Malaria No More

MACON, Ga. — As cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), a rare but serious virus, continue to rise in parts of the Northeast, Mosquito Squad® is helping homeowners stay informed about the virus and the important safety measures to take.

With much still to learn about EEE, Dr. Kurt Vandock, PhD in Cell Biology and Entomology and Vice President of Strategic Growth at Mosquito Squad, is sharing what homeowners need to know about the mosquito-borne virus to help reduce the risk of transmission as mosquito season continues.

How can I tell if my child or pet has EEE versus another mosquito-borne illness?

Infection can cause a range of illnesses. Most people have no symptoms; others get only a mild flu-like illness with fever, headache, and sore throat. For people with infection of the central nervous system, a sudden fever (103ºF to 106ºF), severe headache, and stiff neck can be followed quickly by seizures and coma. The best way to confirm any illness is with an approved and accurate test administered by a medical professional.

What should I do if I suspect that someone in my family has EEE?

Seeking immediate medical attention is key with any arbovirus. Eastern Equine Encephalitis is a serious disease with symptoms occurring fast. If you live in an area with noted EEE activity and have flu-like symptoms after being bitten by a mosquito you should seek medical care immediately.

Are there certain times of the day when contracting EEE is more likely?

Mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Culiseta melanura is the primary vector of EEE and can bite at any time of the day; however, studies indicate it is most active around dusk.

How can I keep my family safe from EEE as school and extracurricular activities commence?

Avoiding areas where mosquitoes are numerous and EEE has been reported is a great first line of defense. When this is not possible, dressing with long sleeves, pants, closed toe shoes, and defending with repellant can all help mitigate exposure to mosquito bites.

My town is coordinating aerial sprays to help mitigate the mosquito population in the area. Does that mean that I don’t need to take any other measures to protect my yard?

The insecticides sprayed from airplanes and trucks are non-residual broad-spectrum insecticides that kill insects on contact. These products are only effective while they are in the air and can contact a target pest. Targeted barrier sprays such as the ones deployed by Mosquito Squad provide longer term control of mosquitoes and are more selective since they are only applied where mosquitoes rest and harbor. Additionally, local larviciding is completed which helps interrupt the entire lifecycle of the mosquito.

For more information or to find services near you, visit www.mosquitosquad.com.

MACON, Ga. — Mosquito Squad^® announced today a line of four new Pest Packages that cater to the individual needs of homeowners plagued by pest infestations. To deliver effective pest control services within its local territories, Mosquito Squad has tailored each package to help protect against the pests prevalent in those specific markets.

Recognizing the diversity of pest challenges, Mosquito Squad acknowledges that a singular solution doesn’t suffice; therefore, Mosquito Squad’s highly trained technicians are able to develop the most appropriate package for region-specific pest issues.

Each package is designed to provide proactive protection and prescriptive treatments. The 4 new Mosquito Squad Pest Packages include:

• Squad Home Shield – Designed to address a wide variety of common outdoor household pests throughout the seasons, including ants, spiders, and roaches. These pests can create several health and safety issues, including structural damage to the home caused by carpenter ants, or increased allergies and asthma symptoms caused by roaches.
  
  
• Squad Fly Control – A specialized solution designed to help keep outdoor living spaces free from bothersome and disease-transmitting flies and gnats.
  
  
• Squad Invader Guard – This treatment effectively manages invasive and home-invading pests like spotted lanternflies and stinkbugs, helping to safeguard the overall health of the home and outdoor living space, including beloved plants, from such pests.
  
  
• Squad Yard Defender – Offering continuous protection against a range of common pests, including ticks, fleas, and mound-building ants, this comprehensive solution helps deliver peace of mind year-round and reduces the risk of bites and stings from these pests that can carry disease or cause painful bites.

Mosquito Squad continues to highlight the importance of pest management to help control diseases transmitted by pests. While pests such as spotted lanternflies and ants can be a nuisance as well, many homeowners aren’t aware that they can also pose health and safety risks to their property and themselves.

“The health and safety of homeowners is our top priority at Mosquito Squad, and we’re committed to educating them on the importance of proactive and prescriptive pest control,” said Dr. Kurt Vandock, PhD, Vice President of Strategic Growth for Mosquito Squad. “With nearly two decades of experience, we recognize that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to pest control. Whether we’re treating an existing infestation or preventing problems ahead of the peak season, Mosquito Squad’s highly trained technicians will work with homeowners to select the ideal Pest Package, tailored to combat the specific public health risks in our serviced territories.”

In addition to Pest Packages, Mosquito Squad continues to offer homeowners year-round mosquito and tick protection through its Mosquito Control Barrier Protection System, helping keep these pests at bay for up to three weeks after application.

Mosquito Squad Pest Packages are rolling out to select franchise locations this spring. Available packages will vary by location.

For more information or to find a location near you, visit www.mosquitosquad.com.

MACON, Ga. — Mosquito Squad, the largest mosquito and tick control franchise in North America, is pleased to announce the appointment of Emma Grace Crumbley as the in-house Entomologist. This new addition will provide Mosquito Squad with a specialized, educational approach when it comes to a full range of pests from mosquitoes to ticks.

“We are thrilled to expand our team with the addition of Emma Grace Crumbley as Mosquito Squad’s entomologist,” said Tom Swift, COO of Mosquito Squad. “She is an exemplary leader in the entomology industry, with a wealth of knowledge that will undoubtedly make invaluable contributions to our rapidly-growing franchise system.”

Crumbley is a University of Georgia trained entomologist. She is passionate about insect education, scientific communication, and public, urban, and environmental health awareness. During her time at the University of Georgia, she earned two Bachelor of Science degrees in Applied Biotechnology and Entomology and served as the President of the Undergraduate Entomology Club. In addition, she was also the Head Zookeeper at the UGA Insect Zoo.

Through her role at Mosquito Squad, she will use her expertise to educate customers and make the topic of bugs engaging through her personality as “Emma the Entomologist” that will be featured on blog content, social media interactions and more. She will also be responsible for continuing to research the growth, nutrition, behavior and how insects interact with plants, humans, and animals.

“As Mosquito Squad’s new entomologist, I’m excited to support the team with my knowledge in the pest arena,” said Emma Grace Crumbley, Entomologist at Mosquito Squad. “Through my expansive education on pests I can offer a fresh and unique approach to Mosquito Squad.”

For more information on Mosquito Squad, please visit www.MosquitoSquad.com.