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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDealing with insects and snakes Weldon H. Newton Assistant Extension Entomologist HURRICANE EFFECTS ON INSECT POPULATIONS The devastation brought by hurricanes has been a boon to some of our insect enemies. The inevitable filth and debris left behind destructive winds, high tides and flooding rivers have created excellent conditions for the buildup of mosquitos and house flies. Flooding has forced scorpions to seek refuge in and around buildings. House flies and mosquitos can multiply rapidly and are capable of spreading certain diseases such as typhoid, dysentery, encephalitis and malaria. Painful scorpion stings may, in rare instances, seriously affect the victim. These pests are difficult to control with chemicals alone. Sanitation and elimination of breeding areas are the first steps in effective control. Many kinds of mosquitos exist in the Coastal area of Texas and can be severe nuisances as well as carriers of diseases. The most troublesome kinds are those that breed in temporary rain pools, flooded areas, salt marshes, ponds, water trapped in tin cans and other containers. Receding water from tides and rivers has been trapped in ditches, ruts, under buildings and other places where the "wigglers" or larvae can develop. During the cleanup oper— ation, efforts should be made to eliminate areas of standing water and to empty tin cans, vessels and other containers in which water has collected. Certain counties on the Coast have organized mosquito control commissions which will be concerned with countywide control. Because of the enormity of the task, these commissions cannot be expected to rid the area of all mosquitos. The Texas State Health Department, through local health units, may give technical assistance in controlling those disease — spreading species. However, the major responsibility of controlling mosquitos in a localized area will fall upon individual residents. - 2 - Mosquitos inside the home can be controlled with commercially prepared sprays or aerosol bombs. Stagnant water where fish or livestock do not create a problem may be treated with one of several insecticides as well as kerosene, fuel oil or diesel oil. Stock tanks can be safely treated with kerosene, but fish ponds should be treated with nonleaded gasoline. Use caution to prevent creating a fire hazard with the petroleum products. Accumulation of debris, decaying organic matter and the disruption of sanitary facilities in some areas have created favorable breeding areas for house flies. Rapid and thorough cleanup of these areas is the first step in controlling these disease and filth carrying insects. The use of certain chemical baits and sprays will help reduce the number of flies in and around homes. All food should be stored where flies cannot contaminate it. Scropions do not reproduce as rapidly as house flies or mosquitos, but they can be expected to appear frequently in the next few weeks. Scorpions are active at night, hiding during the day beneath loose stones, loose bark of fallen trees, boards, piles of lumber and within walls of buildings. The elimination of these breeding and hiding areas will help to reduce the scorpion population. Chemical dusts or sprays help substantially to protect the area in and around the home. If severe pain or slight systemic disorder should occur as a result of the sting, bathe the affected area with a weak ammonia solution. Obtain medical aid if this does not give relief. Texas Agricultural Extension Service publication L -311, Texas Guide for Controllinw Household Insects, contains additional information concerning the control of mosquitos, house flies, scorpions and other pests. Also, L - 625, The Mosquito, contains useful information on the habits and control of mosquitos. These leaflets can be obtained from county Extension agents or from the Agricultural Information Office, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas. Mr. Wallace G. Klussman Specialist in Wildlife Conservation PRECAUTIONS WITH SNAKES In periods of natural disaster, such as during and following storms and flooding, snakes are forced into areas where they are not commonly found, The following precautions are offered to prevent snake bite under storm or flood conditions: 1. Be alert for snakes in unusual areas. They may be encountered in or around homes, barns, outbuildings, driftwood, levees, dikes, dams, stalled automobiles, piles of debris, building materials, trash or any type of rubble or shelter. Keep a firearm or heavy stick or weapon of some type handy when you are stranded by high water. 2. When you are involved in rescue operations or when you return to your place of business or home following a natural disaster, make a thorough search to locate and eradicate poisonous snakes seeking shelter there, before cleanup operations are begun. They may be found under or near ANY type of protective cover. 3. When moving about after dark or in darkened areas, use a strong light so that you can avoid close encounters with snakes. 4. During and following storms or floods, impress upon children the dangers of snakes under such conditions. Explain to them in detail the precautions they must follow, 5. In rescue or cleanup operations, wear high— topped toots of heavy leather or rubber if at all possible. Wear the trouser leg outside the boots as any type of material may help prevent fang penetration of a poisonous snake. - 2 - 6. Remove debris (such as driftwood, trash, lumber, roofjng material, tree stumps, etc.) from your premises. This will remove shelter which might be attractive to snakes or to rats and mice upon which they feed. Be extremely cautious around debris, however. Use rakes, pry bars or other long - handled tools in removing debris in which snakes might be concealed. Never expose your hands, feet or other parts of your body in a place where a snake might be located. 7. When you kill a poisonous snake, do not pick it up with your hands. Do not allow others, expecially children, to do so. Use a stick, rake or other long- handled tool to carry the snake away for disposal, since the snake may bite even when it appears unable to do so. 8. If you suddenly find yourself very close to a snake, avoid sudden movement. If you remain still, the snake may leave. If the snal :e does not move away, back away from it very slowly. If you see or hear a snake very nearby and you make a sudden movement, it will likely strike. 9. Keep at least one snake bite kit in your home, ready for emergency. Learn how to use it when it is puchased (the directions usually come in or on the container). In case you or someone near you is bitten by a poisonous snake, call or send for a doctor and immediately give first aid for snake bite, following the printed instructions with the snake bite kit. 10. Know how to identify poisonous snakes so that first aid for poisonous bites will be administered only when a person is bitten by a poisonous species of snake, -3- 11. For information on the poisonous snakes in Texas and snake bite first aid, obtain a copy of L -354, Poisonous Snakes in Texas. This leaflet is available from local county Extension agent.