There is a growing public interest in vector-borne diseases as a result of international media coverage of the Zika virus, and this is evidenced by the increase in media coverage as well as general consumer questions to industry experts – and the expectation of increased questions and concerns from PMP customers this summer.
“NPMA has been experiencing increased inquiries from member companies, the press, and legislators regarding Zika and the mosquitoes that transmit the virus that causes the disease,” said NPMA Vice President, Technical and Regulatory Affairs Jim Fredericks. The association has had the opportunity to speak to multiple media outlets on the biology and behavior of mosquitoes, ways that the public can protect themselves, and the importance of reaching out to a pest professional for help in controlling mosquitoes on individual properties, he said.
Texas A&M Professor and AgriLife Extension Service Urban Entomologist Mike Merchant is seeing similar questions and concerns, but he is also sensing that some consumers are becoming overwhelmed with all the news and information. “Questions about Zika do inevitably seem to come up when I speak to groups on insect topics,” Merchant said. “But I sense a little bit of fatigue among folks in Texas who have been hearing continuously about West Nile virus, chikungunya virus, dengue fever, Chagas disease and Zika.” Although Merchant said he does not have specific data to back up the assertion, he suggests that the issues may be all beginning to blend together into a confusing jumble for most people.
If so, it is a confusion for which the pest control industry can provide solutions, both in responding to questions and in providing services for peace of mind.
Be Prepared. Because pest control service technicians are on the front lines, communicating with multiple clients on a daily basis, and Zika is so prevalent in the news, technicians are bound to get questions about it, Fredericks said. In most cases, the questions are relatively simple, he said, but he cautioned PMPs, “When communicating with the public about Zika, or any vector-borne disease, it’s important for pest control professionals to stick to their areas of expertise – mosquito control. It’s best not to comment on the disease, or its symptoms.”
Thus, he said, when PMPs are asked about Zika, or other mosquito-borne diseases, customers should be referred to reputable sources with the expertise to handle medical questions, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Control methods typically employed by PMPs. Identifying and eliminating breeding sites and treating for mosquitoes – are more important than ever to public health. This is because, Frederick said, the mosquitoes that transmit Zika are almost always associated with structures and are especially well adapted for breeding and feeding in and around human habitations.
However, if a customer asks if a treatment will protect their family from disease, he said, “It’s important to never make claims about controlling disease, instead focus on how mosquito management services can help reduce the number of biting mosquitoes on a particular property.”
Customers will generally also have questions specific to treatment and what the PMP can provide for mosquito control, Merchant said. As such, PMPs should be prepared to answer questions such as:
Q. Can you control mosquitoes in addition to other pests around the outside of our home?
A. Obviously, those who have mosquito control services should answer “yes” and explain the service and/or options. However, Merchant said, “A lot of companies have not jumped on that bandwagon yet, but there’s a lot of opportunity.” Examples of these are treatment of foliage and other mosquito-resting sites, utilizing misting systems, and providing advice on environmental modifications to reduce mosquito breeding.
Whether including it as an add-on service or a value-add part of service, the PMP can conduct an investigation of the property and advise the homeowner with a report and advice. Because the PMP is generally making a trip around the house anyway for perimeter treatments or checking of bait stations, Merchant said, “I think it has real great add-on service potential.”
Q. What impacts will your treatments have on butterflies and bees and other beneficial insects in my lawn?
A. It is important for PMPs to understand there is a cost to treatment, Merchant said. “If you are doing foliage treatments, you probably will impact beneficial insects too.” The beneficials will likely come back, but it’s a trade-off, and a reason to not just spray everything – only where mosquitoes are breeding or where disease transmission is bad.
Q. What insects will your treatments control? Will they control the Zika-carrying mosquitoes?
A. While no promises of disease control should be made, most of what the technicians do probably will affect the Aedes mosquito the most because this mosquito lives down in the yard and foliage – not in trees like West Nile virus-carrying mosquitoes do, Merchant said. So power-spraying should impact the mosquitoes capable of carrying the Zika virus.
The Value of Mosquito Control. “Mosquito control provides an opportunity for companies to make money as well as provide a valuable service,” Merchant said. And when a PMP gets a question for which he/she doesn’t have an answer, a good place to turn is NPMA, which, Fredericks said, not only has member resources for communicating about Zika and mosquito control, but also recently redesigned its consumer website, Pestworld.org, with relevant information.