Pest Control and Bug Exterminator Blog

You may call them winter pest. You may call them holiday visitors. We call them seasonal invaders. They are the bugs and insects that strike when the cold weather approaches.  These winter visitors seek the warmth and comfort of your beautiful home.  Crawling in every crack and crevasse they can to escape the pending winter. They include pests such as spiders, crickets, centipedes, millipedes, springtails and mice.  All of these pests are known to invade your home during those months that most people consider to have low pest activity.

It is true that many pests die off for the winter, or go into hibernation, or retreat to their winter forts, such as ants.  But there are many pests that would rather not take a winter vacation.  Instead they fly, crawl, or jump to the more tropical weather provided by the shelter you know as your house.  For this reason, residential pest control shouldn’t be skipped for the winter months.  There are in wall treatments that can be done, or other exterior fortifications that should be applied to keep your home bug free all year long.  Skipping service for a few months could mean that spring cleaning will be even more intense.  And in certain areas, like Tulsa, OK, this letting down of your bug guard could mean letting in the local brown recluse.  And fall is certainly still high scorpion activity.  Is it really worth risking your family’s safety by letting your pest control maintenance slip for a month or two?

Ideally, you should continue to have your home treated even when you believe that all the pests are taking a winter break.  Just like cleaning out your garage, its best to keep it clean and not let the clutter biuld up again.

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After a recent visit from an exterminator declaring they were indeed infested with bed bugs the Wilmington Fire Station threw out mattresses, upholstered furniture and carpets, anything that might be housing the bed bugs.   And these little blood suckers cost more then a few drops of blood.  The total cost to the fire station was over $5000 between the loss of the furniture and the pest controller’s bill of $800+.

ABC reported on the matter first.  Also citing a CDC saying bedbugs are up by 500% over the last few years.  Considering that bed bugs had been virtually eradicated from the US over 20 years ago, that number doesn’t do the Bed Bug epidemic justice.

Fortunately doctors still have not found any serious health risks associated with bedbugs or the spread of disease through bedbugs.

Interesting points specifically about this bed bug case – Was it really necessary to throw out all the furniture?

Perhaps not, but throwing away old mattresses that need to be replaced anyways will certainly help cure a bed bug problem.  Perhaps consumers should consider the old adage, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

And prevention is easy.  A proper mattress cover will thwart any attacks made by bedbugs on your resting place. Yes, it really is that simple.  No need to pay $300 per room as some exterminators quote for bedbug treatments.

Get a mattress cover today so you can rest easy… pun intended.

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Yes it seems that the Wall Street Journal hit the nail on the head.  Even the big dogs in pest control are moving toward green pest control options.  In fact, the world’s largest pest control service now offers an All Natural pest control product.  Apparently they have been testing out different products and have found one they are happy with.  They even appear to have beat out the other large national competitors. Green is the thing.

All of this goes to show that Bulwark is still ahead of the curve.  As featured in the Wall Street Journal, Bulwark not only offers an All Natural Pest Control solution, but the customers on the service are happy with the service.  And the regular service that Bulwark offers is still the same low impact pest control solution that Bulwark has always promoted. As Bulwark’s executive put it:

When it comes to safety, Bulwark puts its technicians and employees first.  I know that may sound a little backwards since I said the technicians safety is my primary focus, but let me explain. I am most concerned about the technicians health as they are the individuals most exposed to the products.  I read the labels and MSDS for the pest products.  I have even gone beyond the MSDS of the product and into the MSDS records of the ingredients.  I have opted not use all natural products that contain silica due to research from other industries on this organic ingredient… Once I am satisfied that my technician’s health will be fine with products we use then in turn I know that the customers, their families, and their pets will be okay.

Bulwark’s leader puts it the best, if the technician is safe then customers will be as well, its the natural result of doing what’s best for everyone.

Ask for Bulwark’s All Natural Pest Control Service

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Manitoba Health concludes that the numbers of Culex tarsalis mosquitoes,  mosquitoes known for carrying the West Nile Virus, are beginning to increase. The adult mosquito population is contingent on weather and pest control remedies. The weather will determine if their is enough moisture for the mosquitoes to reproduce. If the temperatures stay hot, and rains decline, allowing for  groundwater levels to fall then the normal water puddles and pools will dry kiling off the mosquitoes’ offspring. Pest control actions we take around our homes and properties to eliminate or treat stagnant waters used by mosquitoes will also determine severity of mosquito bites.  Quick tip, Mosquito Dunks are one of the best pest solutions for controlling mosquitoes in water bodies found around homes and property. As mosquitoes often don’t fall under the normal pest control service protection plans, you will want to apply these remedies yourself.

Mosquitoes do pose a health risk.  In fact, Salt Lake is reporting that mosquitoes in Utah county are indeed infected with West Nile virus, and while there are no infected humans at this point individuals should use repellent. Bug spray is especially important to apply after sunset, when mosquitoes carrying West Nile emerge.  Of the 2008 incidents in Utah none were fatal, and of 2007 incidents 2 were fatal.

So for your own safety: USE BUG REPELLENT WHEN OUTDOORS.

kennetht Do It Yourself, General Pest Control, Health Risks Exterminators, health. mosquito, insect control, mosquitoes, pest control industry, pest control service, service

Green Pest Control – Dallas TX Conference

Green is the thing especially during Green week. The yellow brick road is now green. Pest control is no different. Green Pest control is the new buzz. But what does it mean? What is green pest control?

Is the pest control company green or are they just “Green Washing” ?

This brings back memories of the 80’s “Light” craze. Everything was going “Lite”, “Light food”, “Lite Beer”, “Lite Cheese”, stick a light label on it and it was hot. It’s the “New and Improved” sells pitch. Or try “No Calories” for water that never had calories. “Fat Free” gelatins, no fat all sugar. “Reduced Fat Mayo” sure you’ve gone down in fat nano grams, but shouldn’t you just skip the mayo all together? We went through and are still suffering from the “Low-Carb” label. From craze, rave, wave, to the grave. The problem with the newest fad is that being new makes it unknown and the results unsure. Fortunately the rage that is worthwhile leaves its everlasting impression. And we believe that green means better, better for you and better for the earth.

“Greener is Cleaner”

The problem still remains, “What is Green Pest Control?”

Unfortunately after day 1 of The Green Pest Management Conference, there is still no concrete answer. Being green is still too new for most of the pest control industry. The best way to say it is that Green comes in shades. There is the “100% Organic group”, the “All Naturals”, and the much looser “Mix and Match”. More of a hybrid approach.

Bulwark’s stance, forget the label and the hype, we know and have always known that the customer wants the most effective and the safest pest control solution. If you label green as using the most effective solution with the least amount of exposure to families, children, pets, water, and the environment then you can label Bulwark Green. Bulwark began its service with an in-wall treatment plan, no baseboard spraying, and using products that had been used and proven in agriculture pest control. Bulwark was one of the first pest control companies to feature EcoSmart products. Bulwark has always been aware of a customers concern about the safety of their family. Bulwark has always tried to do what we feel is best for the environment. Call it what you want. If you ask me, yes were are green, always have been a shade of green,… and a very dark green if you look at the logo…

and getting greener.

Always moving, always improving. Or as our employees have so lovingly phrased it, “Bulwark means Change” … The world is evolving, shouldn’t your pest control?

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Bed bugs have become a major concern for pest control companies.  Calls for bed bug service are pouring in around the nation.  The National Management Control Association says they’ve seen a 71% increase in bed bug related calls.  New York reported that bed bug infestations increased 34% during the past year. Where are these bed bugs coming from?  Why are bed bugs on the rise?

Authorities want to point fingers at international travelers.  They believe that individuals traveling abroad bring back the pests in clothes and in suit cases. Travelers within the US may also pick up these pests from hotels that are frequented by international travelers and bring them home. But what’s even more frightening is that idea that these bed bugs are moving out of the bed and into couches, airplanes, and movie theaters! …YIKES!

After a 50 year slump these bugs are back with a vengeance.  And Pest Control companies are perplexed on how to solve the problem.  They don’t fall under general pest control treatments.  Realistically it takes special equipment and several interior treatments to rid a home of bed bugs.  Plus its recommended that residents wash all of their laundry around the same time to kill of any bed bugs that are hiding in clothes. And according to pest control companies that attended the recent EPA: National Bed Bug Summit ,”Residents are a problem and are sometimes unwilling to cooperate or engage in behaviors to manage pests”  ….Residents are a further nuisance because… “Preventative and ongoing inspection is necessary to address the problem, … residents and property managers  do not  cooperate  or do not consider pest inspections to be a priority” The conclusion therefore is that IPM which integrates the residents doesn’t work.

It seems that ultimately those in attendance still don’t have a solid solution for controlling bed bugs.  They made suggestions like “Property managers must be certified pest control operators to treat their own properties.” to ideas like “Pest Control Companies should be certified in bed bugs and there should be a national accrediting body for those pest control operators.”  In the end, the biggest complaint from PCOs was that the EPA has restricted the use of products that use to work for bed bugs. So it seems they believe the only solution using the current products is a program that both the residents and PCOs can work together on and both share some of the burdens of failure or success. Needless to say,  “We need to educate the public” was among the better solutions they came up with at the summit. So at least they all seemed to agree on one thing… There is a Bed Bug Epidemic and that the public needs to know about it.

But don’t worry they plan on holding another Bed Bug Summit to further discuss the problem and possible solutions.

Read EPA’s Full report here: http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/cb/ppdc/bedbug-summit/partic-recom.pdf

Bed Bugs 2009 summit was held April 14th.

New bed bug site that proves useful and interesting: www.bugsinmybed.com 1/12/2010

Got Bed Bugs?

Do-It-Yourself Bed Bug Control

kennetht Bulwark Family, General Pest Control, Health Risks, Uncategorized bed bug epidemic, bed bugs, EPA, General Pest Control, health, industry news, industry standards, IPM, management, pest control, pest control companies, service

2009 will be a Bad Scorpion Year.

Recent reports in Phoenix indicate a rise in scorpions stings being reported to the local health facilities.  Online traffic to scorpion related pest control sites, like Austin Scorpion Control.com and Las Vegas Scropion Control. com have seen a large increase in visitors.  And local pest control companies in Las Vegas, and Phoenix confirm that scorpion calls are up.  All signs point to a bad scorpion year.

What’s the cause?

Scorpion sitings and stings are likely on the rise due to colder wetter weather.  The wetter weather produces more vegetation, more pests, and in turn more food for scorpions.  Scorpions are arachnids and like spiders they feed on other insects. So when the insect population booms, so does the scorpion population.  The reason a colder winter generates more scorpions stings and calls is because the scorpions are heading indoors.  Scorpions can go inactive for the winter, but if the weather changes from cold to warm and back to cold, or if the ground freezes early, then the scorpions that have not gone inactive or the inactive scorpions that become active again with the changes, immediately look to find better warmer harborage.  And what better place to find constant warm weather then your home?

So the scorpion rise is due to the wetter weather and the general rise in pests.  The scorpion stings and calls are due to more scorpions moving indoors. Most scorpion stings occur indoors.

Can you control scorpions?

That all depends on who you ask.  Many people say you can’t control scorpions.  Many pest control professionals will tell you that in order to get rid of scorpions you have to kill off their food supply, i.e. the other bugs. So what they are saying is that they are only willing to give you a generic pest control treatment and nothing specific to control scorpions.  With that approach they are probablly right in that they can’t really control scorpions.  But some companies believe they can and do control scorpions.  They call it Scorpion Control Science.

Are Scorpion Stings Dangerous?

Scorpion stings can be very dangerous.  The toxins are rarely fatal in humans and for most the sting isn’t much worse then a bee sting.  However, scorpions stings can be fatal to those that have an allergic reaction.  It is estimated by the American Athsmatic society that up to 5% of the population could have an allergic reaction. It is advised that if you experience any severe reactions to the scorpion sting that you call your local poison control for assistance.

kennetht General Pest Control, Health Risks scorpion control, scorpion stings, scorpions, spiders, stings

For those working in the industry there could not exist a more important equation dealing with safety.
Risk = Toxicity x Exposure

Understanding this is imperative. The goal is always to minimize risk or ultimately eliminate risk if possible. As a service manager I would always try to hammer this into our technician’s mindset. Worrying about our customer’s and technician’s safety is cardinal when it comes to effective pest control maintenance. I would always advise our technicians to especially be cautious when handling pesticides. The reason is “Exposure.” Technicians are consistently exposed to pesticides if they are not wearing proper PPE. Although the chemical may be of low toxicity, because there is a high risk of exposure while applying pesticides; Risk increases:

(Low Toxicity) * (Daily Exposure) = High Risk

Always read the label, and apply pesticides with the recommended Personal Protective Equipment.

KT

Bulwark Exterminating

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