September 3rd, 2010
The anticipated quarantine over the discovery of the Light Brown Apple Moth, an invasive pest, was announced. The area only covers the immediate 10-square mile area around eastern Balboa Park, where the most recent discoveries have been made. This is a much smaller area than had been feared by local growers.
The Federal government has yet to announce their quarantine plans, which are likely to impose restrictions on the entire county. They have already quarantined over 5,000 square miles in 19 counties in an effort to stop the spread of the destructive moth. The pest will attack over 1000 types of plants and trees, including over 250 types of fruits and vegetables. It first reached California in 2007, likely imported from its native Australia.
Tags: exotic pest, invasive, Invasive/Exotic Pests, plant pests
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August 24th, 2010
San Diego County is experiencing the same problems that have previously been reported in neighboring counties–an epidemic of bed bugs. The areas that have been hit the hardest so far include the downtown, University Heights, and El Cajon. They have been found all the way from apartment buildings to luxury hotels.
Orange County has been reporting serious outbreaks for months, overwhelming pest control companies. Los Angeles County was next, and the pests have been spreading there, too. Bed bug infestations are particularly hard to deal with. The problem has been widely reported throughout the United States, and even the world as travelers have been unintentionally carrying the pests to new locations.
Tags: bed bugs, bite, invasive, Invasive/Exotic Pests
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August 18th, 2010
Another discovery of mice infected with the hantavirus has prompted warnings for campers in San Diego County. So far, nineteen mice have tested positive this year, several on Palomar Mountain where the latest discovery was made. The virus, which can be fatal to humans, is most readily spread from infected mouse droppings.
If mouse feces are noticed, officials recommend spraying the area with bleach before attempting to do any cleanup. Extreme care should be taken when disposing of any dead rodents. The virus is usually transmitted by inhaling contaminated dust when cleaning up the problem areas. There is no effective treatment for those who get the virus.
Tags: contaminated, disease, mice, rodent
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August 11th, 2010
San Diego County farmers and growers had been preparing for a potentially devastating quarantine, due to the Light Brown Apple Moth. At this point, the plans have been largely scaled back, and the actual quarantine is only affecting one grower. The potential for a much larger area to be affected is on the horizon, however.
A federal quarantine will likely still cover the entire county, and will greatly restrict shipments of agricultural products ranging from fruits, potted plants, and some vegetables. The moth was discovered locally in the Balboa Park and Bonsall areas. It has already caused many problems in Northern and Central California.
Over the next six weeks, thousands of insect traps will be placed across the county to help determine if the insect is spreading. The standard response for the Department of Agriculture is to then quarantine the entire county, something that local growers are dreading. In the meantime, their products can still be exported.
Tags: exotic pest, invasive, Invasive/Exotic Pests, plant pests
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August 4th, 2010
The discovery of four light brown apple moths in an area east of Balboa Park sets the stage for a county-wide agricultural quarantine to be imposed soon by Federal officials. One of the moths was previously discovered in Bonsall. The moth has already triggered similar quarantines in many areas of northern California.
The moth, and more particularly its larva, will feed upon just about every fruit, vegetable, and even grass cuttings. Pretty much every crop from the area will be affected by the quarantine, including cut flowers, potted plants, and the fruits and vegetables. The moth was first discovered in Northern California about three years ago. It is native to Australia, and feeds on more than 2,000 different plants and over 250 types of crops.
Tags: citrus, contaminated, exotic pest, invasive, Invasive/Exotic Pests, plant pests
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July 29th, 2010
A shipment of freshly-cut flowers at Los Angeles Airport was discovered to have a new type of aphid hitch-hiking to the United States. Aphids can be a problem for a wide variety of plants, even some crops. The shipment arrived from South America, and this type of aphid had never been seen before anywhere in the United States.
Fortunately, US Customs agents noticed the highly aggressive, plant-jumping insect and seized the entire shipment. Aphids will attack fruits, vegetables, grains, and ornamental plants and can cause serious damage in the long run. The shipment was destroyed before any of the pests could escape.
Tags: invasive, Invasive/Exotic Pests, plant pests
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July 22nd, 2010
An exotic/invasive stinkbug originally from southern Europe, Africa, and India was found in the Los Angeles region in June of 2008. The Bagrada Stinkbug has since spread to the Imperial Valley and into Arizona, and officials now fear it is so widespread it may be permanently established. It is a threat to crops such as lettuce, melons, cabbage, cauliflower, radishes, broccoli, and other vegetables. When it attacks crops, up to 35% are unmarketable.
It is believed that the reduction in inspections done by the Department of Agriculture due to budget cuts may be at least partly responsible. This stinkbug has also been found to attack potatoes, cotton, and some beans and peas. Research has been done this year to find effective controls, with little luck so far. Biological controls have not worked, and plant-based insecticides also do not work. Some synthetic insecticides are working, so there is hope.
Tags: exotic pest, invasive, Invasive/Exotic Pests, plant pests
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July 15th, 2010
A large beehive that was located too close to a busy hiking, biking, and walking pathway was finally removed this week. Many people using the path had reported the large hive, which was estimated to have over 2,000 bees. It was hanging from a tree directly over the path.
The San Diego Parks and Recreation Department made the decision to have the hive removed, and hopefully relocated, since it did not contain the aggressive Africanized Honey Bees. Workers removed the hive after dark, when the bees are less active. Most bees in the county are the Africanized variety, which has displaced the Honey Bee population. Bees are critical to the agricultural industry as efficient pollinators.
Tags: bees, sting
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July 7th, 2010
A rash of stories concerning bed bug infestations have been all over the news this week. Now the nasty pests are showing up in movie theaters! In addition to the usual places such as hotels and motels, they are also infesting public housing units in some areas.
Bed bugs are difficult, but not impossible, to control. The best method is to NOT be infested with them in the first place. If you are travelling, inspect rooms carefully before you pay for them. If you still do have a problem with them, our website has many tips to help.
Go to: http://www.corkyspest.com/bed-bugs/index.html
Don’t let the bed bugs bite!!!
Tags: bed bugs, bite, Corky's Pest Control, heat, thermapure
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June 30th, 2010
Experts say that rattlesnake sightings and bites are already on the increase this year in Southern California. Early reports show 2-3 times the number of calls this summer over the previous several years. The milder and slightly wetter winter may have added to the problem.
San Diego County alone usually reports 40-50 rattlesnake bites each year, the largest number for a county in California. Also troubling is that the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake, the common variety here, is showing signs of the venom becoming more potent. In some cases, it is equalling the toxicity of the Mohave Rattlesnake.
The venom has the potential to damage cells, affect blood clotting, and create nervous system problems. Scientists are working on a new anti-venom for it. Early results are promising, and the treatment may have better results that are longer lasting than the treatment currently in use.
Tags: bite
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