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Danger – rat bait

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Danger – rat bait off site

Danger – rat bait off site – to any child, and/or pet, off site transfer of rodent bait. I’m not sure if this is a consumer or what is going on, as most bait must now be contained and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen soft bait in those containers. But what happens when a child or pet gets into this bait? I was never a big fan of those throw packets, because people would throw them almost anywhere. I’ve seen packets being moved by rodents to an outside vent, dropping into yards where anyone could get at it. Also we need to be aware of what pests it is, is it a Pocket Gopher, Pack Rat or ????

I see tin cats used to capture mice – not rats because they are not big enough, I also see mice stations used for rats. So the first step must be identification and then what works the best to eradicate or better yet prevention. The IPM plan of attack – where are the rodents coming from and why are they in your yard. As always consider SAFETY first, this is a dangerous step to take to get rid of mice.

Always Read and Follow all label and Use Directions – This is the Law. Failure could put people and pet lives in jeopardy. As always we are concerned about the possible movement of bait from a container, this could pose extreme concerns for wildlife, communities etc.

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Pandemic – How close are we?

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Pandemic

Just what exactly is a Pandemic, according to Wikipedia – an epidemic of infectious disease that has spread through human populations across a large region; for instance multiple continents, or even worldwide. One of the most devastating pandemics was the Black Death, killing over 75 million people in 1350 caused by fleas carried by rats or gerbils (new information). Mosquitoes continue to kill over 1 million people each year and have killed more people than anything else.

pandemic

I don’t want to be the doomsayer, but the World is a scary place these days. Maybe more scary than the days of duck and cover which I don’t think I ever did in school. We did have Fallout Shelters in our school and I recall them being stocked with food and water. I also need to stop watching those shows on TV like “How the World will End”. What scares me the most is the ability of some to get their hands on weapons, like the IED in Manchester? Is it possible to acquire something and infect mosquitoes and to then transmit it to humans. As Rodney King said “Can’t we all get along”? I’m trying hard to not get political and in this day when people don’t just have ideas but are willing to fight in an instant instead of debating the virtues of their opinion.

Are we the smartest?

We are the smartest on this planet and yet often times the most opinionated and less likely to concede that our thoughts could be wrong. How will it end? I don’t know but anything could spark that moment – a trigger on the bomb, someone with a pandemic and the ability to spread it or as

Abraham Lincoln said “…At what point, then, is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.”

The Doomsday Clock is set to – two and a half minutes to midnight, the Clock is ticking, global danger looms.

Bed bug signs & control – Bed bug Awareness Week day2

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Bed Bug Signs & control

Well it’s that time of year, school is out and the traveling begins. Whether at home or traveling for summer vacation, bed bugs could be a key concern. Although named for their habit of feeding on human hosts in bed, they can be found in all types of locations and items. To promote public awareness and to help avoid infestations, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) has declared June 4-10, 2017 as BedBug Awareness Week. ProBest Pest Management is joining NPMA in this important public education effort by sharing common signs of a bed bug infestation to keep an eye out for this summer.

“Just like people enjoy traveling in the summer months, so do bed bugs, and they love using personal belongings like suitcases, boxes and shoes as a hiding place, just to be near a food supply,” said Keith V. Birkemeyer aka Dr. Bug, at ProBest Pest Management in Gilbert, Arizona. “With these biting pests being easily transported, it’s important to know the top signs of an infestation, so proper precautions can be put in place and to know when it’s time to call a licensed pest control professional such as ProBest 480-831-9328 or call us at 623- 414-0176 to assess the situation.”

Concerns

Dr Bug shares the following noteworthy signs and symptoms of a possible bed bug infestation:

Small red to reddish brown fecal spots on mattresses, upholstery or walls
Molt bed bug skins, their white, sticky eggs or empty eggshells
Red, itchy bite marks, especially on the legs, arms and other body parts exposed while sleeping
Very heavily infested areas may have a characteristically sweet odor

“During the summer, travel increases and so does the likelihood of encountering bed bugs. We strongly encourage the public to take extra precautions to avoid encounters with these biting pests,” added Dr. Bug.”

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPdkNKRzajI[/embedyt] [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dg5JHS5tPm8[/embedyt]

Photo by NPMA

bed bug

Your home and Rodents

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Your home versus rats and mice

Home checks – always quite handy to keep a check on things, if you notice something unusual check it out and call your Pest Management Professional at 480-831-9328. I’ve advocated for years that you do a monthly check of your house and out buildings. This goes goes for your business as well, never hurts to just take a walk and check things out. Oh and another idea, when the Pest Operator shows up, explain what you think is going on. Always helps to get your perspective on the problems.

Check roof and base of house.
Fill in any holes.
Pick up fruit.
Check weep hole.
Check inside and outside.

Technology and you, what benefits are there?

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“How satellites are helping combat diseases spread by insects”

Well to use that phrase – We’ve come a long way. Technology continues to help the cause, satellites are capable of tracking insect movements and could potentially help us to forecast diseases and they have combined it into an phone app.

So these new technology items may one day show early warning signals of the risk of epidemics etc.

Amazing!

Another tick disease discovered

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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!

EndZone – Fly sticker

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A month or so ago, I mentioned this new product EndZone by FMC that really needed to be used by “Commercial Restaurants or Dairy Farms“. Recently at the Florida Pest & Lawn Care Expo, held Jan. 20-24, 2014, in Orlando it was voted “best new product“.

You know where I stand on flies, but this item really could be the saving grace for some businesses and farms. Just think of the flies this could get rid of and generations to come.

Hantavirus is serious, what precautions can you take?

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Alert: New Mexico Health Department confirms fatality in NorthWest New Mexico.

Hantavirus is a deadly disease transmitted by infected rodents through urine, droppings or saliva. People can contract the disease when they breathe in aerosolized virus.

CDC Hantavirus site

Tips:

Seal the home or cabin.
Trap or use outside rodent bait/trap stations to reduce numbers, I also suggest TickBoxes.
Reduce food sources, don’t leave out dog/cat food.
Don’t allow clutter to get the best of your home.
Trim trees and bushes.
When cleaning cabins or homes, use a dust mask and follow the CDC guidelines on cleaning.
Rodents cause other issues, be safe and follow CDC guidelines.

FMC does it again, 1st with Verifi and now Endzone!

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I have to say I’m pretty impressed with this new product from FMC, you also know how much I hate flies. They land on your food and then throw up and lap it back up, that is just gross. This device is a sticker that is discreet, affordable and incredibly easy to use. Here is the information from their sell sheet.

Coated in a sugar bait matrix (acetamiprid 4.4%) to attract filth flies
Proven knockdown in one minute
Effective for up to 7 months indoors and 4 months outdoors
Features a bittering agent
1000 square feet – use additional for heavy infestation

This is a great design which I’m sure will work well in all types of establishments and I personally can’t wait to work into my programs.

My Top 3 reasons why you need pest control, or do you?

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Pest control isn’t always needed at your home, but if you have issues you can either take care of it yourself or hire a Professional. I have written numerous home seals that categorically point out the advantages of hiring a pro for that job. There are those that believe that no matter the circumstance, it isn’t necessary to hire a professional. Here are the facts as I see them:

You may need experience and expertise.
Remember Bubonic Plague, Hanta Virus and other diseases are still present in the U.S. – “Rabbit test positive for Tularemia in Pueblo West, CO.”
Not every job can be accomplished by stepping on the bug.