Tag Archives: vector borne disease

 

Each year Mosquito Joe recognizes the importance of Mosquito Control Awareness Week through our Beat the Bloodsuckers campaign. Our goal is to raise awareness in the communities in which we operate about the importance of mosquito control and the amazing work of non-profits like blood banks and Nothing But Nets. Although this week falls during one of our busiest months of the year, it does not stop our passionate franchisees from giving back in their communities. This year, National Mosquito Control Awareness Week(MCAW), recognized by the American Mosquito Control Association, fell on June 24^th – June 30^th, and it was a memorable week for Mosquito Joe.

Mosquitoes date back to over 100 million years, which means they’re not going anywhere anytime soon so it’s important to protect your families and furry friends. Not only are they nuisances who ruin your outdoor fun, but they can transmit dangerous diseases such as Zika, West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The diseases mosquitoes carry make them one of the deadliest creatures on earth, responsible for over 1 million deaths every year. Luckily, here in the U.S. we’re able to combat these pesky bugs with a professional mosquito control service like Mosquito Joe. Our franchisees are dedicated to spreading awareness about mosquitoes and the illnesses they cause as well as working to fight off mosquito populations in their local areas. MCAW brings professional mosquito control to light and we’re thankful for this opportunity to give back.

Beat The Bloodsuckers

This is Mosquito Joe’s sixth year participating in our Beat the Bloodsuckers campaign. Franchisees had the opportunity to partner with a local blood bank in their area or with our philanthropic partner, Nothing But Nets. Mosquito Joe locations across the country joined with local blood banks donating 10% of new customer sales from that week to their blood bank of choice. This year we were able to donate over $7,000 and partner with 26 blood banks!

For the second year in a row, Mosquito Joe partnered with Nothing But Nets, a global grassroots campaign that was established in 2006. Since then, they’ve raised over $65 million to help deliver 12 million bed nets to families in need, along with other crucial malaria interventions like diagnostic treatments and training of healthcare workers. A mosquito net sent to someone in need is just $10; for every new Mosquito Joe customer signed during MCAW, a net was sent! This year our company raised over $24,000, sending 2,413 life-saving nets during Mosquito Control Awareness Week to those in need!

The Buzz!

Our amazing franchisees were out there rocking it in their local communities to spread awareness around the importance of mosquito control. Mosquito Joe locations were featured 131 times across the U.S. and secured 14 TV segments in just one week. We’re excited so many franchisees were able to further educate their communities on mosquito control, and how important it really is to keep our families and furry friends itch-free! Check out a few highlights below:

• Mosquito Joe of Lafayette-Lake Charles: Southern storms have nothing on this company called ‘Mosquito Joe’
• Mosquito Joe of Springfield: Save your blood for donations instead of giving it to mosquitoes
• Mosquito Joe of Baton Rouge: Officials offer tips during national Mosquito Control Awareness Week
• Mosquito Joe of Spartanburg: Mosquito Joe Celebrates Sixth Annual Beat the Bloodsuckers Campaign

We’re very proud of our franchisees and so happy we were able to give back to these non-profit organizations by supporting the amazing work that they do through our 2018 Beat the Bloodsuckers campaign. Mosquito Joe continues to partner with Nothing But Nets through our ongoing MoJo Bites Back campaign. To support us in our mission, consider donating to our MoJo Bites Back campaign as we raise funds for malaria and bring awareness to malaria-stricken areas. It will only cost you $10 to send a net; make a difference for a family in need today

Thanks to our participating franchisees, each blood bank that we partnered with, Nothing But Nets, and our AMAZING customers that helped make this year’s Beat the Bloodsuckers campaign the huge success that it was.

It is hard to miss the headlines in the news when it talks about a new virus spread by mosquitoes, and even harder when those news reports have titles such as Third Case of Chikungunya Reported in Dallas County and Locally Acquired Chikungunya Has Arrived in Florida. It is enough to worry anyone who faces mosquitoes and let’s face it – that’s just about everyone.

We told you all about chikungunya virus in our blog post back in July and how until late 2013 the virus was only found in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Then it made its way to the Caribbean, where travelers began bringing it back to the United States. We wanted to give you an update on the virus, and remind you that while it is not lethal – it is something to be aware of because the virus has reported cases in 47 states.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of September 30, a total of 1,211 chikungunya virus disease cases have been reported in the United States. Eleven locally-transmitted cases have been reported from Florida, and that means the virus was not brought in from another country – it was acquired in Florida. When we discussed numbers in July, they were significantly lower.

The CDC assures us that Chikungunya is not lethal like other mosquito borne illnesses such as West Nile, but it is something we would of course like to avoid. The most common symptoms of chikungunya virus infection are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash.

If you are traveling to a country where Chikungunya is transmitted by mosquitoes or in a state that has a high number of cases such as New York, New Jersey or Florida, take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Wear long sleeves and avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active (dusk and dawn). If you’re interested in avoiding mosquitoes here at home, our barrier treatment sprays are a great way to keep your yard itch free. As always Mosquito Joe will keep you updated on all new information when it comes to Chikungunya. Have you mastered the pronunciation yet?

We’re already halfway through the hottest month of the summer, but we’re also in the peak of another season that may not be on your radar: the season for mosquito borne illness. While the risk of mosquito borne illness is present whenever mosquitoes are, the heat of summer is when we start to see numbers really start to rise. This year, we’re not only seeing the reports of West Nile cases rising; we’ve got another one to watch as reports of Chikungunya fever continue to pop up across the country.

If you read our blog post in July about Chikungunya, you read about how the disease made its presence in the United States by travelers returning from the Caribbean. As of now, four locally transmitted cases have been reported in Southern Florida. While that brings concern primarily to mosquito control in Florida, researchers are worried about any area that contains the Asian tiger mosquito. The Asian tiger mosquito is the most aggressive and the most efficient at spreading the disease. The most common symptoms of chikungunya virus infection are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash.

West Nile numbers are also rising as it makes its presence known all over the country. As of August 12, a total of 40 states and the District of Columbia have reported West Nile virus infections in people, birds, or mosquitoes. In the United States, 124 cases of West Nile virus in people have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine or cure for West Nile Virus so prevention is important. Most people who become infected (80%) don’t even display symptoms, but those that do have high fever, nausea, and aching with joint pain.

Awareness of the dangers of mosquito borne illness is the first step to a safer summer; however, you should take appropriate actions to protect yourself this time of year. We’ve provided mosquito control tips for your backyard in past posts, and encourage you to protect your yard from mosquitoes with a professional mosquito control treatment, but no matter where you are outside, make sure to wear long sleeves and pants to avoid bites. Take particular care during dawn or dusk (prime mosquito feeding times) and take care of those around you as well!