Leptospirosis: One More Pest-Related Infection

What is Leptospirosis?

Animal pests are known to carry many infections and diseases from plague to rabies. These diseases can decimate human populations and have been tough to eradicate. As a result, education, cleanliness, and pest control have improved to tackle the perpetual pest vector problem.

One infection you may not have heard of is leptospirosis. Leptospirosis is a bacteria infection that is spread through raccoon, rat, and other mammal droppings. Both humans and animals can contract this infection. However, it cannot be passed between humans. The infection can cause serious health complications. Humans become infected through contact with contaminated food, water, or soil that has infected urine in it. Also, dogs frequently pick up this infection.

Signs & Symptoms

Signs of leptospirosis range from severe to mild. Infected people may experience headache, high fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, meningitis, and even kidney or liver failure. In some cases, the infected shows no symptoms. The symptoms appear within 7 to 12 days. Most cases of leptospirosis are mild. However, severe cases are characterized by meningitis, liver damage, and kidney failure.

Treatment & Prevention

The infection can be treated with antibiotics. In severe cases, cefotaxime or ceftriaxone are used. Also, salt infusions and dialysis may be used in serious cases. An estimated one million people are diagnosed with severe cases of leptospirosis each year. Consequently, of the severe cases, there are nearly 59,000 deaths.

Pest control has helped aid in minimizing the risk of leptospirosis. In addition, you should avoid urine contaminated water, food, soil, etc. If you believe you’re infected or at risk, seek medical care immediately.

If you discover raccoons or other pests in or near your home, call animal control to safely remove the pests. Preventing pests from leaving droppings can prevent infections from reaching you and your family.

Rat Bite Fever

Rodents are pests in any home. They nibble through wires, destroy reachable food, and leave droppings. Worst of all, rodents are known to carry and transmit many diseases and illnesses to humans. One such infection is known as rat bite fever. This infection can infect humans and even household pets.

You can find rat bite fever in North America, Europe, Australia, Africa, and Asia. There are two types of bacteria that cause rat bite fever: Spirillosis and Streptobacillosis. Both types can be treated with penicillin. Streptobacillosis can also be treated by tetracycline or doxycycline.

Rat bite fever is caused by exposure to rats. In fact, humans often get this infection from a rat bite. In addition, humans can contract it by consuming water or food contaminated with rat feces. Household pets that are infected can also transmit the disease to humans.

Symptoms of Rat Bite Fever

Signs of rat bite fever vary between people and depend on which bacteria have infected them. In most cases, the infected individual has an inflamed, open sore at the bite location. In addition, the bite area may have a rash or become red. Furthermore, if infected by Streptobacillosis, symptoms include fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches, and vomiting. If infected by Spirillosis, symptoms include lymph nodes issues like swelling.

Prevention & Treatment

This infection can be treated with antibiotics. If left untreated, the infection may take up to a year to resolve on its own. However, there is a particular strain of the infection in the United States that can cause fatality. Additionally, streptobacillary rat bite fever can infect the lining of the heart, brain and spinal cord covering, and lungs.

There is no vaccine available for prevention. Other precautions may be taken to reduce risk of infection. Avoid exposure to rats and mice. Next, keep your pets away from rodents. Also, do not allow them to eat live or dead rodents. Additionally, call pest control to remove any live or dead rodents near your home. Lastly, if a rodent bites you, immediately cleanse the area and apply an antiseptic. This decreases your chance of infection.

How To Get Rid Of Skunk Smell

how to get rid of skunk smell

It seems inevitable – a skunk on your property means someone or something is bound to get sprayed! Skunk spray odor can last up to a month if not treated. In fact, if a skunk has died near your home, the odor will last much longer. Skunk spray is made of a mixture of sulfur and alcohol and is a bit oily. This scent is difficult to remove and at-home remedies, like tomato juice, are actually ineffective. If you, your home, or pet has become the victim of a skunk’s stinky spray, follow these tips to learn how to get rid of skunk smell.

How To Get Rid Of Skunk Smell On A Pet

First, keep your pet outdoors to keep the smell from lingering in your home. Next, mix up a solution to clean your pet. Mix one quart 3% hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup baking soda, and one teaspoon liquid dish soap. Use this mixture immediately, as it may explode if left to sit. After creating the mixture, rub it through your pet’s fur, and don’t leave it on for very long because it can cause bleaching. Rinse your pet thoroughly. Finally, wash your pet with pet shampoo and conditioner and rinse clean. Your pet will be smelling sweet and skunk-free!

How To Get Rid Of Skunk Smell On Yourself

Assuming a skunk has sprayed you, follow the same steps above. You may need assistance from someone else. To clean your clothing, immediately remove them and soak the clothing in a hydrogen peroxide solution (1 part hydrogen peroxide to 6 parts water) for two hours. Then wash your clothes in hot water with the strongest laundry soap you have. Make sure to wash the clothes alone, so your other laundry doesn’t pick up the skunk stench. Finally, dry them outside in the sunlight to help neutralize any remaining scent.

How To Get Rid Of Skunk Smell In Your Home

If you’re not sure where the skunk smell in your home is coming from, try this method. Leave bowls of white vinegar around your home in the strongest smelling rooms. The vinegar should absorb most of the odor in about a day. Be sure to keep your windows open and let the scent waft outwards. Sunlight can also help neutralize odors, so keep the windows open to let in the sunshine. In addition, keep fans going throughout your home to disperse the odor outdoors. You can even go as far as shampooing your carpets and deep cleaning fabric on chairs and sofas. Finally, finish up with air fresheners that have deodorizing action.

If you discover skunks on or near your property, call pest control immediately to have them safely removed.

Repel Skunks

repel skunks

Are skunks invading your yard or home? If you’re familiar with the pesky creatures, you know they have a tendency to dig up your flowers and gardens. In addition, their pungent spray is enough to scare away any predator, including you and your pets! Though we recommend contacting professionals to remove your skunks safely and effectively, here are a few of our suggestions repel skunks in the mean time.

Remove Skunk’s Food Source

The fastest way to repel skunks is to remove all food sources. If your yard has no tasty, easily accessible food pests will find a new home. Keep all garbage cans tightly shut. Do not leave pet food or water dishes out overnight. Pick up any fruit that may have dropped to the ground from fruit-bearing trees. This step may be exhaustive, but it can prevent skunks and other pests from coming to your home.

Use Light To Repel Skunks

Skunks are nocturnal animals, which means they are most active during the night. Bright light has the potential to scare them away for a short time. This method is moderately effective, as skunks become accustomed to the light. Shining a bright light on your garden may repel skunks for a little while, but it isn’t very practical. Additionally, it is not very cost effective to blast your entire yard with a bright lighting system.

Deter with water

If your home has an automatic sprinkler system in place, you may have a short-term solution to your skunk problem! Automated sprinkler systems can squirt any animal that triggers the motion sensor. The skunks in your yard may be frightened enough to leave for good, but they may also become familiar with the water and ignore it.

Skunk Repellant Spray

There is no approved poison for skunks. In fact, it is illegal to kill them by use of poison. However, you can try using a natural repellant recipe to deter skunks from digging up your garden. Boil up cayenne pepper, jalapeños, and yellow onion, then strain the mixture, and keep the remaining liquid in a spray bottle. Use this every 3 days on your garden, plants, or whatever you want the skunk to avoid. This recipe can be successful if used continuously.

Fencing

Barriers can be effective against skunks, because they are poor climbers and jumpers. Use mesh wire on any areas of your home that skunks may want to dig and nest near. Placing this wire about 3 feet high should prevent skunks from penetrating the barrier. Use this in areas like sheds, decks, and openings near your home.

Working Cats In The City

The Rat Problem

Chicago’s rat problem has grown over the past few years, with complaints up in 2016. Though the mayor is working to address these issues, some residents are taking matters into their own hands. As a result, people are using working cats to combat the rat problem. The Cats at Work Project pits cats against rodents, providing a home for the cats and humanely eradicating rats.

Working Cats

Through this program, felines are put to work by controlling the rat population through their presence and hunting. They are vaccinated and sterile, and often come from former life-threatening situations. This option allows the them to stay out of the shelter system while providing a rodent elimination service from their natural behavior. The felines will hunt the rat pests, not eat them, and keep your home and yard free of animal pests. There have been over 225 working cats successfully placed. Many who have used the program claim to see an immediate rat population decline within a week of having working cats.

Does it Work?

Some criticize the working cats method. Experts say that cats may reduce the number of rodents spotted, but not diminish the number of pests. Because of the cats’ presence, rats may behave more secretively. Experts suggest that there may not be concrete science to back up the eradication of rats due to cat presence. In addition, cats may cause harm to the bird population. They hunt rats, mice, birds, chipmunks and many other small animals. This means, a working cat likely will not discern between animals and target rats, specifically. Lastly, experts are concerned that cats could cause exposure to parasites through their feces. Consequently, the felines would become pests.

How to Get Rid of Rats

Experts suggest limiting the rats’ access to food, water, and shelter. Rats can be tricky to remove though, and breed incredibly quickly to restore any population loss. If you are experiencing a rat problem, contact pest control to take care of the solution safely and effectively immediately.

Rabid Bats In Illinois

rabid bats

According to the Chicago Tribune, the amount of bats that have tested positive for rabies in Illinois is doubled comparatively to last year. Last year at this point, there were eight positive rabies tests. Currently there are 16. Though these numbers are small and it is early in the season, it could be indicative of a trend this year.

Bats are found everywhere in the state, including the Chicagoland area. Rabid bats have been found in homes in Arlington Heights, Aurora, LaGrange, and Chicago’s south side. The family from Arlington Heights is pursuing rabies vaccinations. Most rabid bats found last year were in Cook and Will counties. Will county had a record setting 20 cases of bat rabies.

Several species of bat are found in Illinois. Big brown bats and small brown bats are quite common, even in urban areas. Officials say that bats are common transmitters of rabies because they are often in contact with humans. Bats can also transmit rabies to other mammals like dogs, foxes, skunks, and raccoons.

To avoid catching rabies, it’s advised to avoid contact with wild animals including stray cats and dogs. Especially avoid animals that are typically nocturnal but may be acting strangely during daylight hours. Do not leave food outside that may attract wild animals. Seal off any entry points to your home, or other buildings like sheds and garages, that wild animals may enter. Bats can enter through small entry pints near windows, attics, soffits, and spaces in your home’s siding. Keep your family pets’ vaccines up to date and do not let them roam without supervision.

If you believe a rabid animal has bitten you, seek medical attention immediately. If there are animal pests on your property or in your home, call pest control to have them safely removed.

Illinois Chipmunks

There are three different species of ground squirrel, or chipmunks, found in Illinois. Each of these chipmunks nest underground in burrows and have cheek pouches. They can be found in grasslands, prairies, and wooded areas that are not prone to flooding. Read more to find out about Illinois chipmunks.

illinois chipmunks

Eastern chipmunk: These can be found most places in Illinois but are very uncommon in southeastern Illinois. They are identified by their red brown fur, five dark brown stripes and contrasting light brown stripes on its back, dark tail, and light underside. They primarily feed on bulbs, nuts, seeds, fruits, flowers, plants etc. This species stores their food in their burrows and come back to it later. They are a generally solitary species and only socialize during mating season. They do not enter a true hibernation in the winter but enter a period of dormancy.

illinois chipmunks

Thirteen-lined ground squirrel: They are sometimes known as the striped gopher or leopard ground squirrel. This species has thirteen alternating brown and white stripes and white spots in between. They occur in the northern 2/3 of Illinois and are particularly active on warm days. This species feeds on grasses, weeds, seeds, plants, and insects. They are known for their surveying behavior in which they stand on their hind legs to examine the surrounding area.

illinois chipmunks

Franklin’s ground squirrel: These occur in the northern 2/3 of Illinois but can be uncommon due to their threatened status. They are listed as a protected species in Illinois under the Endangered Species Act. They are brownish gray in color, with light speckles across their body, light undersides, and solid gray heads. This species is omnivorous and eats anything ranging from insects to eggs, plants, small birds, and frogs. These squirrels are also generally solitary.

If chipmunks or ground squirrels are making a home on your property, damaging your gardens, or causing burrowing damage, do not hesitate to call animal control to remove them safely.

Bat Bugs: The Pest You’ve Never Heard Of

What is a Bat Bug?

Bat bugs are blood-sucking parasites that feed on the blood of bats. They will also bite humans. These parasites are closely related to bed bugs and often mistaken for them. In fact, microscopic identification is one of the only ways to distinguish between them. Bat bugs are flightless and travel by crawling.

Where Do They Live?

Bat bugs are moderately common in the Midwest, including Illinois. They are found in buildings and homes in which bats are present. They usually reside close to the bat’s roosting area, but will venture throughout the building if the bats leave or are removed. They do not live on bats, but may travel on a bat while they fly.

Feeding

Bat bugs feed on the blood of bats but feed on other warm-blooded animals. They will feed on humans if given the opportunity. They can survive a year without a blood meal, but will search for human hosts if bats are not present.

Are They A Threat To Humans?

Bat bug bites are nearly identical to bed bug bites. There are a variety of different reactions that come from a bat bug bite. Some experience inflamed, swollen spots, others have intense itching, and others show no signs of bites. Bat bugs are not known to transmit any diseases currently. Though they are not dangerous, they are pests that can breed fairly quickly and become an infestation.

What To Do

If you discover bats in your home, garage, or nearby property call animal control immediately. Removing bats from your property will immediately decrease the risk of bat bugs. Be especially vigilant for bat presence in old or abandoned buildings like barns and sheds. In addition, minimize risk of bats and bat bugs entering your home by sealing small entrances between the roof, siding, foundation, windows, and doors.

If you believe you have bat bugs, call a pest control service to identify and eliminate them.

Illinois Squirrels

There are four different species of squirrels that occur in Illinois. All of these mammals have long, bushy tails, long hind feet, and can be found in wooded areas. Illinois squirrels are found throughout the state, in wooded forest areas and urban areas. Deforestation and urbanization has diminished some of the squirrel population but they remain common.

illinois squirrels

Fox squirrel: The fox squirrel is the largest species of tree squirrel native to North America. In Illinois, they are generally a brown gray or brown yellow color, with orange underside. They thrive in areas with trees that produce nuts. This species is spends more time on the ground than other types of squirrel. Fox squirrels are relatively solitary creatures and spend much time alone.

illinois squirrels

Eastern gray squirrel: This tree squirrel is native to the eastern range of North America. These squirrels have mostly gray fur but white undersides. Occasionally black and white individuals can be found in urban areas within certain populations. The gray squirrel is crepuscular, meaning they’re most active during early and late hours of the day while avoiding middle of the day heat.

illinois squirrels

Red squirrel: Red squirrels area sometimes referred to as chickarees. They can be found only in north Eastern part of the Illinois, especially near the Kankakee and Iroquois Rivers. This species prefers to eat the seeds of conifer cones. They are known for their smaller size, red fur and white underside. This species has a very high morality rate, as only about 22% reach one year of age.

illinois squirrels

Southern flying squirrel: The southern flying squirrel is one of the only flying squirrel species found in North America. They are quite common in southern Illinois, but can be found statewide. They have brown gray fur and cream undersides. Their furry membrane that extends between front and rear legs allows them to glide through the air. These highly social squirrels have been known to forage for food and glide together in large groups.

If any of these Illinois squirrels are making a home in your attic or other buildings on your property, do not hesitate to call animal control to remove them safely.

Histoplasmosis: The Danger of Animal Droppings

histoplasmosis

Did you know that bat and bird droppings can harbor fungus spores which cause illness in humans? Simply cleaning the mess will not remedy the situation either—in fact, it could make spores more airborne. This dangerous illness is known as histoplasmosis.

What Is Histoplasmosis?

Histoplasmosis is an infection caused by breathing in spores of a fungus known as Histoplasma capsulatum. This fungus thrives in soil that is rich in organic material. It is commonly found in bat and bird droppings. When these droppings are cleaned, the spores can become airborne and enter lung passages.

Signs & Symptoms

There are several types of histoplasmosis. The mildest form shows no signs and symptoms. Symptoms of histoplasmosis include fever, headache, muscle ache, dry cough, and chest pain. Some experience joint pain and a rash following exposure to the spores.

Chronic histoplasmosis can occur in those with pre-existing lung conditions. Symptoms of chronic histoplasmosis include weight loss and coughing up blood. Severe histoplasmosis can occur in those with compromised immune systems, like infants or the elderly. It can affect multiple organ systems. When left untreated, this is usually fatal.

Treatment

For mild cases of histoplasmosis, treatment is not always necessary. Severe symptoms or those with immune compromised systems should seek medical treatment. Anti-fungal drugs are used to treat the infection.

Prevention

The best prevention for histoplasmosis is avoiding exposure to bird or bat droppings. Avoid areas prone to harboring these animals, like caves, coops, attics, and old barns. If you’ve had bats or birds nesting in your attic or near your home for a long period of time, professional removal may be required. Hosing down any contaminated droppings with water can prevent spores from being released in the air.

If you discover bats or birds nesting in or near your home, call animal control to safely remove the pests. Preventing these pests from leaving droppings can prevent histoplasmosis from reaching you and your family.