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8 Incredible Benefits of Mangosteen, The Queen of Fruits

Also referred to as the Queen of Fruits, and the Food of the Gods, Mangosteen is the sweet and tangy fruit grown in various parts of South-East Asia like Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. It also happens to be the national fruit of Thailand. Purple in colour, the fruit has a white fleshy pulp, segmented with seeds. While the scientific name of the fruit is Garcinia mangostana, in a varied country like India, the much loved fruit is popular and consumed under the names of Mangustan (Hindi), Kaattampi (Malayalam), Kokam (Marathi), Hannu (Kannada) and Kao (Bengali). The tropical fruit has won the fancy of many chefs and home cooks for its refreshingly tangy flavour, including that of Queen Victoria of Britain. Legend has it that Queen Victoria had kept a reward price of 100 pounds sterling to whosoever would bring her the fresh purple mangosteen. On the other hand, the mangosteen fruit was banned by the U.S for apparently harbouring ‘Asian flies’. The ban was lifted in 2007, and the fruit was up for consumption in all its ‘regal’ glory again. Delicious, juicy and brimming with multiple health benefits, here's how this tropical fruit can help you -

1. Source of Antioxidants Mangosteen is a rich source of antioxidants and vitamins. The special antioxidant found in abundance that gives the fruit a superior edge, is a class of naturally occurring polyphenol compounds known as Xanthones. Mangosteen has two classes of Xanthones -alpha mangosteen and gamma mangosteen. The mangosteen fruit is said to contain at least 20 known Xanthones, majority of which are found in the fruit wall or pericarp of the fruit. Xanthones work to reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals. By damaging the free radicals, these antioxidants protect the body from various diseases, ranging from common cold and flu, cancer risk and heart disorders.

2. Boosts ImmunityThe Xanthones coupled with vitamin C found in abundance in mangosteen work wonders for an enhanced and improved immunity system. While Xanthones do their bit in fighting the free radicals, Vitamin C promotes the production and function of leukocytes or the white blood cells, which are majorly responsible for good immunity. The more the count, the more you are protected against infections. 3. Helpful for Menstrual Problems

Mangosteen roots have been traditionally used in different parts of Indonesia for regulating menstrual cycle in women. 4. Regulates Blood Pressure and Boosts Heart Health

Battling with hypertension? Here is some good news for you. The abundant quantities of potassium, copper, magnesium, and manganese containing in mangosteen can help regulate your blood pressure. Potassium especially weeds out the negative effect infused by excess intake of salt (sodium). It also promotes heart health by maintaining normal heart rate and keeping risk of coronary attacks at bay. Mangosteen also reduces the cholesterol levels in your body, thus further checking the blood pressure and the consequent heart ailments. 5. Anti-inflammatory Properties Mangosteen has high anti-inflammatory properties. The inhibited release of Histamine and Prostaglandin helps in the anti-inflammation process. Inflammation can cause cold, flu, and increase pain in swellings. 6. Boosts Skin Care Mangosteen’s high antibacterial and antimicrobial properties and the star component Xanthone can bring down the risk of many skin diseases to a great extent by repairing the damaged cells. And who can overlook the high component of Vitamin C, which further boosts skin health. Mangosteen has also been used traditionally to treat acne. Its ability of scavenging free radicals coupled with the suppression of production of Cytokins (major contributor to acne) can prevent your skin from developing acne. Mangosteen can also reduce signs of ageing. The signs of ageing are also brought about by oxidative stress caused by free radicals, which is battled efficiently by the antioxidants of mangosteen. The antioxidant Catechin especially works wonders for your skin by preventing wrinkles and signs of ageing. 7. Solution to Your Tummy Problems Mangosteen is high on fiber, which makes it an effective aid to all your digestive problems. It can help ward off constipation. Consuming the pericarp and peel of the delicious fruit has been found effective in providing relief from diarrhea and dysentery. The high fiber composition of the fruit also increases your prebiotics intake, which is good for your intestines. 8. Weight loss Yes, mangosteen can also aid your weight loss trail. The fruit is rather low in calories, 63 calories per 100 gram, has zero saturated fat, and is free of cholesterol. Plus, it’s rich in dietary fiber. Load up on the wondrous food already!

READ ALSO:Tyler Gallagher

Sky News Wire

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jepeediaz-blog · 5 years ago

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5 Ways Brands Can Reinvent Their Digital Marketing Strategy

We are all doing our best to cope under the current circumstances, and I believe that within adversity lies an opportunity to change, evolve and adapt.

Whether you’re an individual, entrepreneur, or brand, the need of the hour is to reassess, rethink, and reinvent your approach. While influencers, billionaires, and corporations are joining hands to aid those in need, brands need to sustain business activities and simultaneously make a positive contribution to those around them.

I recently spoke with brand strategist Alex McCurry, founder of Astra Media, which is helping businesses, brands and entrepreneurs reinvent their digital marketing strategy. Our conversation inspired me to share the following five ways in which brands can rethink their online strategy and make relevant offerings as we all turn our focus toward recovery.

Go Digital

With people spending much more time on social media platforms than ever before, brands need to shift focus to their digital operations and look for effective ways to connect, interact, and transact with their audience. McCurry says that several brands and large brick-and-mortar retailers are now looking to strengthen their digital presence to sustain operations, be it by leveraging eCommerce or offering special incentives.

“I think companies are beginning to understand the importance of social media and digital presence,” he argues. “I think it’s only a matter of time until even the most stubborn executives begin to see the value of these digital tools.”

READ ALSO: SEO & Digital Marketing Consulting & Coaching

Be Compassionate

Now is the time when we must do all we can to help each other. For brands, it is a unique opportunity to think outside the box and create innovative ideas that enable them to come forward and make a difference. “Being greedy or calloused during times of strife can be suicidal for companies,” McCurry cautions. “On the other hand, showing a level of compassion and selflessness can help build long-term customer loyalty.”

An example that comes to mind is how Bacardi shifted production to supply methanol and help manufacture hand sanitizers. Bacardi has a massive presence online and launched a campaign dubbed #raiseyourspirits, which raised $3 million to support local bars and restaurants who were suffering due to the outbreak.

During a global health crisis, there are bound to be rapid changes in both consumer behavior and market dynamics. It is essential to monitor brand communication at all times and quickly adapt to changing circumstances. McCurry points to how Dyson is considering a shift in production to create 15,000 ventilators to help the UK’s Nation Health Service and cope with the pandemic.

“Being timely and understanding the importance of how market conditions and other changes can affect the relevancy of your product is imperative,” he says. “Remaining relevant and self-aware of your product can often determine whether you succeed or not during times like this.”

Dyson kept tabs on the situation and chose to make a significant alteration in their line of production. Rather than marketing hairdryers and vacuum cleaners, they decided to change their stance by providing much needed medical equipment, ultimately saving lives.

Support a Cause

Though business may be slow at the moment, it offers brands the opportunity to reach out to their audience online and initiate new and meaningful conversations. You must understand what customers expect from you as a brand and how it can be delivered.

McCurry shares an interesting example: Kenneth Cole decided to donate 20 percent of all its online sales to the Solidarity Response Fund created by the World Health Organization. Since everyone is holed up at home, leading gyms and fitness studios are offering free at-home workouts along with video-based guides and tutorials for exercises.

“People like to be affiliated with projects that they think are making a difference,” McMurry reasons. “The power of philanthropy and social entrepreneurship is huge, as it dramatically increases a consumer’s confidence in your brand.”

Solve Pertinent Issues

It is essential to communicate often and effectively how your brand is helping consumers face challenges. “All of the compassion and lip service in the world is meaningless without action,” states McCurry. “By providing real, tangible solutions, it shows consumers that you truly practice what you preach.”

As examples, think of how restaurants are now providing customers no-contact doorstep delivery or the way big-box stores like Walmart have allocated special hours for senior citizens, ensuring they can stock up on essentials without any risk.

In my own experience, sometimes a brand needs to stop thinking about statistics, revenue, and returns and start thinking of genuine ways to add value and alleviate current stresses. It’s not always about monetary donations or volumes. When you stop, empathize and act and take time and effort to help those around you, it speaks volumes about you — far louder than words.

Source: Sky News Wire

5 Ways Brands Can Reinvent Their Digital Marketing Strategy

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jepeediaz-blog · 5 years ago

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How to Make Money Online While Being Under a Stay At Home Order

Make Money Online

Being at home is not everyone’s cup of tea. Some people are extroverts and thrive being around people. America is so used to being on the go and working 9–5 jobs. Now the COVID-19 is in full effect, and people are at home, it is easy to go stir crazy or become depressed.

Most states have been put under a stay at home order, which can cause inconvenience to people that work a regular job. Although jobs are scarce at the moment, there are some ways to make money online. Whether you need extra cash or looking for something temporary, there is something for everyone.

I have been working from home since 2016, and I have learned a thing or two about finding work from home jobs. In this article, I will show you how I have been able to find work from home jobs and make money online despite the COVID-19:

What type of work from home jobs is available?

The best thing about working from home is you can do a variety of jobs. Some popular jobs are customer service, being a chat agent, community moderator, search engine evaluator, and transcription.

Work from home jobs is not always permanent; they can last for a few months, or you can work full time. You would be surprised that some well-known businesses hire remote workers from time to time, like Best Buy, Wayfair, and Amazon. You can use your past work experience to figure out which job would be best for you. Let’s explore some ways to find remote jobs:

Use remote job boards

Many job boards post remote jobs daily. They can be part-time, full-time, or freelance work from home jobs. Well-known job boards like Indeed post work from home jobs. All you have to do is put remote in the search bar when you choose the location. You will find a list of jobs that hire remotely. Some other works from home job boards are Remote Global, Remote.co, and Glassdoor.

You can narrow down your search by typing in the jobs you want, such as customer service, moderator, or other jobs that you are interested in.

Join work from home Facebook groups

Facebook groups are a great way to find work from home jobs and connect with other people that work from home. You can find a variety of work from home jobs in Facebook groups. One of my favorite work from home Facebook groups is The Legit Work from Home Jobs Beginners Group.

In this group, you will find a community of people that are looking for jobs and have been successful at finding employment. There are files that you can look at to find a list of jobs that hire by category. Another one of my favorite Facebook groups for remote jobs is Kiss That Cubicle Goodbye. They post work from home jobs daily, and ways to make extra money.

If you are looking for a work from home job, joining these groups will help you reach your goal faster.

READ: Scalable On Page SEO Strategies

Visit work from home blogs and sign up for their mailing list

Work from home blogs has a lot of valuable information for remote job seekers. I found my first work from home job from a blog called Workerson board. You can find a list of weekly jobs and websites to make extra cash.

Real Ways To Earn Money Online and Dream Home Based Work are also excellent sites to use. Subscribe to their mailing list to receive a list of remote jobs that are hiring every day.

Making money online does not have to be a hard process. You can find temporary, or permanent jobs from home while under the stay at home order. If you are just looking for some extra cash, you can take surveys or complete microtasks.

It may seem like everything is overwhelming now, but you can take your mind off of the COVID-19 by making some cash from home

Source:https://medium.com/@jacquelinevera89/how-to-make-money-online-while-being-under-a-stay-at-home-order-75dfcb2a759e

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jepeediaz-blog · 5 years ago

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How to get rid of fleas

When the leaves start to turn, fleas suddenly seem to show up everywhere. If they establish a beachhead inside your home, you’ll have much more trouble getting rid of them. Here’s how to keep the biting bugs off your turf.

Why do fleas appear in the fall?

Fleas go through four life stages. First, there’s the egg—one female can lay a hundred to several thousand over the course of her life. These 0.02-inch-long ovals can stay alive for up to a year, but they really thrive in the hot summer months. So as we get into the dog days of August, the ova start to hatch into larvae.

These baby fleas have an appetite, and they can eat any organic material, including their fellow eggs (if they don’t hatch fast enough). The larvae prefer dark and humid spaces, so they’ll hole up under your bedding and carpets, munching away. As they’re only 0.06 to 0.16 inches long, they’re also hard to spot unless you have a flashlight.

Once the larvae eat enough, they wrap themselves in cocoons and become pupae, which are almost as tough as flea eggs. They usually remain in this stage for about seven to ten days if they know prey is close, but they can remain wrapped up for weeks if need be. They won’t hatch until they sense a trigger that indicates animals are nearby. These cues can include elevated carbon dioxide levels, increased heat, or even vibration. Once the wrapped-up bug detects a nearby trigger, it will emerge as an adult.

Now, during the cooling fall season, you find an infestation on your hands. To get rid of it, you’ll need to clean not just your house, but your yard and family as well.

Find out how they got in

As with any pest infestation, you start by finding the vector that brought in the bugs.

“Most often, fleas come in on animals,” says Todd McNamara, operations manager for Green Planet Pest Control. However, don’t jump right to blaming Fido or Sylvester. If you or a family member handed a flea-infested animal, you might have brought the bugs in yourself. An infestation can also occur when a wild animal, such as a raccoon, takes up residence somewhere in your home or on your property.ADVERTISEMENT / ADVERTISE WITH US

Once you’ve figured out where the fleas came from, you can remove the source.

For wild animals, hire an expert, such as an animal control specialist or a pest removal service that deals with larger animals, to remove them humanely.

Treat dogs and cats with insect growth regulators, or IGRs, such as lufenuron (sold as Program), imidacloprid (Advantage), or fipronil (Frontline).

For humans, the World Health Organization recommends a round of the insect repellent DEET and a shower. You can also apply an insecticide powder containing permethrin, but you should consult with a doctor before you use it to make sure it’s safe for you.

Just tackling the animal or person that carried the pests won’t be enough. Flea eggs can easily fall off the host onto the ground, which means you’ll need to treat any spot the vector walked through, lay down, sat on, or otherwise touched.

Wash bedding, including pet beds, and clothing in hot water with a strong detergent. Once that’s done, you can focus on the rest of your home.

Clean the house

For many, the first defense against fleas in the house is a flea bomb. Also called foggers, these devices cover every surface with a coating of pesticide. This creates a few problems, such as forcing your family to leave the house for the duration of the treatment. Foggers also only cover surfaces, and they have trouble reaching those dark, damp places where flea larvae like to hang out. As a result, you may have to set off multiple flea bombs. As a final blow against foggers, the pesticide they deposit will disappear once you vacuum or dust, destroying that temporary protection.

So we don’t recommend that you rely on a flea bomb. Instead, clean your house thoroughly with a vacuum and a steam cleaner.

Your vacuum cleaner is, by far, your most effective weapon against this type of pest. A 2007 study conducted by Ohio State University found that the combination of mechanical abuse and lack of oxygen killed fleas at all four stages of their life cycle. In fact, this is so effective that you should vacuum even if you’re also taking other steps.ADVERTISEMENT / ADVERTISE WITH US

“The thing that often gets most overlooked is the vacuuming,” says McNamara. “Even while having your home professionally treated, it’s important to vacuum before the service—to stimulate the fleas and get them up and moving so that they come in contact with the products being sprayed—and after the service as well.”

Before you vacuum, you should prep your machine. Switch it to its most powerful setting and put the brush at maximum so it can clean out crevices. Drop a flea collar or a similar control device into the canister or bag to kill any pests that survive their trip into your vacuum’s innards.

In addition to your floors, remember to treat your movable furnishings. Remove any rugs and curtains that you can and give them a thorough shampooing or vacuuming. You should do the same for upholstered furniture. Steam cleaners can kill any larvae or pupae that the vacuum didn’t catch. You should focus in particular on any places your pet or family member has been—that’s where you’ll find the highest concentration of fleas.

Finally, before you put back your rugs and other coverings, apply an anti-flea spray such as methoprene or pyriproxifen. Methoprene breaks down more quickly in sunlight, so reserve it for dark places. If you prefer not to set down pesticides, you can shake some salt into furniture crevices and under rugs: It dehydrates insect larvae.

Don’t forget the yard

If fleas have infested your yard, then you’ll quickly track them back into your nice clean home. As your next step, you have to get the pests off of your lawn. While you work, wear long pants, long sleeves, and gloves to keep the biters from attacking you or hitching a ride back into your house.

Fleas spread in a yard much the same way they do indoors, so you can impede them by keeping your grass short and your trees trimmed. Clear away any debris, such as piles of leaves, that might offer a dark and humid hidey-hole. If you have a compost heap, you might want to leave that in place, but at least fence it off to keep your pets away. Bag up or burn clippings and trimmings as quickly as you can.

Next, look for shady or warm spots where your pets like to hang out. If possible, fence off these areas and then treat them with flea sprays or diatomaceous earth (DE). DE works by dehydrating insects, so you should only use it in areas that won’t see a lot of rain or moisture—once it absorbs water, it loses its effectiveness.

As you explore outdoors solutions to your infestation, you may see that some people recommend more natural products like cedar chips or nematodes. While there is some evidence that fleas avoid any essential oil, including cedar, the dosage is a problem: To really stop fleas with cedar chips, you’d need to apply them everywhere fleas not only are dropped but where they might spread after they hatch, which is often your entire yard. Instead, consider limiting cedar chips to those dark and humid flea-friendly areas—like under your porch.

As for nematodes, some of these roundworms indeed eat insects. But they don’t discriminate between fleas and other, less harmful bugs. You may end up replacing your flea problem with an infestation of nematodes. If you want natural pest control, you should consult with a professional.

Flea infestations are itchy and uncomfortable, but easy to prevent. With a little science and a little patience, you can get rid of these bloodsuckers.

Source:

https://www.popsci.com/get-rid-fleas/

http://skynewswire.com/how-to-get-rid-of-fleas

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jepeediaz-blog · 5 years ago

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What you need to know about the threat of invasive ants

Australia is a hotspot for ants

More ant species call Australia home than anywhere else in the world.

So a lot of eyebrows were raised when $28.8 million was allocated in Australia’s 2019-20 budget to fight just three specific ant species.

But these bad guys have the potential to change Australia’s outdoor lifestyle if not controlled, and all experts agree that not acting could cost more. In Queensland alone, the state government predicts costs of about $43 billion over 30 years if just one of those ants is left unchecked.

We spoke to some experts to find out why — and what all of us, even city-dwelling non-experts, can do to help.

Why ants are important

Ants may be small and annoying when they come into your house or attack your picnic, but they are hugely important to the larger environment. Ants are the Earth’s dominant animal group in terms of biomass, so in sheer numbers alone they matter.

“Ants are really good bioindicators,” says CSIRO health and biosecurity principle research scientist Ben Hoffmann.

That is, they play such a crucial role that land managers can check the health of the whole local environment by monitoring ants. If invasive ants move in and take over, the whole system suffers.

Mr Hoffmann says ants play a really important role for farmers and gardeners by digging tunnels that make it easier for water to soak into soil, cleaning up nature’s waste, and moving nutrients. And lots of Australian plants have evolved to rely on ants to bury their seed for them.

Seeds often have a nutritious outer section called an elaiosome, so the ants carry the seed back to the nest, eat the elaiosome, then leave the still-intact seed to grow — in what’s now well-fertilised, well-drained soil.

This happens all around the world, mostly in desert areas. But in Australia our ants have taken it to the next level, adapting this seed-collecting to almost every corner of the country.

Ants often protect mature trees by eating pests such as caterpillars, but they can also work against trees by protecting sap-sucking insects that then build up in huge numbers and overwhelm the plant. The ants farm the bugs, harvesting the sweet secretions they produce.

Invasive ants tend to do this a lot and the presence of trees — and bugs that ants can harvest — plays a major role in fuelling the march of invasive ants across new territories. Red fire ants, which are invading Brisbane, spread at a rate of 48 kilometers a year in Texas between 1957 and 1977, and up to 80 kilometers per year in China.

Of the 30 introduced species in Australia, the budget money targets the red fire ant, the crazy yellow ant, and the Argentine ant (but only in Norfolk Island). Argentine ants are found across Australia but they are too well established to fight any more. Now the battle is on to stop the others — and getting people ant-aware will be the key to winning.

“Public vigilance is one of best aids to a program like this,” Mr Hoffmann says.

“THE MORE PEOPLE WHO ARE ENGAGED AND LOOKING, THE MORE WE FIND, AND THE MORE QUICKLY THEY CAN BE CONTROLLED.”

What turns a good ant bad?

Ant expert Mr Hoffmann says the official number of 1,621 ant types in Australia could be a fraction of the actual number.

“There’s possibly up to 30,000 native ant species in Australia. We don’t know.”

What we do know is that when visiting ants occasionally rock up — usually via cargo on boats — they find Australia very accommodating. They settle in so well they kill off the native ants and can kill bees, birds, reptiles, native mammals, pets — even humans who are badly stung or allergic. Ant invasions in the house can really bug the best of us, so here are some natural ways to keep them at bay.

‘Invasives’ also pose an economic threat, attacking crops and livestock and affecting exports — because no-one wants to risk bringing killer ants into their country.

The threat to our outdoor lifestyle is also huge.

That’s where Mr Hoffmann comes in. As part of his work with CSIRO health and Biosecurity in Darwin, Mr Hoffmann oversees and advises on the major ant eradication programs in Australia. He led the program that eradicated the African big-headed ant from Lord Howe Island, and has been working to control the yellow crazy ant (yes, its real name) from the Gove Peninsula in East Arnhem Land, NT.

Mr Hoffmann says many invasive species are particularly adept at quickly building large populations and overwhelming other species.

“Some form multi-queen colonies with no specific boundaries and cooperate with each other, so you end up with a supercolony. Ironically, these are often easier to control because they are self-containing, so it’s easy to draw a line around the boundary and treat the whole area.

“Fire ants have queens that can fly 5 kilometres to a new location, so it’s harder to draw a line around the colony.”

How do we stop the spread of invasive ants?

Humans are often responsible for introducing ants to new areas, so getting people to check potted plants, cuttings, fruit, garden furniture, beehives, and baled hay or straw before moving them is a key to stopping the spread.

Many areas have already introduced industry regulations controlling the movement of compost, soil, turf, mulch, manure, and quarrying/mining material. Time running out to wipe out red fire ants There is “only a small window of opportunity left” to wipe out the red fire ant, according to a report obtained by the ABC.

While Queensland is Ant Central now, huge numbers of holiday-makers visit the infested areas — from Port Douglas and Brisbane to Darwin and Arnhem Land — so we all need to be ant-smart to avoid giving a free ride to unwanted insect guests.

Biosecurity Queensland’s science manager Ross Wylie says, “The public report approximately 70 percent of all finds that we get of fire ants.”

The challenge is to keep public support going until the ant is fully eradicated; even a tiny colony can quickly re-populate an area.

However, always take green waste and other rubbish to a local tip — don’t dump it in the bush — and check pot plants and garden material before moving or buying.

Queenslanders can report sightings and ask for a backyard check by calling (07) 4241 0525 (Cairns region) or by registering online. Residents of WA can use a local pest guide to identify pests.

“Public vigilance is one of best aids to a program like this,” Mr Hoffmann says.

“THE MORE PEOPLE WHO ARE ENGAGED AND LOOKING, THE MORE WE FIND, AND THE MORE QUICKLY THEY CAN BE CONTROLLED.”

What turns a good ant bad?

Ant expert Mr Hoffmann says the official number of 1,621 ant types in Australia could be a fraction of the actual number.

“There’s possibly up to 30,000 native ant species in Australia. We don’t know.”

‘Invasives’ also pose an economic threat, attacking crops and livestock and affecting exports — because no-one wants to risk bringing killer ants into their country.

The threat to our outdoor lifestyle is also huge.

Mr Hoffmann says many invasive species are particularly adept at quickly building large populations and overwhelming other species.

“Fire ants have queens that can fly 5 kilometres to a new location, so it’s harder to draw a line around the colony.”

How do we stop the spread of invasive ants?

Many areas have already introduced industry regulations controlling the movement of compost, soil, turf, mulch, manure and quarrying/mining material.

While Queensland is Ant Central now, huge numbers of holiday-makers visit the infested areas — from Port Douglas and Brisbane, to Darwin and Arnhem Land — so we all need to be ant-smart to avoid giving a free ride to unwanted insect guests.

BIOSECURITY QUEENSLAND’S SCIENCE MANAGER ROSS WYLIE SAYS, “THE PUBLIC REPORT APPROXIMATELY 70 PERCENT OF ALL FINDS THAT WE GET OF FIRE ANTS.”

The challenge is to keep public support going until the ant is fully eradicated; even a tiny colony can quickly re-populate an area.

However, always take green waste and other rubbish to a local tip — don’t dump it in the bush — and check pot plants and garden material before moving or buying.

Source:

http://skynewswire.com/australia-is-a-hotspot-for-ants

https://www.abc.net.au/life/the-threat-of-invasive-ants/11341332

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jepeediaz-blog · 5 years ago

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How to Get Rid of Spiders in Your Home for Good, According to Bug Experts

How to Get Rid of Spiders

Spotting a spider in your home is a less-than-ideal situation. After all, they’re creepy and crawly, and a spider sighting can spark fears that there are more where that one came from.

Just know this: It’s actually not a bad thing to have a stray spider around. “Most spiders aren’t harmful,” says entomologist Roberto M. Pereira, Ph.D., an insect research scientist with the University of Florida. Not only will they usually leave you alone, but spiders can also help get rid of other pesky insects in your house, but he also says.

There are several species of spiders that can invade your home, including the American house spider, daddy longlegs, orb-weaver spiders, and grass spiders. Again, while most aren’t interested in interacting with (read: biting) you, there are the few that can be problematic—like the black widow or brown recluse.

If a spider (or spiders, if you’re really unlucky) has taken up residence at your place, it’s only natural to want it gone. Here’s how to get rid of spiders in your home—and how to prevent them from coming back.

Where can you find spiders indoors?

RICHARD PARGETTY IMAGESADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW

It depends on the type of spider you’re dealing with, says Ben Hottel, Ph.D., Technical Services Manager at Orkin. “Spiders that make webs are commonly found in undisturbed areas such as attics, garages, furnace rooms, window sills, storage closets, or eaves on the outside of homes,” he says. “Spiders that don’t build webs and actively hunt—such as brown recluse spiders—can be found in wall voids, cardboard boxes, and unused furniture.”

Spiders prefer warm, dark spaces, add board-certified entomologist Nancy Troyano, Ph.D., Director of Operations Education and Training for Ehrlich Pest Control. And, since the spiders that tend to lurk around your home mostly feed on small insects, you can also find them hanging out in gardens or rock piles, she says.

How to get rid of and kill spiders

You could squash a spider and call it a day, but experts say there are other methods that can help eliminate them if that doesn’t sound like fun to you.

Simply vacuum them up.

Yup, you can just suck up spiders, Troyano says. This hack also gets rid of their webs and egg sacs, she points out, so be sure to vacuum around corners regularly.

Or, try a sticky trap.

If you know there’s a spider lurking about, but couldn’t kill it upon sight, try setting up a simple trap—like this one from Terro. It’s non-toxic and uses glue to immobilize the spider (or any bug) and prevent it from escaping.

Clean spider-friendly areas.

That means consistently removing webs and cleaning out your attic, garage, closets, and other dark spaces.

Banish the clutter.

Some spiders like to hide in objects (think: cardboard boxes, old baseball gloves, etc.). The more hiding spots these spiders have, the more difficult it will be to get rid of them, Hottel says, so try doing a mini purge each season to keep clutter at bay.

How to prevent spiders from coming into your home

In a perfect world, you’d get rid of spiders and never, ever have to deal with them again. In reality, more can find their way inside. That’s where prevention methods come into play:

Fix loose screens.

A loose screen, or one that has a hole in it, can be a possible way for a spider (or any insect, really) to enter your home, Hottel points out. You can also place screens over vents and crawl spaces.

Seal cracks.

It’s the same deal as loose screens—you want to eliminate any possible entryways for spiders, Hottel says. Seal up any tiny crevices or openings around utility boxes, windows, or vents using caulk or foam sealant. You can also get a door sweep or stoppers for entrances that lead outside.

Check the moisture levels in and around your home.

“Excessive moisture attracts many insects, which in turn will attract spiders,” Troyano says. Stay on top of any leaks that may crop up and consider adding a dehumidifier to your basement, she says.

Do some general lawn care.

Spiders are drawn to hiding spaces outside of your home, too. Be sure to trim the grass near the foundation, keep firewood further away, and rake away piles of leaves.

Get rid of other insects.

“The presence of insects and other prey in homes is a common reason for spiders to come inside,” Hottel says. (Check out our full guides on how to get rid of ants, stink bugs, cockroaches, fruit flies, ticks, and bed bugs.)

When should I call a pro about my ant problem?

If you’ve tried these tricks and you’re still seeing spiders in your home, Dr. Hottel says it’s time to call in a professional exterminator. That’s definitely true if you happen to spot brown recluse spiders in your house (they’re hairy and tend to be gray, black, or brown). “These spiders can be very difficult to eliminate on your own,” Dr. Hottel says.

And, of course, there’s your mental health to consider if you’re afraid of spiders. “You might seek out a professional for your own peace of mind,” Troyano says. “The thought of living with spiders can be unnerving to most people.

Source:

http://skynewswire.com/how-to-get-rid-of-spiders

https://www.prevention.com/life/a32332424/how-to-get-rid-of-spiders/

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jepeediaz-blog · 5 years ago

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Spider control solutions

We spoke with seven industry suppliers about their strategies and products to assist pest management professionals (PMPs) at spider accounts. Read on for their insights and announcements. We also want to know what spider management methods you’re implementing, and what you hope to add in the near future.

Dr. Chuck Silcox

AMVAC ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCTS

Dr. Chuck Silcox Product Development Manager

RECENT INNOVATION: Right now, AMVAC offers two products that effectively control spiders: Wisdom TC Flowable insecticide (pictured) contains the active ingredient bifenthrin, which also can control termites and other indoor and outdoor structural pests. Avesta CS contains the active ingredient lambda-cyhalothrin. It offers indoor and outdoor control of spiders, mosquitoes, ants, cockroaches, flies, ticks, and more.

PMPs can apply Wisdom TC and Avesta CS as a residual spray to exterior structural surfaces, including siding, foundations, porches, eaves and window frames — as long as they are either protected from rainfall and sprinkler spray, or runoff from these surfaces does not drain into sewers or gutters. They also can be applied to fence lines, soil and the trunks of trees and woody ornamentals where spiders have congregated or been seen.

When making a perimeter treatment, apply to building foundations to a maximum of 3 feet above-grade, and to a band of soil and vegetation up to 10 feet wide around and adjacent to the structure. Indoors, apply them as a coarse, low-pressure spray to areas where spiders hide, such as baseboards, corners, closets, around water pipes, behind and under refrigerators, cabinets, sinks, furnaces and stoves. Pay particular attention to cracks and crevices where smaller spider species may seek harborage.

PREDICTIONS: It has been more than 30 years since a residual contact insecticide with a novel mode of action has been introduced to the industry. It is unlikely that will change in the near future.

Dr. Janis Reed, BCE

CONTROL SOLUTIONS INC.

Dr. Janis Reed, BCE Technical Service Manager, Product Development Team

RECENT INNOVATION: Control Solutions Inc. (CSI) has a full line of products for the PMP’s spider management toolbox. Stryker 54, for example, is formulated to flush, knockdown, and kill a wide of variety of pests, including spiders, while leaving no residual insecticide behind.

For outdoor spider infestations, consider CSI’s Stryker Wasp & Hornet Killer. Applicators can remain at a safe distance of up to 20 feet away and still provide quick knockdown of these pests.

Using non-repellents on spiders, meanwhile, requires a change in strategy: Do not remove webs. On the initial service, apply CSI’s Fuse in all labeled areas spiders are seen — then wait. The spiders will encounter the material and die in their webs. Once this has occurred, remove the webbing.

For a more traditional approach, consider a repellent product like Cyzmic CS. Very little of a spider’s body comes in contact with treated surfaces, but the CapVantage technology featured in Cyzmic CS means the microcaps adhere to the exoskeleton of the insects, increasing the chances for the product to affect spiders in a treated area.

PREDICTIONS: Spiders will continue to be a problem that causes the phone to ring. New and novel products will continue to be developed and launched, but there will be some trials. Additional regulations may be imposed on how, when, and where applicators can apply products. Applicators may choose alternative active ingredients, more removal services or non-chemical strategies where appropriate.

Richard Spigler, BCE

FMC PROFESSIONAL SOLUTIONS

Richard Spigler, BCE Market Specialist, Pest Segment

RECENT INNOVATION: In June, FMC introduced Scion insecticide with UVX technology for the management of spiders and other household pests. FMC’s proprietary UVX technology is custom engineered for the pest management industry, and features multiple components: a readily available active ingredient for immediate control; defined release active ingredient for continuous residual performance; and durability in the toughest conditions, including intense sunlight and harsh surfaces. Scion insecticide’s pyrethroid active ingredient, gamma-cyhalothrin, allows for a lower use rate. It features a broad label that allows for applications to exterior and interior areas of residential and commercial accounts.

FMC recommends using the highest of Scion’s three labeled exterior perimeter rates, focusing applications on areas where spiders are resting/hiding and constructing webs. Any vegetation around structures is conducive to spider activity. Given that night-flying insects are easy prey, inspect around exterior lighting for spiders and their webs. Reducing spiders’ food — insects and arthropods — will also help.

PREDICTIONS: Spiders continue to be a primary concern for PMPs, and FMC continues to work to develop better solutions to help PMPs grow their businesses. New formulation advancements like UVX technology, combined with constantly improving integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, will help PMPs provide even better results.

Dr. Reid Ipser

NISUS CORP.

Dr. Reid Ipser Technical Services Director

RECENT INNOVATION: Controlling spiders is tricky, because spiders can reduce their chance of contact with insecticides thanks to their tarsi. Try a different tactic with a product like Web Out, an EPA 25(b) exempt product that is biodegradable, non-toxic, non-corrosive and non-flammable; it can even be used over water at marinas. It helps prevent spiders from attaching silk to the treated substrate, compromising web building and keeping treated areas clear for 120 days inside and up to 90 days outside, depending on shelter from the weather.

Apply Web Out to your brush and to the substrate surface prior to web removal to break down the web structure and simplify the cleaning of spider web areas, web residue and stains. Web Out also can be used as a contact kill product for spiders and several other pests.

Nisus also offers Fireback Bed Bug Spray and Jet aerosol. It kills on contact and includes a three-month residual. Fireback’s U-straw delivers two different spray patterns, which gives PMPs the flexibility to use it both as a crack-and-crevice and as a space spray. Spraying surfaces will help prevent spiders from attaching webbing, whereas a space spray contacts hiding spiders in hard-to-reach areas. It also can be used against many additional listed flying and crawling pests, including ants, cockroaches, houseflies, mosquitoes, crickets, scorpions, and millipedes.

PREDICTIONS: The future of spider control will focus on sanitation around the structure, with perhaps a separate service for just using web dusters. This spider-only service would focus more on sanitation/augmentation practices, and also use essential oils with an occasional micro-cap.

Dr. Cisse Spragins

ROCKWELL LABS

Dr. Cisse Spragins Founder and CEO

RECENT INNOVATION: EcoVia WD Wettable Dust is a versatile tool for exterior spider management. Applied as a dust or as a wettable powder, it features killing action as well as strong repellency and long residual protection to deter web building and structural entry. As an exempt 25(b) product, it does not have label restrictions for use near and over water — making it ideal for boat docks and boathouses, or for impervious surfaces. The dust can be applied to the head of a web duster and applied when knocking down cobwebs.

One of our newest products is EcoVia WH (pictured). This foaming jet aerosol is the quick solution for shooting spiders from a distance of up to 18 feet. The remaining residue is not oily or visible, but deters web-building until it is washed away.

For interior control, CimeXa Insecticide Dust is the ideal choice for long-lasting killing power without repellency. It will last up to 10 years if undisturbed.

PREDICTIONS: Spiders are a challenge because of their biology and morphology. There isn’t one silver bullet for spiders, as there is a large amount of species diversity, as well as diverse treatment areas. Identifying at least the category of spider will help to guide treatment.

Treating infestations of medically significant spiders adds another dimension. Brown recluse spiders (Loxosceles reclusa), for example, are spreading to more parts of the United States, and require thorough treatment of potential harborage areas. At the same time, spiders traditionally have not been one of the main revenue pests for PMPs, so there aren’t many products really developed specifically for spider control — they often are lumped in with general perimeter pests. That might change as public health needs evolve.

Dr. Nicky Gallagher

SYNGENTA

Dr. Nicky Gallagher Technical Services Manager, Professional Pest Management

RECENT INNOVATION: The SecureChoice Spider Assurance Program from Syngenta features the efficacy of Demon WP insecticide with Demand CS insecticide, or Demon WP with Tandem insecticide, to provide a significant reduction in spider populations. As components in an IPM strategy, this expert-designed protocol is guaranteed to deliver results.

Make spot treatments with Demon WP in spider web locations and adjacent areas. The product’s easy-to-use wettable powder formulation, strength, speed, and staying power can help provide a quick initial knockdown of spiders. Ensure Demon WP has been applied to all heavily spider-populated areas before removing webs post-treatment.

A follow-up application of Demand CS or Tandem can help provide long-lasting residual control of spiders with the power of iCAP technology: Microcaps of multiple sizes release the active ingredient at different times to provide control that can last between service routes. The microcaps also maintain their shape to ensure the product remains effective on porous surfaces, even when exposed to outdoor conditions. Because of the limited contact spiders have with treated surfaces, the iCAP technology in Demand CS and Tandem ensures residual control, even during hot times of the year.

PREDICTIONS: Climate change will fundamentally alter our relationship with urban pests, including spiders. We may not see significant changes over the next few years, but research indicates that changes already are happening in many parts of the world. Ecological niche modeling that investigates the present and future distribution of the brown recluse spider, for example, indicates the pest may end up expanding its range northward. Training, communication, and proper insecticide applications will be extremely important in dealing with these kinds of spider changes.

Mel Whitson

ZOËCON PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS

Mel Whitson Senior Field Technical Service Manager

RECENT INNOVATION: Zenprox Xtend Aerosol is the latest solution from the Zenprox family of products to help PMPs effectively control spiders. With a 360° valve and a crack-and-crevice actuator, PMPs are able to easily target various locations around client’s homes. In addition to controlling spiders, Zenprox Xtend also is labeled for bed bugs, carpet beetles, cockroaches, crickets, pantry pests, ants and many other crawling and flying insects. For larger spaces, Zenprox EC can be used with an ultra low-volume (ULV) generator for quick application and powerful spider control.

Zoëcon continues to develop new and innovative products that will help with a PMP’s day-to-day calls. One concept is for the control of brown recluse spiders. We��re also looking into expanding treatment locations for greater and longer-lasting control.

PREDICTIONS: Within the next five years, our team envisions a PMP spider control toolbox that will have an even stronger label expansion into landscapes where spiders often are found. With a target-focused product, PMPs would be able to control spiders found on shrubs, ornamental rocks and landscape decorations with greater efficacy — and without customers worrying about the effects on their lawns.

Source:

https://medium.com/@jepeed1/spider-control-solutions-3dc281020c2b

http://skynewswire.com/spider-solutions

https://www.mypmp.net/2019/09/17/spider-control-solutions/

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jepeediaz-blog · 5 years ago

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Australia Rains Bring Relief From Fires—and a Surge in Deadly Spiders

Deadly Spiders

Heavy downpours in Australia recently offered some relief to the fire-ravaged country, which has been battling deadly blazes since last fall. But wet conditions have paved the way for another natural threat. As Amaani Siddeek reports for the Guardian, wildlife officials have warned that residents near Sydney could soon experience a “bonanza” of sightings of the

funnel-web spider

, an aggressive arachnid with a potentially deadly bite.

Funnel-webs are a family of more than 40 Deadly Spiders, among them the notorious Atrax robustus, or Sydney funnel-web Deadly Spiders which is native to eastern Australia. These critters, so named for the shape of their webs, burrow under logs and rocks, typically rushing out of their hiding spot to attack prey such as beetles, cockroaches, and small snails. But the recent climate has prompted male funnel-webs to surface for another reason.

“Because of the recent rain, and now, the hot days we are now experiencing, funnel-web Deadly Spiders will start to move around,” explains Dan Rumsey of Australian Reptile Park near Sydney. “In particular, male funnel-webs as they start to venture to look for a female funnel-web Deadly Spider to mate with.”

Unfortunately, male funnel-webs Deadly Spider are of particular concern; their venom is six times more potent than that of females, reports Daria Connolly of CBS News. In fact, this creepy crawlies possess “one of the most toxic venoms (to humans) of any Deadly spider,” according to the Australian Museum. They have been known to wander into houses or fall into swimming pools, where they can survive for many hours. But reports of the Deadly Spiders chasing humans and living in houses are “urban myths,” the museum notes.

Jonathan Coddington, the curator of Arachnida and Myriapoda at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., tells Ruby Mellen of the Washington Post that Australia typically experiences a funnel-web spider season, but it had been delayed by the recent fires.

“Now they’ve got a bunch of rain, and so the funnel-web[s] are coming out of the ground,” Coddington said, adding that “Deadly Spiders like moist conditions.”

Though funnel-web bites have killed people in the Sydney area, no deaths have been reported since an antivenom was developed in 1981. Still, the spiders’ poison can be fast-acting, and the Australian Reptile Park encourages locals to take a number of steps to protect themselves. For example, wear gloves while working outside, don’t walk around at night without shoes, and don’t handle spiders that look like they have drowned in water.

The park also advises against leaving clothes and towels on the floor, and to check shoes before putting them on; male funnel-webs that go on the prowl for a mate at night will seek shelter from dry daytime conditions in any hiding spot they find suitable, including piles of laundry and footwear. If a person is bitten, a pressure-immobilization band should be applied to the site and to the adjacent limb, and the victim should seek immediate emergency care.

The Australian Reptile Park collects raw venom from dangerous Deadly spiders and snake species, turning the deadly stuff over to the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories, a biotech company that manufactures the “only Australian antivenoms that save human snake bite and spider bite victims,” according to the park. Rumsey encouraged locals to catch male funnel-webs and bring them to the park or to a designated drop-off point—but only “if … they can safely do so.”

Though the spiders are potentially very dangerous, they are also “very, very easy to catch,” Rumsey noted. Funnel-webs are ground-dwelling creatures, unable to climb smooth surfaces like plastic or glass. Rumsey recommends scooping them into a sealable glass jar or plastic container with a ruler or spoon, always taking care to keep hands “about 20 centimeters away from the spider at all times.”

Some will undoubtedly prefer to simply run the other way. But for anyone who can stomach it, Rumsey points out that “by donating a spider to the Australian Reptile Park, you are contributing to saving people’s lives.”

Source:

https://medium.com/@jepeed1/australia-rains-bring-relief-from-fires-and-a-surge-in-deadly-spiders-9479d2d99082

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/australia-rains-bring-relief-firesand-surge-deadly-spiders-180974052/

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jepeediaz-blog · 5 years ago

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Report lifts lid on Australia’s international bug superhighway

A new report has identified an international ‘bug superhighway’ capable of carrying a large variety of environmentally destructive overseas insects into Australia.

The study, led by the Monash University School of Biological Sciences, rated the environmental harm being caused by 100 of the worst overseas insect species and recommends a range of actions to keep them out of Australia.

The most dominant group of invasive insects by far are the hymenopteran insects — ants, bees and wasps — making them the world’s most environmentally harmful invasive insect species.

“Our report found that environmentally harmful bugs, beetles, ants and moths are most likely to hitch a ride into Australia along an international bug superhighway made up of imported plants, nursery material and the timber trade,” said report author Professor Melodie McGeoch from the Monash School of Biological Sciences.

“Australia is already grappling with large, destructive infestations of invasive insects,” she said. “It can’t afford any more.”

The report identifies the international trade in cut flowers and foliage as a high-risk pathway for more than 70 of the species studied.

Invasive Species Council CEO Andrew Cox said this is the first time Australian and international scientists have comprehensively analyzed which invasive insects overseas are doing the most environmental harm and could therefore threaten Australia’s natural environment if they breach the nation’s borders.

“Before coronavirus put the world into lockdown there were more than 50,000 merchant ships carrying goods across the globe and some 10,000 planes in the air at any one time,” he said.

“Ants, bees and wasps are habitual and versatile world travelers tiny enough to move around the world hidden in goods such as flowers and timber.

“Invasive insects can cost hundreds of millions of dollars to eradicate once they breach international borders. Queensland is already battling red fire ants through a $411 million eradication plan.

“Invasive insects can inflict massive environmental damage. Right now yellow crazy ants threaten Australia’s Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, the oldest continuously surviving tropical rainforests on Earth and the most biologically diverse region in Australia.”

The report’s 23 recommendations include:

Develop risk profiles and contingency plans for all high-risk invasive insect species.

Review biosecurity agency practices to detect and kill invasive insects as soon as they breach Australian borders.

Impose import conditions to reduce the risks of new invasive insect introductions in the country, especially via unintentional pathways such as contaminated shipping containers.

Fully implement Australia’s Invasive Ants Biosecurity Plan and establish a permanent national body to coordinate biosecurity measures on invasive ants.

Conduct a comprehensive risk and pathway assessment for other species groups such as animal and plant fungi.

Establish a national exotic and invasive species data platform that provides comprehensive, up-to-date information for risk assessments.

The Federal Government has been improving its performance in this area with the formation of the new Office of Environmental Biosecurity. The Government has recently developed an invasive ant biosecurity plan (only partly funded) and released a priority list of environmental biosecurity pests (a selection of the worst which only lists 17 insects). Much more work is needed.

Source:

https://medium.com/@jepeed1/report-lifts-lid-on-australias-international-bug-superhighway-871c09f1044b

https://phys.org/news/2020-04-lid-australia-international-bug-superhighway.html

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