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ProBest Pest Management wins a spot in “Top 50 Bug”

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You know even when you consider that there are probably 15,000 pest companies in the USA, I consider just a mention quite the big event. So to be named right up there with this group is a very high honor. The first 10 are home seals are from Entomologists and if you have a chance check them out, I probably get to each one on a monthly basis. http://myrmecos.net his pictures alone are fascinating and well worth a closer look. The rest of the 40 are from the Pest Control Industry and provide a wealth of great real facts versus what you might find on a search of the web. Some of my buddies are on the list “The Bug Doctor” from Florida and of course Invader Pest Management – I’ve known Fred since I moved to Arizona in 1999.

Thanks to Organic Pest Control from NYC for giving ProBest Pest Management this award.

Fleas and Plague.

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Fleas and history. I love history and this is one I don’t want to see us repeat. 2/3 of Europe was extinguished in the blink of an eye and the Justinian Plague wiped out 1/2 of the known world at the time. It is often called the Black death as people would develop bubo or these black looking bumps on the skin, often in areas of the lymph nodes within our bodies. Humans usually contract the plague after being bitten by a rodent flea that is carrying the bubonic plague bacterium or by handling an animal infected with plague, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). To prevent the disease from spreading to humans, ADHS warns visitors and residents not to allow pets to roam freely, as well as treating them with flea-prevention medications; to avoid contact with sick or dead animals and to stay away from rodent burrows; to wear insect repellents to keep fleas away when hiking or working in areas where plague might be active; and to wear rubber gloves when skinning and cleaning game animals.

I also had no idea but there are about 2000 cases of bubonic plague reported yearly. Scary!

Animals, such as rodents, squirrels, pack rats, prairie dogs, mice, chipmunks, voles, and rabbits can be affected by plague. Wild carnivores can become infected by eating other infected animals. Symptoms may include fever, chills, weakness and muscle pain. I’ve heard of cases in the 4 Corner region of Arizona, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico but New York City rats have also been tested in the past with no reports yet of the bacterium. Did you know that they believe there are over 8 million rats in NYC, wow.

Dr. Bug suggest the best way to protect ourselves from these potential infections is to keep the rat population under control. Removing food, water and shelter are key to eliminating rodent infestations. Keep them out, if you see one there are probably more. Fix holes and prevent access and door guards are essential.

fleas Photo by Univar

To spray or not to spray the plane?

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Several years ago, I also was on a flight which was sprayed and honestly I was amazed. I work in the industry that obviously sprays but I don’t and haven’t recommended spraying inside unless the bug is something that was carried in like cockroaches or stored product pests. I think it was Figi and we had just landed when the flight attendant came through the cabin spraying as she walked. I did of course check the can and it was a Permethrin aerosol. The reason they do this is to keep out foreign or invasive pests. I guess one mosquito could cause a lot of trouble and why not nip it in the bud right there on the plane.

“In flight spray bugs traveller.” – This week we have seen the stories about lawsuits and this isn’t one, she just wants people to realize that this happens. I have to agree, if the people were notified in advance they could at the very least put a handkerchief over their nose and mouth.

This is her quote: Cohen said she doesn’t want a refund. “I just want people to know before they travel that it may not be so much fun in the sun, especially if you’re sensitive.”

So take care if traveling, ask questions about spraying or ask about pests in general and maybe your trip will go off without a hitch. By the way I also applaud those countries not wanting to import pests like these into their countries.

I think I took this picture at the Logan Steakhouse (cool artwork), get out and travel.

What does IPM Integrated Pest Management have to do with Bed Bugs

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IPM or “Integrated Pest Management is a process involving common sense and sound solutions for treating and controlling pests. These solutions incorporate three basic steps: 1) inspection, 2) identification and 3) treatment. Treatment options vary from sealing cracks and removing food and water sources to pesticide treatments when necessary.”

Bed Bugs and you – TIPS

Encasements keep the bed bugs trapped inside the mattress or box springs until they die if missed during the initial treatment.
Prevent bed bugs from hiding inside beds, making an infestation harder to find and treat.
Offers a first line of defense to stop bed bugs, even before they have been detected by you.

Encasements are a valuable tool to homeowners and people who either travel or have guest stopping by often. Encasements will also help to make that mattress or box spring last a little longer.

Photo by PPMA

So without the cold weather will we see more scorpions in Arizona?

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So as our Northern folks dig their way out of all the snow or battle those extremely cold and brutal temperatures, I think about the warm weather affecting scorpions. With little to no real cold spells here in Arizona I think it’s going to be a tough year on those that have scorpions near their homes. If the weather doesn’t get cold enough, scorpions won’t die. The weather also affects their food supply like crickets or roaches. So my prediction is that there will be plenty of scorpions to go around.

Just what you want to hear, right?

Study on Bed Bugs, BBC News.

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“Catching the Mother of all Bed Bugs” by Sean Coughlan BBC news correspondent.

Genetic analysis has shown that a single pregnant bed bug that escapes detection can be responsible for an entire infestation, rapidly producing generations of offspring.

This may explain the ongoing issues with Bed Bugs, this story came from London. I’ve heard that the use of baits and not spraying may have lead to the rebound of those little biters. Maybe the widespread travel, they can be on one side of the world and tomorrow on our doorstep. So please take care and keep those critters out of your life.

A few tips:

Bed Bug Nymphs photo by PPMA

What do you want to know by ProBest Pest Management!

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What is an Occasional invader?

Occasional invaders are critters that enter structures because outside conditions become hostile to their survival maybe because its too wet or dry.

Earwigs
Boxelder bugs
Crickets
Millipedes
Mites
Pillbugs/Sowbugs
Springtails
Caterpillars
numerous others

Are bed bugs continuing to be a big problem?

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Bed Bugs are continuing their rise to a real pest in the U.S. and according to Orkin it doesn’t look like they are slowing down. Orkin has been keeping track of bed bugs calls within their company and provide data to keep officials and the public informed. “Chicago tops bed bug cities list for second year in a row“.

Phoenix is up seven from 35 to 28, so here are a few tips from me to keep you informed as well.

Just be aware of the issue, don’t panic. Many people are bitten by various bugs like mites, mosquitoes and think they have bed bugs. If you are being bitten isolate the area (by that I mean the area in the home) see what you can see. Check beds for fecal spotting (when bed bugs bite they eject old blood feces etc), if you see something moving catch it and keep it handy for an expert.
If you travel take precautions, I hand my clothes from the shower rod and put my luggage on the bathroom vanity and that is where it stays. Check the bed and close furniture and if you see something inform management and move to another room.
Remember bed bugs just don’t hang out on beds.
When returning home, unpack in garage or outside and check luggage. Wash everything and high heat, wrap luggage in black garbage bag and if you’re AZ put it in sun especially during summer 113 – 120 degrees in ideal to bake them.
Keep an eye out if you have guests or frequent visitors, they can travel in backpacks.
I’ll repeat “Don’t Panic!” call a Pest Management Professional, as I think this is not a “Do It Yourself” (DIY) program.

How important is a clean house or restauarant to keeping out the pests?

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After much research here it is – it appears this quote may have come from Rabbi Ben Yair (Hebrew Proverb) (2nd Century) and appears this way in text –

The doctrines of religion are resolved into carefulness; carefulness into vigorousness; vigorousness into absemiousness into cleaniness ; cleaniness into godliness. (spellcheck went crazy over these words….)

So not from the Bible or your Mother, but I’m going to say it should be right up as if it came from either. I’m not saying that if your home is perfectly clean you will never seen bugs. Ants can trail in looking for food and move right on along unless they encounter something. Moisture is probably another much bigger factor, cockroaches can go months without food but seldom a week without water. A speck of food could be a whole meal for a roach. I think the bigger issue – harborage areas for them to hide in. The more cracks and crevices = more availability to hide and stay hidden.

The BIG picture the cleaner the home or restaurant the less chances of hidden pests.

Photo by PPMA

“The doctrines of religion are resolved into carefulness; carefulness into vigorousness; vigorousness into abstemiousness into cleanliness; cleanliness into godliness.” As you can see, in the quote, ‘cleanliness’ is literally next to ‘godliness.‘ – See more at: http://donnaperuginichildrensauthor.com/2011/03/03/where-did-the-saying-cleanliness-is-next-to-godliness-come-from/#sthash.TK7ImvmE.dpuf

Bugs are bugs, right?

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Arizona Vegetable IPM Update “Aphid Identification, lettuce dieback, wheat herbicide sensitivity“. By John Palumbo, UA Research Scientist and Extension Specialist. (Western Farm Press) He’s got a point and in the business of bugs a very important point –

This is where the accuracy part comes in. Just because you can find a few winged aphids on produce crops does not mean these species are important to leafy vegetable and cole crops.

Most people call and say I got bugs, and when we ask questions they are hesitant to answer. There is a big difference between American Roaches and German Roaches and really, really important in the treating scheme of things. Yes you can kills bugs with any pesticide generally but you may not solve the problem or you may make it worse. I’ve seen floors covered with Diatomaceous Earth (DE) and still have bed bugs and I’ve seen people use can sprays to kill ants and still have ants. So here are my keys for pest control and they are fairly simple:

Identify the bug
Understand their biology
Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Use the right pesticide if necessary