While the average mosquito weighs about 2.5 milligrams, according to the
AMCA, when they bite, they drink more than 5 milligrams—twice their
body weight—of blood. For a 150-pound person, "that's like drinking a
300-pound milkshake," says Dr. Sirot. Once filled to the brim with
blood, mosquitoes often excrete waste so they can fly away. This
process, known as diuresis, happens with all species—though the type of
waste product varies. Mosquitoes that can transmit malaria (anopheles)
excrete plasma, while those that can transmit dengue and yellow fever
(aedes) excrete urine.
Mosquito Magicians, Pest control; Mosquito control
Mosquito Magicians (608) 520-0BUG
Monday, August 12, 2013
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Mosquito control is a community thing. Talk with your neighbors about Pest Control
(Taken from a June 21st article)
The West Nile virus season has begun in Wisconsin.
State health officials reported Thursday that a dead bird in Washington County has tested positive for the virus, a sign that human cases may follow. This was the first report of West Nile activity in Wisconsin this year.
"Although very few mosquitoes actually carry West Nile virus, infected birds serve as an early warning that the virus is present in the area and that people should be more vigilant in protecting themselves against mosquito bites," officials said in a press release from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. But they are not viewing the report as unusual.
Diep Johnson, epidemiologist with the Wisconsin Division of Public Health, told Patch Thursday that avian cases generally begin in May and June, followed by human cases through October. High-risk months are August and September. (so when you think they are all gone be aware this is a very high risk time!)
About 80 percent of those infected by the virus do not experience symptoms, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website. About 20 percent will experience mild symptoms such as "fever, headache, muscle pains, a skin rash, swollen lymph nodes and photophobia."
Less than one percent will experience severe symptoms such as "high fever, neck stiffness, extreme muscle weakness, tremors, convulsions or disorientation."
The virus cycles between birds and mosquitoes, and mosquitoes can transmit the virus to humans. That's why Johnson says preventing human infection takes a conscious effort — and not just from individuals.
"It takes the whole neighborhood to work together to do this," Johnson said. In other words, you can take the necessary preventative steps, but if your neighbor does not do so, you may be just as vulnerable.
Here are some ways you can protect your family and community from West Nile virus:
The West Nile virus season has begun in Wisconsin.
State health officials reported Thursday that a dead bird in Washington County has tested positive for the virus, a sign that human cases may follow. This was the first report of West Nile activity in Wisconsin this year.
"Although very few mosquitoes actually carry West Nile virus, infected birds serve as an early warning that the virus is present in the area and that people should be more vigilant in protecting themselves against mosquito bites," officials said in a press release from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. But they are not viewing the report as unusual.
Diep Johnson, epidemiologist with the Wisconsin Division of Public Health, told Patch Thursday that avian cases generally begin in May and June, followed by human cases through October. High-risk months are August and September. (so when you think they are all gone be aware this is a very high risk time!)
About 80 percent of those infected by the virus do not experience symptoms, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website. About 20 percent will experience mild symptoms such as "fever, headache, muscle pains, a skin rash, swollen lymph nodes and photophobia."
Less than one percent will experience severe symptoms such as "high fever, neck stiffness, extreme muscle weakness, tremors, convulsions or disorientation."
The virus cycles between birds and mosquitoes, and mosquitoes can transmit the virus to humans. That's why Johnson says preventing human infection takes a conscious effort — and not just from individuals.
"It takes the whole neighborhood to work together to do this," Johnson said. In other words, you can take the necessary preventative steps, but if your neighbor does not do so, you may be just as vulnerable.
Here are some ways you can protect your family and community from West Nile virus:
- Using insect repellents when outside, especially during dawn and dusk
- Emptying any stagnant water (e.g., kiddie pools, bird baths, wheelbarrows)
- Making sure no window screens have holes
- Call Mosquito Magicians LLC (608) 520-0BUG
Friday, August 2, 2013
New tick migrating North!!!
A tick making you allergic to beer probably would be worse, but being allergic to red meat would be a close second in Wisconsin.
UW-Madison researchers announced on Monday that the lone star tick has been found in the Badger State, possibly the first time this southern resident has been found here.
The tick is called lone star because of a single white splotch on the back of the female.
The Amblyomma Americanum, the scientific name of the tick, is found from Texas to Maine, but rarely has been found in the Midwest.
Susan Paskewitz, entomology professor at UW-Madison, said in a news release that the lone star tick has been found in at least seven Wisconsin counties.
"The signs are telling me they are close to established, if not already established, in the southern part of the state," Paskewitz said in the release. "I took one off my daughter recently, my staff picked up two ticks working at the Arboretum and I picked one up in Price County, which is surprisingly far north."
A JSOnline article said the lone star tick has been discovered in Dane, Milwaukee, Price, Brown, Marathon, St. Croix and Waukesha counties.
The lone star tick bite can transmit bacteria that causes conditions such as human monocytic ehrlichiosis, a potentially debilitating and dangerous disease characterized by fever, muscle aches and fatigue.
"There also is a more rare reaction to Amblyomma in which a bite makes some people develop an allergy to red meat," Paskewitz said. "That would probably bother a lot of people in Wisconsin."
The common symptoms with ehrlichiosis are not unlike other tick-borne infections such as Lyme disease, so identifying and tracking specific species is helpful to state health officials.
"Some of these things, you get sick with them and tests come back negative because we aren't even looking for that type of infection," Paskewitz said.
Anyone suspecting a tick is a lone star tick should send a photo or the actual tick to Paskewitz.
"We could use the specimens," she said. "Just drop the tick in a sealed plastic bag and freeze it, or heat it up on your dashboard in the sun."
Instructions for identifying and submitting a lone star tick are here.
More bad news about the lone star tick: It's aggressive.
"They'll crawl right after you," Paskewitz said. "They don't wait for you to come to them, but they aren't any more dangerous."
The lone star tick will have a hard time replacing the deer tick as the state's most despised tick, and deer ticks are having a field day this year.
Paskewitz said she's found 30 deer ticks at a time when dragging a square meter of white fabric through the woods, across lawns or in prairie grass.
UW-Madison researchers announced on Monday that the lone star tick has been found in the Badger State, possibly the first time this southern resident has been found here.
The tick is called lone star because of a single white splotch on the back of the female.
The Amblyomma Americanum, the scientific name of the tick, is found from Texas to Maine, but rarely has been found in the Midwest.
Susan Paskewitz, entomology professor at UW-Madison, said in a news release that the lone star tick has been found in at least seven Wisconsin counties.
"The signs are telling me they are close to established, if not already established, in the southern part of the state," Paskewitz said in the release. "I took one off my daughter recently, my staff picked up two ticks working at the Arboretum and I picked one up in Price County, which is surprisingly far north."
A JSOnline article said the lone star tick has been discovered in Dane, Milwaukee, Price, Brown, Marathon, St. Croix and Waukesha counties.
The lone star tick bite can transmit bacteria that causes conditions such as human monocytic ehrlichiosis, a potentially debilitating and dangerous disease characterized by fever, muscle aches and fatigue.
"There also is a more rare reaction to Amblyomma in which a bite makes some people develop an allergy to red meat," Paskewitz said. "That would probably bother a lot of people in Wisconsin."
The common symptoms with ehrlichiosis are not unlike other tick-borne infections such as Lyme disease, so identifying and tracking specific species is helpful to state health officials.
"Some of these things, you get sick with them and tests come back negative because we aren't even looking for that type of infection," Paskewitz said.
Anyone suspecting a tick is a lone star tick should send a photo or the actual tick to Paskewitz.
"We could use the specimens," she said. "Just drop the tick in a sealed plastic bag and freeze it, or heat it up on your dashboard in the sun."
Instructions for identifying and submitting a lone star tick are here.
More bad news about the lone star tick: It's aggressive.
"They'll crawl right after you," Paskewitz said. "They don't wait for you to come to them, but they aren't any more dangerous."
The lone star tick will have a hard time replacing the deer tick as the state's most despised tick, and deer ticks are having a field day this year.
Paskewitz said she's found 30 deer ticks at a time when dragging a square meter of white fabric through the woods, across lawns or in prairie grass.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Mosquito Magicians of Madison, WI
Mosquito Magicians, LLC is a family owned and operated local Pest Control Company. We are passionate about spending time outdoors with our family and friends, but we can’t stand all the biting mosquitoes.
That is why we decided to take a stand against those annoying disease carrying pests, and founded Mosquito Magicians. We developed a system that is safe for kids, pets, and plants.
Our pest control solution is extremely effective in
controlling mosquitoes, ticks, and 40 other annoying insects for around
4 weeks per application. It works so good you will think it is magic!
Whether you are having an outdoor event or would
like to enjoy a full season without the annoyance of mosquitoes and
ticks, we have a plan that is best for you.
Please contact us today to set up your free, no obligation consultation and estimate with one of our Licensed Consultants.
Backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee, you have nothing to lose but the mosquitoes!!
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