Playing in a pile of autumn leaves is a core childhood memory. We all remember crisp, cool weekends spent raking leaves and jumping into the ever-shifting heap of reds, yellows, and golds.
When you were younger, you probably didn’t realize that those piles of pure joy had a hidden ick factor. Before you share the leaf-jumping experience with your own kids or pets, be aware that your pile of fallen leaves may be harboring troublesome pests.
Watching squirrels frolicking is a late summer pleasure. Let’s face it, they’re adorable – chasing each other across the yard and gathering food for the cooler months to come.
They may be cute, but are squirrels truly welcome on your property? And what about your garden: do they do more harm or good for your plants?
Dealing with an ant infestation can be frustrating. Just when you think you’ve eliminated them, they mysteriously pop up in a different location and work in concert to avoid your extermination efforts. You think surely, they’re gone… but there they are, marching in lockstep into your pantry.
How can these tiny insects with minuscule brains be so good at thwarting your efforts to get rid of them? The answer lies in how those tiny brains work together to manifest an outsized level of intelligence.
Bees and hornets may look similar at first glance. But they have some clear differences if you know what to look for. They have distinct physical characteristics, nesting locations, diets, aggression levels, and sting severity.
It’s summertime, and suddenly there are a few mysterious holes in your siding, deck, or other wood areas of your home. You prod one of the holes and a little sawdust comes out. Then you see it… a dark, fuzzy bee that has been droning around the yard enters the hole. “What in the world is going on here?” you may wonder.
If this has happened to you, there’s a good chance carpenter bees have taken up residence on your property. Carpenter bees are a member of the bee species that drill holes in wood to build their nests. Female carpenter bees use their powerful mandibles to bore into wood in a circular motion. This creates a round hole that over time is expanded into a maze of channels and chambers. These tunnels eventually weaken the wood and damage the integrity of the structure in which they’re built.
Tick season has arrived on Long Island, and with it comes the risk of contracting a tick-borne illness. The most common – and possibly most dreaded – of these is Lyme disease, a bacterial infection transmitted through tick bites. Characterized by flu-like symptoms and a distinctive bullseye rash, Lyme disease can cause debilitating long-term health effects.
A Columbia University study estimates that 56 percent of ticks on Long Island are carrying Lyme disease. The Suffolk County Department of Health Services believes those percentages may be even higher in eastern Suffolk County, particularly along the north and south shores where Lyme-carrying black legged ticks (also known as deer ticks) are plentiful.
Because many people with mild cases of Lyme disease are either unaware that they have been exposed or don’t seek medical treatment, it’s difficult to get exact figures of how prevalent Lyme disease is in the state. Suffolk County alone reports approximately 500 confirmed cases each year. Estimates of unreported cases are significantly higher.
Regardless, if you have been bitten by a tick then the chances are greater than 50/50 that it carries Lyme. After any tick bite, it’s important to identify the species that bit you and to watch for signs you may have been exposed.
Lyme disease infections vary in severity. If treated early, they are typically cured with a two-to-four-week course of oral antibiotics. However, some individuals experience symptoms that linger for months after the initial infection.
Post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome is when pain, fatigue, and brain fog last for six months or more after treatment for a Lyme disease infection. The consequences may be even more serious for those whose initial infection goes untreated. These individuals may develop late-stage Lyme disease that leads to permanent neurological damage and lifelong health issues.
Early signs of Lyme disease typically include swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, headache, joint and muscle pain, fever and chills, and a red bump at the site of the bite. Many people develop a bullseye-shaped rash around the bite.
Lyme disease has three stages:
Most cases of stage one Lyme disease resolve within weeks when treated promptly with antibiotics. Outcomes become progressively worse further into stage two or three, and may take months or years to clear, often leaving permanent damage. This is why prompt, early intervention is important.
If you have any reason to believe you have been exposed to Lyme disease, consult your doctor immediately.
Twin Forks Pest Control® is your Long Island pest management expert, keeping your home and property pest free since 1997. We offer comprehensive pest management packages to keep your home and property pest free year-round. Contact us online for a free estimate, or call us at (631) 287-9020 in the Southampton area, (631) 324-9020 near East Hampton, or (631) 298-0500 in the Southold area. We look forward to hearing from you!
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