life stages can help you to effectively prepare for and prevent a mosquito problem within your home. The life cycle is the same for almost every mosquito, but there are a few variations depending on the species and other factors such as climate and water temperature.

Eggs

Mosquitos lay hundreds of eggs every few days, usually after a blood feed. They usually do so at night and the eggs can be nearly impossible to see because they are dark in color. The most important factor when a mosquito lays a set of eggs is that there is a watery environment nearby.

This could be a swimming pool, bath tub, shower or pond. Typically, when a mosquito lays her eggs, the eggs attach themselves together to form ‘rafts’ which then float on water. These rafts are about ¼ inch long. There are, however, a few species of mosquito such as Ochlerotatus and Aedes that lay eggs one by one on wet soil or similar environments. Within 48 hours, the eggs hatch into larvae.

Larvae

Larvae is what occurs after the eggs hatch and they are approximately 5mm in length. These are sometimes referred to as ‘wigglers’ due to the style of movement. Larva inhabits water, hanging upside down under the surface to breathe via their siphon tubes located within their tails. Anopheles larvae are devoid of a siphon, so lay just underneath the surface of the water to get an oxygen supply.

Coquillettidia and Mansonia larvae fix themselves to plants. They do this in order to gain an air supply through the plant. The larvae consume microorganisms and organic matter to survive. They are cold blooded, so rely on heat from the water to grow. The warmer the water, the more rapidly this stage develops. They shed their skin 4 times, and each time they increase in size. After the fourth shedding, the larva changes into a pupa. This is a good stage within the life cycle to use poisons and insect killers as they prevent the larvae from being able to breathe. The stage of the cycle lasts about 10 days.

Pupae

The pupal stage is when a mosquito transforms into an adult. It is also referred to as the ‘resting stage’. The pupal are mobile, and respond to light and movement, but do not actively feed. Often they are referred to as ‘tumblers’ due to the way they fall into deep waters whenever a predator (such as a fish or bird) is nearby.

As they are lighter than water, the majority of their time is spent just above the surface of the water. They breathe through two tubes called ‘trumpets’. This stage of the life cycle takes about two days to complete, although it depends on the species and climate. After the resting stage, the pupal skin (or cocoon) comes apart and the adult mosquito emerges and goes to the surface of the water to sit for a while.

Adult

After the pupae have metamorphosed into an adult mosquito, it’ll rest on the surface of the water for a time allowing its skin to harden and dry out. Its wings will begin to spread and after a day or two, it’ll be able to fly and feed. Male mosquitos are able to breed as soon as their reproductive systems have developed, and die a few days after mating. From maturity to death, a male mosquito will only live about a week, with an aim to breed as much as possible. A female will live for over a month in ideal climates and will lay a batch of eggs after each blood feed.

It is important to have some awareness of the life cycle of a mosquito so that you can kill off a population before they reach maturity. It is usually during the larvae stage that effective extermination can take place. If you would like to learn more about our mosquito control services, contact us today!

The Zika virus has been in the news recently as you have probably seen. Although most of the Zika cases have happened in Africa where it was discovered, more and more people from the Western hemisphere are getting infected as well. Zika comes from the bite of an infected female Aedes aegypti mosquito. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed that Zika can cause microcephaly, a birth defect that causes abnormally small heads in babies. The World Health Organization also said that it may also cause Guillain-Barre syndrome.

What’s Worse than Zika?

Aside from Zika, the Aedes aegypti mosquito also causes other diseases, such as the dengue fever and the chikungunya virus. Although Zika is more reported on the news and more feared, it is actually the “lesser evil” among the three. Let’s take a close look at Dengue and Chikungunya.

• Dengue– This disease is dangerous because of its asymptomatic nature. Unlike other diseases, it is not so easy to identify and diagnose. A fever of up to 104 degrees may be experienced by a person bitten by an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito, as well as rashes, headaches, joint and muscle pains. While we always equate dengue with abnormally high fever, some strains of dengue do not cause an infected person to feel feverish. Dengue becomes dangerous when the blood vessels stop working and the oxygen blood fails to clot, causing seizures and bleeding. If it remains untreated, the blood vessels can collapse and lead to hemorrhaging and death. About 25,000 people die from dengue every year.
• Chikungunya– This virus has almost the same symptoms as dengue. Most people will experience fever, headache, and joint pains. Infected people get better from chikungunya within 7 to 10 days. However, about 40% of people who get infected with the virus will also develop chronic chikungunya, where they may suffer from recurring joint pains for as long as 2 years, This results in a less-than-sharp dexterity and loss of mobility. Other serious complications of the disease are inflammation of the heart and brain, as well as eye problems. Death from chikungunya happens very rarely, unlike dengue.

All three diseases have similar symptoms, but the main difference is that Zika will only last for a couple days and then the symptoms will be gone for good. On the other hand, dengue can last for weeks at a time and can be life-threatening once there is bleeding and hemorrhaging. Immediate medical attention is needed for those who have dengue fever while people who have Zika rarely get themselves checked by a medical professional and are unlikely to die.

Prevention

Studies about the Aedes aegypti mosquito are currently underway, one of which is conducted by entomologists from the LSU AgCenter, who received a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The aim of their project is to develop two classes of insecticides that will control and curb Louisiana mosquitos.

However, prevention is still the best cure, and the best way to prevent mosquitos is to ensure there are no places in the home where mosquitos can breed. Homeowners need to check and clean liquid containers that may become breeding grounds for mosquitos and install window and door screens to prevent these insects from entering the home.

Lessons from New Orleans and Mosquito Control

Louisiana’s mosquito control board has always been on the alert when it comes to disease-carrying mosquitos. The board has taken it upon themselves to prevent an outbreak of the diseases caused by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Here are some of the things they have done in recent history.

• Hurricane Katrina and the mosquito fish-The city board dropped hundreds of mosquitofish in abandoned swimming pools all across New Orleans. These fishes consumed the mosquito larvae found in these murky swimming pools.
• 2012 Dengue response plan-After a dengue outbreak in Florida, the city board conducted mosquito testing within Bywater and Mid-City neighborhoods, and protocols were in place if ever an outbreak were to occur.
• 2014 Chikungunya containment-The city board also followed closely the three cases of chikungunya that came from travelers who vacationed from the Caribbean.

Other US cities should learn and follow in the footsteps of the Big Easy state when it comes to preparing for an outbreak that might result from Zika, Dengue, or Chikungunya. Perhaps the only good news that Zika has managed to bring us is that we are now more aware of how deadly the Aedes aegypti mosquito really is, and how there are far more dangerous diseases it can carry.

The Aedes aegypti is tough to eliminate. It preys on people during the daytime and relies on water to live. If all your efforts to remove mosquitos from your home, office, or commercial establishment have been incomplete, then it’s time to contact us and get rid of them for good!

The Zika virus got its name from the place where it was discovered in 1947—the Zika forest in Uganda. Recently, health experts have been sounding the alarm regarding the virus after more countries in the Western hemisphere have been exposed to the tropical virus, especially with the outbreak that happened in Brazil last May. Last February of this year, the World Health Organization declared Zika as a “public health emergency of international concern.”

If infected by Zika, a person will experience mild fever, rashes, conjunctivitis, and joint pains. But the more alarming fact is that it can cause a birth defect to an unborn child. If a pregnant woman is infected, Microcephaly can occur; this is a condition that results in a baby with an abnormally small head and stunted brain development. Zika has also been associated with the Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare condition that causes muscle weakness and paralysis.

Zika Predictions in the US

Most of the Zika cases in the US are travel-related, but health professionals are warning that this coming summer may increase the number of Zika cases in the country, with those living in the Gulf Coast being the most affected. According to the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), certain US cities will be vulnerable to the Zika virus based on the following factors: air travel, climate, mosquito breeding patterns, and the socioeconomic status of residents.

Since the Zika-carrying mosquitoes are fond of warm weather, the places most likely to be affected are the southern and eastern US, with Miami and Orlando as the likeliest cities to be affected. Another reason for the possible rise of Zika is the expected increase of tourism arrivals from regions that have been previously exposed to the virus. Houston could be affected because of its large number of travelers coming from countries that have already been affected. St. Louis and Denver were also mentioned in NCAR’s study because of their summer conditions that are ideal for these mosquitos.

About the Aedes Aegypti Mosquito

The Aedes Aegypti mosquito is also called the yellow fever mosquito. Aside from Zika, it can also spread dengue fever and chikungunya. While most people will lump all mosquitos as one type of insect, there are actually more than 3,500 species, with the genus Aedes Aegypti mosquito being one of the most dangerous.

The life cycle of an Aedes Aegypti mosquito begins with the hatched eggs, which become a larva in less than 24 hours. The larva will then become a pupa in about four days, and two days after that, it will become a fully grown adult. Once the adult Aedes mosquito has bitten human flesh and drank human blood, it will lay eggs, and the whole cycle begins again.

The Aedes Aegypti mosquito is tiny, dark-colored and its distinguishing marks are the white markings on its legs. It is a tiny, tropical mosquito that lives inside buildings and near people. It moves around very fast, making it harder to catch than other species of its kind.

Its feeding hours are during the day. You won’t notice that it has already bitten you because its bite does not sting and is relatively painless.

These kind of mosquitoes only need one inch of water in order to lay their eggs and survive, which is why an ignored flower vase or an innocuous water container can be a breeding ground for these mosquitoes. They can hide behind unused furniture and dark corners, and can survive without venturing outside the home.

How to Get Rid of the Aedes Aegypti

Since no vaccine exists yet that will treat the Zika virus, you need to exercise caution, especially with the summer months fast approaching. In order to prevent the spread of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, check the insides of your house and your immediate surroundings for any water-holding containers and empty them of water and other liquids. Use insect repellents and secure the house with window and door screenings to prevent mosquitoes from invading your house.

For your peace of mind and to ensure that your loved ones and your house remain mosquito-free, contact us today!

It has happened to all of us at one time or another. You’re outside, trying to enjoy a warm, summer day, and suddenly you notice something itchy on your arm.
Regardless of who you are, mosquitoes have probably feasted on you at one point or another. The problem of mosquitoes is an old one, but the reason behind it is one that has always been shrouded in mystery.

Why is it that some people seem to be devoured by the tiny bloodsuckers, while others are completely ignored?

Mosquitoes Do Have Preferences

As you may imagine, scientists have been working on this problem for a while. It’s the million dollar summertime question: is there something about you that makes you more delicious to a mosquito than your neighbor?

While there is no 100% definite answer, scientists are certain that at least a part of it relates to genetics. Namely, how your body handles certain chemicals, and how your skin responds to them.

High Levels of Steroids or Cholesterol on Skin

One of the bigger attracting factors for mosquitoes is the level of cholesterol on your skin. While some people might instantly think this means that the heavier you are, or the more you eat may make you a target, this is simply not the case.

It really has to do with how your body breaks down cholesterol, and how much of a residue is left on your skin afterwards. Uric acid content, cholesterol, and even the content of natural steroids produced by your skin can all be contributing factors.

These chemicals may be ignored by us, but they give off a certain chemical smell that mosquitoes go nuts for. In fact, the scent of these chemicals is so potent to mosquitoes that it has been proven they can react and be attracted at up to 50 meters.

High Quantities of Carbon Dioxide

Another attractive feature to mosquitoes is the level of carbon dioxide that you put out. Mosquitoes have been shown to be attracted to heat, movement, and CO2.

So, if you’re trudging through the park, sweating up a storm and breathing heavily, you are going to be a prime candidate for mosquito attention. This is why adults tend to have a greater problem with mosquitoes than children.

Also, if you’re pregnant, you may want to reconsider going out on a muggy day. Not only can mosquitoes detect the elevated levels of carbon dioxide in your breath, but they can smell the lactic acid on your skin.

Excess Amounts of Acid

Your body puts out all sorts of acids. While we don’t really tend to notice this, other creatures such as mosquitoes use those as markers to peg good candidates for a meal.

The more acid you’re putting out, the higher the chance that your blood contains what mosquitoes are after. After all, if you can smell your meal, you probably have a good idea of what’s in it.

Study Finds Answers

Plenty of studies have been done to see if there is something about how we look that attracts or repels mosquitoes. After all, this can be said of bees (they tend to react strongly to the colors red and black). In tests with identical twins, it was found that increased activity had everything to do with smell. The more chemicals you put out, the tastier you seem to be.

As science continues to study the endless problem of mosquito bites, one fact from the available research tends to stand out. The next time you’re outside, instead of exerting yourself, try to take it easy. Remember the old advice: never let them see, or in this case, smell you sweat.

The summer months are the perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors. People picnic in the park, go to the beach, jump in the swimming pool or just sit in a chair to work on their tan. There are so many different outdoor activities to take part in during the warm months, like biking, roller blading, hiking, camping, swimming, canoeing, tubing, and so much more.

There is something that can seriously stand in your way when enjoying the warm sunshine: mosquitoes. Those little buzzing insects aren’t just an annoyance. They can be a big problem. So, before you go outside, let’s spend a little time talking about the bugs and the problems they can cause you.

Health Conditions

Obviously, the biggest issue from mosquitoes would be illness. There are mosquito borne conditions that can affect humans and animals, and some of them have detrimental results. As far as animals go, the two main concerns would be, according to the National Center for Infectious Diseases:

• Eastern equine encephalitis, which can affect horses
• Canine heartworm disease, which can be fatal for dogs

However, it isn’t just animals who are affected by mosquito borne diseases. Human conditions include:

• West Nile Virus – This condition can be transmitted to humans as well as birds and horses. This has been a common disease in the past few years.
• Eastern and Western Equine Encephalitis – This condition effects horses as well as humans and birds.
• Malaria – Unfortunately, people don’t think of malaria as a threat anymore, but it has not been eradicated. It is still a threat in the United States.
• Chikungunya – Up until recently, this virus was not found in the United States, but there have been outbreaks in southern states. It is transmitted directly from mosquito to human when a bite occurs.

In addition to the illnesses, mosquitoes cause other aggravations. Their bites can be very itchy and irritating. Many people are allergic or have an intolerance to the venom released in the bites and that results in more severe pain, itching, redness, and swelling.

Where Mosquitoes Breed

Mosquitoes are a bigger problem in certain areas of the world, especially places that have high humidity and warmer, more tropical conditions. States like Louisiana are especially prone to the bugs because there are plenty of places for mosquitoes to breed. These bugs like:

• Warm environments
• Wet environments
• Bodies of standing water that have become stagnant

Any water that has been standing around, like swamps, empty pots, pet food bowls, ponds, ditches, and other areas will be the perfect breeding ground for the pests.

Eliminating the Mosquitoes in Your Yard

It can be a difficult battle to fight off mosquitoes, especially since you live in an area where so many of the bugs regularly breed and buzz around. Some of the things you can do include:

• Make sure you do not have any free-standing, stagnant water on your property.
• Use things like citronella candles when you will be outside to keep the bugs away.
• Plant the right things in your garden, like mosquito plants that will actually help to drive the bugs away.

Of course, none of these things will eliminate the mosquitoes completely. If you have a very serious problem with the bugs and you are especially concerned with the issue, then you have another option. You can contact the professionals. There are devices and systems that will work very quickly and easily to ensure you can enjoy your property outdoors without having to constantly swat at mosquitoes.

Can you imagine spending time outdoors with your kids or pets without having to worry about mosquitoes? With the right steps, this can become a reality. Contact Dugas Pest Control today to learn more about our Mosquito Suppression Programs, including the CoastalMister System.