Stops the Sting!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olPKnxut7ys]
ProBest Pest Management carries this great tool, I think every parent should carry this in their car, purse and have it in case of a sting or bite.
Friday 13th – Beware the bugs, really!
Don’t panic bed bugs have nothing to do with Friday the 13th but it got me to thinking. So do work around furniture, clothing or anywhere where people meet. I’d probably say most of us fall into that category. But it got me to thinking about some things, the other day a few Fire Fighters came in and we got into discussing Bed Bugs. They told me that a fire station in Phoenix got them and that it freaked them out, so I thought I would put together a list of potential places where Bed Bugs might latch onto a unsuspecting host. Remember Bed Bugs are not like lice and that normally they don’t travel on people but consider that they are experts on hitchhiking.
- Garbage or refuse haulers, do you pick up garbage and transport it to another dump site?
- Self employed haulers.
- Not for profit agencies that pick up clothes, or those box collection sites.
- Moving van companies and employees.
- Fire Fighters, Police, Medical Personnel, EMT’s & Paramedic’s or people that come into contact with people each day.
- Clothing store employees.
So take care to do some random checking as you arrive back home or to your station. If you spot something crawling immediately go outside and get that thing off of you. Consider changing clothes in the garage and washing all clothes on hot and dry on hot for an hour – the book says 30-40 minutes but just a precaution, it takes 113° to kill adults and eggs. Don’t panic just use your common sense and you will be fine.
Dark Shadows (1966 versus 2012) My tribute to blood suckers not much different than Bed Bugs!
I’m really not a fan of movie remakes, they just don’t seem to be of the same caliber as the originals – here are just a few before I get to Dark Shadows.
The Day the Earth Stood Still – (1951) still my all time favorite movie and the version by Keano Reeves (2008) was OK, just not as good as the original from my point of view. Black and white, Michael Rennie (Klaatu) was just cool and the robot (Gort) – terrifying, yes the 2008 version special effects were great but it just lacked the charisma of the original.
I am Legend a novel – I read it on a plane in 1971 on the way to the 13th World Scout Jamboree in Tokyo, Japan. This novel was later made into a movie “I Am Legend” (2007) with Will Smith – not technically a remake so nothing to relate it to except it didn’t follow the novel as well – I think they call that poetic license.
OK – I was a huge, we are talking HUGE Dark Shadows fan, Barnabus Collins – the vampire played by Jonathan Frid died April 13-14, 2012. I would race home from school and watch this show and it scared the absolute out of me, but I had to watch it. With all the talk these days about blood sucking Bed Bugs and the creepy bats to those places where spiders and evil lurk. So I’ll probably see the movie but I’m concerned this will more funny than a serious vampire movie – watch the preview. The movie is set to release May 11, 2012 and I’ll see you there
Bed Bugs and other issues…
This article “Landlord Liability for Bed Bugs and Bed Bug Bacteria” appeared in the “NOLO Law for All” site and whether or not there is or is not a connection with MRSA, I think we should all be more vigilant in our encounters with Bed Bugs. So here are some of my concerns, as I see them. By the way I’m not an attorney or a medical doctor but I do report myself to be “Dr. Bug” but anyway back to what I consider the issues.
After having dealt with this issue for the last 3 years, I empathize for landlords because ultimately it comes down to the fact that no matter who brought them in, you are responsible. At the end of the day it’s your building and these littler buggers could move to another unit and the issues just start compounding. I will add my biggest recommendation – document, document and document. Keep excellent records and keep them in one place, handy to get to and again document everything.
Here is an excerpt from the article – please follow the link above to read the entire article, its well worth your time.
What This Means for Landlord and Tenants
The implications of this study for landlords and tenants are significant. A widespread bedbug infestation has always qualified as a habitability problem, which, if not addressed, enables tenants in all states except for Arkansas to break their leases and leave, without liability for future rent. Tenants in some states can withhold rent until the habitability problem is fixed or can take steps to deal with the problem themselves and deduct costs from the rent. Typically, however, landlords have a reasonable time to fix a habitability problem before tenants can utilize their remedies.
But, if bedbugs are proven to be vectors for staph infections on the order of MRSA, the stakes have been raised dramatically. A “reasonable time” may be much faster than previously thought. And if tenants contract an MRSA infection as the result of the landlords’ inattention to the problem, the tenant’s measure of damages goes way beyond what it would be if the bedbugs’ bites were merely annoying.
Here is the link to House Bill 2210
I truly don’t understand! To use pesticides or not to, that is the question?
For the record I will start with this statement “Insects have killed more humans than anything else, period!” Mosquitoes and fleas primarily, mosquitoes continue to kill 1 million people each year and yet we allow these radical left wing groups to push us toward silliness. Matt Dalen of the New Canaan, Connecticut http://www.acorn-online.com wrote this article “Could ban on pesticides at schools be lifted” 1 1/2 years ago someone decided that no pesticides were a good idea and this law was passed HB-5155.
Now to another case in point, Ohio has been pushing to get a pesticide re-approved because of the big resurgence of Bed Bugs.
So I guess here is the question – How is it that in Ohio they need pesticides but Connecticut doesn’t? Frankly I’m getting tired of people jumping to the conclusion that all pesticides are BAD, the Pest Control Industry has known for years that an approach called Integrated Pest Management (IPM) works.
So what exactly is IPM – this is straight from the EPA site “
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment.
The example below is based on Cockroaches:
- Acceptable pest levels – One cockroach may not trigger issues but maybe 10 might, set by school
- Preventive cultural practices – How did the roaches get into the school, prevent boxes from being delivered into the inside of the school.
- Monitoring – The use of glue boards to trigger action, by the way the use of glue board may eliminate the problem.
- Mechanical means – use of traps, glue boards, stepping on the roach or even the use of an Insect Growth Regulator.
- Biological controls – use of different micro-organisms to control pest.
- Responsible Pesticide Use – There are several products available that are considered low risk – least toxic that could be incorporated into a program. A number of years ago there was a product which was a fungus that the roaches ate, baits are also useful.
I’m sick and tired of people jumping to conclusions before they have all the facts, without pesticides insects might make a big comeback like ie Bed Bugs. Without adequate resources at our disposal people would die, so don’t blame the pesticide without the facts. The Pest Management Professional isn’t just a bugman – they are trained to use what they know and are not out to kill the world with pesticide. I’m a PROFESSIONAL and proud of that fact, I’m ticked that the first response is to get rid of the pesticide before we have all the facts. My company uses home sealing, caulking and other equipment before we bring out the pesticides in our toolbox. We use IPM daily and to prove that point we are Gold members of the Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program – we live it EVERYDAY. I have been in homes where pesticide was the only answer, roaches and I mean roaches (100,000 upwards) children at risk from asthma, disease etc but I guess that doesn’t matter. Maybe we should ban everyone from using pesticides, using 1 can of whatever to kill 1 spider. OK rant is over!!!
Comments anyone or are you to scared to stand up and be counted. Sheeple….
Have You Hugged Your Pest Professional Today?
April is National Pest Management Month 
For more than 30 years, April has been celebrated as National Pest Management Month, recognizing the professional pest management industry for its role in protecting public health and property from significant pest threats.
“Many people may not realize the important job pest professionals perform every day. Whether it’s salvaging a termite ravaged home, giving someone back the ability to sleep after eliminating a bed bug infestation or ensuring food warehouses and restaurants are free of disease-carrying pests, we are grateful for all that these men and women do every day,” said Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for the National Pest Management Association (NPMA).
The NPMA is also encouraging people to brush up on common household pests including termites, ants, spiders and bed bugs this month.
Termites: Termites feed on the cellulose found in wood and paper products and cause more than $5 billion in property damage every year. With termite season upon us, homeowners should be on the lookout for swarmers (winged termites), which serve as a warning that a colony may have already settled inside.
Ants: Ants are the number one nuisance pest in the U.S. and are among the most difficult to control. According to a new NPMA survey of pest professionals, spring and summer are the busiest seasons for ant-related service calls. Ant infestations are most common in office buildings, restaurants, apartments and condos and single-family homes.
Spiders: While spiders tend to elicit fear in many people, only a few pose serious health threats to humans. For example, both the brown recluse and black widow spiders can cause painful bites that are especially dangerous for children and the elderly, sometimes causing gaping wounds and fatal reactions.
Bed Bugs: Bed bugs continue to plague Americans as they infest hotels, schools college dorms, residences and other places where people gather. A 2011 survey, conducted by the NPMA and the University of Kentucky found that 99 percent of pest professionals had encountered bed bugs in the past year; a number that has steadily risen over a 10-year period.
In an effort to encourage public education about this resilient pest, NPMA is launching “Bed Bug Awareness Week,” April 22 – 28, as a part of National Pest Management Month to spread awareness, promote public vigilance and provide essential prevention advice.
“With summer travel around the corner, NPMA is reminding travelers to be vigilant wherever they go and to be mindful about bed bugs’ hitchhiking nature. A few simple prevention tips can go a long way in saving travelers from an infestation when they return home,” noted Henriksen.
For more information on National Pest Management Month, Bed Bug Awareness Week or for information on common household pests, please visit Pestworld.org.
The NPMA, a non-profit organization with more than 7,000 members, was established in 1933 to support the pest management industry’s commitment to the protection of public health, food and property.
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Well it finally happened – Bed Bugs are mating with Africanized Killer Bees in Arizona..
New research has found that “Killer Bee’s” has recently been observed mating with the Bed Bug. This research was done by the Ministry of Bugsearch at the University of South Mexico. If this new specimen is introduced into the United States it could have devastating consequences for all animals and humans. U.S. Border Agents have stopped numerous pests this year at the borders and agricultural stations. Dr. Novell University of South Mexico was quite concerned and worried that this mutant bug could attack and suck the blood and sting cattle, horses and possibly humans.
April’s Fools day – did I get you?
Maybe it’s a great idea for a new movie – mutant Bed Bug Bee’s Attack!
Could your neighbors give you the bugs?
What do you know about your neighbors? Do they visit you, do their children come and play at your house? Do you exchange things, do you borrow luggage? Do their children bring toys over, including stuffed bears or animals? Do their animals visit your home? Are you expecting guest who may spend a few days at your home?
All these questions seem somewhat benign but are they really? ProBest has seen some really bizarre ways that Bed Bugs are traveling these days. Spring break may be the perfect chance for these little blood suckers to get their travelin on. By the way it’s not just Bed Bugs but fleas, ticks, parasites of all sorts. No sense panicking but we just want you to be prepared and contemplate the options and consequence of a visit.
Read this survey – Bugs without Borders conducted by National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and University of Kentucky – Where are Bed Bugs found these days?
Interesting dialog about Bed Bugs from TV show Rachel Ray!
http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/show/segments/view/bed-bug-epidemic/
Also spend some time and read the tips from the National Pest Management Association or the ProBest Pest Management website.
Normally I write for my customers, but today I wanted to focus on something that I find very useful and enlightening. A few friends of mine Larry Pinto and Sandra Kraft write a techletter twice a month and it is crammed with useful and up-to-date information regarding new products and tools available to help keep those pest out of the homes. I met them years ago on a Bait Research project in Tucson, AZ and they have been friends since (you might remember I wrote a home seal about the great Ocotillo cactus hike). Who wears hush-puppies to hike?
It’s a must read plus they have a few books that each Pest Management Professional should own! Trust me on this..