Alberta maintains its “rat-free” status with a zero-tolerance policy, and is currently investigating a potential roof rat sighting in the Calgary community of Inglewood. The province is responding by laying out traps and going door-to-door. Reports of rat sightings are taken seriously, as evidenced by the recent review of footage where experts are “pretty confident” a roof rat was seen. The rat control program, celebrating its 75th anniversary, investigates all reported sightings, which include the establishment of a 600-kilometre rat control zone to prevent these pests from entering the province.
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Asian needle ants, a potentially deadly invasive species, are rapidly spreading across the southeastern United States and beyond, having been sighted in over a dozen states. These tiny ants, distinguished by their dark coloring and preference for damp, hidden locations, pose a significant threat to those with insect sting allergies, potentially causing fatal anaphylactic reactions. Their expansion disrupts native ant populations and ecosystems. Homeowners encountering these ants are advised to contact pest control professionals for assistance.
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A plane crash in southern Mexico near the Guatemalan border claimed the lives of two Guatemalan pilots and a Mexican engineer. The aircraft was carrying sterile flies as part of a Mexican government initiative to combat the screwworm parasite affecting cattle. This initiative was launched in response to a U.S. suspension of Mexican cattle imports due to screwworm concerns. The cause of the crash remains undetermined.
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Following their 2019 arrival in Washington state, four nests of the invasive northern giant hornet were successfully eradicated through a combination of public reporting and targeted trapping efforts. Eradication involved tracking devices and the destruction of colonies, culminating in the discovery and elimination of a nest containing nearly 1,500 hornets in 2023. Despite this success, the potential for future infestations remains, necessitating continued vigilance and trapping. Although rarely attacking humans, these hornets pose a significant threat, resulting in dozens of deaths annually.
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Five years after their initial detection in Washington state, the invasive northern giant hornet, also known as the “murder hornet,” has been eradicated from the U.S. This successful eradication resulted from a collaborative effort involving community participation in trapping and reporting, along with researchers using innovative tracking techniques to locate and destroy a hornet nest. No hornets have been detected since 2021, marking a significant victory for human intervention against an invasive insect species. The eradication is also considered successful in British Columbia, Canada, where they were also found.
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Family Dollar, a chain of stores widely known for its affordable prices, has landed itself in hot water with a record $41 million fine due to a mouse-infested warehouse in Arkansas. The company’s neglect of proper sanitation and pest control procedures ultimately led to the discovery of a shocking 1,270 dead mice in the warehouse after it was fumigated. This is not merely a case of overlooking a small issue; it is a clear indication of gross negligence and lack of consideration for the health and safety of both employees and customers.
As someone who has had personal experience working on HVAC and lighting projects for Family Dollar in the past, the news of their mouse-infested warehouses does not come as a surprise.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker