No longer a summertime nuisance, insects can spread dangerous infections.
Mosquitoes are more than just something to swat. Every year, over a million people die from mosquito-borne disease—including Dengue fever, EEE, and West Nile virus.
Equally troubling, up to 80% of neuoroinvasive West Nile infections produce no symptoms, shows a recent study by the CDC. And even people successfully treated for West Nile report depression and fatigue a year to 18 months after infection.
Global climate change and increased international travel has increased the spread of infectious insects, which thrive in warmer climes. Not only has the incidence of tick-borne Lyme disease doubled in recent years, but tropical diseases like Dengue fever and malaria are also causing problems in the southern states.
“We are seeing increases in mosquito populations,” says Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson, who adds that “it’s likely the situation is going to get worse before it gets better.” Scientists at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine are currently looking for ways to keep insect-borne infections out of the nation’s blood supply.
While hardly deadly, bed bug infestations have soared 81% in the last decade—and are no longer relegated to cheap motels. In addition to college dorms and five-star hotels, these tiny bloodsuckers recently turned up at Time Warner’s corporate headquarters in New York City. Only last month Mayor Michael Bloomberg called for the appointment of a “bedbug czar.”
“This is the most difficult, challenging pest problem of our generation,” University of Kentucky entomologist Mike Potter told scientists at the EPA’s first-every National Bed Bug Summit. That’s because these itchy critters can survive a year without food (i.e., human blood), their sticky egg sacs are transparent and impervious to available pesticides, and a single female lays several 100 eggs each year—with her offspring reproducing in just a few months.
Dr. Ann Louise’s Take:
Getting rid of disease-bearing and other pesky insects isn’t easy. Both bed bugs and mosquitoes began their resurgence—both here and in Europe—after the pesticide DDT was banned. That doesn’t mean we have to resort to newer and more deadly poisons, but simply ignoring them is about as effective as trying to avoid the IRS, which (incidentally) has had its own battle with these bugs in its North Philadelphia offices!
If traveling, be especially mindful if your skin has itchy, red bumps in a cluster or rough line—a likely indication of the ubiquitous bed bugs. It can take days to trigger a reaction, though—and their bites can resemble those from mosquitoes, often raising welts. Unlike flying insects, however, bed bugs do not spread infections (although in some cases, the bites themselves can become infected and people have been known to be allergic to the bites).
“Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite”
The newest weapon against these pests is heat! At 120 degrees, research shows that adults, nymphs—and most importantly—bed bug eggs are literally cooked. Because eradicating an infestation is expensive—costing between $800 to $2,000 for a two-bedroom apartment—prevention is always best!
Inspect mattresses when traveling—tiny dark stains on bedding are reasons to alert your hotel staff, but bed bugs don’t always leave their calling cards. After traveling, carefully inspect backpacks and luggage—and immediately seal their contents in a plastic bag until you can launder them. (Leaving infested items in the bag in your car with the windows rolled up on a summer day can kill these minuscule vampires.) Or put all washed clothing in the dryer on high heat.
If you buy vintage clothing, wash and dry it on high immediately. Avoid second-hand furniture, and never buy a used mattress!
Prevent Dangerous Infections
Mosquito control requires more of a community effort, which is why you’ll be reading headlines and hearing news reports of local spraying until fall frosts kill off these pests. But there’s plenty you can do at home too.
Make sure all screens on doors and window are secure enough to keep mosquitoes out. Eliminate breeding sites by cleaning and disinfecting swimming pools and hot tubs. Aerate ornamental pools and stock them with fish.
Empty birdbaths and wading pools at least once weekly, and overturn containers, including saucers under potted plants and wheelbarrows, after a rainfall. Clean clogged gutters, which can harbor 100s of mosquitoes every summer. Store boats upside down or cover them. Report abandoned pools and standing water in drainage ditches or culverts to your local mosquito control agency or public health department.
Minimize your outdoor experiences at dusk or dawn when insects are most active. Wear light-colored clothing—including long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks—when you’re outside for any length of time.
Support Your—and Your Family’s—Immunity
A growing body of research suggests that vitamin D supplementation induces antibacterial peptides and is directly involved in T cell antigen receptor signaling. A new study at the University of Rochester finds that vitamin D plays a “non-classical role in immunoregulation,” in fighting both infection and inflammation.
Because few foods contains this “sunshine vitamin” and most of us are slathering on sunscreen that prevents the body from creating vitamin D, 85% of Americans appear deficient in this immuno-supportive nutrient. To prevent deficits, I recommend 5,000 IUs of vitamin D daily for adults—whether you use sunscreen or not.
A vegetarian supplement, D-5000 contains only vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), which recent studies show is most effective—and, unlike most products, has no hidden preservatives. You’ll also find increased amounts of vitamin D3 in both the Female Multiple and Male Multiple.
Sources:
www.alternet.org/story/147848/bed_bug_infestation_is_scaring_millions_of_americans
www.cdc.gov/EasternEquineEncephalitis/gen/qa.html
www.cdc.gov/EasternEquineEncephalitis/tech/symptoms.html
www.chicagonow.com/blogs/chicago-garden/2010/07/combat-mosquitoes-in-the-garden.html
www.mayoclinic.com/health/bedbugs/DS00663
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20704629
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20701582
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20688927
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20639756
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20397375
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20360671
www.nytimes.com/2010/07/24/health/24dengue.html
www.philly.com/inquirer/front_page/20100815__quot_The_most_difficult__challenging_pest_problem_of_our_generation__quot_.html
www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE66T46P20100730
www.sciscoop.com/mosquito-borne-disease.html
