Flying Squirrel Removal, Day 1

Watch as our wildlife team begins a flying squirrel removal! Flying Squirrels are actually quite common in Maryland, although they are not often seen due to their nocturnal nature. They get their name from the webbed skin that stretches from their front to their rear legs that enables them to glide distances of up to 200 feet! Their size enables them to fit into holes the size of a dime and, in this case, take refuge in an Owings Mills customer's attic. Flying squirrels are a colonizing species and will live together in groups of up to 15 members. This creates quite a racket and quite a mess. Our wildlife team found the entry point, trapped the squirrels and sealed up the attic to prevent any future intrusions.

Original Website Here: Flying Squirrel Removal, Day 1

source https://ontheflypestsolutions.com/flying-squirrel-removal-day-1/

Maryland Bat News Update October 31, 2019

Bat News Update October 2019

In recent news regarding bats in Maryland, things such as high-powered wind turbines and a cold-loving fungus, known as white nose syndrome, have been severely dwindling the populations throughout the state. White-nose syndrome has killed more than 5.7 million bats in the eastern United States since its appearance. In Maryland alone, there has been a 90-99% drop in bat populations and some caves were found to be completely bat-less.

In a more positive story about bats, one Maryland resident is advocating for the winged-creatures, and not just for use as Halloween decorations. She is attempting to highlight the important role that bats play in our environment by pollinating plants and helping to regenerate forests, such as after a wildfire in California. Since bats play such a vital role in our ecosystem, the Maryland resident is trying to do whatever she can to protect them and has even built a "bat house" on her property that can hold around 30-40 of the animals.

Learn more about bats here: Wildlife Control

On The Fly Pest Solutions:

Address: 5 Church Lane, Unit 102 Pikesville, MD 21208

Phone: 410-982-5050

A not-so happy Halloween for Maryland’s bat population

Halloween is known as one of the spookiest times of the year, filled with witches, ghosts, and scattering bats. But Maryland’s flapping, black creatures may be less prevalent this year, like years in the recent past.

From cold-loving fungus to high-powered wind turbines, Maryland’s bats have been getting annihilated.

Maryland’s bat population has been decimated by white-nose syndrome since its first documentation in Allegany County in 2010.

White-nose syndrome is a disease caused by a fungus that affects hibernating bats. The fungus grows on the bats, irritates them, and can wake them up during hibernation, said Dana Limpert, eastern regional ecologist at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Read more

Did you know Maryland has 10 species of native bats? Researchers at @UMCES_AL work to study some spooky diseases affecting these winged mammals. 🦇🦇 #BatWeek https://t.co/zg8z7wGPFn pic.twitter.com/MDilPNJ1zl

— UMCES (@UMCES) October 29, 2019

Summary: Maryland's bat population is taking a hit this year from things like flying into wind turbines and a cold-loving disease. White-nose syndrome has been on the rise in the last decade amongst bat populations and effects the hibernating animals.

Not just a ‘Halloween thing’ for advocate, who says bats benefit environment year-round

The winged creatures of the night that dominate Halloween decor every fall are celebrated by Taneytown resident and Bat Conservation International (BCI) advocate Jillian Childs all year long, and she wants more people to recognize the importance of this misunderstood mammal.

“I don’t think of them as a Halloween thing,” Childs said.

Not surprisingly, though, because of their association with Halloween, this is Bat Week, an annual celebration of the role bats play in nature. Read more

Summary: Bats, oftentimes associated with being Halloween, are also misunderstood, according to a Maryland advocate for the winged creatures. Bats play an important role in nature by pollinating many of the plants that we know and love and help to regenerate forests, such as in California, by eating seeds and dispersing them.

More Information Here: Maryland Bat News Update October 31, 2019

source https://ontheflypestsolutions.com/maryland-bat-news-update-october-31-2019/

Pest-Proofing Your Home and Garden This Spring

“Spring showers bring May flowers,” they say, but for homeowners spring also brings pests.

The Bug Barometer, a seasonal forecast of pest pressure and activity in the U.S. released biannually by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), predicts residual winter moisture and wet weather ahead will cause pest populations to spike this spring all the way through summer. The most common spring pests in the contiguous United States include ticks, mosquitoes, ants, termites, cockroaches, stinging insects, flies, rodents and earwigs or springtails.

The Dangers of Spring Pests

More than being unwelcome visitors, spring pests can also be dangerous to have around. Aside from being a nuisance, they also transmit diseases and cause costly property damage. For example, an NPMA report states “termites alone cause over $5 billion in property damage annually, a cost not covered by homeowners insurance.”

Pest-Proofing for Spring

April is National Pest Management Month, and it’s a timely reminder for homeowners to be vigilant in preparing for and preventing pests from ruining your springtime cheer. Here are some tips to proofing your home and garden against the most common spring pests. 

Ticks

These small parasitic arachnids, potential carriers of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and many other diseases, oftentimes sit in tall grasses waiting for their next victim.

So, regularly cut the grass low, and wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and closed-toe shoes when outdoors. Apply bug repellent with at least 20% DEET for an extra layer of protection against stinging insects.

Before going inside the house, check your whole body—as well as your pet—for any ticks, which you can remove with tweezers. Then throw your clothes into a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill the ticks. 

Mosquitoes

Like ticks, these pesky bugs also carry various diseases, such as malaria, dengue and Zika virus. They thrive in stagnant water, so eliminate any possible breeding areas in your house and yard, including birdbaths and clogged gutters. Protective clothing and insect repellant will also work to prevent mosquito bites when going outside.

Termites

Chewing through your flooring, wallpaper and other wood items, termites can damage your home without your knowledge. Drawn to moist, secluded areas, these “silent destroyers” can be stopped by installing gutters, splash blocks, and downspouts that divert water from your home’s foundation. Removing wood or mulch from contacting your house’s exterior will also help.

Flies

Flies are notorious for contaminating food and transmitting diseases, such as tuberculosis and Salmonella. To prevent flies, regularly remove garbage in well-sealed containers.

Rodents

Mice and rats are known carriers of the plague, typhus, jaundice and more. They can squeeze through holes and tight spaces, so seal any cracks that they can use to enter your home.

Welcome Spring Pest-Free

If you suspect any pests living in your attic or yard, it’s important to act quickly. Being able to seek the help of professionals can help prevent or get rid of pests at the first sign of infestation.

Call us today and get the professional pest control help you need. We offer a warranty on all our work, keeping the bugs and rodents away in-between our monthly servicing.

Original Website Here: Pest-Proofing Your Home and Garden This Spring

source https://ontheflypestsolutions.com/pest-proofing-your-home-garden-spring/

Bed Bug Control

Bed bugs aren't easy to find, and their bites aren't easy to diagnose. People react differently to the bites. Some are left with bite marks, others with rashes and others have no reactions at all. Bed bug bites can easily be confused with spider bites or rashes, but experienced pest control technicians are trained to find and control infestations. Since bed bugs like to hide, one of the first signs of an infestation is usually the fecal matter. Bed bugs leave behind rusty reddish-black marks and fecal spots on sheets, pillows, mattresses and just about any surface close to where they’re feeding. Bed bugs usually feed about 3 times a night, resulting in multiple bite marks and lots of feces. Bed bug cases will also be found when they shed their exoskeletons as they grow. Eggs are laid every night in mattress folds. The bed bugs themselves hide in box springs, mattresses, outlet covers, rugs and just about any tight spot close to the feeding sites. Populations grow fast and can easily be transferred from one area to the next. If you've traveled recently, you're at risk of carrying bed bugs back into your home. Once they’re in your home, an extensive treatment is needed to get rid of them. If you feel you might have bed bugs, contact On The Fly to schedule an inspection.

See Source Here: Bed Bug Control

source https://ontheflypestsolutions.com/bed-bugs/

Common Myths About Rodents

Eradicate These Common Myths About Rodents and Get Rid of Pests More Effectively

Rodents. You think you know them, but do you really? Or are you holding on to fictitious beliefs rather than facts?

Comprising 40% of mammal species, rodents aren’t just composed of mice and rats; they also include squirrels, guinea pigs, hamsters, gophers, beavers, gerbils, porcupines, and chipmunks. (But since mice and rats are the most common rodent pests, we’ll focus on them in this article.)

Humans have long considered rodents to be pests, and we’re still struggling on how to deal with them today. It can be frustrating to get rid of them, even more so if your solution is based on a myth. So, let’s debunk the most common rodent myths asap!

Here are five myths about rodents that you should eradicate right now:

Myth 1: Cats will take care of your rodent problem.

The truth: Unfortunately, cats aren’t very effective at eliminating rodents, specifically rats. A study funded by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) found that cats don’t successfully kill and control rat populations. The researchers observed that “less than 1% of cat and rat encounters resulted in a rat being killed; despite stalking behavior being observed 20 times.”

Scientists also found that, indeed, when the cat is away, the mice—in this case, rats—will play. For every cat sighting, the researchers observed, rats were nearly 20% more likely to move toward a shelter. But while the sight of a cat might get rats hiding initially, “the rodents will patiently wait them out and return undeterred once the cats lose interest and leave the scene.”

Myth 2: Rodents love cheese.

The truth: Despite what “Tom and Jerry” and other cartoons might have us believe, mice—and other rodents—aren’t tempted by cheese.

A 2006 study found that a mouse’s diet consists primarily of grains and fruit. So if you’re thinking about what to put in that mousetrap to attract mice, Procter Rodent Control, a family firm which has been producing Britain’s best-selling mousetrap since 1897, suggests peanut butter and chocolate.

Myth 3: Rodents eat anything and everything.

The truth: Sorry, but rodent’s aren’t nature’s living garbage disposal. Like humans, they do have a diet, and it consists of what can be found in their environment.

In a 2018 study, researchers studied the bones of rats and found that those living in the city had “a higher-quality and more stable diet than rural rats did,” while rats in the country ate whatever food they could find—confirming Aesop’s “The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse” story.

“Rats are really interesting, because their diets are a reflection of foods people leave lying around,” said Eric Guiry, an archaeologist at Trent University in Ontario and lead author of the study. For example, city rats ate a lot more meat than rural rats.

Meanwhile, homeowners might mistake chewed up books, papers, wires, and insulation as getting eaten by mice. But in reality, female mice use these shredded materials to build a nest.

Myth 4: Rodents that ingest poison get dehydrated and go outside to look for water.

The truth: Rodent baits, or rodenticides, can take effect as quickly as two days or up to 10 days, depending on how fast-acting or lethal it is. The poison works by reducing the rodent’s blood-clotting ability, which damages its capillaries and causes internal hemorrhage. So the rodent dies of internal bleeding—not dehydration—but the delay can mean that the rodent can die in its nest, inside your property or outside.

Myth 5: Seeing rodents during the day means you have a rodent infestation.

The truth: While rats and mice are nocturnal, that doesn’t mean they don’t come out during the day. These rodents are just so good at keeping out of sight that you might only notice a mouse or rat scampering in your house or commercial building when there’s already a severe infestation. Telltale signs of rodent infestation include droppings, stale smells, chewed holes in walls or floors, and shredded materials.

Don’t let it come to this!

Now that we’ve debunked myths about rodents, you’re one step closer to getting rid of those pesky rodents more effectively.

Don’t wait for a severe infestation. Contact us to schedule an appointment today.

See Source Here: Common Myths About Rodents

source https://ontheflypestsolutions.com/common-myths-about-rodents/

Integrated Pest Management

If you have done any research into choosing a pest control company, you have probably stumbled upon the phrase "Integrated Pest Management" and wondered what it means. Integrated Pest Management, or IPM in short, is a blend of critical thinking and a scientific approach to solving pest problems resulting in treatment with minimal chemical application, maximum effectiveness, and can even save you money! But how???

Read Post

Post Source Here: Integrated Pest Management

source https://ontheflypestsolutions.com/integrated-pest-management/

Click Here For Story Article Tags: Raccoon Removal, Wildlife Control

Baltimore Area Residents Warned To Avoid Vaccine Bait

Residents in the counties surrounding Baltimore Maryland are being advised to closely watch pets and avoid bait blocks placed to vaccinate raccoons for rabies. According to a case report by the CDC, contact with the bait is confirmed to cause skin irritation and Human Vaccinia infection. (Summary can be found below)

The most recent case of rabies with raccoons was reported by the Baltimore City Health Department, a raccoon removed in the area of Schenley Road in the Roland Park neighborhood in response to a wildlife control call resulted in a positive rabies result after being tested. (1)

Rabies Vaccine Bait For Raccoons

Maryland — The annual raccoon oral rabies vaccination project carried out by the Anne Arundel County Department of Health began Thursday. Residents are advised to avoid baits that will be placed across the county. The project should wrap up soon, weather permitting.

The baits contain the liquid rabies vaccine and will be placed in neighborhoods by trained health department employees wearing shirts featuring health department logos. Baits also will be dropped from a low-flying county police helicopter in less populated areas.

The bait will either look like a ketchup packet with a light brown waxy coating or a small brown brick with a plastic packet inside. Anyone who comes in contact with the bait or has a pet that encounters the bait should call 410-222-1423 weekdays and 443-481-3140 evenings and weekends.

The vaccine is designed to vaccinate raccoons when the animal bites into the vaccine packet. It cannot cause rabies and is not harmful to raccoons, pets or other animals. While it does have a very low human health risk, the health department advises that youth, pregnant women and anyone with a chronic skin condition contact their doctor if they handle it.

The health department also recommends that pet owners keep their pets confined or on a leash during the baiting period and for two weeks thereafter. If your pet finds a bait, carefully remove the bait from your pet's mouth. (2)

CDC Case Report

A woman aged 35 years was picking blackberries in a rural area of Pennsylvania where ORV baits recently had been distributed. Her dog picked up a bait in his mouth and punctured the bait with his teeth. After the dog dropped the bait, the woman picked it up, and V-RG vaccine dripped from the bait onto her right hand and wrist, including sites that had been abraded by blackberry thorns.

Approximately 30 minutes passed before the woman was able to wash her hands. She telephoned the ORV helpline number printed on the bait, and her call was referred to PADOH. The woman had a history of inflammatory bowel disease, for which she was taking multiple immunosuppressive medications. These medications included a suppressor of T and B cell proliferation (taken daily) and a tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) blocker (taken once every 6 weeks, with the last dose on July 13); she had no smallpox vaccination scar and reported no history of smallpox vaccination.

On day 1 after her exposure to the V-RG vaccine, her physician obtained a baseline serum specimen for analysis of rabies virus neutralizing antibody (by direct virus neutralization) and orthopoxirus (vaccinia) immunoglobulin IgG and immunoglobulin IgM antibodies (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay).

In addition, photos were taken of her right hand abrasions, and she was instructed to watch for signs of infection in her hand.

On day 4, she reported several red papules on her right hand. She visited a local hospital emergency department, where scrapings of the papules were obtained and submitted to the PADOH Bureau of Laboratories. The woman was discharged from the emergency department and advised to stop taking her immunosuppressant medications.

On day 5, a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay of the scrapings tested positive for nonvariola Orthopoxvirus DNA. Subsequent testing performed at CDC confirmed the presence of vaccinia virus DNA and rabies virus G protein DNA in papule material and serologic evidence of rabies virus neutralizing antibodies. Neither Orthopoxvirus IgG nor IgM antibodies were detected.

On day 6, the papules had increased in number and size, and the patient was hospitalized. Physical examination on admission showed multiple papules on erythematous bases on the patient's right hand, wrist, and arm, including three that appeared to be early vesicles. Because of the patient's immune suppression and concerns about progressive vaccinia, she was administered a single dose (6,000 IU/kg) of VIGIV (Cangene Corporation, Winnipeg, Canada) provided by CDC. Contact precautions were utilized while the patient was hospitalized.

On day 9, she had 26 classic vaccinia virus lesions, including one on a site on her right arm that might not have been in contact with the vaccine initially. The patient was afebrile and not experiencing symptoms related to her inflammatory bowel disease. However, on day 11, she experienced myalgia and headache; she had pronounced redness and edema in her right hand (Figure 2), accompanied by right axillary adenopathy. (3)

Bottom Line

If you come into contact with anything foreign, or remotely resembling these baits put out for raccoons, please be careful and avoid them all all costs. If you have questions concerning getting rid of raccoons that may potentially be sick or living in your home, call us at (410) 982-5050 to reach one of the specialists at On The Fly Pest Solutions for professional consultation and your potential options for remediation of the situation.

Read More Here: Click Here For Story Article Tags: Raccoon Removal, Wildlife Control

source https://ontheflypestsolutions.com/raccoon-bait-advisory/