What’s new with the Critter Gitter?
Duval Sees 1st West Nile Case Since ‘05
Woman In Jacksonville Hospitalized; Man In S.W. Florida Died Of Virus
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—With a Duval County resident hospitalized and a southwest Florida man’s death traced to West Nile virus, health officials are urging people to take extra precautions to avoid contact with mosquitoes.
A 45-year-old Jacksonville woman was hospitalized after laboratory tests confirmed the virus—the first confirmed human case in Duval County since 2005. She has since recovered and been released.
In Collier County, a man died and a second person was hospitalized with the virus, which is a mosquito-borne illness that cannot be spread from person to person.
Symptoms of West Nile include fever, rash, headache, fatigue, weakness and dizziness. There is no specific medication or vaccine for West Nile Virus.
Health officials encourage residents to protect themselves by avoiding the outdoors at dusk and dawn, when the bugs are more active; wear clothing that covers most of your skin; and use mosquito repellent with DEET.
Duval County officials told Channel 4’s Vickie Pierre that there is usually an increase in mosquito-borne illnesses in September and October, so they are particularly concerned knowing that mosquitoes carrying this virus are in the area.
“Traditionally we see people with underlying medical conditions being at more at risk for disease in general,” epidemiologist Taj Azarian said. “However, when it comes to mosquito borne illnesses, there really isn’t a category we see infected more than others.”
Residents are also urged to check around their homes to get rid of standing water, where mosquitoes lay eggs.
For more information on the West Nile virus and steps to avoid exposure, visit the Florida Department of Health website. Jacksonville residents can request the city to inspect or spray a particular home or neighborhood by calling 904-630-CITY or visiting COJ.net.
Whether Residential or Commercial, We will just keep on trying and trying to get In! But not if the Critter Gitter is there… that guy is scary.
Reticulitermes hageni
Due to their wood-eating habits, termites can do great damage to homes and other wooden structures. Their habit of remaining concealed often results in their presence being undetected until severe damaged is done. Once termites have entered a building, they do not limit themselves to wood; they also damage paper, cloth, carpets and more.
Musca domestica
The house fly is the most common of all domestic flies, accounting for about 90% of all flies in human habitations, and indeed one of the most widely distributed insects, found all over the world; it is considered a pest that can carry serious diseases. Each female fly can lay approximately 500 eggs in several batches of about 75 to 150.
Hymenoptera
The term wasp is typically defined as any insect of the order Hymenoptera and suborder Apocrita that is neither a bee nor ant. Almost every pest insect species has at least one wasp species that preys upon it or parasitizes it, making wasps critically important in natural control of their numbers, or natural biocontrol.
Siphonaptera/Ixodoidea
Fleas are small (1/16”), dark, reddish-brown, wingless, blood-sucking insects. Their bodies are laterally compressed, (i.e., flattened side to side) permitting easy movement through the hairs on the host’s body. Their legs are long and well adapted for jumping. Ticks are blood-feeding parasites that are often found in tall grass and shrubs where they will wait to attach to a passing host. A tick will attach itself to its host by inserting its chelicerae (cutting mandibles) and hypostome (feeding tube) into the skin. The hypostome is covered with recurved teeth and serves as an anchor. Young ticks have six legs, and mature ticks have eight legs. They vary in size and appearance depending on the species.
Formicidae
Ants are pests around the home because they feed on and contaminate human foods, infest structures, and build unsightly mounds in lawns. In some cases, ants are able to inflict painful bites or stings. Ants do not attack or eat fabrics, leather or wood in houses; however, some species can establish nests in decaying wood in structures.
Mus musculus
The mouse usually lives in proximity to humans, in or around houses or fields. Originally native to Asia they have since been spread throughout the world. House mice can transmit diseases, and can damage food and food packaging. It is thought that house mice were the primary reason for the taming of the domestic cat.
Achaearanea tepidariorum
Arachnophobia is a fear of spiders or anything reminiscent of spiders, such as webs or spider-like shapes. It is one of the most common specific phobias, and some statistics show that 50 percent of women and 10 percent of men show symptoms. It may be an exaggerated form of an instinctive response that helped early humans to survive.
Jacksonville, Florida 32204
