Miami has surpassed Los Angeles this year for first place in pest control company Orkin’s Top 50 Termite Cities List. Recently released following Termite Awareness Week (March 5–11), Orkin determined its list based upon the amount of residential and commercial termite treatments it performed in various metro areas within the United States between February 1, 2022–January 31, 2023. According to Orkin, termites are referred to as “silent destroyers” because of their ability to secretly hide and thrive in a building. Termites eat cellulose-based materials commonly found in building materials such as timber, flooring, and dry wall. These pests cost Americans more than US$5 billion in damage annually, which is not typically covered in insurance policies. In the 2023 list, Los Angeles fell to second place, with Tampa, Florida, and Washington, D.C., ranking third and fourth, respectively. Raleigh, North Carolina, rounded out the top 5. “Termites feed primarily on wood and can compromise the strength and safety of an infested structure,” said Glen Ramsey, Orkin’s director of technical services. The company offered the following proactive tips to help prevent a termite infestation: Check water drainage sites to ensure they remain cleared and effective Monitor the collection of moisture by fixing pipes, gutters, downspouts, air conditioning units, and other fixtures susceptible to leaking Caulk around utility lines or pipes Get rid of rotting wood and debris near the building Place screens on outside vents Check wooden structures for damage. Find out which cities are on the list and where they ranked.
For the third year in a row, Chicago topped the list of Atlanta-based pest control company Orkin’s top 50 bed bugs cities for 2023. New York, Philadelphia, and Cleveland ranked in second, third, and fourth place, respectively. Los Angeles saw the largest jump from last year, moving up seven spots to rank fifth. The list is based on the metro areas where Orkin performed the most bed bug treatments from December 1, 2021–November 30, 2022. The ranking includes both residential and commercial treatments. Although bed bugs are usually considered problem for tourist lodging, the fact is that bed bugs themselves can travel and set up home anywhere, making them a problem not only for hotels, but also for other businesses and commercial facilities, as well as residences and public transit. “Bed bugs are extremely resilient, making them difficult to control. As people begin to ramp up their travel plans this year, it’s important they know how to protect themselves through pest identification and proper control,” said Ben Hottel, Orkin entomologist. Identifying Bed Bugs According to Orkin, bed bugs are roughly a quarter of an inch in length and red to dark brown in color. They tend to be nocturnal, coming out of hiding at night to feast on blood from unsuspecting humans while they sleep. Bed bugs are hematophagous, which means blood is their only food source. They travel easily from place to place by clinging to items such as luggage, purses, and other personal belongings. A population of bed bugs can grow rapidly. Female bed bugs can deposit one to five eggs a day and might lay as many as 500 eggs in their lifetime. They can survive for several months while waiting for their next blood meal and will emerge when a food source—that being a human or animal—becomes available. “Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs are visible to the naked eye, but are excellent at hiding,” Hottel explained. “While it’s important to be aware of bed bug infestations within hotels, practicing precautions in other aspects of travel are also important. Taxis, buses, and airplanes are also common bed bug hiding places, allowing these pests an opportunity to hitch a ride with unsuspecting travelers. Examining clothing and luggage regularly while traveling can help to catch a bed bug infestation in the early stages.” Preventing a Bed Bug Infestation As Americans prepare for their leisure and business travel for the new year, it’s important to be proactive about possible bed bug infestations. Orkin recommends taking the following steps to help prevent bed bugs at your hotel or facility: Inspect your facility regularly for evidence of bed bugs. Remember the acronym S.L.E.E.P. to inspect for bed bugs: Survey the room for signs of an infestation. Be on the lookout for tiny, ink-colored stains on mattress seams, in soft furniture, and behind headboards. Lift and look in bed bug hiding spots, including mattresses, box springs, and other furniture, as well as behind baseboards, pictures, and torn wallpaper. Elevate bags and luggage away from beds and walls. The safest place to store luggage is actually in the bathroom or on counters, rather than on beds or chairs. Examine luggage carefully while repacking and after returning home from a trip. Always store luggage away from the bed. Place all dryer-safe clothing from your luggage in the dryer for at least 30–45 minutes at the highest setting possible after returning home. Decrease clutter in rooms to make it easier to spot bed bugs on your own or during professional inspections. Examine all secondhand furniture before bringing it inside your business or home. Because bed bugs can be found just about everywhere—even in a facility’s fitness center—you’ll also want to check out How to Keep Bed Bugs Out of Hotel Fitness Centers.
In a recent press release, pest-control company Orkin revealed its list of the top 50 “rattiest” U.S. cities for 2022, and for the eighth straight year, Chicago ranked first. The Windy City beat out New York and Los Angeles, which took second and third places, respectively. Orkin ranked metro regions by the number of new rodent treatments performed by the company from September 1, 2021, to August 31, 2022. This ranking includes both residential and commercial treatments. According to Orkin, rat infestation tends to increase seasonally, as the temperature drops. Each fall, rodents invade an estimated 21 million homes in the United States. They typically enter between October and February, looking for food, water, and shelter from the cold. Unique to previous years, with the influx of outdoor dining structures brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, rodents have found new places to dine, live, and multiply. “Rodent infestations are among the top pest issues of the fall and winter seasons,” said Ben Hottel, an Orkin entomologist. “Not only are mice and rats a nuisance, but they are known to spread a variety of dangerous diseases, including Salmonella and Hantavirus.” Rats can also cause structural damage by gnawing on electrical wires, gas lines, and support beams. Because of the threats posed by rats and other rodents, it’s important to know how to spot issues and take a proactive approach. Orkin noted the following as common signs of a rodent infestation: Droppings: Rodent droppings are often left behind in places where food is stored, such as kitchen cabinets or pantries, under sinks, inside chewed cardboard boxes, along baseboards, and on top of wall beams. Gnaw marks: Rodents are known to bite through walls, wood, and wires. The damage to wiring within walls can increase the risk for a fire. Nests: Rodents prefer to nest in dark, secluded areas where there is little chance of disturbance. Be on the lookout for shredded paper products, cotton, packing materials, and other fabrics, as rodents like to build nests out of these materials. Rub marks: Rats tend to leave dark grease or dirt marks along walls and floorboards as they follow a trail throughout the home between their nest and food. Strange noises: Scurrying in the walls could mean a rodent family is present. To help building occupants avoid the potential health and safety risks associated with rodents, Orkin recommends the following tips: Store away food. Small crumbs and garbage are popular food sources, as are dry goods such as grains and cereals. These should be kept in sealed metal or glass containers to prevent contamination. Declutter. Cardboard objects prove attractive to rodents, as they tend to chew them up for use in their nests. Keep all areas clean and organize any crowded spaces. Maintain your landscaping. Tall grass with adequate harborages, such as woodpiles next to the building, can be ideal habitats for rodents. Tree branches in contact with buildings can also offer rodents easy access to the upper levels, where they like to hide. Inspect both inside and outside your home. Keep an eye out for rodent droppings, burrows, and rub marks along baseboards and walls. The sooner rodents are detected, the better. Look for possible entry points. Seal any holes and cracks that are found around the building. Install weather strips around entryways, especially under doors, to help keep out rodents. Be sure to also check out our article regarding a novel method being used to prevent rat infestation: birth control. View Orkin’s complete list of rattiest cities here.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued an update on its progress in meeting the October 1, 2022, Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) pesticide registration review deadline for the 726 pesticide cases registered before October 2007. This includes 140 antimicrobial pesticides, including disinfectants and sanitizers intended for use on inanimate surfaces. EPA stressed that pesticides without finalized review as of the October 1 deadline, including the close to 30% of the antimicrobial pesticides slated for review, can remain on the market and be used according to the product label. That said, EPA used the opportunity to affirm its aggressive plan to review all remaining pesticide cases and issue decisions to protect humans, endangered species, and the environment, while providing pesticide users with predictability about the legal status of pesticides in registration review. Click here to learn more about the pesticide registration review and the deadline extension.
According to a statement by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, its boroughs are experiencing a record number of mosquitos infected with the West Nile virus, with two human cases of infection recently reported in Queens and Brooklyn. Across all five of the city’s boroughs, 1,068 mosquito pools have tested positive for the virus versus 779 positive pools this time a year ago. The NYC Health Department reports that mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus are typically present in the city from July through October, with peak activity during August and September. West Nile virus was first detected in New York City 21 years ago. Over the past decade, an average of 16 people per year have been diagnosed with West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND) in the city; their median age was 62 years, and the case fatality rate was 14% (23 deaths). In the United States, a total of 54 cases of West Nile virus, including four deaths, have been reported this year by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). How Facilitators Can Combat West Nile Virus According to the CDC, there are a number of things building managers and facilitators can do to protect their building’s visitors, inhabitants, and workers from mosquito-borne diseases. Eliminate standing water. Some mosquitoes lay eggs in or near standing water. Decrease the numbers of mosquitoes by: Removing, turning over, covering, or storing outdoor equipment Removing debris from ditches Filling in ruts and other areas that could collect standing water Removing tires, buckets, bottles, and barrels that could collect water Placing drain holes in containers that collect water and cannot be discarded Treating ponds and other water features on the property. Properly maintain doors and windows. Keep mosquitoes outside by ensuring that doors and windows have undamaged screens, close completely, and are kept closed whenever possible. Provide training to employees. Make sure your employees know the following: The risk of mosquito bites and how to prevent them The symptoms of mosquito-borne diseases The safe use of insect repellents. Give employees what they need. Provide workers with and encourage them to wear clothing that covers their hands, arms, legs, and other exposed skin. Consider providing hats with mosquito netting to protect the face and neck. Provide U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellent with one of the active these ingredients: DEET, picaridin (known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the United States), IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. Provide permethrin for application to clothing and gear. Consider professional pest control services. If you, as a facilitator, lack either the knowledge or the time to fight the surrounding mosquito population, consider calling on third-party professionals to tackle the task. According to an article by Forbes, pest control professionals often employ a “broadcast treatment” as an effective means of getting rid of mosquitos. A repellent spray is applied to the outside area, and the results can last for months.
