Latest news with #BramanTermite&PestElimination
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Ticks becoming more active as weather heats up
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – The weather is getting warmer and the bugs are really coming out. Over the years, the tick population has increased dramatically and it's important to protect yourself from them. As the weather gets warmer, more and more of us are spending time outside. Ticks tend to be very active this time of year, and they can carry dangerous and even deadly diseases like Lyme, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Powassan. So it's important to avoid areas where they could be. Mosquito activity: Effective ways to prevent bites 'Keeping your yard mowed, keeping things from becoming overgrown, and just avoiding those areas. If you're hiking, sticking to the middle of the trail. Don't veer off to where the vegetation is tall because that's where the ticks are hiding,' said Natasha Wright of Braman Termite & Pest Elimination. If you're going into a wooded area, you should wear pants and long sleeves and light colors so you can more easily spot any ticks that may be on you. You should also use tweezers to remove it and not squash the tick, because that could help spread disease if the tick has it WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Mosquito activity: Effective ways to prevent bites
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – The weather is warming up, and the bugs are coming out. Springfield opens cooling centers as temperatures rise Mosquitoes are becoming more active, and there are some things you can do to help keep yourself from getting bitten. If you've spent any time outside recently, you've probably seen or even been bitten by a mosquito. The weather we've been having recently is why we're seeing more of them. 'Because we've had all this wet weather, thinking about these artificial containers on your properties,' says Natasha Wright, Entomologist with Braman Termite & Pest Elimination. 'If you have old pots, if you have a tar,p anything that can hold water can potentially breed mosquitoes, so finding those artificial containers and getting rid of them.' You can also get mosquito dunks that you can place in standing water to help kill the mosquitoes. To prevent yourself from being bitten, there are sprays you can buy. Look for the ones that contain DEET, they're the ones that are most effective. Mosquitoes are most active around dusk and dawn. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
What is causing the decline of the honey bee population?
AGAWAM, Mass. (WWLP) – Over the years, there continues to be a decline in the honey bee population. Lawn and garden preparations beginning in April According to scientists at Washington State University, losses of honey bee colonies this year are projected to be the highest on record in the last decade. While there is no definitive cause, there are a number of factors that could be contributing to the decline in the honey bee population. 'We've heard about colony collapse disorder, it could be attributed to things like pesticides,' said Natasha Wright, entomologist at Braman Termite & Pest Elimination. 'Especially when they're used inappropriately, so we don't want to spray flowers ever. That includes homeowners using their own pesticides. It could be a little bit of climate change.' According to WSU, honey bee colonies could decline by up to 70 percent this year, while average losses have typically been up around 50 percent loss of the bees could have a significant impact on farmers who rely on them for pollination. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
What to look out for during termite season
AGAWAM, Mass. (WWLP) – Spring is here, and as the temperatures rise, insects start to emerge. One of these insects is termites, a bug that can cause a lot of damage to your home. Getting rid of them is important so you don't end up with costly repairs. Rainfall rates increasing in intensity over time: here's why 'Termites are eating wood year round, but in the springtime is when the termite actually swarms,' said Natasha Wright, an entomologist at Braman Termite & Pest Elimination. 'It produces a particular cast, it has wings and it swarms looking for mates from other colonies to start new colonies.' Annually, the cost to repair termite damage across the United States can run in the billions of dollars, and most homeowner insurance doesn't cover damage caused by termites. Termites are capable of eating through all kinds of materials to get to wood. There are some things you should be on the lookout for if you suspect you have termites in your home. 'So if you see soil or mud in weird places, like in the basement or outside the foundation of your home, that's one reason to be suspicious,' Wright said. 'But at this time of year, you're looking for the winged reproductives, the swarmers. They can look a little bit like winged ants.' If you suspect you have termites, you should get samples or take pictures and get them to a pest control company so they can determine what the problem is. If you do have any signs of termites, it's important to act as quickly as possible, because it's likely they've been eating the wood inside your home for a while. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
