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By Brian Mossop

Insects cover our planet. Filed into 750,000 different species, at any given time there are one million trillion bugs buzzing around the globe.

About 14,000 of those species are blood-feeders, meaning they drink their meals by puncturing the skin of vertebrates, including humans. Besides being a nuisance, blood-feeding insects, such as certain strains of mosquitoes, are infected with parasitic organisms that are no threat to the bugs themselves, but if transferred to humans, become toxic, or worse, lethal.

A new collection of studies from PLoS charts alternative strategies for curbing mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria using genetically modified insects. The idea is to create mosquitoes that are less infectious and pass their altered genetics to the next generation by breeding with their natural counterparts.

Even though GM insects offer potential relief from malaria and dengue, which remain untreatable, unpreventable diseases in much of the developing world, there is still a lot of skepticism, mistrust and even fear of genetically modified organisms of any sort. Careful regulation, program oversight, and public information campaigns are just as important as proving the efficacy of GM insect release.

These pictures show the different types of mosquitoes whose genetic profiles are changing in the name of science and public health.

ELKHART COUNTY – This warmer than normal weather means we may be seeing some bugs and insects that aren’t common this time of year. Some people are saying that means we may be seeing more pests throughout the year.

“We’re also predicting that some of these warmer temperatures will also have repercussions as we move into the spring time,” Said Missy Henriksen with the National Pest Management Association, a non-profit organization that supports the pest management industry.

Henriksen says NPMA is predicting and increase in ant, bee and termite populations this year.

“Right now all bets are on the bug, so it’s very important that homeowners are taking precautions to protect their families and their homes,” Henriksen said.

But local experts don’t necessarily agree. They say it’s way too early to speculate.

“You really don’t know, and there’s a lot of winter left to go, we’re only in February right now,” said Jeff Burbrink, Elkhart County Purdue Extension educator.

Burbrink says some bugs and insects do better in warmer weather but insects tend to eat each other, so predators are also doing well.

Burbrink also says disease and fungi can develop in warmer weather that can kill insects off.  And certain insects, including a species of mosquito, actually require a fairly cold winter to thrive during the summer.

He adds that although we may be seeing more bugs in our homes earlier in the year, it doesn’t mean their populations have gone up.  He says those bugs have been hibernating in the walls of homes and have come-to because of the warmer weather.

“Those types of insects actually enter the walls in the winter months and stay there, and in the spring they wake up and start crawling out of the walls. About half of those in the wall will find their way into the household.” Burbrink said.

Burbrink says right now what people are probably seeing are stink bugs and lady bugs. If you find them, simply vacuum them up and take them outside. They’re already in the walls, so at this point there isn’t much you can do to stop them from getting into your home. He says they don’t pose any health risk, they’re simply a nuisance.

In order to keep the bugs from getting into your home at all, experts say you should walk around your home in the fall, filling in any cracks, holes and gaps. You can also put down an exterior pesticide which can be found at any lawn and garden store.

With the use of the Cyronite® machine, Smithereen Pest Management is now offering a new way to stop Bed Bugs in their tracks. Cryonite® is a chemical free, highly effective “green alternative” innovative service.

Use Cyronite® Everywhere:

• Schools
• Hospitals
• Office Buildings
• Retail Stores
• Hotels  
• Residental
• Retirement Homes
• Government Housing

Benefits Of Cyronite®

• Eliminates all stages of bedbugs and insect pests
• Minimizes risks factors with the use of chemicals
• Can be used on clothing and other sensitive items
• Kills adults, nymphs and eggs
• The cold penetrates cracks, crevices, baseboards, mattress, headboards and boxsprings
• Insects will not be able to adapt to or tolerate freezing
• Occupy space immediately after treatment
• No residual left on items

Smithereen is searching for qualified candidates for the following positions:

Operations Manager
Do you enjoy working closely with customers and leading a service team? Do you have experience setting budgets and goals and then developing a plan to execute your objectives? Do you enjoy finding solutions to challenging problems? Smithereen’s Operation Manager Position maybe a good fit for you.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Commercial Technician
Are you looking to advance your career and experience while serving many of Chicago’s landmark companies. Are you a highly motivated worker who takes pride in his or her work? Do you have experience controlling and solving pest problems in sensitive locations? If so you may be qualified to join the Smithereen service team as IPM Commercial Technician.

Regional Sales Person
Are you a motivated person? Are you organized and professional? Do you understand how to listen and form creative solutions to complicated problems? Are you able to effectively prospect, account plan and close new business? Then apply to join Smithereen’s growing sales team.

Service Manager
If you are a service oriented, organized leader then service management may the career for you. The service management position is fast paced and ranges from dealing with some of Smithereen’s top clients to managing many of the key costs within the organization.

Pest Control Technician
Smithereen is currently hiring in the fields of Bird Abatement, Wildlife Control, Exterior Service Technician and Pest Control Technician. Smithereen offers a complete training program at these entry level positions.

Smithereen Pest Management is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a full range of quality benefits to full time employees.

Updated: Thursday, 09 Feb 2012, 4:15 PM CST
Published : Thursday, 09 Feb 2012, 4:14 PM CST

Sun-Times Media Wire

Chicago – With Valentine’s Day around the corner, shipments of imported fresh cut flowers are picking up at O’Hare, and some of those floral bouquets contain more than enticing scents — they’re home to hitchhiking insects.

From Jan. 1 to Feb. 14, 2011, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents found more than 3,400 pests among the nearly 802.5 million cut flowers imported nationwide, a release from CBP said.

Chicago is one the nation’s Top 10 destinations for imported cut flowers, according to CBP, with more than 3 million flowers passing through city airports in 2010. So far this year, more than 50 pests have been found in Chicago alone.

But those shipments of tulips, daffodils, orchids, roses and delphinium — the five most-popular flower imports — also contained unwanted boarders, including thrips, moth caterpillars, snails, and plant-eating fly maggots, a release from CBP said.

Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest times of the year for flower imports and CBP has stepped up agricultural inspections at O’Hare to keeps pest and/or diseased plants from coming into the country.

CBP spokesman David Murphy said if they get through, they can damage not only the domestic flower industry, but agriculture and the entire national economy.

“Last year, we examined more than 82 air shipments containing 3.2 million fresh cut flowers,” he said in the release. “Right now our agriculture specialists are conducting 10 inspections each day to make sure these lovely imports bring joy and happiness and not an unintended pest or disease.”

Flower shipments come from all over the work to Chicago, with some containing more than 50 varieties. And many containing bugs. The most common on cut flowers is thrips, tiny arthropods are about 2 mm long, the release said.

But while the insect is small, it can do a large amount of damage. Infestations can destroy crops and lead to other countries refusing to import farm products.

Any flower shipment found to contain thrips, or other pests, is immediately quarantined and fumigated, and the flowers are either destroyed or sent back to the shipper, the release said.

“We at CBP want everyone to have a Happy Valentine’s Day which is why we stepped up our inspections of cut flowers to meet the seasonal demand here,” Murphy said in the release.

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