All posts in “Avondale pest control”

Chagas disease and the Assassin Bug…

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“Neglected Tropical Diseases: An unfolding Tragedy of Chagas Disease in North America.” As many know this is my favorite looking bug, the one I think has the patterns and artistic shape that just looks cool for a bug. If you read the home seal you also know that this little bug is a biter and transmits a nasty little disease called Chagas.

The data shows that incidents in Mexico could be in the area of 1-6  million cases, USA 300,000 – 1 million and Canada less than 100,000.

 

Tips for keeping them out of your home:

  1. Repair screens and make sure they are in place.
  2. If your spending time outside, wear some type of repellent.
  3. If you live near horses or cattle, pay particular attention – they prefer these animals but given the chance will come after us.
  4. Close doors and install thresholds and door sweeps.
  5. Repair weep screens on attic rooflines.
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http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/chagas/

 

The war on bugs, whose winning?

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“Entomologists study ways to kill urban pests”  Why is this important, I’ll point out some remarks made in this story. Please read the story lots of great information.

  1. “There is definitely an economic impact to bed bug infestation,” Romero said.
  2. Psychological effects are often underestimated. Romero said having bed bugs can cause sleeplessness and anxiety.
  3. There is concern over chemicals in insecticides that could be harmful to humans, but Romero said they must be used properly and according to procedures.

Here are some factors that I see and read daily.

  1. Hanta Virus (weekly reports)
  2. Bubonic Plague
  3. WNV (West Nile Virus) from mosquitoes also Malaria or Dengue Fever from around the world
  4. Africanized Bees
  5. Ticks (Lyme Disease)
  6. Assassin bugs (Chagas Disease)

So as we continue the fight against those bugs/insects/pests that can kill us if not kept in check, new manufacturing continues to create new molecules to destroy those killers. What can you do?

  • Check your home monthly.
  • Keep trees and shrubs trimmed and away from your house.
  • Repair screens and keep doors closed.
  • When traveling – keep an eye out for various bugs like Bed Bugs.
  • If you encounter a pest, do some investigation and have it checked – don’t panic.

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A very unusual email, time to call in the military.

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—– Forwarded message —–
Subject: unusual pods
Date: Thu, Aug 8, 2013 5:13 pm

 

My wife Becky and I have discovered some strange pods out in the garden. They were big…about the size of a toddler, resembling bundles of wrapped, dark-green leaves. We didn’t plant them, so we figured they must be some sort of weed. I have found that they can be destroyed with either a pitchfork or a garden hoe. 
 
Some beautiful pink flowers blossomed on one of them. Our friend Elizabeth brought some of the flowers to her house.
 
A while later I went out there and one of the pods had opened, revealing something that looked like a human! It had some adult features but It has no details, no character … It’s unformed. It lacked distinguishing characteristics and even bore a slight resemblance to me. Creepy! I got scared and went to Elizabeth’s house and found the same thing happening at her place, where the pod by that time had formed into something that was nearly her exact double. When I got back to my place, my pod person was gone.
 
The police have been no help, so I’m turning to Pro Best. Everyone says you’re pros, and you’re the best! We trust you to help with these creatures, in their invasion into our back yard and into our lives. Thank you, Pro Best for your quick reply!
 

—Scott L

 

Wasn’t this a movie, I think I recall “Invasion of the Body Snatchers“ “A small-town doctor learns that the population of his community is being replaced by emotionless alien duplicates.” Taken from International Movie dataBase.

How about a kids trip in Arizona for BUGS?

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 AZScienceCtr

 

First off I don’t like promoting someone else especially in my own backyard but I must. ORKIN – you know them as the BIG boys of pest control have created a roving bug exhibit. They have a bigger budget than I do, so if you want to see a smaller exhibit you will have to stop by ProBest in Gilbert for that. Now I haven’t seen this exhibit yet,  but it is on my agenda of must see!

Orkin’s Summer Pestology on exhibit at Arizona Science Center from now until September 9, 2013.

Is the customer always right?

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Is the customer always right?

 

How many business owners do you think ponder this very question on a daily basis? I have an easy answer yes and no! OK maybe it’s not that easy, we put down pesticides daily and yes I have a few that call and tell us what they want and how to do it. Of course we are the ones complying with the Label and yes we are the ones who could get the fine for a misapplication. So that answer is pretty simple – we comply with all labellings and use directions absolutely according to Label, period.

Yes I know the old adage that a happy customer is a happy customer and as long as I keep the bugs out they should be happy right. Well there are other ways of getting on their bad side and I’ll tell you customer service is an art and you have to work at it. It is important to listen and to take into consideration all the aspects of delivering a premium service. I’m reminded of a poster in another office of pest management, I love this point of view and use it daily in the best pest control that we can deliver.

Excellent service isn’t the result of doing any one thing 1,000 % better. It’s the result of doing thousands of things 1% better.
If you can do that you stand closer to SUCCESS!

On the road again with Dr. Bug

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  On the road again with Dr. Bug

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BUG ZOO CLASS!

 Explore a real, live collection of bugs with a certified Entomologist! Learn about beneficial bugs, such as butterflies and ladybugs. Learn which insects are considered pests and how to avoid them. Discover good spiders and bad spiders, roaches, beetles, and even scorpions! Each child will receive a free coloring book. Classes with an age fee is per child with 1 unpaid adult permitted.

Instructor: Keith Birkemeyer, ProBest Pest Management
Location: Chandler Environmental Education Center at Veterans Oasis Park

Directions

Does your Pest Company treat where the bugs live?

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Does your Pest Company treat where the bugs live?

     

A few years ago I received a call from a homeowner frantic about roaches, after my inspection I thought I had found the problem. It was long after I started that I knew I had done the correct job. In the block wall next to the garage wall I dusted the bump out and out came the roaches (100’s) I immediately located the homeowner and pointed out the issue and she was just amazed. I really do believe that I could do all my pest control with just 2 or 3 tools. Here is my secret:

  1. My brain = knowledge of Pest Control and bugs
  2. A hand duster
  3. Some kind of dust (Delta) and DE or Diatomaceous Earth.

Agree or Disagree? Comments please!

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in schools a good thing?

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Is Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in schools a good thing?

Texas mandates IPM for their schools – School Integrated Pest Management

The days of spraying every home is gone it’s all about less = more, what do I mean? Pesticides have been changing for a long time.  They have become better in mode of action against the bugs. IPM Institute We now have baits and specific control products for specific insect pests. Isn’t it better to localize treatment rather than spray areas where no bug have ever been seen. Some people may be allergic to insect skins or fecal material while another may be allergic to a certain type of pesticide. Caution should be the power word in dealing with anyone that may be sensitive to a certain chemical pesticide.   A recent home seal here at ProBest talks about The days of power spraying every house is coming to a close…

My theory is less pesticide in the home is better!

Integrated Pest Management

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