Pest Control Role in Vector-Borne Disease Monitoring
Recently Expert Pest Solutions management and technicians attended the annual Purdue Pest Management Conference at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. The Conference seeks to provide pest control technicians with progressive ideas that can be used to enhance their company and the pest management industry. At the 2018 event, special focus was on the role pest control technicians play in the protection of public health.
Vector-borne and other diseases that have the potential to spread have expanded their range in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every year, about 30,000 Lyme disease cases are reported in the U.S. In addition to Lyme disease, West Nile virus and Zika virus, the Heartland virus (transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks, and sand flies) are also of concern and should be monitored by pest control management companies. As of July 2017, 30 cases of Heartland virus were reported in the Midwest and South (first reported in Missouri). Dr. Stan Cope, in his presentation on the “Diseases at the Doorstep,” told conference attendees that it has only been 137 years that we have known that germs cause illness. Cope said the next public health disease pest control managers should monitor closely is the mosquito-borne Mayaro virus. The Mayaro virus is spread by ‘Aedes aegypti’, which is the same species of mosquito that spreads the Zika and chikungunya viruses.
Pest control companies should be monitoring these vector-borne diseases because some of them can have deadly results. These vectors are sometimes found in customers’ backyards, and they often go unreported or are misdiagnosed when patients fail to provide necessary information to medical providers. Increased international travel is another reason emerging vector-borne diseases are spreading.
Monitoring is an essential part of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program; In addition to the use of electronic monitoring technology, game cameras are another great way to watch for these disease vectors. Expert Pest Solutions offers a variety of pest control techniques and methods for control of disease-carrying pests. We provide a pest control program that is appropriate for every situation and customer. Our trained team of experienced pest control technicians undergoes pertinent continuing education in pest control management throughout the year, staying up-to-date with the most current treatment methods and newest materials available. Their knowledge of pests and their behaviors, combined with the right tools and materials, allows them to target those areas where the pests may be harboring and gaining entry. They use the latest available baits, dust, granules, and liquid treatments to ensure a successful treatment every time with a goal of preventing re-infestation.
We conduct thorough pest inspections in the Springfield, MO; Nixa, MO; Ozark, MO; and surrounding areas, looking for any visible signs of pest activity. Whenever weather conditions interfere with the effectiveness of treatment, our warranty guarantees a return visit at no additional charge. Call Expert Pest Solutions at (417) 413-4776 or visit us online.