Public health
Remote monitoring for bed bugs
A global bed bug (Cimex lectularius) resurgence has continued throughout the past two decades, following a period of relative absence for most of the world between 1960 and 2000 (Boase, 2001; Reinhardt & Siva-Jothy, 2007). The cause of the modern resurgence is likely to be the result of multiple factors facilitating their survival, reproduction and […]
Genetically engineered Aedes aegypti
After extensive evaluation of the best available science and public input, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted an experimental use permit (EUP) to Oxitec Ltd to field test the use of genetically engineered Aedes aegypti mosquitoes as a way to reduce mosquito populations to protect public health from mosquito-borne illnesses. The EPA claimed […]
Preliminary tests to validate the effectiveness of the Inpest pheromone dispenser patch
Monitoring traps are often used to catch certain species of stored product insect pests and in these traps a pheromone attractant is used to lure the insects. Once attracted, a sticky board or bucket captures the insect. In the case of stored product moths, the pheromones are sex attractants which attract only males of the […]
How climate change is creating a global pest problem
Rentokil Steritech have identified climate change as a factor that is accelerating the damages caused by pests, which could result in a wider spread of infectious diseases, increased crop destruction, extensive electrical damage and food safety issues. As most pests are more prevalent in warmer climates, the impact of an increasing temperature could be potentially […]
The day of the jackal and a wolf in dogs’ clothing?
French shepherds are angry about EU laws stop them from killing the wolves, which are attacking their sheep, especially since they claim to have evidence showing most of these canine predators are hybrid animals arising from cross breeding between wolves and domestic dogs. Such animals they say can be legally shot and killed without the […]
New challenges in housefly management in poultry farms across The Philippines
The common housefly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), is now an emerging pest in animal shelters and animal farms across The Philippines. A number of farms, mostly those housing chickens in traditional sheds, where closed by The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and local governments in the country in 2017, due to the […]
The birth of a fly control products manufacturer
In the 19th Century, Sheep Scab,caused by the mite Psoroptes ovis, was a serious problem. Not only were the health and welfare of valuable flocks affected, but also significant income could be lost due to poor fleece and wool quality. The only treatment options available were smears containing tar and goose fat, tobacco stalks and […]
A brief history of fly control
“Birds are the eyes of heaven, and flies are the spies of hell.” Suzy Kassem, Rise Up and Salute the Sun: The Writings of Suzy Kassem To band all types of flies together as a group does not do them justice, especially with over 30,000 different known species. The most common of these, Musca domestica, […]
