Presto-X Supports Hurricane Harvey Victims Through Safety Tips and Charitable Donations

Presto-X, a local leader in the pest control industry, extends its heartfelt thoughts with those impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Hurricanes and their resulting floodwaters can create conditions that are, unfortunately, ideal for pest infestations. To help residents and homeowners stay safe during hurricane recovery efforts, Presto-X has compiled a list of helpful tips for rebuilding and re-entering homes with safety as the first priority.

Personal Safety

· Many pests, including snakes, fire ant colonies, rodents, and more, can be present in flood waters.

· Flood waters may contain human waste, chemicals, fuels, or other substances that can be harmful to humans.

· Use extreme caution if working in any flooded area. Wear personal protective equipment whenever possible.

· Fire ants can relocate by floating during flooding. If you spy a fire ant raft, do not attempt to treat it with pesticides, which can further contaminate flood waters.

Mosquito Concerns

· Mosquitoes will be highly active in the days and weeks following a hurricane, and could spread diseases such as West Nile virus and Zika virus.

· Wear insect repellents during cleanup efforts. Apply repellent to both exposed skin and clothing. Reapply as necessary, especially if working in water or sweating.

· To be most effective, insect repellents should contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Look for EPA approval on the container.

· Wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks, especially if you are outside from dusk to dawn.

· Mosquitoes are most active in the hours from dusk to dawn. Take extra precautions if you’re outside during this time.

· For additional mosquito precautions for homeowners, download our 2017 Mosquito Update.

· For additional mosquito precautions for businesses, download our 2017 Mosquito Update for Businesses.

To extend additional support to the greater Houston area through the recovery process, Presto-X will be donating 5% of profit from sales made September 18th-October 15th to the Houston Food Bank to support their ongoing, local, charitable initiatives.

For additional information on Presto-X, please visit www.prestox.com. For more information on the Houston Food Bank, please visit www.houstonfoodbank.org.