Dengue fever has now become a life threat for the people of Pakistan. It was first reported in Pakistan in 1994 but it became a threat in year 2005 when this fever took lives of many people in Pakistan. According to an estimate dengue causes 257 deaths and 16 580 confirmed cases in Lahore whereas approximately 3,692 dengue fever cases have been reported in Sindh province, while 126 cases were confirmed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Dengue fever has now become a life threat for the people of Pakistan. It was first reported in Pakistan in 1994 but it became a threat in year 2005 when this fever took lives of many people in Pakistan. According to an estimate dengue causes 257 deaths and 16 580 confirmed cases in Lahore whereas approximately 3,692 dengue fever cases have been reported in Sindh province, while 126 cases were confirmed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Three main provinces that are currently facing the dengue epidemic are Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh. In this regard the office of World Health Organization (WHO) in Pakistan is also providing  technical, financial and moral support to government to fight against epidemic. The main areas in which WHO is providing support are control of vector, case management and community awareness.

Strategic measures adopted by the Government against dengue fever:

After the outbreak of epidemic government has made certain policies and took steps to control the situation. In 2005 the team of WHO entomologists studied the vector Aedes mosquito and used the information to make effective control measures. In 2008, WHO in collaboration with the federal government merge the malaria prevention program with the dengue control program. In 2010 when too many death cases were reported WHO provided the international professionals for the clinical assistant for hospitalized patients. There is need to adopt all the policies at provincial level for effective management against dengue fever.

Do preventing the mosquitoes to bite is enough as individual preventive measure?

One must have sufficient information about the epidemic to adopt preventive measures. The virus is transmitted from one person to another via mosquito bite. The mosquito multiplies and grows in fresh and stagnant water. The most cases of mosquito bite were observed during sunrise and sunset. The use of mosquito repellent and coils are not enough to fight against dengue, other control measures should also be adopted.

Individual preventive measures against dengue fever:

There are some suggested measures that everyone must adopt to prevent the dengue epidemic in the society.

• As the virus can spread from one person to another so wear full sleeves shirt to prevent mosquito bite.
• The dengue patients must be kept in net and away from healthy patients.
• Keep your home free from standing water and close the windows after sunset.
• Get your home sprayed against mosquitoes and preferably use mosquito repellents especially in morning and evening.

Integrated Pest Management against Dengue Fever:

Pesticide companies are also responsible for public health as they deal in the integrated management of insects and pests causing various diseases. Some of the major responsibilities of pest management companies are surveying, source identification and reduction, preventive measures, biological control, use of traps and repellents and lastly pesticide management.

• Information about the Biological Control of Dengue vector:

Entomopathogenic Ascomycetes is an effective biological tool against dengue vector i.e. Aedes aegypti.the conidia of the fungi when grow it penetrated in the cuticle of adult mosquitoes and result in the production of certain organic compounds causing mechanical damage and death of the vector.

• Information about the control of dengue vector with Larvicide:

When large numbers of adult mosquitoes are observed than larvicide application is preferred over biological control against dengue vector. Larvicide may cause damage to other aquatic life including vertebrates and arthropods.

• Information about the control of dengue vector with Adulticide:

Adulticide must be used under heavy precipitation of mosquitoes, budget constraints, when human disease becomes epidemic and absence of employees and equipment.

The past period has seen a sharp rise in the people’s concern about the safe control of insects and pests. Urban Pest Management is a registered organization which deals with the integrated pest management and is well aware of risk-benefit analyses. We know about all pests and their control. You can visit our website or feel free to contact us for our services.

House flies and mosquitoes are recognized as carriers of easily communicable diseases. They collect different pathogens on their legs and mouths, females mostly lay eggs on decomposing organic matter, garbage, feces and animal corpses. Mosquitoes most breed in standing water.

House flies and mosquitoes are recognized as carriers of easily communicable diseases. They collect different pathogens on their legs and mouths, females mostly lay eggs on decomposing organic matter, garbage, feces and animal corpses. Mosquitoes most breed in standing water. So, it is highly recommended to keep the surroundings clean and remove standing water sources. Diseases carried by house flies and mosquitoes include typhoid, cholera, malaria, dengue and dysentery.

100 million persons worldwide get infected with dengue annually, a resurging viral infection spread by the female mosquito.

There are two main methods have been employed to control house fly and mosquitoes: natural and chemical. Chemical pest control employs potent chemical pesticides to eliminate pests, while natural pest control employs organic or biological method to reduce infestation. Both of these methods have advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages and disadvantages of natural/biological pest control methods

The main benefit of biological pest control methods is that it does not harm the environment. It will also not emit harmful toxins which could damage the ozone layer as compared to chemical pesticides. They continue to be effective for a long time once they introduced to the environment, making them sufficient and cost-effective. Biological control is self-regulating and as they don’t require any management. Biological control is just near to free of cost as it charges you very low. Biological control gives a long term control of harmful organisms. No side effects of biological control on human health while chemical control has many side effects and dangerous effects on the health of humans.

Advantages and disadvantages of chemical pest control methods

Chemical pesticides are very easy to use. Apart from that, chemical pesticides also deliver results instantly right after the application. Mostly this fast result is what a lot of homeowners need. Chemical treatment also harms the environment as they release harmful toxins to the surroundings, although human exposure to these pesticides can be very dangerous. They are even more detrimental and toxic to the health of children and older people as they have weaker immune systems instead of elders. You may have probably read in the spray’s inscription or may be heard about the insect repellent DEET (N,N Diethyl-3-methylbenzamide).  This chemical is not present in all the products but it is widely used chemical, because of its easiness. Just spray and it works for 12 hours repelling. But it’s also having toxic, irritating effects on your skin. So, definitely, not really something you want to spray over your soft skin.

So we suggest you to find natural ways to repel insects and the best way is to use Houseplants in your backyard, front lawn and outside the gate that Repel Mosquitos and Fly.

Plants Easily available in Pakistan which we can use to repel insects especially flies and mosquitoes:

Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum indicum L.)

Chrysanthemums are often called “mums” and they are widely used for their flowering beauty all around the world. Aromatic subspecies of Chrysanthemum are excellent mosquito repellents. Their blossoms have natural amazing compounds named as pyrethrum which inhibit female mosquitoes from biting.

You can easily prepare Homemade topical repellent from mums’ flowers. Take dozen of blossoms, chop them finely and then just put this mash in a small cotton bag (a sock will do as well). Now soak the bag in half glass of olive or sunflower oil in a bowl. Lid the bowl and now you have to wait for 2 weeks after keeping it in in dark cool place.

Now filter the resulting oil (press and squeeze the remaining oil inside the mash) and keep in small vial. Now it is ready massage your pulse points with a drop of this oil and enjoy its repelling qualities on you while outside.

Catnip (Nepeta Cataria L.)

An interesting and amazing compound Nepetalactone extracted by steam distillation from Catnip a natural insect repellent which is claimed to be 10 times stronger than DEET, Mostly used as Commercial Repellent against.

• Mosquitoes,
• House flies,
• Cockroaches and

It is easy growing perennial plant with pleasant minty aroma. Its fragrance reduces stress and promotes good sleep. But unfortunately, the process of steam distillation is not as easy to done at home, so oil can only be purchased from market.

Marigold:

It is a bright, annual plant, are a great choice for repelling mosquitoes. Marigolds also contain Pyrethrum and they have a unique aroma which bugs find repulsive. Marigold flowers themselves are beautiful and add colors beauty and can even make a great border or addition to any flower bed! So you can try placing them around borders of your home, and then mosquitoes definitely not want to cross over!

Lavender

Many of readers probably know that lavender a gorgeous purple flowering plant which also has a soothing, calming scent. But, did anyone know that we can use it as a natural mosquito repellent? We can grow it outside in our garden or flower bed or indoors near a sunny window and doors, to keep the bugs away. Use lavender to add colour and calming aroma in your home.

Peppermint

Most of the bugs hate the smell and taste of peppermint and try to avoid this plant, so it is good choice to planting it in different areas of home where you want a repellent and plus, if ever you do happen to get bitten, just rub peppermint leaves directly onto the skin and it make a great relief our bite, with all of this it provides you a wonderful minty smell which makes a delicious addition to food and beverages!

Rosemary

A beautiful flowering plant often used to flavor lamb or fish dishes, but might be you did not noticed that it is also a natural mosquito repellent? So, it’s perfect choice to add herb garden or flowerbed to keep bugs away instead of using pesticides, and it even attracts butterflies and creates beauty in your plants area.

Geranium

The beautiful red color flowers are a great choice for mosquito repellent. Mostly planted in a hanging baskets and the colorful blooms will cascade over the side of the pot, provides you a beautiful visual piece with useful bug repellent nature!

Now you can see, there are many houseplants that naturally help to keep bugs away! So whenever you reach to buy a chemical bug spray, take your time and think again, and try to choose something more natural!

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon Spreng.)

Lemongrass oil is used widely as insecticide and repellent, but the main issue with this  plant it attracts bees and may not be usable for your balcony.

So, this plant is very useful to plant in your garden because it attracts bees as they are useful pollinators for fruit or vegetable in garden.

Pennyroyal

The pennyroyal adorable flower is a natural deterrent for mosquitoes. So, we suggest you to plant it somewhere around your flowerbeds. Pennyroyal plants used to make great groundcovers, and they also attract a plethora of beautiful butterflies.

Ageratum (Ageratum houstonianum Mill.)

This plant contains a hepato-toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, It works as a natural insecticide. So, be aware, that you should not consume this plant in no case and it should not enter your system.

This plant attracts insects with his scent, but the chemical compounds inside the blossoms are rendering the insects sterile.

Cadaga Tree – Eucalyptus torelliana

A beautiful plant repels mosquitoes simply by being planted. The scent from the tree acts as a barrier to repel mosquitoes.

Catmint – Nepeta faassenii

It is very effective in its way to keep mosquitoes away. It is even better than commercial bug sprays at keeping the pests away. You have to simply, cut off the flowers and boil them to make a spray.

Eucalyptus –

Natural oil which release from the eucalyptus tree repels insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, midges, stable flies, sandflies and more.

Mint – Mentha –

Mint is an exuberant aroma plant usually grown in gardens to flavor tea. Mint repels mosquitoes and even we can make our own repellent with mint! All wild and cultivated species of mint, contain aromatic properties repulsive to insects.

Pitcher Plant – Nepenthes alata

It is the most interesting carnivorous plant much similar to a Venus Fly Trap. This little beauty gobbles up mosquitoes and it just fun to see this plant work in your yard.

Sweet Fern – Comptonia peregrina

It is a natural green beauty herb that has many uses. Then main our priority purpose to fight against mosquitoes and you can also place some Sweet fern into a fire to keep the little bugs away from the fire and the surrounding area.

Destroyers of construction materials such as woods, garments and food items, “Termites” exist on the surface of Earth

Destroyers of construction materials such as woods, garments and food items, “Termites” exist on the surface of Earth even before the Jurassic era dominated by dinosaurs. They are the most common and dangerous structural pests in Pakistan as well as in the whole world.

Belonging to the infra order isoptera, “Termites” are social insects. They are called social because they raise their off-springs in groups. All termites make colonies and are divided into different castes on the basis of division of labor and fertility: the only fertile male is called “The King”, one or more fertile females are known as “Queens” while the rest of them are “workers” and “soldiers”.

Termites majorly live on dead plant materials and cellulose; sources of these are woods, leaf litter, soil and animal dung.

They reside in homes and other regions where wood is present. Termites are continuous feeders and can grow inside your homes on wood-wares and flooring even without your detection, that’s why they are known as “Silent destroyers”.

Termites cause a property damage of $5 billion annually.

It is the need of hour to take immediate preventive actions to control these pests that are involved in the destruction of more than 60% of our valuable wooden items, garments and edibles that are inclined to be eradicated at the hands of these pests.

In Pakistan, many innovative government and non-government programs have been initiated to completely eradicate and control pests.

Integrated pest management is secure, thrifty and productive way to control pests while protecting human and environment.

It is cost effective, highly targeted and much more effective than traditional methods of pest control and has less hazardous impact on humans and other organisms. Pesticides can be used by everyone but only an expert knows what are the correct amount and components of a pesticide applied inside a house or offices while maintaining the human damage at its minimum. The price to be paid may be high than those amateurs but it usually benefits people in the long run.

Urban pest management is an agency that is committed to eliminate pests from every building and wooden items in all the big cities of Pakistan in a rapid and efficient manner.

Nobody wants termites to grow in their valuable homes, offices and other items. But to save all these from destroying, the care must start at home even before the action of these termites starts. Some of preventive measures are to:

• Store food in clean, lid tight containers inside the refrigerator and quickly eliminate the food that is no longer edible. Whenever crumbs remains there, clean as soon as possible.
• Water leakage must be checked and completely recovered because leakage of water provides moist environment and humidity favorable for the growth of termites.
• All the cracks and crevices inside the house must be sealed.
• Trash must be removed on regular basis.
• Counselling and understanding among your neighbours is necessary because pests do not remain confined to a particular place, as they grow, they tend to spread. So work together to get rid of termites!

The knowledge about the pest is necessary before you choose effective IPM tactics, and for this the guidance of UPM professional may help you.

Call Today for a Professional Termite Management Plan and Get A Free Inspection! 0321-8499000

To save homes, offices and other constructions, termite control was an obvious need of time which has been overcome to a great extent through integrated pest management but still there is need for development in this field and its appropriate use. This is why Urban Pest Management aims to provide professional, prudent Termite Management Plan tailored according to the needs of our clients in Pakistan.