Click to read the story Bees attack Tucson man trying to kill swarm and by the way if you’re in Tucson call our friends at http://www.azpest.com/
Ducklings in the pool, oh nooooooo…
First off, did you know ducklings can swim – I mean underwater and they are good at it? Mom must have set up a nest in the enclosed backyard (block wall) and then the ducklings became trapped. My plan was full-proof, catch the mother and then the ducklings – that didn’t work as I had planned it. Mom was way faster that me, period. Then to plan B, set large animal trap with ducklings inside within a box and hope mother duck comes to the rescue. No go on this one either, we finally had to move the ducklings to Liberty Wildlife where a surrogate mother duck took over.
Can ducklings live in a pool? All the data I see is no. First, there are no fish, plants…and second, chlorine is toxic, even for us, so more so for birds.
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When bee’s attack – true story…
Africanized bee’s are not the friendliest and nicest of the bees we have in Arizona, but this story raised my antenna.
Read this story from the International Business Times Africanized Bees: Aggressive Insects Attack Beekeeper in Tennessee.
According to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, a horde of partially Africanized bees attacked one Tennessee beekeeper a few months ago. A cloud of about 100,000 streamed from a hive and surrounded the man, who ran and jumped into his car. It was five minutes before the swarm gave up its pursuit. The beekeeper, who was wearing protective gear, suffered about 30 stings.
This was an experienced veteran bee keeper, thank goodness he had a bee suit on, or he could have been a dead bee keeper. Bee work in Arizona is not – IS NOT a DIY or Do It Yourself job. Don’t kid yourself, because if you start a job and the bees become nasty there is no shut off switch. You cannot dial them back to nice, they may attack everything in the neighborhood including children, pets and anyone just out having a good time.
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….
Even the Bees get respect in Arizona!! (Tonto Natural Bride, Payson, AZ)
Africanized bees get their name killer bees because they will viciously attack people and animals who unwittingly stray into their territory, often resulting in serious injury or death. They are similar in appearance to European Honeybees, the problem is that they respond with more numbers and often times will follow greater distances and that’s what get people into trouble.
As the weather is quite enjoyable these days and you decide to go out walking and the bees start bumping you it’s their way of telling you that you are in their territory. Stop, think and retreat.
If your thinking of hiking in the desert in Arizona, don’t wear perfume and don’t wear dark cloths.
If you notice a swarm on a tree, bush in your yard – the swarm will probably move on. If they don’t, call a Professional – Trust me on this one!!
If you see them going in and out of your home, call a Pest Management Professional.
Don’t panic if you see bees, they are important to life on our planet. We need them! If you are stung call 911 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
Poisoner’s handbook – forensic medicine or ?
“Poisoner’s Handbook” details birth of forensic medicine – article written by Leslie Ashmore from Los Altos Town Crier
I guess I really never gave great thought to how forensic medicine and crime solving began, but this story is articulate and well written. The author of this article talks about the book as a science mystery. Many of the items discussed came right out of the endeavor to create pesticides and other pests (I’m not talking about people pests).
I’m definitely going to get this book, how about you?
The Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center is a center of excellence at the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy. The center is certified by the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC).
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24 hours a day • 7 days a week
A Battle to the Death, who shall win?
http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/news-spider-vs-wasp
Thanks to Bryan for passing this along, its not often that you get to witness a fight to the death, who shall win – take a guess (comment) and then watch the pictures.
Odor & Smells Eliminator
Earth Care Bags do not have to come into contact with the odors causing agent. Simply hang the bag near the smell and in 24 hours the smell will be gone. Earth Care acts like a magnet by attracting and neutralizing smells. It is made from an all natural mineral, is non toxic and biodegradable and safe for Planet Earth. Most odors can be removed entirely within 24 hours of use. It is also safe around children and pets, even if eaten. This Odor Removing Bag removes odors like a sponge, using the properties of natural minerals – no fragrances or cover-ups. The Odor Removing Bag is as easy to use as placing the bag near the source of the smell, and it will pull the smells from the entire room. Each bag will last 3 – 4 months once opened. One bag is recommended per room or every 100 square feet and you can use multiple bags. Earth Care adsorbs smells rather than masking them with a fragrance. ProBest Pest Management carries these odor bags in our DIY store in Gilbert, AZ.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EuXMaUL9UQ&feature=player_embedded]
odor
Bed Bugs versus heat or steam.
Which works the best, heat or steam? Each has its place, in some cases depending on how much stuff is in the home and how hot can you get it works better. If the home is vacant steam is very effective and generally speaking less costly. So if you have bed bugs it is often advisable to isolate the issue, don’t move furniture or mattresses. You can also use trash bags and insert Nuvan strips inside to kill any bugs and eggs. A friend of mine – Invader Pest Management recently decided to go the way of heat for Bed Bugs and these pictures is how they do it. I also suggest the Verifi™ monitoring or detection system to make sure the effort has worked or to decide if you have an issue or not.
“To steam or not to steam” that is the question?
