GARDEN SAFETY: PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM SUMMER PESTS
Despite their differences – golden glove versus green thumb, base path versus flower bed – these boys of summer are not too dissimilar. Both are at the mercy of the weather, and both try to protect their field from rivals.
When summer temperatures rise, it’s not just vegetation and blooms popping up. Pests start showing up in the summer months too. And if a gardener isn’t careful, the pests can be downright dangerous.
So who cultivates the home field advantage in this rivalry? The one who scouts the competition and plans ahead. Learn about three of the top pests growers may face in the garden, and how gardeners can fight their bite:
Mosquitoes: Mosquitoes can be a major health concern for anyone who spends time outdoors in the summer, especially in hot, moist environments that are vital to mosquito growth and survival. While some people have no reaction to mosquito bites, others get itchy welts or suffer allergic reactions from mosquito bites. Mosquitoes can also spread diseases like West Nile virus and Chikungunya virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the risk of infection is highest for people who work outside or participate in outdoor activities because of greater exposure to mosquitoes.
Before gardeners step out into the yard, they should dress in a protective “uniform” that covers as much exposed skin as possible: loose fitting pants and long sleeves — mosquitoes can bite through tight fitting clothes — and an EPA-registered insect repellent.
Adult mosquitoes prefer dense vegetation for shelter. If the vegetation is thick, the leaves give adult mosquitoes a place to hide, protecting them when wind blows. By thinning out vegetation, mosquitoes lose their hiding place, and wind will naturally have an adverse effect on the mosquito population.
Immature mosquitoes need stagnant water to grow and survive, so getting rid of any standing water in the yard is essential to helping prevent mosquito breeding. Check flower pots, bird baths and anything else in the yard that might hold standing water, as mosquitoes can breed in as little as 2 or 3 inches of water.
It’s important that gardeners never assume they’re “in the clear.” They should take precautions all day long and for most of the year since mosquito season can last from April to October in warmer parts of the country. And some species of mosquitoes — including the Asian tiger and yellow fever species, which are common in the southern United States and can carry Chikungunya virus — are active all day, not just between dusk and dawn.
Symptoms of common mosquito-borne illnesses are similar to flu-like symptoms. Anyone who comes down with those symptoms over the summer should contact their doctor to be safe.
Ticks: Tick bites can pose a threat to both people and pets. Lyme disease, which causes muscle and joint aches, fatigue, chills, fever and skin rash, is the most common tick-borne disease in the United States. However, it is only one of many that can be transmitted by ticks. Ticks transmit these diseases through their bites as they attach themselves to their host — a gardener, family pet or other animal — with their mouth and feed on blood.
Ticks are masters of disguise. Most unfed adult ticks are about the size of an apple seed and immature ticks are even smaller. Both hide in outdoor areas with shrubbery and tall grass. Given their tendency to hide in this type of vegetation, the tick population can be reduced in the yard by regularly trimming shrubbery and grass.
When outdoors, gardeners should wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants that are light colored so ticks are easier to see. Pants should be tucked into socks or boots to prevent ticks from crawling under pant legs.
Many people are misinformed when it comes to proper tick removal. When returning inside from working near woods or tall grass, gardeners should immediately check their bodies for ticks and only remove a tick with tweezers. Ticks should be lifted at the head gently and firmly, but never squeezed. Using alcohol, nail polish, hot matches, petroleum jelly or other commonly accepted methods to remove a tick may actually traumatize it, causing infection.
Fire Ants: According to the Food and Drug Administration, people in the United States spend more than $5 billion each year on medical issues and control related to fire ants.
Fire ants are very aggressive; they will quickly attack and sting when they feel threatened, especially if something is touching their mound. Their stings are painful and pose a significant health risk to those who experience severe allergic reactions.
Fire ants have strong survival instincts, which makes long-term control difficult. Simply destroying one mound may not eliminate the problem — if something disturbs a colony, fire ants can completely relocate in a matter of hours. A trained professional who can assess the situation, implement a treatment and monitor for improvements over time is the best solution.
For more information on preventing common summer pests, visit Orkin.com.
By Ron Harrison, Ph.D., Entomologist and Orkin Technical Services Director
Gardening is giving baseball a run for its title as the American pastime. According to the National Gardening Association, one in three Americans grows a vegetable garden, and Americans spend upwards of $3.5 billion on gardening each year.Despite their differences – golden glove versus green thumb, base path versus flower bed – these boys of summer are not too dissimilar. Both are at the mercy of the weather, and both try to protect their field from rivals.
When summer temperatures rise, it’s not just vegetation and blooms popping up. Pests start showing up in the summer months too. And if a gardener isn’t careful, the pests can be downright dangerous.
So who cultivates the home field advantage in this rivalry? The one who scouts the competition and plans ahead. Learn about three of the top pests growers may face in the garden, and how gardeners can fight their bite:
Mosquitoes: Mosquitoes can be a major health concern for anyone who spends time outdoors in the summer, especially in hot, moist environments that are vital to mosquito growth and survival. While some people have no reaction to mosquito bites, others get itchy welts or suffer allergic reactions from mosquito bites. Mosquitoes can also spread diseases like West Nile virus and Chikungunya virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the risk of infection is highest for people who work outside or participate in outdoor activities because of greater exposure to mosquitoes.
Before gardeners step out into the yard, they should dress in a protective “uniform” that covers as much exposed skin as possible: loose fitting pants and long sleeves — mosquitoes can bite through tight fitting clothes — and an EPA-registered insect repellent.
Adult mosquitoes prefer dense vegetation for shelter. If the vegetation is thick, the leaves give adult mosquitoes a place to hide, protecting them when wind blows. By thinning out vegetation, mosquitoes lose their hiding place, and wind will naturally have an adverse effect on the mosquito population.
Immature mosquitoes need stagnant water to grow and survive, so getting rid of any standing water in the yard is essential to helping prevent mosquito breeding. Check flower pots, bird baths and anything else in the yard that might hold standing water, as mosquitoes can breed in as little as 2 or 3 inches of water.
It’s important that gardeners never assume they’re “in the clear.” They should take precautions all day long and for most of the year since mosquito season can last from April to October in warmer parts of the country. And some species of mosquitoes — including the Asian tiger and yellow fever species, which are common in the southern United States and can carry Chikungunya virus — are active all day, not just between dusk and dawn.
Symptoms of common mosquito-borne illnesses are similar to flu-like symptoms. Anyone who comes down with those symptoms over the summer should contact their doctor to be safe.
Ticks: Tick bites can pose a threat to both people and pets. Lyme disease, which causes muscle and joint aches, fatigue, chills, fever and skin rash, is the most common tick-borne disease in the United States. However, it is only one of many that can be transmitted by ticks. Ticks transmit these diseases through their bites as they attach themselves to their host — a gardener, family pet or other animal — with their mouth and feed on blood.
Ticks are masters of disguise. Most unfed adult ticks are about the size of an apple seed and immature ticks are even smaller. Both hide in outdoor areas with shrubbery and tall grass. Given their tendency to hide in this type of vegetation, the tick population can be reduced in the yard by regularly trimming shrubbery and grass.
When outdoors, gardeners should wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants that are light colored so ticks are easier to see. Pants should be tucked into socks or boots to prevent ticks from crawling under pant legs.
Many people are misinformed when it comes to proper tick removal. When returning inside from working near woods or tall grass, gardeners should immediately check their bodies for ticks and only remove a tick with tweezers. Ticks should be lifted at the head gently and firmly, but never squeezed. Using alcohol, nail polish, hot matches, petroleum jelly or other commonly accepted methods to remove a tick may actually traumatize it, causing infection.
Fire Ants: According to the Food and Drug Administration, people in the United States spend more than $5 billion each year on medical issues and control related to fire ants.
Fire ants are very aggressive; they will quickly attack and sting when they feel threatened, especially if something is touching their mound. Their stings are painful and pose a significant health risk to those who experience severe allergic reactions.
Fire ants have strong survival instincts, which makes long-term control difficult. Simply destroying one mound may not eliminate the problem — if something disturbs a colony, fire ants can completely relocate in a matter of hours. A trained professional who can assess the situation, implement a treatment and monitor for improvements over time is the best solution.
For more information on preventing common summer pests, visit Orkin.com.
[size=undefined]All articles are copyrighted and remain the property of the author.
Article URL:
http://www.GardenSMART.com/?p=articles&title=Garden_Safety-_Protecting_Yourself_From_Summer_Pests[/size]
Article URL:
http://www.GardenSMART.com/?p=articles&title=Garden_Safety-_Protecting_Yourself_From_Summer_Pests[/size]
Today at 6:17 am by Rocky
» Expert: The stability of the economy is linked to the political situation
Today at 6:13 am by Rocky
» A parliamentary request to lift the injustice against 20,000 Iraqi employees
Today at 6:09 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Finance criticizes the government's failure to send the budget schedules
Today at 6:08 am by Rocky
» Minister of Oil: The 5th and 6th licensing rounds will take place within the framework of exploratio
Today at 6:07 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: Iraq is a difficult number in the global market in the field of energy
Today at 6:06 am by Rocky
» Al-Khanjar rejects Al-Halbousi’s request to head Parliament
Today at 6:05 am by Rocky
» Revealing the date of the arrival of the 2024 budget schedules
Today at 6:04 am by Rocky
» Al-Halbousi nominates Talal Al-Zubaie for presidency of the House of Representatives
Today at 6:03 am by Rocky
» "A coup in Iraqi universities"... Replacement of presidents and deans under the new education law
Today at 6:01 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: Iraq is a difficult number in the equation of energy and oil wealth in the region and the
Today at 6:00 am by Rocky
» Minister of Oil: We hope to announce an increase in Iraq’s oil reserves to 160 billion barrels
Today at 5:58 am by Rocky
» Iraq's mass graves...stories that did not end with the burial of their owners, and the "legacy of IS
Today at 5:57 am by Rocky
» Pictures: New licenses in Iraq to extract “huge” quantities of oil and gas
Today at 5:56 am by Rocky
» Transport reopens the Baghdad - Samarra railway line
Today at 5:55 am by Rocky
» Al-Awadi: A government decision to provide sovereign guarantees and guarantees to encourage the inve
Today at 5:54 am by Rocky
» Oil clarifies the mechanism for investing grant funds and licensing contracts
Today at 5:51 am by Rocky
» A $700 million agreement is signed between Iraq and Italy to finance these projects
Today at 5:50 am by Rocky
» Iraq recovers 90 billion dinars from social protection violators
Today at 5:49 am by Rocky
» Sudanese officially launches the two licensing rounds and sets the date for stopping gas burning
Today at 5:48 am by Rocky
» An economic vision for the standard of competition for exploratory plots in Iraq
Today at 5:47 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi Islamic Bank announces an increase in its capital to 300 billion dinars
Today at 5:46 am by Rocky
» A communication from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Interior in Kurdistan regarding “herb
Today at 5:44 am by Rocky
» Popular agreement to end the “cancer towers” crisis in the oldest villages of Diyala.. Document
Today at 5:42 am by Rocky
» What is the reason for OPEC's decision to stop publishing its estimates of the volume of global dema
Today at 5:41 am by Rocky
» It includes 29 projects in 12 governorates.. Launching the fifth supplementary licensing round and t
Today at 5:40 am by Rocky
» Among them are 8 Chinese companies...an economic view of the criteria for competition over explorato
Today at 5:38 am by Rocky
» Sudanese: Gas burning will stop within 3-5 years
Today at 5:38 am by Rocky
» With the extension of its legislative term.. Will the Iraqi parliament succeed in resolving the budg
Today at 5:36 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani's angry message to Guterres: We do not need UNAMI.. Describe your belongings and leave
Today at 5:35 am by Rocky
» As a result of corruption charges... Parliamentary signatures were collected to dismiss the director
Today at 5:33 am by Rocky
» 13 countries are competing for 29 fields, and Anbar and Muthanna have the lion’s share... Details of
Today at 5:30 am by Rocky
» Ending the international coalition’s mission...negotiations may take more time
Today at 5:29 am by Rocky
» Oil reveals a mechanism to support services and establish infrastructure projects in the producing g
Today at 5:27 am by Rocky
» Al-Hakim: The future cannot be mortgaged to volatile oil prices
Today at 5:26 am by Rocky
» The New Generation Movement files a lawsuit to dissolve the regional government: It is unable to mak
Today at 5:24 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: The government program devoted a wide scope to the government’s vision for oil and gas in
Today at 5:23 am by Rocky
» Al-Rafidain: Loans for purchasing residential units start from 5 to 150 million
Today at 5:21 am by Rocky
» Iraq launches a new licensing round to develop oil and gas fields
Today at 5:20 am by Rocky
» Signing an agreement between Iraq and Italy to finance industrial projects worth $700 million
Today at 5:19 am by Rocky
» Minister of Oil: Soon we will announce the increase in Iraq’s oil reserves to 160 billion barrels
Today at 5:18 am by Rocky
» The Chinese company ZPEC wins the investment in the East Baghdad field - the northern extensions
Today at 5:17 am by Rocky
» utube 5/9/24 Iraqi Dinar | Ali Alaq Announced New Rate Finally Showing New Rate On Tv Screen | Din
Yesterday at 5:55 pm by Rocky
» utube 5/9/24 MM&C 0:02 / 46:46 PM - Al-Sudani - Golden Opportunity - Private Sector - Contra
Yesterday at 10:38 am by Rocky
» A leader in the National Bank: We are committed to the federal decision and to postpone the election
Yesterday at 10:28 am by Rocky
» Al-Hakim: Iraq's future cannot be mortgaged to volatile oil prices
Yesterday at 10:24 am by Rocky
» The conflict of the corridors: the path to development from a historical perspective and the door to
Yesterday at 10:22 am by Rocky
» The Kurdistan Region demands that the federal government spend 1.1 billion dinars.. What is the reas
Yesterday at 10:21 am by Rocky
» Tomorrow, Iraq is preparing to launch a complementary round of gas licensing
Yesterday at 10:19 am by Rocky
» A government move to restore the funds of the Trade Bank of Iraq
Yesterday at 10:17 am by Rocky
» The Central Bank informs France of plans to restructure the banking sector
Yesterday at 10:15 am by Rocky
» A government advisor reveals the fate of the budget tables
Yesterday at 10:13 am by Rocky
» Iranian mediation between Baghdad and Erbil... Revealing the most prominent files of Raisi’s visit t
Yesterday at 10:10 am by Rocky
» Reconstruction and development is a priority.. A parliamentary committee follows up and monitors gov
Yesterday at 10:08 am by Rocky
» Al-Hakim comments on the agreements concluded with Türkiye and confirms: Iraq is on the right path
Yesterday at 10:06 am by Rocky
» Tomorrow... Iraq takes a step that will give it gas equivalent to 200% of imported Iranian gas
Yesterday at 10:04 am by Rocky
» A long and disturbing message.. The Iraqi government “blames” the United Nations because of “other p
Yesterday at 10:00 am by Rocky
» The Governor of the Central Bank and the French Ambassador discuss developments in the banking secto
Yesterday at 6:18 am by Rocky
» Al-Bajari: Iraqi companies will have a great opportunity to work after opening the door to investmen
Yesterday at 6:16 am by Rocky
» Transparency: Imports from Sulaymaniyah and Halabja during the past week amounted to more than 10 bi
Yesterday at 6:13 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: The delayed projects left great damage to the level of services in Babylon
Yesterday at 6:12 am by Rocky
» Economist: The fluctuation of the dollar is “the balance of speculators”
Yesterday at 6:10 am by Rocky
» {Al-Furat News} publishes the text of Al-Sudani’s request to Guterres to end UNAMI’s work in Iraq
Yesterday at 6:08 am by Rocky
» A former MP accuses Türkiye of transferring its conflict with the workers to Iraq
Yesterday at 6:05 am by Rocky
» A call to the Sudanese to remove American forces from Iraq
Yesterday at 6:03 am by Rocky
» Oil Parliament: Ankara holds Erbil responsible for the oil fines it owes
Yesterday at 6:02 am by Rocky
» The government is silent...the reality of removing American forces from Iraq
Yesterday at 6:01 am by Rocky
» The radiation protection law in the first session of the next legislative term
Yesterday at 6:00 am by Rocky
» A Spanish company raises controversy and a representative reveals a parliamentary movement against i
Yesterday at 5:59 am by Rocky
» Sudanese officially requests the end of the United Nations mission in Iraq / documents
Yesterday at 5:58 am by Rocky
» Because its sessions were not held, the Kirkuk Council faces a judicial complaint, and its members d
Yesterday at 5:56 am by Rocky
» Former US Chief of Staff: We slaughtered huge numbers of innocent people in Iraq and other countries
Yesterday at 5:55 am by Rocky
» The Association of Private Banks counts the percentage of shares traded on the stock market during a
Yesterday at 5:53 am by Rocky
» The European Union and Iraq agree to increase cooperation between them
Yesterday at 5:52 am by Rocky
» American Bank: Expectations to increase Iraq’s oil capacity in 2025
Yesterday at 5:50 am by Rocky
» Central Bank Governor to the French Ambassador: The plan to restructure government banks will change
Yesterday at 5:48 am by Rocky
» Integrity confirms working to conclude a memorandum of understanding with the Kuwaiti Anti-Corruptio
Yesterday at 5:47 am by Rocky
» Highlights of the Prime Minister's visit to Babylon
Yesterday at 5:46 am by Rocky
» The Minister of Transport discusses with a Turkish delegation the latest developments in the develop
Yesterday at 5:44 am by Rocky
» Free of charge.. Issuing approximately 13 thousand unified cards for those covered by social protect
Yesterday at 5:42 am by Rocky
» A parliamentary committee advises the government to deter trespassers: Slums are one of the reasons
Yesterday at 5:41 am by Rocky
» Embassy Protection confirms to “Baghdad Today”: The missions are safe and we have taken proactive me
Yesterday at 5:38 am by Rocky
» Water resources resolve the controversy of the “Wadi Al-Tea” project.. It will nourish the Hamrin ic
Yesterday at 5:37 am by Rocky
» After approving the National Security Strategy...a parliamentary movement to host “responsible” figu
Yesterday at 5:36 am by Rocky
» Al-Hakim calls for the distribution of plots of land to the families of the martyrs of the Popular M
Yesterday at 5:34 am by Rocky
» Order 160 Committee completes the “port scandals” papers... and searches for a legal outlet for impl
Yesterday at 5:33 am by Rocky
» It revealed the details of its contract with four companies to complete the census requirements... P
Yesterday at 5:31 am by Rocky
» Egypt, Morocco and Qatar praise the Iraqi Integrity proposal to establish the Arab Law Enforcement C
Yesterday at 5:30 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi Parliament enters its legislative recess and requires holding an “extraordinary” session o
Yesterday at 5:28 am by Rocky
» The Sudanese has not rested since the morning.. He carried out 12 activities and allocated a trillio
Yesterday at 5:27 am by Rocky
» Blinken's agent: Erbil is a strategic ally of Washington in a 360-degree relationship
Yesterday at 5:25 am by Rocky
» Oil seeks to convert refinery products to “Euro 5”... high quality and environmentally friendly
Yesterday at 5:24 am by Rocky
» A leader in the framework: There is no need for early elections...the “legislative” elections will t
Yesterday at 5:23 am by Rocky
» Parliament decides to extend its legislative term by 30 days
Yesterday at 5:22 am by Rocky
» Iraq has the tenth worst economic growth in the world during the last 5 years
Yesterday at 5:19 am by Rocky
» Al-Hakim: The future cannot be mortgaged to volatile oil prices
Yesterday at 5:17 am by Rocky
» It will change the reality of Iraqi banks.. Al-Alaq reveals a plan that enjoys Sudanese support
Yesterday at 5:15 am by Rocky
» MM&C 5/9/24 The Federation of Chambers of Commerce and the European Union discuss cooperation to fin
Thu May 09, 2024 10:27 am by Rocky
» MM&C 5/9/24 Customs, security and economic aspects
Thu May 09, 2024 10:24 am by Rocky