The Pennsylvania Vector Control Association the Pennsylvania Vector Spreading News to the Vector Control Community

The Pennsylvania Vector Control Association The Pennsylvania Vector Spreading News to the Vector Control Community

Volume 11, Issue 3 November 1, 2013

Inside this issue: Sylvatic Plague Immunization Moose Die-off Alarms 2 in Black-footed Ferrets and Prairie Dogs Scientists Submitted by Tom Smith What’s Up: Region 1 4

What’s Up: Region 2 4 Sylvatic plague is a bacterial disease cines are not practical for field use in free- of wild rodents that is transmitted by ranging animals, such as prairie dogs. Ulti- What’s Up: Region 3 6 fleas. It can afflict numerous species mately, management of the disease in fer- What’s Up: Region 4 6 of mammals, including humans. Prai- rets will depend on managing the disease in What’s Up: Region 5 7 rie dogs are highly susceptible to prairie dogs. plague and are the primary food Currently, efforts to halt the spread of What’s Up: Region 6 7 source of the highly endangered plague rely on dusting individual prairie dog Biotech Weapons 8 black-footed ferret, which is also sus- burrows with pesticides that kill plague- Against Dengue Fever Mosquitoes Proves ceptible to the disease. Sylvatic infected fleas, but pesticide application is Controversial plague can decimate prairie dog colo- labor intensive, costly and difficult to sus- nies, with mortality rates of 90 per- tain over time. Why Do Mosquitoes 11 Bite Some People More cent or more, resulting in local extinc- Than Others? tions and population reductions. Be- Sylvatic Plague Vaccine (SPV) cause of the susceptibility of prairie Immunizing entire populations of free- Pest Control Firms 12 Turn to the Dogs to dogs to sylvatic plague, coupled with ranging prairie dogs and other rodents is Fight Bed Bugs the potentially devastating effect the highly challenging, but preliminary NWHC disease can have on black-footed fer- studies indicate prairie dogs can be success- Northeast IPM Partner- 13 ship Grants rets, plague control is a vital concern fully immunized by voluntarily eating vac- for ferret recovery programs and con- cine-laden baits. These studies suggest that Growing Numbers of 14 Bed Bugs, Mosquitoes servation efforts. plague in prairie dogs could be managed and Tick are Spreading Scientists at the USGS National Wild- through oral immunization, which would be Misery and Frustrating life Health Center (NWHC), in collabo- especially useful in areas where black- ration with colleagues at the Universi- footed ferrets reside and in populations of Sustaining Members 16- ty of Wisconsin, state agencies, and prairie dogs of conservation concern. Advertising 21 other Federal agencies, have tested (Continued on page 3) Presidents Corner 22 the feasibility of vaccinating black- Editor’s Corner 22 footed ferrets and prairie dogs against sylvatic plague infections. The Special points of interest: plague vaccine was developed for humans by the U.S. Army Medical  2013 Pennsylvania State Report on page 10 Research Institute for Infectious Dis- ease and is being tested for use on Mini-Monster iPad App  animals at the USGS National Wildlife on page 13 Health Center. Vaccination of ferrets  Calendar of upcoming by injection was shown to be highly events on page 17 successful both in the laboratory and in the field. However, injectable vac- VOLUME 11, ISSUE 3 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 2 Moose Die-Off Alarms Scientists Submitted by Louise Bugbee

CHOTEAU, Mont. — Across North “Something’s changed,” said Nicholas spend part of their life cycles in America — in places as far-flung as DeCesare, a biologist with the Mon- snails, which thrive in moist environ- Montana and British Columbia, New tana Department of Fish, Wildlife and ments. Hampshire and Minnesota — moose Parks who is counting moose in this Another theory is heat stress. Moose populations are in steep decline. part of the state — one of numerous are made for cold weather, and And no one is sure why. efforts across the continent to meas- when the temperature rises above Twenty years ago, Minnesota had ure and explain the decline. “There’s 23 degrees Fahrenheit in winter, as two geographically separate moose fewer moose out there, and hunters has happened more often in recent populations. One of them has virtu- are working harder to find them.” years, they expend extra energy to ally disappeared since the 1990s, What exactly has changed remains a stay cool. That can lead to exhaus- declining to fewer than 100 from mystery. Several factors are clearly at tion and death. 4,000. work. But a common thread in most In the Cariboo Mountains of British The other population, in northeast- hypotheses is climate change. Columbia, a recent study pinned the ern Minnesota, is dropping 25 per- Winters have grown substantially decline of moose on the widespread cent a year and is now fewer than shorter across much of the moose’s killing of forest by an epidemic of 3,000, down from 8,000. (The range. In New Hampshire, a longer fall pine bark beetles, which seem to moose mortality rate used to be 8 with less snow has greatly increased thrive in warmer weather. The loss percent to 12 percent a year.) As a the number of winter ticks, a devas- of trees left the moose exposed to result, wildlife officials have sus- tating parasite. “You can get 100,000 human and animal predators. pended all moose hunting. ticks on a moose,” said Kristine Rines, In Smithers, British Columbia, in Here in Montana, moose hunting a biologist with the state’s Fish and April, a moose — starving and se- permits fell to 362 last year, from Game Department. verely infested with ticks— wan- 769 in 1995. In Minnesota, the leading culprits are dered into the flower section of a brain worms and liver flukes. Both Safeway market. It was euthanized. Moose dies after B.C. Safeway stroll. Unregulated hunting may also play a role in moose mortality. So may wolves in Minnesota and the West. Scientists and officials say other factors could still emerge. Because most moose die in the fall, the next few months may provide insight. “It’s complicated because there’s so many pieces of this puzzle that could be impacted by climate change,” said Erika Butler, until recently the wildlife veterinarian at the Minneso- ta Department of Natural Resources. (Continued on page 3) VOLUME 11, ISSUE 3 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 3

The stakes go beyond the moose “If the heart stops beating, it sends a But then, so are moose. The animals themselves. The animals are ecosys- text message to our phone that says, were hunted out of existence during tem engineers; when they browse ‘I’m dead at x and y coordinates,’ ” Colonial times; they returned to the shrubs, for example, they create said Dr. Butler, who leads the study. state only in the 1970s. habitat for some nesting birds. The messages are monitored around While deer have evolved to an eco- And moose contribute to the econo- the clock; when a moose dies, a team logical balance with ticks, moose my. In New Hampshire, for instance, on call rushes to the scene by car or have not. moose-watching tourism is a $115- helicopter. Deer are grooming animals, so they million-a-year business, according to The winter tick problem in New are able to keep tick numbers fairly Ms. Rines. Hunting permits also gen- Hampshire is particularly vexing. The low. By contrast, said Ms. Rines, the erate revenue. animals lose so much blood they can biologist, “moose didn’t evolve with Moose deaths are hard to study, become anemic. Worse, the ticks ticks, and they don’t groom them scientists say. The moose is a mem- drive the moose crazy; they constant- off.” That has led to swarms of ticks. ber of the deer family, but unlike ly scratch, tearing off large patches of The solution to the tick problem deer it is a solitary animal that does hair. might be, paradoxically, more moose not run in herds, so it can be hard to Some moose lose so much hair they hunting. “It’s up to the public,” she track. Moreover, moose have such look pale, even spectral; some people said. “We could kill more if we want high levels of body fat that they de- call them “ghost moose.” When it healthy moose.” compose rapidly; after 24 hours, a rains in the spring, the moose, de- necropsy has little value. prived of their warm coats, then be- Article by: Mark Keech, right, a In January, Minnesota started an come hypothermic. research biologist, and Tiffany unusual $1.2 million study using ad- Winter ticks hatch in the fall and Wolf, a veterinarian, fitted a vanced monitoring technology to begin to climb aboard their host. moose with a radio collar and took find moose as soon as they die. Live They are dormant until January or samples as part of a Minnesota animals are captured and fitted with February, when they start to feed, study of why the animals die. collars that give their location every molt into adults and then drop off. By JIM ROBBINS 15 minutes, and they are given feed Moose spend a lot of time feeding in Published: October 14, 2013 containing a tiny transmitter that lakes, but wading in water doesn’t Photo Credit: Brian Peterson/ remains in the body and monitors drown the ticks, which form an air Minneapolis Star Tribune heart rate and temperature. Then bubble that allows them to survive the moose are released back into immersion in water. the wild. New Hampshire’s winter tick problem is a relatively recent phenomenon.

(Continued from page 1) ing with USDA’s Center for Veterinary the occurrence of plague outbreaks The Sylvatic Plague Vaccine Subcom- Biologics to register SPV for use in the and thus to enhance ferret recovery mittee of theBlack -footed Ferret field. Field safety trials with SPV are and prairie dog conservation in tar- Recovery and Implementation Team scheduled to begin in summer 2012 geted areas. is acting to coordinate efforts to in Colorado. Field efficacy studies for complete development and delivery free-ranging prairie dog populations Article credit: USGS National Wildlife of SPV as a management tool to are planned to begin in 2013. Ulti- Health Center combat plague in grassland ecosys- mately, SPV would be used as a tems. Currently, the NWHC is work- plague management tool to reduce VOLUME 11, ISSUE 3 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 4

What’s Happening in Region 1 Submitted by Ben Russell As we continue ed Philadelphia. Since its establish- sin treatments (46,669 of those were on in 2013, rabies ment in 1683, the square has been in Philly). The black fly program cases in the state home to a variety of rodents. Present- managed by DEP's southeast region have continued ly, the square sits in one of the wealth- had no significant issues other than a to trend lower iest areas of the city and, as a result, need to stop treatments in August than the last two the booming rat population stirred a because of funding limitations. years. The south- lot of media interest. Throughout this Some survey work continued in eastern counties have had the fol- year, city departments have undertak- Chester and Montgomery Counties lowing numbers of reported animal en a number of measures to reduce this year. However, much like in rabies cases so far in 2013: Bucks (5 the rat population in the square. Ac- 2012, there were no significant pest raccoons, 2 bats, 1 cat, 1 skunk), cording to an article published by problems noted in those counties Chester (9 raccoons, 6 bats, 2 cats), Philly.com in early October, rat com- until late in the summer. Because of Delaware (3 bats, 3 raccoons), plaints between May and August were funding limitations, it is unlikely ei- Montgomery (2 bats, 1 skunk, 1 actually down citywide. The city's rat ther of these counties could be cat), Philadelphia (nothing report- complaint line received 1,974 com- added to the DEP's program until ed). These numbers are current plaints during that time in 2013 and more funding is available. through September. 3,243 during the same time in 2012. Really, you have to give the rats credit I am really mystified as to why the While Philadelphia seemingly has for adapting so well to urban life. ever increasing black fly population not had to worry about any rabid in the Schuylkill River in those coun- beavers this year, the city did re- The WNV season in the southeast was ties seems to have crashed in the last ceive some press for unwanted visi- busy. Nine of the 11 human cases re- two seasons. As with so many other tors in Rittenhouse Square. Several ported by PADOH this year were locat- aspects of nature, these things seem media outlets in Philadelphia re- ed in counties in the southeast. The to ebb and flow. All I know is that ported on a spike in the rat popula- county programs and DEP staff set they were annoying in Montgomery tion in and around this famous pub- 4,164 gravid traps and 284 light traps County in October while this biolo- lic square. Rittenhouse Square has this season. There were 732 larval gist was up on a ladder trying to an historic distinction of being one control events and 79 adult control clean out his gutters. of the five original open space parks events in the region. Those 732 larval laid out when William Penn found- events included over 51,000 catch ba- What’s Happening in Region 2 Submitted by Louise Bugbee

The Northeast arate sites in Lehigh, Northampton pool numbers never took off this year. has been largely and Monroe. Adults were found in They’re hunkered down until 2014. spared the Albo- 52 unique sites in four separate Provisional data of reportable disease invasion but our counties. from the CDC MMWR, October 19, days of compla- West Nile positives began July 2 in 2013 for the state of Pennsylvania: cency are past. Dengue-19, Malaria-53, West Nile Until 2013, only one larval sample Luzerne and ended September 26 in Schuylkill. Totals for the season: Neuroinvasive-6, West Nile non- was collected, though the little ti- neuroinvasive-5, Ehrlichiosis-1 and the gers routinely turned up in small Lackawanna-22, Lehigh-44, Luzerne- 53, Monroe-19, Northampton-26 winner again is Borrellia burgdorferi, numbers in adult traps. All that Lyme disease, with 6361! changed this past summer when and Schuylkill-24. Eight ULV treat- larvae were collected from 10 sep- ments were done in the NE. Flood (Continued on page 5) VOLUME 11, ISSUE 3 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 5

Rabies cases totaled 36 through September 30, mostly county a community of learners. The functionality of our raccoons. Black fly treatments were completed. methodology is basically state of the art, but convention- al wisdom says all politics is local. We need to take it to If calls to the Lehigh County Extension office are at all the next level, leverage our resources and just git’er indicative of the remainder of the State, bed bugs, in done. these tough economic times, are having greater im- pact every year. Though disease transmission is not an Now, I’m sure that now more than ever each and every issue with Cimex, they could be accused of acting as a one of you feels the need for some quality time with the vector for psychological distress and recurrent delu- spousal unit, some down time to catch up on must-see sional infestation. Once bitten, twice shy, so to speak. TV or maybe some forced relaxation in the man cave but, be forewarned, the end result might arguably be a As of this writing, October 28, 2013, the West Nile ginormous, big time bummer. I approved this message grant applications have not been released. As of your and I want you, my target audience, to have a warm reading, November 6, it is hoped that will have fuzzy feeling. I know, right now, you’re like, really? Seri- changed. I’m just sayin’. ously? But if you feel like going ballistic, oh well, my bad. That said, I’d love to do lunch but my plate is full I remain cautiously optimistic. If we are good for next because, seriously, like it’s time to ramp it up, okay? Get year, awesome. If not, oh well. That math is fuzzy any- out there while the leaves are down, before things are way, but, hey, you know, it is what it is. fresh frozen and do some de-watering. Like surgical Whazzup with that “Oh, well?” In my humble opinion, strikes, you know. Doesn’t matter if you’ve been there “oh well” is obviously the politically correct term of and done that. Pennsylvania is a battleground state. the time expressing resignation and a disillusioned atti- We’re all in harm’s way. Make no mistake about it, those tude toward the circumstances of the day. “Oh well” Albos, in the foreseeable future… they’ll be back. has absolutely overtaken “whatever” as the retort of latent despair. Expectations are down to an all-time low. Irregardless, it serves no useful purpose. Like, you know, it basically says, “I feel your pain and I see what you’re saying but I don’t know where you’re coming from so… oh, well.” No problem. Yes way. Seriously, we need to think outside the box. You know, get with the program. We can’t always have big time meaningful dialogue. Okay? Arguably, the basic funda- mentals of mosquito control are trending back to- wards a grassroots movement. We need more bang THEY for the buck. From past history, at the end of the day, we know that various differences make each individual VOLUME 11, ISSUE 3 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 6 What’s Happening in Region 3 Submitted by Thomas Smith

Counties perform- events and participating in the Leb- Asian Tigers continue to expand their ing mosquito sur- anon Area Fair. John Bitner of Cum- range, now being collected in 34 veillance for 2013 berland Co. reporting spraying only different municipalities. The Asian did report a lower 7 evenings this season compared to Tiger problem is so bad that people incidence of West 20 in 2012. Cumberland Co. also on PDA’s Hypersensitivity Registry Nile, however three collected positive mosquito samples are requesting we spray! For us in counties from our in 17 different municipalities. York Co. it’s all about education. We region are in the top five for the provided 35 educational events, State. These included Adams Ray Eckhart from Franklin Co. Exten- wrote numerous press releases and County ranking 2nd, York, 3rd and sion reported ranking 17th in the articles and performed TV new inter- Berks 5th. State for West Nile detection in views. Other activities to reduce Some counties reported highlights mosquito samples and also com- mosquito concerns included pro- of their efforts. New to the pro- mented that Asian Tigers have now moting a variety of cleanup events gram this year, is David Schmidt, expanded their range in the areas throughout York County. Penn State Extension, Coordinator around Chambersburg and Waynes- for Lebanon County. David report- boro. ed performing a few adult control In York Co., where I am located, What’s Happening in Region 4 Submitted by Bert Lavan Unlike 2012, single albopictus larva being report- this year’s West ed from Snyder County. Nile Virus season in the There were twenty six avian samples Northcentral tested in the Region in 2013, with Region felt seven being positive for WNV. Citi- more like the “old days”, with no zen reports of dead birds were sig- bird or mosquito positives being nificantly down in 2013, and as with reported until the end of July, and mosquitoes, the positives did not occur until late summer. The mix of ty was sampled and found to be then continuous positive activity avian samples collected this year positive for WNV. At last report the through late September. PADEP contained fewer crows and more bird was recovering and was ex- field biologists and the Centre Coun- pected to be released into the wild. ty West Nile Virus Program conduct- raptors than previous years. ed mosquito surveillance in nine of Through the efforts of a wildlife re- PADEP and Centre County carried the fourteen Region 4 counties, habilitator in Centre County, a juve- out control work in nine of the with eight of the monitored coun- nile bald eagle from Lycoming Coun- Northcentral counties, with adult ties producing positive pools. Alt- control being performed in Clear- hough there were fewer mosquito field, Centre, Lycoming, Union, positives in the Region in 2013 com- Snyder, and Columbia Counties. pared to 2012, the average number Forty complaints from the public in of culex mosquitoes per gravid trap eight counties were addressed this increased significantly in 2013. The season, with surveillance and con- Asian tiger mosquito still has made trol being performed as necessary. no significant inroads into the Northcentral Region, with only a VOLUME 11, ISSUE 3 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 7 What’s Happening in Region 5 Submitted by Leah Lamonte

By the end of the and Fayette. Infection rates re- populated area with many cafes and 2013 mosquito mained high in certain pockets of row homes. Most backyards are only season, the the region throughout the summer, accessible by walking through the Southwest Region although, overall WNV did not have house and fences keep neighbors un- had West Nile the far-reaching effects like in aware of water-holding containers. virus activity in all 2012. Our continual surveillance counties except Indiana. The region and control efforts play a crucial For the first time this summer, all life reports a total of 97 positive mos- role in keeping human cases to a stages of the Aedes albopictus mosquito pools, 2 positive avian sam- minimum. quito were collected along with rear- ples, and no human cases. Alleghe- ing eggs to adults in the lab. No Allegheny County continues to ny County collected the most posi- citywide control efforts have been fight the Asian Tiger mosquito as it tive mosquito pools (53), followed implemented yet, but the Asian Tiger by Cambria (17) and Beaver (10) is gaining momentum in the City of remains on our radar as we monitor counties. The two positive dead Pittsburgh. The Lawrenceville its movement. birds were collected from Cambria neighborhood has been the current focus—an up-and-coming, densely

What’s Happening in Region 6 Submitted by William Andrus

The West Nile Virus (WNV) pro- article was titled “Erie County sees tested positive for West Nile virus gram reported positive mosquito fewer West Nile cases in 2013”. The this year, ending the county's three- pools from Lawrence, Erie and Mer- following a summary of this article. year upward trend. cer Counties in 2013. No WNV human cases were reported from the Fewer birds, mosquitoes and hu- Most of Erie County's positive sam- northwest region. The presence of mans in Erie County tested positive ples come from one of three areas: Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in for West Nile virus in 2013 than the Millcreek Township just south of the southwest New York spurred the previous year, but local health offi- Millcreek Golf and Learning Center; deployment of resting boxes in cials aren't sure why. the city of Erie around the Pennsyl- many known Culiseta melanura vania Soldiers' & Sailors' Home; and habitats. No positive EEE mosquito It might have been due to a cooler Harborcreek Township south of the pools were found. and wetter-than-usual summer, or new Giant Eagle and along Wal- the types of mosquitoes found in the The Black Fly Suppression program bridge and Parker roads. county. conducted six spray events via helicopter in 2013. The first occurred In Millcreek, storm drains were "We actually submitted more sam- treated in the spring and other on May 7 and the last on August 6. ples of mosquitoes for testing than Three backpack applications also standing pools of water were later we did in 2012, but fewer of them treated. Tobin has plans to perform occurred. Adult populations quickly were tested and fewer tested posi- reached pest levels in many areas similar treatments in other areas in tive for West Nile," said Karen Tobin, after spray operations ceased. 2014. These plans are dependent on Erie County's West Nile virus coordi- the amount of funding the County Additional information comes from nator. Health Department receives for a recent article in the Erie Times- 2014. Erie County is planning to hire News. Written by David Bruce, the No humans, five birds and 12 batch- someone on a seasonal basis. es of mosquitoes from Erie County VOLUME 11, ISSUE 3 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 8 Biotech Weapon Against Dengue Fever Mosquitoes Proves Controversial Submitted By Tom Smith

As we reported on BioNews Texas national public health concern. and in 2013, cases have occurred last Friday, a retrospective study McClatchy Foreign Staffer Tim in Florida and in China’s Yunnan by researchers at the Baylor Col- Johnson, in a report published province. In Asia, Singapore has lege of Medicine National School Oct.14, notes that 2013 has been a reported an increase in cases after of Tropical Medicine in Houston, particularly bad year for dengue in a lapse of several years and out- published on October 9 in the the Western Hemisphere, with the breaks have also been reported in journal Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Pan American Health Organization Laos. Diseases and covering three years reporting 1.4 million cases, and that of blood and cerebrospinal fluid the Florida Department of Health Evidently, the best efforts of scien- samples submitted for West Nile issued an alert in late August amid tists and governments have been virus testing in the Houston area an outbreak there, with the state achieving only spotty results at best against proliferation of Den- has also found that 47 of the sam- reporting 19 cases by mid- gue, which is estimated to affect ples tested positive for dengue September, happily none lethal. some 100 million people and fever virus. The World Health Organization cause 20,000 deaths annually, Our report cited Dr. Kristy Murray, (WHO) says Aedes albopictus, pop- with no known specific drug treat- associate professor and associate ularly referred to a the “Asian tiger ment or vaccine available. The Ae- vice chair of research in the de- mosquito,” and a secondary Den- des aegypti mosquito, originally partment of pediatrics at BCM and gue vector in Asia, has also spread native to Africa, spread through- director of the Laboratory of Viral to North America and Europe large- out the world following World and Zoonotic Diseases at Texas ly due to the international trade in War II, and is now found in over Children’s Hospital in Houston and used tires (a breeding habitat) and 110 countries. As a result, inci- a member of the National School other goods (e.g. lucky bamboo). dence of dengue fever has report- of Tropical Medicine commenting They note that Ae. albopictus is edly risen 30-fold in the last 50 in a BCM release that “We started highly adaptive and therefore can years, and now costs the world an with dengue virus since it was survive in cooler temperate regions estimated $5.6 billion Addressing highest on the list of possible of Europe. Its spread is due to its the mosquito control challenge, transmission here in Houston be- tolerance to temperatures below researchers at Oxford University in cause we have the right kind of freezing, hibernation, and ability to the U.K. have developed strains of mosquitoes and a very large, shelter in microhabitats. genetically modified mosquitoes densely populated city full of fre- The WHO also warns threat of a aimed at eradicating Dengue, but quent travel to endemic areas, possible outbreak of dengue fever this new weapon in the mosquito including Mexico and Central and now exists in Europe, and local control arsenal is proving contro- South America.” transmission of Dengue was report- versial. ed for the first time in France and Attempts to halt the disease’s Outbreaks of dengue fever, the Croatia in 2010 with imported cases spread have relied — with little most common viral disease trans- detected in three other European success — on pesticides and edu- mitted to humans through the bite countries. In 2012, an outbreak of cation to control the Aedes ae- of infected mosquitoes — particu- dengue on Madeira Islands of Por- gyptimosquito. An Oxford re- larly species Aedes aegpyti and tugal resulted in over 2,000 cases search note says that decades ago, Aedes albopictus — have been and imported cases were detected U.S. scientists experimented with reported in both Texas and Florida in 10 other countries in Europe producing sterilized male insects this year. Dengue-carrying mos- apart from mainland Portugal. In in the hope that their introduction quitoes, which breed in standing the past decade, Dengue has been to the wild would reduce the num water and are often found in ur- identified in Hawaii, south Florida (Continued on page 10) ban and semi-urban areas, and and along the Texas-Mexico border, Dengue has become a major inter- VOLUME 11, ISSUE 3 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 9 ber of offspring and decrease inci- leased into the wild, these genetically However, not everyone is convinced dence of dengue. The theory was modified males mate with females, that introducing genetically modified revolutionary, proving successful but their offspring never develop into insect species to the environment is against some agricultural pest in- adults, resulting in a targeted and a good idea. sects, but the radiation used to gradual decline in populations of the achieve sterility had adverse effects Aedes aegypti species wherever it is McClatchy’s Tim Johnson cites Dr. on mosquitoes. introduced. The concept was patented Helen Wallace, executive director of in 1999, and Dr. Alphey has also estab- GeneWatch UK — a British genetic The Proposed Weapon lished a commercial spin-off company, science watchdog organization— Against the Spread of Abingdon, England based Oxitec Ltd., suggesting that if Oxitec’s method which is a Member of WHO Scientific succeeds in reducing Aedes aegypti Dengue Fever mosquito populations, there is noth- Working Group on Dengue, and of the ing to prevent some other type of However, inspired by that pioneer- NAPPO Expert Working Group on mosquito from moving in and to car- ing concept, Inspired by the con- RSPM 27 (“Importation and Confined cept, Prof. Luke Alphey, from the Release of Transgenic Arthropods in ry the virus, and Chile-based French- Department of Zoology at the Uni- NAPPO Member Countries”). One of trained biosecurity expert Camilo versity of Oxford in the U.K., has Oxitec’s first products is a new method Rodriguez-Beltran, arguing that gene developed a genetic modification to control Aedes aegypti. -altered mosquitoes could cross in- technique which blocks reproduc- ternational boundaries, violating tion of the mosquitoes. Oxitec has conducted field trials in in international treaties on biosafety. Brazil, Malaysia, and the Cayman Is- In an article entitled: “Can GMO Dr. Alphey’s main research focus is lands, and reports great success, with Mosquitoes Save You From Den- on the use of modern genetic meth- the process earning itself the title of gue?”, Mother Jones Senior Editor ods to improve the Sterile Insect BBSRC Innovator of the Year in 2009 Kiera Butler cites Eric Hoffman, who Technique (SIT), and another area and winning the Wellcome Trust tracks genetic engineering issues for of interest in genetic control is the Translational Award in 2011. In a the environmental group Friends of “refractory insect” strategy, which is demonstration conducted in Man- the Earth, commented that “This based on (i) the production in the dacaru, Brazil, the level of Dengue- technology hasn’t been properly laboratory of a strain of insects re- carrying mosquitoes was reduced by tested, nor is it clear that it’s going fractory to transmission of a disease 96 percent within 6 months, and it to work. “The public isn’t being told agent (e.g. malaria or dengue fever) was shown that the reduction could the whole truth.” Hoffman echoes and (ii) the introgression of this re- be maintained for many months in- Dr. Wallace in arguing that no one fractory gene into the wild popula- cluding through the time of the year quite knows what will happen to an tion, so that the disease- when normally mosquito levels would ecosystem suddenly devoid of Aedes transmitting insect population is be at their peak. aegypti. Suppose a worse mosquito rendered harmless. He reports that Oxitec plans to extend the trials, with species takes over he suggests such he and his team have devised new the the long-term goal the company as the aforementioned so-called approaches to the introgression has set for itself to reduce populations Asian tiger mosquito, which is one of problem, and are currently model- of disease-carrying mosquitoes by the most invasive mosquito species ing these to explore their ad- over 80% for as little as £3 per person — and a potential dengue carrier— vantages and disadvantages, as well per year in areas where Dengue- that breeds extremely rapidly and as trying to construct the required carrying mosquitoes are endemic or may require great quantities of pes- genetic systems. invasive. Oxitec’s method can also cost less than spraying, and eliminates the ticide to control. In order to develop beyond larval potentially hazardous and destructive Ms. Butler observes that Oxitec’s stage, offspring of Dr. Alphey’s mod- effects of disseminating purpose-made answer for that is the sterile mutant ified male mosquitoes require an toxic chemicals into the environment. (Continued on page 10) antibiotic called tetracycline, which Asian tigers it has in the works, but is impossible to obtain from natural The Controversy notes Hoffman’s objection that sources in their habitat. When re- some of the genetically modified the VOLUME 11, ISSUE 3 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 10 offspring don’t self-destruct, the com- an alien, invasive species in most If you are reading this at the annu- pany confirming that a small percent- dengue-plagued countries, Aedes al PVCA Conference in State Col- age of its altered mosquitoes, includ- aegyptieradication does no harm to lege, November 6th-8th, 2013, ing biting females, can survive in the the ecosystem. Mother Jones’ Ms. take this newsletter to our Presi- lab without tetracycline, and he con- Butler notes that Oxitec CEO Hadyn dent, Judy Cherepko. The first five tends that Introducing any new engi- Parry sees his company’s product as people to do so will receive a free neered species into the wild presents a humanitarian triumph, and says drink ticket for the Vender Social. the possibility that we may be allergic that independent studies commis- to it. sioned by Oxitec suggest that aller- gens won’t be an issue. Oxitec acknowledges that as with any GM technology nowadays, the compa- Article from Bio News Texas, Posted ny has received criticism. But the com- by: Charles Moore, October 15, 2013 pany contends that unlike other GM products, Oxitec’s modified mosquitoes don’t spread their genes down the family line or to other species, and that Oxitec remains confident that, as

2013 Pennsylvania State Report Submitted By: Mike Hutchinson to MAMCA

To date, Pennsylvania has reported treatment facilities in areas where submission. Please contact Mike West Nile virus positives in 11 hu- human populations were at the Hutchinson (717-346-8619; mans, 2 horses, 28 dead birds and greatest risk. Truck-mounted ULV [email protected]) if you 1,213 mosquito samples (1,505 treatments were conducted in areas would like to use DEP’s testing pools). The mosquito results repre- with the highest vector indexes. services. sent the 2nd highest number of posi- The state continues to support EEE surveillance was conducted in the tives in PA since virus surveillance the largest black fly suppression began in the year 2000. northwest part of the state in re- sponse to numerous positive mosqui- program in the world, its mission Persistent rains throughout the sea- to pools in the neighboring NY county to reduce nuisance black fly son resulted in record numbers of of Chautauqua. No positive detec- adults during the outdoor recrea- Culex restuans adults collected from tions were found. tional months from mid-April to gravid traps. A total of 798,933 August. Pennsylvania aerially specimens were collected and the Aedes albopictus continues to be our treated 40 rivers and streams peak was 3-4 weeks later than from main nuisance species in urban areas, past years. The virus was primarily while Aedes vexans, Ochlerotatus throughout the state, targeting detected in Culex pipiens and Culex trivittatus, Psorophora ferox and sev- the Simulium jenningsi complex, restuans. eral other species are most problem- which is an aggressive nuisance atic in less populated areas. black fly in the Commonwealth. As a result of the activity, the De- partment of Environmental Protec- Pennsylvania has developed the la- The program treated aerially tion (DEP) and its county partners boratory capacity to accept mosquito (helicopters) using 50,958 gallons have larvicided and adulticided con- samples for West Nile virus testing of Bacillus thuringiensis israelen- from outside agencies. Three agen- tinually since June. Larval control sis (Bti) while ground treating was directed toward treating catch cies from the state of Ohio submitted mosquito samples this season and with backpacks using another 73 basins in more populated municipal- our laboratory provided WNV results gallons to combat this pest in ities, towns and cities while also in- to these agencies within four days of 2013. specting and treating wastewater VOLUME 11, ISSUE 3 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 11 Why Do Mosquitoes Bite Some People More Than Others? Submitted By: Jacqui Hakim

You come in from a summer hike regardless of which type they are. different species of bacteria covered with itchy red mosquito seemed to make skin less attrac- bites, only to have your friends Carbon Dioxide tive. This also might be why mos- innocently proclaim that they One of the key ways mosquitoes lo- quitoes are especially prone to don’t have any. Or you wake up cate their targets is by smelling the biting our ankles and feet—they from a night of camping to find carbon dioxide emitted in their naturally have more robust bacte- your ankles and wrists aflame with breath—they use an organ called ria colonies. bites, while your tent-mates are a maxillary palp to do this, and can unscathed. detect carbon dioxide from as far as Beer You’re not alone. An estimated 20 164 feet away. As a result, people who Just a single 12-ounce bottle of percent of people, it turns out, are simply exhale more of the gas over beer can make you more attrac- especially delicious for mosqui- time—generally, larger people—have tive to the insects, one study toes, and get bit more often on a been shown to attract more mosqui- found. But even though research- consistent basis. And while scien- toes than others. This is one of the ers had suspected this was be- tists don’t yet have a cure for the reasons why children get bit less often cause drinking increases the ailment, other than preventing than adults, on the whole. amount of ethanol excreted in bites with insect repellent (which, sweat, or because it increases we’ve recently discovered, some Exercise and Metabolism body temperature, neither of mosquitoes can become immune In addition to carbon dioxide, mosqui- these factors were found to corre- to over time), they do have a num- toes find victims at closer range by late with mosquito landings, mak- ber of ideas regarding why some smelling the lactic acid, uric acid, am- ing their affinity for drinkers some- of us are more prone to bites than monia and other substances expelled thing of a mystery. others. Here are some of the fac- via their sweat, and are also attracted tors that could play a role: to people with higher body tempera- Pregnancy tures. Because strenuous exercise in- In several different studies, preg- Blood Type creases the buildup of lactic acid and nant women have been found Not surprisingly—since, after all, heat in your body, it likely makes you to attract roughly twice as many mosquitoes bite us to harvest pro- stand out to the insects. Meanwhile, mosquito bites as others, likely a teins from our blood—research genetic factors influence the amount result of the fact the unfortunate shows that they find certain blood of uric acid and other substances natu- confluence of two factors: They types more appetizing than oth- rally emitted by each person, making exhale about 21 percent more car- ers. One study found that in a con- some people more easily found by bon dioxide and are on average trolled setting, mosquitoes landed mosquitoes than others. about 1.26 degrees Fahrenheit on people with Type O blood near- warmer than others. ly twice as often as those with Skin Bacteria Type A. People with Type B blood Other research has suggested that the Clothing Color fell somewhere in the middle of particular types and volume of bacte- This one might seem absurd, but this itchy spectrum. Additionally, ria that naturally live on human skin mosquitoes use vision (along with based on other genes, about 85 affect our attractiveness to mosqui- scent) to locate humans, so wear- percent of people secrete a chemi- toes. In a 2011 study, scientists found ing colors that stand out (black, cal signal through their skin that that having large amounts of a few dark blue or red) may make you indicates which blood type they types of bacteria made skin more ap- easier to find, at least according to have, while 15 percent do not, and pealing to mosquitoes. Surprisingly, James Day, a medical entomolo- mosquitoes are also more attract- though, having lots of bacteria but gist at the University of Florida, in ed to secretors than non-secretors spread among a greater diversity of commentary he gave to NBC. VOLUME 11, ISSUE 3 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 12

Genetics Some researchers have started look- pealing. Eventually, incorporating As a whole, underlying genetic fac- ing at the reasons why a minority of these molecules into advanced tors are estimated to account for 85 people seem to rarely attract mos- bug spray could make it possible percent of the variability between quitoes in the hopes of creating the for even a Type O, exercising, people in their attractiveness to next generation of insect repellants. pregnant woman in a black shirt to mosquitoes—regardless of whether Using chromatography to isolate the ward off mosquitoes for good. it’s expressed through blood type, particular chemicals these people metabolism, or other factors. Unfor- emit, scientists at the UK’s Rotham- Article Credit: Posted by Joseph tunately, we don’t (yet) have a way sted Research lab have found that Stromberg, Smithsonian.com, July of modifying these genes, but… these natural repellers tend to ex- 12, 2013. crete a handful of substances that Natural Repellants mosquitoes don’t seem to find ap-

Pest Control Firms Turn to the Dogs to Fight Bed Bugs Submitted by Tom Smith

Durham—Other than seeing them termite control, Clegg said its pest Durham office. in the lab, the president and part- control business is now larger. And “Dogs are quite expensive, and owner of Durham-based Clegg’s in recent years, he said, he’s seen you’ve got to have a trainer that un- Termite & Pest Control could only growth in one sector in particular: derstands the dogs,” Clegg said, ex- remember seeing one bed bug in bed bugs. plaining that they help speed the an approximately 30-year span. “In our area, they’re more preva- detection process. “It does take a “Now they’re everywhere,” said lent than they were three years long time to do an inspection,” he Phil Clegg, the president of the ago, and every year they get added. “With the dogs, bed bugs do termite and pest control company. worse,” Clegg said. give out a very definite scent, and The company, started in 1964, The company’s bed bug treatment the dogs can pick up the scent very now has a third generation of the business has “increased rapidly” in quickly.” Clegg family working at the busi- the past few years, he said. He said The dogs were both trained by the ness. the company has found them in owner and operator of Greenville- Clegg’s father, the Rev. Ralph apartment complexes, motels, col- based Bullock’s K-9 Training. Mike Clegg, was a Baptist minister. lege dorms, and in public places like (Continued on page 13) Clegg said his father got into ter- movie theaters. mite control when professional The company uses chemical as well prices were more than the church as non-chemical treatments to kill could afford. According to the bed bugs, and to help with detec- company’s website, Ralph Clegg tion, it has acquired two trained and church members treated the bed-bug-sniffing dogs. church for termites themselves The company acquired its first, a after consulting with an N.C. State chocolate Labrador retriever University expert. named Rambo, in June of last year. By the time his father retired from Rambo is based in Greenville does the ministry, the company had most of his inspections in eastern grown to a sustainable size, Clegg North Carolina, according to infor- said. Clegg joined the company in mation from the company. 1970. He said his son is now vice In August of last year, the company president. acquired Smoke, another black Lab. While the company got its start in Smoke is based in the company’s VOLUME 11, ISSUE 3 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 13

Bullock, company owner, said he’s they had encountered a bed bug could be a two-step process, with a been training dogs for about 25 infestation in the past year. visual inspection or canine inspec- years, but he started training dogs The “2013 Bugs Without Borders tion, or finding them through signs for bed bug detection about three Survey” was conducted by the asso- of an infestation. Once something years ago. ciation and the University of Ken- is detected, he said the confirma- Bullock said that most of the dogs tucky. Prior to 2000, only 25 per- tion step should be to find live bed he’s trained for bed bug detection cent of respondents said they had bugs. have gone to more northern loca- encountered one. Trained dogs can be used to detect tions, such as New York. Jung said consumers need to use them if a dog and handler have The dogs use smell to determine caution in finding the best company good communication, Jung said. He where the bed bugs are, how much for bed bug treatments. said accuracy depends on training, the area needs to be treated, and “If you hire the wrong company, the dog’s health, and the mainte- whether they’re still there after the you may not be able to control your nance of a dog’s detecting ability. treatment is over. bed bug problem,” he said. “Just “According to a canine expert, the Jung W. Kim, environmental senior like any other consumer product, accuracy varies widely,” he said. specialist, entomologist, and bed market research, reviews, and rep- “Consequently, our division is bug specialist who works for the utation of companies may help con- working on a possibility of our state N.C. Department of Agriculture and sumers to find more reliable com- certification for the canine bed bug Consumer Services, said in an email panies for their bed bug control.” inspection teams.” that the bed bug resurgence in the Jung suggested that consumers ask country mostly likely started in the pest control company officials Article by Laura Oleniacz,, Photo credit Christine T. Nguyen. The late ’90s or early 2000s in hotels. about their treatment options as Herald Sun, Oct. 26, 2013. According to a 2013 Nation Pest well as their experience with bed Management Association survey of bugs, success rates, and their war- pest management professionals, ranty options. 99.6 percent of respondents said Jung said a bed-bug inspection

Northeast IPM Partnership Grants

Visit: www.northeastipm.org

Purpose: Projects funded through the IPM Partnership Grants Program must further the mission of the Northeast- ern IPM Center, address or identify regional IPM stakeholder priorities, and benefit the region at large. Extension projects are encouraged. The current project types are: (1) IPM Working Groups, (2) IPM Issues, and (3) Regional IPM Communications. New IPM methods may be developed under this program, but funds for this purpose are limited.

Background: The Northeastern IPM Center began funding projects through the IPM Partnership Grants Program in 2004. The Center has primary responsibility for administering this program and writes the Request for Applications (RFA) with input from regional stakeholders.

Eligibility: Public and private institutions or organizations, businesses, commodity groups, and private individuals are eligible to apply. Project Directors (PDs) must reside in the Northeast or provide sufficient justification as to why they are seeking funds from outside their own region. Co-PDs may be from outside the region.

Available funds: A total of $300,000 is available for 2014, with a maximum of $50,000 per project depending on project type. There is a 24-month time limit on funded projects. VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 14 Growing numbers of bed bugs, mosquitoes and ticks are spreading misery and frustrating lawmakers. Submitted by Louise Bugbee

Like vampires, bed bugs feed on seams, bed frames, headboards, five-star hotel as a homeless shel- human blood, do their best work at cracks in furniture and behind wall- ter. Eradicating an infestation night and are very hard to kill. Also paper. They come out at night to “usually requires multiple visits by like vampires—at least those on TV feed on human and animal blood, a licensed pest control operator and movie screens— bed bugs typically leaving red, itchy welts and diligence on the part of those have made a mysterious comeback where they bite. Bed bugs aren’t experiencing the infestation,” ac- in the past decade. known to carry diseases, but they cording to the CDC and EPA. The can cause infections and are costly price can be well over $1,000, and The United States “is now experi- to governments and businesses. people who can’t afford that often encing an alarming resurgence in Worst of all is the human suffering try ineffective over-the-counter the population of bed bugs,” the they cause, says Representative insect foggers or “bug bombs,” or Centers for Disease Control and Dale Mallory (D) of Ohio. they try to drive the bugs out with Prevention and the Environmental intense heat, which can be danger- Protection Agency announced in “The stories are endless. People ous without proper equipment, May. Unfortunately, they’re not burn their houses down to get rid says Mallory. the only bugs that have Americans of bed bugs. People sleep in bath- scratching their heads and asking tubs. Kids are sent home from What’s needed, Mallory says, is why now? Black-legged ticks are school with their coats in plastic research on more effective ways to blamed for a surge of Lyme dis- bags,” he says. Mallory lives in Cin- kill bed bugs and legislation that ease, and mosquitoes carrying the cinnati, the most bed bug-infested allows more resources to be used West Nile virus plague certain re- city in the country, according to to eradicate them. Mallory spon- gions, even though their numbers Terminix pest control company, sored a successful House resolution nationally remain stable. which ranks cities according to the asking Congress to urge the EPA to Experts can’t say with certainty number of service calls it receives approve the emergency use of the what’s causing the increase, but from each. pesticide Propoxur—banned for blood-sucking vermin definitely are indoor use—to attack the bugs, but on state lawmakers’ minds. In the Soon after Mallory was elected in the bill died in Congress. He also last four years, NCSL data show 2007, a tour of senior housing formed a bed bug task force but states have seen more than 100 shocked him.“It was nightmarish,” claims local leaders are too embar- bills on bed bugs and 92 mosquito- Mallory says. “There were bed bugs rassed by a bed bug problem to related bills. Nine states have en- falling from the ceiling. It trauma- deal with it. “Lots of people have acted roughly 18 laws pertaining to tized me. And the more I looked, decided to stick their heads in the Lyme disease, according to the the more I saw… It’s one of the sand.” The lack of progress frus- Lyme Disease Association. smartest bugs. It hides and waits trates Mallory. “If you’re Cincinnati, for you, then smells your breath, how do you continue to do nothing Night Feeders — Powerful—yet like someone just lit up the barbe- when you’re No. 1 in the nation for dangerous—pesticides such as DDT cue grill.” bed bugs all but put an end to bed bugs in Bug Laws—Ohio’s anti-bed bug law the 1950s, but since the late 1990s, Bed bugs, which have no natural prohibits hotels from using bedding they’ve been multiplying and are predators, invade apartment build- infested with bed bugs or other found in every state, sending com- ings, movie theaters, dormitories, vermin. At least 22 similar laws are plaints pouring into public health nursing homes, hotels, airports— on the books in other states. In agencies, according to the CDC and anyplace there’s a high concentra- New York, landlords must tell any EPA. About as big around as an ap- tion of transient people. They prospective renters if an apartment ple seed, but as thin as a credit hitchhike in luggage and clothing has had bed bugs within the last card, beg bugs hide in mattress and can just as easily show up in a (Continued on page 15) VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 15 year. Nevada requires infested ho- cal condition, suffering severe head- Outbreaks are hard to predict, alt- tel rooms be “thoroughly fumigat- aches, weakness and fever—all be- hough the right combination of ed, disinfected and renovated until cause of a mosquito bite. Former weather, including high moisture such vermin or bed bugs or other Representative Ken Summers (R) and temperature, is known to en- similar things are entirely extermi- developed encephalitis, or swelling courage mosquito breeding. The nated.” of the brain, from a mosquito carry- good news is that pesticide spraying the West Nile virus, which re- ing reduces the spread of the dis- Oregon lawmakers took a different quired him to be on a ventilator to ease. “Numerous studies have approach. State law shields the help him breathe. Doctors expect he shown that the risk of West Nile names of infested hotels and busi- will need months of therapy. far outweighs the risk of pesticide nesses. No government agency exposure,” says Janet McAllister, tracks bed bugs in Oregon, so pri- Summers’ case was far worse than entomologist in CDC’s Arboviral vate exterminators have been the most. Up to 80 percent of people Diseases Branch. Still, safety con- best source of information, says bitten by mosquitoes carrying the cerns persist and environmental Oregon Representative Bill Kenne- virus don’t develop any symptoms. groups that object to pesticide mer (R). Hotels fear they’ll lose The rest will suffer milder, flu-like spraying have taken up their con- business if word gets out they have symptoms. According to the CDC, cerns with lawmakers. bed bugs. So lawmakers came up most people with this type of West with “a workable and quality solu- Nile disease recover completely, alt- More typical is Maine’s law, which tion.” Exterminators turn over in- hough fatigue can last weeks or directs state agriculture and for- festation information to health months. A small percentage who are estry departments to protect the agencies, but all names and exact infected will develop what Summers public from mosquito-borne dis- locations are redacted from the has—serious neurologic illness, such eases by using “integrated pest public record. With tourism Ore- as encephalitis or meningitis, which management techniques and oth- gon’s third-biggest industry, keep- can cause coma, paralysis and death. er science-based technology that ing the lodging sector healthy is minimize the risk of pesticide use critical to the economy, Kennemer Since 1999, more than 37,000 Ameri- to humans and the environment.” emphasizes. cans have contracted West Nile, and Article from State Legislatures about 1,549 have died from it. Last West Nile Outbreaks—In late July, Magazine, Oct/Nov 2013. By Mary year was especially bad—West Nile Colorado Statehouse regulars were Winter. struck some 5,674 Americans, killing surprised to learn that a former 286. colleague was hospitalized in criti- Mini-Monsters iPad App Submitted by Joseph Fitzpatrick Despite what the name of this app suggests, I think you’ll agree that when viewed on the full screen of your iPad, these monsters aren’t so mini! The “monsters” included in this visually stunning app mainly consist of insects that have been imaged with a scanning electron mi- croscope (SEM). This high-magnification and high-resolution imaging technique allows app users to appreciate such fine details as the scales of a silverfish or the minute structures of the beetle antenna, for instance. The app imaging library contains 53 different critters in total, although the total actual number of images exceeds this count (as there are more than one photo per organism). The images are Article from Genetic Engineering & beautiful, not to mention a lot of fun to look at. A warning, though: you Biotechnology News may never be able to look at your favorite (or not-so-favorite) insect neighbors the same way again! May 1, 2013, GENengnews.com VOLUME 11, ISSUE 3 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 16 Space reserved for vendors: 1/8 page free to sustaining members, otherwise 1/8 page $50, 1/4 page $75, 1/2 page $100 and full page $200. Contact Andy Kyle for more information regarding advertising in our newsletter.

Adapco, Inc. Univar USA

Ted Bean Technical Sales Representative Brian D. Smith Technical Sales Representative 385 Wilsey Road Franklin, PA 16323 850 Calcon Hook Road, Alexander Court Bay #9 (800) 220-0882; Cell (814) 671-6516; Sharon Hill, PA 19079 (610) 237-8402; Cell (215) 260-0834; Fax (814) 374- 4523 Fax (610) 237-8394 [email protected] [email protected]

Clarke Summit Chemical Company

Jeff Hottenstein Zachary Cohen Regional Sales Manager Vice President

110 E. Irving Park Rd., 4th Floor 235 S. Kresson Street Roselle, IL 60172 Baltimore, MD 21224 (800) 323-5727; Cell (703) 498-9362; Fax: (630) 894-1774 (Phone 800-227-8664, FAX 410-522-0661 [email protected] [email protected]

Valent BioSciences Corp. Bell Laboratories, Inc.

Jim Andrews Jim Pendergast Sales Specialist Sr. Technical Representative

4908 Wedgefield Dr. 3699 Kinsman Blvd. Wilmington, NC 28409 Madison, WI 53704 (910) 547-8070; Fax (910) 392-7621 (610) 716-2980; 1-800-323-6628 [email protected] [email protected]

Central Life Sciences Clarke

Wally Terrill Jeffrey O’Neill Regional Sales Representative Northeast Regional Manager 110 E. Irving Park Rd., 4th Floor 22 Christina Court Roselle, IL 60172 Bear, DE 19701 (800) 323-5727; Cell (413) 441-4147; Fax: (630) 894-1774 (800) 877-6374; Cell (302) 312-3950; Fax: (302) 322-4058 [email protected] [email protected] VOLUME 11, ISSUE 3 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 17

Calendar of Events

December 9, 2013: Professional Pest Manager’s School, Penn State Extension program in Grantville, PA

January 4-11, 2014: Pennsylvania Farm Show

January 7-10, 2014: 25th USDA Interagency Research Forum on Invasive Species, Annapolis, MD

February 2-6, 2014: AMCA Conference in Seattle, Washington

March 1st-May 31, 2014: Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania

March 4-6, 2014: Mid Atlantic Mosquito Control Association Conference, Cambridge, MD

May 5-7, 2014: AMCA Washington Conference

August 12-14, 2014: Penn State Ag Progress Days VOLUME 11, ISSUE 3 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 18 VOLUME 11, ISSUE 3 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 19 VOLUME 11, ISSUE 3 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 20 VOLUME 11, ISSUE 3 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 21 VOLUME 11, ISSUE 3 THE PENNSYLVANIA VECTOR PAGE 22

THE PENNSYLVANIA VEC TOR CONTROL ASSOCIATION The Pennsylvania Vector is an informational news letter, written and pro-

The Pennsylvania Vector duced for the purpose of providing the members of the PVCA with updates 112 Pleasant Acres Road, Suite H on activities conducted by this group and to highlight innovations made in the York, PA 17402 field of vector control. Articles herein have been reviewed for content and to the best of my knowledge contain the most current information available. Phone: 717-840-2375 The Pennsylvania Vector will be mailed to organization members, with past Fax: 717-755-5968 editions available in PDF format on the PVCA web site at E-mail: [email protected] www.pavectorcontrol.org.

Items posted in “The Pennsylvania Vector” are submitted by the general membership and staff. Posting herein allows for the widest dissemination to all members of the organization. Should a listed event be cancelled or re- scheduled (after publication), revisions will not be printed or mailed to the membership as part of the News Letter process. These revisions should be submitted as soon as possible by email or fax to the PVCA web site.

Organizations are encouraged to submit News Letter articles and can do so by contacting this office. Cut-off dates : Feb 15th, Jun 15th, and Oct 15th. Publications will be issued March, July, and November. www.pavectorcontrol.org

Update on Region 6 For this year we need to thank William Andrus, from PA DEP, for helping provide information from Region 6 since Jeff Bresslin stepped down as regional vice president earlier this year. Please welcome Ted Bean as the new regional vice president for 2014.

PRESIDENT’S Corner EDITOR’S Corner Judy Cherepko Tom Smith Hello to Everyone, Hi Everyone,

Looks like we have safely made it through I know you all had a busy another year, chasing mosquitoes, black season, hope everyone flies, raccoons and who knows what else. was safe. Look forward to Wouldn’t it be great if our Federal and State seeing you at the PVCA Legislative bodies could address concerns conference November and respond to the issues as quickly and 6th, 7th and 8th at the Days Inn. Thank you efficiently as we do performing vector control! for doing a great job!! Most of you will remember that this was my first year as editor Judy Cherepko of The Pennsylvania Vector. Thank you to everyone that has contributed and assisted me with each issue. Don’t forget to please keep sending me any articles of interest. Tom Smith