|
Hantavirus News Hantavirus is a group of rodent-transmitted viruses first discovered in the Hantaan River in Korea. The virus was practically unknown in this country until the summer of 1993, when a deadly strain, later named Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, suddenly killed 16 people in the Four Corners region of the Southwest. Since then, physicians have become much more aware of the disease, and have confirmed 164 cases of the virus in 27 states; 76 of these people died. The virus can kill even young, healthy people fairly rapidly. Although much is still unknown about Hantavirus, it appears that the common house mouse is NOT transmitting the virus. The virus is usually being transmitted in the feces of the deer or field mouse, and to a lesser extent by the white-footed mouse. The cotton rat and rice rat also carry strains of Hantavirus that can cause disease. Other kinds of rats and mice either do not carry Hantavirus, or carry strains that have not yet caused disease in people. All the cases of Hantavirus in the United States have been caused by people breathing dust contaminated with the dropping or urine of infected rodents. However, recently 11 people died in Argentina from Hantairus, and many of them contacted the disease from other people who were ill with it. Person-to-person transmission of the disease was previously unknown. It appears that the strains of the virus we have in the United States cannot be transmitted that way. |
|
BUGS INVADE HOLLYWOOD Never before in motion picture history have bugs been featured more in movies. According to movie critic and film makers, the public has grown tired of movies about deadly viruses, tornadoes, volcanoes, aliens, and man-eating dinosaurs. What's left but bugs? Top horror film maker Wes Craven says, "Bugs are far more frightening than aliens. They share our space, and we know that they can really hurt us. They stand for an element of nature that's voracious and ultimately sees us as food." Among the movies just released is "Mimic," a film about a giant cockroach/praying mantis/termite combination--now that's a pest! Other movies due out are Starship Troopers about a war between humans and giant alien ants, "Dust," "Antz," and "A Bug's Life," an animated Pixar film. This is in addition to a slew of recent films where pests are not the main characters, but they make some kind of disgusting or frightening appearance. See if you can find the cockroaches, for instance, in the following movies: "The Fan," "The Craft," "Mars Attacks," "Jerry McGuire," "Striptease," "L.A. Confidential," "187," and "Addicted to Love." As part of Hollywood's never-ending quest for newer and more terrifying villains, bugs are a horror film maker's dream come true. |
|
|
|
Argentine Ants--Big Trouble!
All through spring and summer, colonies of Argentine ants have been growing larger because of an ample food supply outdoors. They eat mostly sugary substances like honeydew and nectar, as well as dead insects and other foods. These ants don't have any important natural enemies that control them, so when it's warm and there is food, they just keep multiplying. Colonies can grow quickly because each one has not just one, but numerous egg-laying queens. As the colonies increase in size, parts of them split off and start new nests nearby. In this way the colonies gradually spread out over larger areas, yet each part of the colony works together to find food. When fall arrives the food outdoors starts to decrease, yet the colonies are huge, with a vast number of mouths to feed. They send out ever-increasing numbers of workers in an effort to locate food. "Scout" ants search a wider area and become more thorough than ever in their desperate effort to find food for the huge colonies. At the same time, one or mouthparts of each colony often moves indoors, where the temperature is more to their liking and they are closer to food or water. You don't have to put up with these ant invasions. Call Stanley Pest Control and we'll control this very persistent and invasive pest. |
The common Argentine
ants are serious problems year 'round, but during the fall months
they can be overwhelming. We are often asked, "Why are there
so many of them???" Here is the answer.Pet Beetle Prices Plummeting
|
But due to improved breeding methods and too many breeders entering the market, there is now a "beetle glut" in Japan. The average atlas beetle sells for only about $10.00, and higher-priced stage beetles are selling for $800.00 or less. While this still seems like an awful price to pay for a pet beetle, the market is in a panic, fortunes have been lost and many breeders are going "belly up." |
Large
atlas and stage beetles are adored in Japan as pets. These beetles
can be three inches or longer, and until recently a large, shiny,
unblemished stag beetle would have fetched an astounding price
of $3,000.00. People even took out loans to buy a pet beetle.