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A Tick Removal Device

Spring is tick season. And if you haven’t got the memo, tick-borne diseases are becoming a significant issue in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are no fewer than 15 diseases transmitted by ticks to humans. Spring is a critical time for infections because the nymphs (the ticks that haven’t matured into adult ticks yet) can be difficult to spot as they are quite small. Nevertheless, removing embedded ticks is essential to reduce and/or prevent your risk getting an infection. But you remove ticks the correct way.

Wrong Ways to Remove Ticks

  • Vaseline. Smothering a tick with Vaseline. Some believe that that doing so causes the tick to vomit as it releases itself, thereby increasing the possibility of infection.
  • Fingernail Polish. Painting a tick with fingernail polish can have the same negative effect as Vaseline.
  •  Lighted Match. Using a lighted match or heat is also not recommended by the CDC.

The Right Way to Remove Ticks

TickCheck Tick removal device.
TickCheck Tick removal device.

The CDC says that you should use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the embedded tick as close to the skin as possible. Then gently but firmly pull till the tick releases. The key is not to break the tick. Is there another way? Possibly. The TickCheck is a plastic tick removal device. It is an ergonomically designed tool with a slit-hook designed to allow you to slide the hook underneath the tick, straddling the tick’s palps (the probes that embed into the skin) and remove it.

I haven’t used the product myself (I’m pretty careful about avoiding ticks and ticks are rarer where I live than other parts of the U.S.), but I wanted to let readers know it exists. It’s small enough to easily fit into a pocket, first aid kit or hiking bag. While avoiding ticks in the first place is the best practice, being prepared to remove one is important too.

(Note I have not received compensation in any form to write this post, but if the company wishes to send me some, I will accept :))

To purchase this product:

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications (http://kingsdivinity.academia.edu/StephenMVantassel) along with several books (https://wildlifecontrolconsultant.com/store-2/). Listen to his podcast at PestGeek Podcast (https://pestgeekpodcast.com/). He is a sought after speaker and trainer. If you would like to have Stephen speak at your event or use his consultation services, send an e-mail to wildlifecontrolconsultant@gmail.com. Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.

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A simple way to avoid disease and pesticides

Washing your hands is an essential part of avoiding zoonotics, infections, and residual pesticides.
Washing your hands is an essential part of avoiding zoonotics, infections, and residual pesticides.

With all the talk today about eating healthy, exercise, vitamins, meditation and other behaviors to improve one’s wellbeing, one behavior should NEVER be overlooked by a pest control operator (PCO) or a wildlife control operator (WCO). What is that behavior? Washing your hands. Washing your hands is a simple way to avoid disease and pesticides that you are exposed to as a normal part of your job. Is hand washing perfect? No, it’s not a bubble suit, but it will go a long way to reduce your risk.

Hand washing has several key advantages. First, it is low cost. Soap, water, and a towel, preferably disposable and you are good to go. Second, hand washing is effective. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), handwashing helps prevent the spread of several diseases. The CDC claims that hand washing reduces the number of people who get sick from diarrhea up to 40%. Another fact, important for service providers is that hand washing reduces infections, such as colds, in the general population up to 21%. Third, hand washing is a simple way to avoid diseases and pesticides. Plus, it’s easy to do.

Unfortunately, many people do not wash their hands correctly. So here are the steps.

  1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
  2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
  3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
  4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
  5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

I would add that WCOs and PCOs should wash their hands BEFORE you use the restroom and AFTER too. Keep in mind that we have dirty jobs and are exposed to a lot of germs and chemicals. Add to that the customers who are sneezing, coughing in our presence (and sometimes our faces) and you should be able to easily see the importance of washing your hands.

What about antibacterial soaps and cleaners? Haven’t been proven to be all that effective. Now they are better than nothing if you don’t have access to soap and water. But soap and water are the best because they work on the principle of friction and soap. Friction and soap remove the germs and the running water washes them away. So wash well.

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications (http://kingsdivinity.academia.edu/StephenMVantassel) along with several books (https://wildlifecontrolconsultant.com/store-2/). Listen to his podcast at PestGeek Podcast (https://pestgeekpodcast.com/). He is a sought after speaker and trainer. If you would like to have Stephen speak at your event or use his consultation services, send an e-mail to wildlifecontrolconsultant@gmail.com. Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.

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10 Facts about Raccoon Roundworm

Raccoon roundworm, Baylisascaris procyonis, is a nematode that lives in the intestines of many raccoons. There the worms shed eggs that exit the raccoons through the feces. Since raccoons tend to defecate in the same locations, known as toilettes, these sites pose risks to those who encounter the contaminated soils. What follows is 10 facts about raccoon roundworm.

Baylisascaris larvae emerging from an egg: U.S. Govt. Wikimedia.
Baylisascaris larvae emerging from an egg: U.S. Govt. Wikimedia.
  1. A raccoon can have 20,000 to 26,000 of roundworm eggs in a gram of feces.
  2. Raccoons can become infected by ingesting infective eggs or by eating animals already infected with the worms.
  3. Children are the most likely to be infected because they are more likely to play in contaminated areas and put their dirty hands in their mouth.
  4. The roundworm has been found to infect more than 100 species of animals, including dogs.
  5. Raccoon roundworm can damage organs, eyes, and cause encephalitis (i.e. inflammation of the brain).
  6. Roundworm eggs can survive for years in moist conditions, such as shaded soils.
  7. Roundworm eggs can be killed by exposure to prolonged sunlight, dry conditions, or temperatures above 144 degrees F.
  8. There are no products registered for the disinfecting roundworm eggs on surfaces.
  9. When surveys have been done, raccoon roundworm has been found throughout the United States, with only one exception.
  10. Signs of infection in animals include, lethargy, ataxia, circling, loss of fear of humans, slow arching of head and neck, slow movements, leaning, etc.

Sources:

Kazacos, Kevin R. 2001. Baylisascaris procyonis and related species. Parasitic Diseases of Wild Animals: Endoparasites Part II. Chapter 11. pp.301-341.

Murray, William J. and Kevin R. Kazacos. 2004. Raccoon Roundworm Encephalitis. Clinical Infectious Diseases. Nov. 15. Pp. 1484-1492.

Shafir, Shira C.; Wei Wang, Frank J. Sorvillo, Matthew E. Wise, Laurel Moore, Teresa Sorvillo, and Mark L. Eberhard. 2007. Thermal Depth Point of Baylisascaris procyonis Eggs. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 13:1(Jan): 172-173.

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications (http://kingsdivinity.academia.edu/StephenMVantassel) along with several books (https://wildlifecontrolconsultant.com/store-2/). Listen to his podcast at PestGeek Podcast (https://pestgeekpodcast.com/). He is a sought after speaker and trainer. If you would like to have Stephen speak at your event or use his consultation services, send an e-mail to wildlifecontrolconsultant@gmail.com. Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.

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Signs of Lyme Disease

Recent research shows that Lyme disease manifests itself differently in different age groups. http://www.mvtimes.com/2016/07/13/visiting-physician-sheds-new-light-lyme-disease/

Lone star tick. Photo by the CDC.
Lone star tick. Photo by the CDC.

Bottom line, make sure you protect yourself from ticks. Perform tick checks. Follow CDC guidance on tick removal.  Monitor health. Get treatment as needed. Control ticks and the rodents and deer that continue the tick lifecycle.

Remember, nature is beautiful but it can kill you.

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications (http://kingsdivinity.academia.edu/StephenMVantassel) along with several books (https://wildlifecontrolconsultant.com/store-2/). Listen to his podcast at PestGeek Podcast (https://pestgeekpodcast.com/). He is a sought after speaker and trainer. If you would like to have Stephen speak at your event or use his consultation services, send an e-mail to wildlifecontrolconsultant@gmail.com. Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.

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Histoplasmosis and Hot Dry Attics

Histoplasmosis and Hot Dry Attics

Bat guano can carry the fungus that causes histoplasmosis even in hot dry attics. Photo by Stephen M. Vantassel.
Bat guano can carry the fungus that causes histoplasmosis even in hot dry attics. Photo by Stephen M. Vantassel.

Histoplasmosis is a disease caused by a fungus that resides in bat droppings and areas contaminated by bird excrement. The fungus usually grows in moist nutrient environments. So the question is does the fungus survive in bat guano in hot dry attics? Well according to Bartlett et al. (1982) the answer is simply, “Yes.” Attics, even hot dry attics, with active bat infestations can cause people exposed to the droppings/fungal spores to contract histoplasmosis.

Source:

Bartlett, P. C., Vonbehren, L. A., Tewari, R. P., Martin, R. J., Eagleton, L., Isaac, M. J., & Kulkarni, P. S. (1982). Bats in the Belfry: An Outbreak of Histoplasmosis. American Journal of Public Health, 72(12), 1369-1372 available at http://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/pdf/10.2105/AJPH.72.12.1369

About the Author

Stephen M. Vantassel is a Certified Wildlife Control Operator (CWCP®) who helps individuals, businesses, and agencies resolve wildlife damage issues through training, writing, expert witness, and research. He has written the Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook, 3rd edition. Reach him at wildlifecontrolconsultant at gmail dot com.

Copyright

All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.

About Stephen M. Vantassel

Stephen M. Vantassel, MNI, CNI, CWCP, ACP, ACE Stephen M. Vantassel's Bio Stephen M. Vantassel is the Vertebrate Pest Specialist for the Montana Department of Agriculture (2015-present). Formerly, Stephen M. Vantassel was the Program Coordinator of Distance Education-Wildlife Damage Management for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Natural Resources from 2004-2014. Stephen filled … Learn More

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