Two different farmers in Missouri have been diagnosed with Heartland virus with symptoms that include fever, fatigue and nausea. Back in 2013 we reported on CDC reported cases and we just want people to take precautions before hiking or going off into the woods. Lyme Disease in Arizona, Yes was another article we did on protecting yourself against ticks and fleas. Take care hiking!
I don’t know how these agents do there jobs, can you imagine stiffing through tons and tons of stuff entering the USA daily. Each and every day these agents sort through trailers, box cars and of course just regular folks entering our borders. KTVU.com did an excellent “Feds find dangerous pest in basil shipment at San Francisco International airport“.
The east coast of the U.S. has encountered a similar stink bug and it is causing some real issues, damaging gardens and getting into homes. So it is very important to continue to stop these pests before they become a real big issue.
So again my hat’s off to the dedicated agents U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Stations across the USA.
I think that most people just grab the can and spray and since I’m in the biz, I just wanted to make sure everyone is aware of how dangerous that is. Look at all the stories about people that Do It Yourself (DIY) and almost blow themselves or their family/neighbors into the next world. For example what if the product contained a petroleum solvent which could explode or cause damage to other products or surfaces.
Story time – I remember sometime ago when I first learned how to use my favorite pest control tool, the bellows duster. I was dusting a wall outlet and in those days, the duster was made out of metal – apparently I got to close to the terminals and almost electrocuted myself. I learned a valuable lesson – I installed a plastic small hose to the end – that won’t happen again. The lesson here is that I was able to learn from that experience, what would have happened if I had inserted a spray into a void and there was flame – boom. I could have killed myself, so I’m thankful it was just sparks and a jolt.
So please read and understand the product you are using, I want you to be safe and grow old.
While teaching at the Chandler Environmental Education Center one of the parents asked me what this bug was? Why of course it’s my buddy the Assassin Bug. I really love the look and often times checkered pattern of this insect.
They prefer to attack animals such as cattle and horses but if they get trapped in your home they will bite whatever they can. So keep those doors closed and those screens repaired. Stay safe and check your homes frequently.
Have you ever heard of Edward O. Wilson?
To a bug guy like myself – he is the man!
Edward Wilson is an American biologist, researcher (sociobiology, biodiversity), naturalist (conservationist) and author. His specialty is myrmecology, the study of ants, on which he is considered to be the world’s leading authority. “He found that living insects, such as bees and wasps, have a complex hierarchy, with strict rules governing who reproduces, who gets food, and who defends the colony.” He is often considered to be “The Father of Socialbiology” – the study of both social behavior and organization of all kinds of animals.
http://en.wikipedia.org
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.
