Vectors and Pest Control

Ticks

Ticks are found throughout the State and have the potential to cause various disease. They are small, flat arthropods. The adults and nymphs have 8 legs, and the larva have 6 legs. These creatures need a blood meal to lay their eggs. This is because the blood meal provides the female with protein needed for reproduction. The main disease that most people are familiar with is Lyme's Disease. Lyme's Disease is spread from the bite of an infected Deer Tick. There are other species, but when looking at Lyme's Disease, it is important to know that only Deer Ticks can spread Lyme's Disease. The bacteria, B. burdorferi, lives in the ticks gut and as it attaches and feeds on humans, the bacteria is transferred to the bloodstream. 

If a tick is found attached, the best removal method is with pointy tweezers. Use the tweezers and grab as close to the skin as possible, and pull straight up. Do not twist or scratch it off. Rinse the area with soap and water, and disinfect.

Mosquitos

Everyone is familiar with that annoying buzz in the summer time. Mosquitos in Wisconsin are an unfortunate staple of the summer season. They are found all over, from people's backyards to deep in the forest. Most people also know that mosquito's can transmit certain diseases. There are a couple diseases that most people have heard about, like Malaria and West Nile virus, but there are other less known diseases as well, like Eastern Equine Encephalitis and chikungunya virus, that pose a risk to human health here in Wisconsin. The best way to prevent disease from mosquitos is to prevent being bitten in the first place.

There are many types of mosquitos, but prevention strategies are all the same. One of the most important steps is to use a mosquito repellent when performing outdoor activities. Avoiding the outdoors during peak mosquito time, (dusk and dawn), can also reduce exposure risk. A list of repellents at the end of this page from the EPA website is available. For prevention in the household, using screens and netting over all openings to the outside prevents them from getting in.

Rodents

The presence of rats or mice in your home/business can be a nuisance, cause property damage, and transmit disease. Coming in contact with these pests, their urine, or their feces has been linked to several human diseases including leptospirosis, typhus, rat-bite fever, and salmonellosis. The activities of the rodents can lead to significant property damage from gnawing and digging. This can result in contamination of food and beverages and damage of wood particle boards, insulation, and electrical wiring. Damage to wiring is particularly troubling because it can increase the risk of a fire.

The prevention of rodents from entering your home is an important part of preventing diseases. It is important to keep your home and property free of excess items and rubbish, because rodents tend to make their homes in such places. Some examples of potential outdoor rodent homes include wood piles, bushes, tall grasses, appliances, furniture, and garbage that has been left on the ground. Indoors, they can be found in the insulation of walls or ceilings, inside the crawl spaces, cupboards, counters, bathtubs, and shower stalls.

Prevention of entry is the most effective way to control rodents. If rodents have already established themselves in your home, they can be controlled by the use of traps. If trapping is undesirable, controlling food, water, and shelter are vital in controlling pest populations. Examples include making sure that garbage cans lids are closed tightly and are emptied regularly, stacking fire wood 18 inches off the ground and away from all buildings, keeping home and property clear of rubbish, and covering all openings to your house.  

Poisons are not recommended.  The use of poison as control of rats and mice is not recommended because children and other animals may eat the poison and become ill, or in some cases, die. Also, poisoned rodents can die in hard to reach places causing a bad smell. If poisons are to be used, contact a qualified pest control company.

Bed Bugs

Over the past few decades, the reemergence of bed bugs has gained the interest of health officials nationwide. Bed bugs are small insects that feed on the blood of people, other animals, and birds. They are oval with flat, rusty red colored bodies and they cannot fly or jump. Bed bugs are not necessarily a sign of poor hygiene or cleanliness. Bed bugs are not considered a hazard, because their bites are not known to transmit disease. The bites, however, can become swollen and itchy, resulting in secondary infections, anxiety, and sleeplessness. Bed bugs often hide in bedding, mattresses, cracks in walls, and furniture. Bed bugs usually come out at night and bite when people are sleeping. They may be difficult to control without help from a pest control professional. Over the counter pesticides and aerosol foggers (bug bombs) are not effective in controlling bed bugs. For additional information on bed bugs, please visit the links provided below.

Cockroaches

Cockroach infestations pose a potential human health hazard because they are considered an allergen source, an asthma trigger for residents, and can spread certain illnesses/diseases. Cockroaches spread illness differently than say mosquitos or ticks. A cockroach does not bite a person to feed. The diseases come from the bacteria that they carry on their exoskeleton (outer bodies). They can carry Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, to name a few. Their droppings or body parts can trigger asthma and other allergies. They may also be considered a public nuisance because their tendency to migrate to other buildings or structures when food sources become scarce, causing problems for neighboring residence in the community. Care must be taken to prevent the infestation from migrating to neighboring residence. 

Good home/building sanitation is key to prevent cockroaches. Keep food in sealed containers, emptying garbage regularly and sealing points of entry are all important prevention steps. Cockroach infestations can also be handled with pesticide treatments. Professional Pest management is recommended, but there are products that can be used by the homeowner. Apply pesticides carefully, following the directions on the label. In order for treatments to work, it is important to keep the home or building clear of clutter, food scraps, and other unnecessary materials. Dog and cat food should not be left out between feedings. All dishes should be cleaned immediately after using them. The sink should be thoroughly cleaned after washing dishes to eliminate any food or grease debris.  For additional information on treating cockroach infestations, please visit the web links below.

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Professional Pest Management 

It is always recommended that you seek professional pest control when handling these situations.  The use of pesticides indoors should be completed by a professional when using pesticides.  Professional pest control can implement Integrated Pest Management which addresses all stages of a pest life’s cycle, making it a very effective means of pest control. If you decide to attempt your own treatments, be sure to follow all safe handling, use, and disposal guidelines provided by the manufacturer.