Latest news with #Orkin
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Stinging, invasive Asian needle ants found in Ohio. Here's where, why they're a problem
A species of invasive stinging ants is on the rise as they hit peak season in the summer. Asian needle ants deliver a painful and venomous sting capable of causing allergic or even life-threatening reactions. Native to Asia, the insects are known as Brachyponera chinensis (roughly translated as "short, wicked ant from China") and have since spread to the U.S. with documented sightings in 20 states, including Ohio. While tiny, the ants can also infest homes and disrupt natural environments by excluding native ant species and termites. Asian needle ants reach their yearly peak activity in June and July. Here's what to know before they arrive. Asian needle ants are a species of carnivorous ants native to China, Japan and the Koreas, according to USA TODAY. These dark brown ants have been found to live in colonies in leaf litter and rotted logs but can also be found inside potted plants, underneath wood piles, and in lawns. The "needle" part of its name refers to its stinger. While they are difficult to track, Asian needle ants have been found in Ohio with at least four reported sightings, per More than a dozen other states have reported Asian needle ant sightings. Ohio State University's Buckeye Yard and Garden confirmed the non-native stinging ant species in Southwest Ohio. The ants can nest inside landscape mulch, compost bins, homes, kitchens and dumpsters. No. Unlike fire ants, Asian needle ants are smaller, less aggressive and will try to avoid humans, however, most stings occur when someone accidentally places their hands in nests or on the ants, according to NC State University Entomology. The pressure causes them to deliver a defensive sting that can last for hours or even days. Experts recommend wearing thick gloves when handling outdoor items like mulch to help prevent stings. Eliminating nesting sites is also advised, including reducing moisture-heavy areas in and around your home and sealing entry points, according to Orkin. Should you encounter a colony of Asian needle ants, protein-based insecticide baits can also be used, though the method isn't foolproof. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Asian needle ant stings can include the following symptoms: Skin reactions include hives, itching, and flushed or pale skin. Low blood pressure (hypotension). Constriction of the airway, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Swollen tongue or throat. Weak and rapid pulse. Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Dizziness or fainting. Psychological symptoms, such as a feeling of impending doom. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Stinging Asian needle ants spotted in Ohio. Here's why it's a problem
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Columbus among U.S. cities that are ‘hot spots' for mosquitos, pest company says
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Mosquito season has arrived, with a pest control company naming Columbus as a hot spot for the insect this year. Orkin releases an annual list of the cities seeing the most residential mosquito treatments, revealing 'hot spots' for the bugs. For this year's ranking, treatments performed by Orkin from April 2024 through March 2025 were considered. Columbus announces $2B bond issue for November ballot On Orkin's 2025 list of the top 50 mosquito hot spots, Columbus came in at No. 23, jumping nine spots from last year. Los Angeles was the city that saw the most treatments, taking the No. 1 spot for the fourth year in a row. Chicago came in at No. 2, and was followed by New York, Atlanta and Detroit. Cleveland (No. 9) and Denver (No. 10) broke into the top 10 for the first time. California remained a popular area for mosquito activity overall, having five cities in the top 50, the report said. The list by Orkin is based solely on the number of treatments in each city and does not factor in population sizes, which likely impacted the rankings. The cities sitting at the top of the list are some of the most populated in the country. Beyond being a nuisance, mosquitoes pose a threat to people's health, Orkin stated. The insect causes over 600,000 malaria-related deaths globally each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They can also transmit other diseases such as the West Nile virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis and Zika virus. Poisonous plant rapidly spreading across Ohio: what to do if you see it 'Mosquito control isn't just about avoiding itchy bites,' Orkin entomologist Frank Meek said. 'It's about safeguarding your health and your community. Proactive measures are key to controlling these seasonal surges in mosquito activity.' Orkin recommends taking preventative action to reduce mosquito activity, including wearing CDC-recommended repellants, installing tight-fitting screens on windows and doors, trimming shrubs and grass, as well as eliminating standing water. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Invasive Stinging Ants That Can Cause Anaphylaxis Are Becoming A Problem In The South
The Asian needle ant is a small, brownish ant that is often seen wandering alone. It has a sting that can cause anaphylaxis in some people. The Asian needle ant was first found in three Southeastern states in 1932 and now lives throughout the Southeast according to the U.S. Forest Service. Put aside your worries about fire ants for just a moment, because a less familiar ant with a nasty sting is becoming a problem in the South. The Asian needle ant is a small, brownish ant that is often seen wandering alone and has a sting that can cause anaphylaxis in some people. The ant has caused concern in Georgia, where one entomologist got three calls about serious anaphylactic reactions in 2024. "We are now considering it a medically important pest," Dan Suiter, an Orkin distinguished professor of Urban Entomology at the University of Georgia, told Fox Weather. While there's no way to know who will have a reaction to the stings, Suiter says that anyone who carries an Epipen for other stinging insects should be exceptionally cautious. The Asian needle ant was first found in three Southeastern states in 1932 and has spread to many more since then, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The ant now lives throughout the Southeast and has traveled as far north as Wisconsin and upstate New York. It's also been found way out in Washington state. Unfortunately, the invasive insect limits the presence of native ants that are critical for dispersing seeds in forests. This threat to the native ants then also poses a the threat "to understory forbs like our beloved spring ephemerals - trillium, bloodroot, Dutchman's breeches, violets, etc. - through their decimation of native ants that disperse seeds," Dr. James T Vogt, Center Director of Southern Research StationCenter for Forest Assessment and Synthesis told Southern Living. Asian needle ants are black or brown with orangey legs. Because they look like so many other ants, Suiter recommends sending a photo to your local extension agent for identification. Then call a pest control company to set bait or treat nests. Asian needle ants are usually seen wandering alone rather than following other ants. They aren't aggressive, but can sting if they get in your clothing or you accidentally come into contact. Signs of anaphylaxis may include skin reactions, low blood pressure, a constricted airway or wheezing, nausea or vomiting, and dizziness. Anyone who experiences these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention. Read the original article on Southern Living
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New York implements innovative new strategy to reduce its 3 million-strong rat population: 'You can't let these rats run your life'
In the city where pizza rats are as famous as pigeons, New York is trying a new tactic in its long war against rodents: birth control. Starting April 26, the city began distributing contraceptive pellets to rats in designated "rat mitigation zones," hoping to slow their explosive population growth, reported CBS News New York. The pilot program will begin in Harlem and expand on broader efforts to control the pests more humanely and, hopefully, more effectively. New York City ranked among the top three rattiest cities in the U.S. in 2024, with an estimated population of 3 million, according to pest control company Orkin. But extermination efforts, including rat poison, have come under fire for harming pets and wildlife — like Flaco the owl, who died last year after ingesting a poisoned rat. In response, Councilmember Shaun Abreu led the passage of "Flaco's Law," which funds a new contraceptive program to target rats at the source. "Two rats in a given year can reproduce 15,000 descendants," Abreu warned. With help from the company WISDOM Good Works, the city will begin distributing fertility control pellets in high-traffic rat areas. Officials said the pellets are designed to disrupt reproduction in rats without poisoning the food chain. Still, some residents remain skeptical. "They're not little babies no more," said Middle Village resident Cookie Barbara, who told CBS News New York she's considering hiring a private exterminator after seeing rats grow bolder in her neighborhood. "You can't let these rats run your life," her neighbor Debbie said. It's not just about squeamish sidewalk encounters. New York's rat boom is a public health issue rooted in deeper environmental problems. Should the government be paying people to hunt invasive species? Definitely Depends on the animal No way Just let people do it for free Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Population growth, aging infrastructure, poor waste management, and climate-change–driven urban shifts have created ideal conditions for rats. Warmer winters and overflowing trash provide rats with year-round food and shelter, helping them thrive. Unchecked, rats can spread disease, contaminate food, and damage buildings. And as rodenticide use climbs, so does the risk to pets and predators that eat poisoned rats. The problem is as much about how we live — and throw away — as it is about the rats themselves. Beyond the birth control rollout, the city has invested in trash containerization in neighborhoods like Harlem, cutting rat complaints by 55% in some areas. Education is another focus. Rat Czar Kathleen Corradi now hosts "Rat Walks" to teach New Yorkers how waste habits attract rats. "The only way we are successful is getting an educated public change in behaviors and addressing those conditions that support rats. Extermination will always be a part of the conversation, but we know the long-term success relies on front-end equation, and that's where we're really focusing and empowering New Yorkers," Corradi told ABC News. Residents can help by securing their trash, reporting infestations, and avoiding poison. Humane and preventative approaches, experts said, are the most sustainable path forward — for humans, animals, and ecosystems alike. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Denver cracks top 10 for first time in annual list of mosquito hotspots
DENVER (KDVR) — Denver cracked the top 10 for the first time in Orkin's latest 'Top 50 Mosquito Cities List.' The annual ranking is based on the number of new residential mosquito treatments performed by the pest control company from April 2024 through March 2025. Denver, which climbed six spots from 2024's list, was joined by Cleveland as another first-timer in the top 10, a move Orkin said signals a larger mosquito pressure in northern cities, amid climbing temperatures. Viral kangaroo escapes (again) in Durango 'Mosquito control isn't just about avoiding itchy bites,' said Frank Meek, Orkin entomologist, in a statement. 'It's about safeguarding your health and your community. Proactive measures are key to controlling these seasonal surges in mosquito activity.' Los Angeles took the top spot on the 2025 list for the fourth year in a row, with Chicago, New York, Atlanta and Detroit rounding out the top five. Mosquitoes are the world's 'deadliest animal,' according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which said the flying insect spreads diseases such as malaria, dengue, West Nile, yellow fever, Zika, chikungunya and lymphatic filariasis. The CDC said mosquitoes are ultimately responsible for more deaths each year than any other creature in the world, with malaria alone resulting in nearly 249 million cases and more than 600,000 deaths across 85 countries in 2022. Scooter riders will have new rules in Denver Statistically speaking, Coloradans probably shouldn't worry too much about malaria, however, cases of locally acquired mosquito-transmitted malaria were spotted in the U.S. for the first time in 20 years in 2023, with 10 cases reported across Florida, Texas, Maryland and Arkansas, the CDC said. According to Orkin, there are a few simple preventive measures people can take to help reduce mosquito activity, including: Blocking access to the skin by wearing long sleeves, pants and CDC-recommended repellants Installing tight-fitting screens on windows and doors Trimming shrubs, grass and other vegetation to reduce mosquito resting areas Eliminating standing water — a known breeding ground for mosquitoes Denver itself has a 'Mosquito Management Program' that the city says is designed to reduce mosquito breeding sites and larval mosquito survival. The program also strives to provide information and education to residents and businesses to help them keep mosquito populations 'at a safe level,' according to the city. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
