Pest Control and Bug Exterminator Blog

World Record Millipede

The leggiest creature in the World can be found in California, but it’s not a runway model or a movie starlet.

The world’s leggiest creature happens to be a millipede, which sets a world record with its 750 legs.

Photograph by Paul Marek

The Elusive White Millipede (lllacme plenipes)

The word millipede literally translates to 1000 feet, but no millipede really has 1000 feet. The closest to reach the 1000 foot mark happens to be the lllacme plenipes millipede; which sets a world record with its 750 limbs. Most other species of millipede have between 80 and 100 legs. It’s name, lllacme plenipes, means “the acme of plentiful legs”

The lllacme plenipes millipede was first discovered in 1928 by scientists. It was thought to be extinct for much of the last century until Paul Marek, a University of Arizona entomologist, recently caught one in Silicon Valley, CA that happened to be a world record.

The elusive millipedes have only ever been found in a patch of grassy oak woodlands spanning about 1.7 square miles near Oakland and Berkeley, California. They measure a mere 3 centimeters in length, and look like a white piece of thread.

Photograph by Paul Marek

More Than Just a Great Set of Legs

The female lllacme plenipes millipedes have up to 750 legs, and males have more than 550. Besides it’s many legs, there are several other things that make this millipede unique. They include:

• Very rare- Only 17 ever caught
• A fused mouth has no known function
• Hairs on it’s back produce silk
• Sexually dimorphic
• Legs have claws for burrowing deep underground
• Needs moist fog to survive in the wild
• Cannot be cultured laboratories, needing an unknown food source not avaliable in labs

Threatened Insect

The lllacme plenipes millipede is one of the many threatened insects in the world. Scientists say the millipede’s existence is being threatened as human development infringes on the small region in Northern California where the millipede is found. Climate change is also playing a large factor in the extinction of the millipede, vaporizing the fog that keeps it’s habitat moist.

It would be a shame for this rare and peculiar species to disappear completely before we can learn more about it.

Photograph by Paul Marek

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Anthony Ball

President Obama Re-Elected For Second Term 

The highly contested 2012 election has come to an end, with President Barack Obama coming out victorious over Governor Mitt Romney. The President retained a second term from an extremely divided nation and electorate. This was illustrated by the popular vote, which Romney lead most of the election night; eventually closing with Obama obtaining 58,720,700 (50.1%) votes to Romney’s 56,145,950 (48.4 %).

This Country’s voters who elected President Obama to another four years, also elected a divided congress. Republicans re-established their majority in the House of Representatives, and the Democrats will keep control over the Senate. As pest control operators, we will wait and see what affects this has on our industry.

What the 2012 Election Means For Pest Control Operators 

With congressional seats up for grabs, pest control operators were not only watching the presidential race, we were watching the congressional races as well. Should some environmental activists gain more control, of both houses, there is a possibility that they could potentially push through significant amounts of legislation that will impact the pest control industry.

Bob Rosenberg, Senior VP of The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) says:

“An environmental movement is re-gaining its footing, and will have the potential to create legislative and regulatory challenges for pest management professionals. There are people in positions of authority that have a long history of going after our industry.”

Knowing this, the National Pest Control Association Political Action Committee, which is/was a PAC qualified committee, contributed tens of thousands of dollars to the 2012 election; according to the most recent FEC filing. Other pest control contributions varied from state to state, depending on the particular legislation.

Most pest control experts believe, with a balance in both houses now, we can expect to see more of the same in the industry. It is unknown how much legislation will change, but our Nation’s elected leaders will strive to make the industry more regulated, with safer pesticides.

Going Forward 

All of us here at Bulwark Exterminating want to congratulate everybody who participated in this year’s election. Whether your candidates won or lost, we should all be thankful to live in these United States. As fellow Americans, and pest control professionals, it is one of our greatest civic duties to vote. We appreciative the opportunities we have to do so, and truly believe that every vote does count.

While our nation and industry is politically divided at this time, it’s best that we all come together and find some common ground to build this Country and help make it better.

God Bless America!

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Anthony Ball

A New Discovery of Rare ‘Headless’ Ladybug

It is said that if a ladybug lands on you it is a sign of good luck. This old myth proved to be accurate when a Montana State University student discovered a new species of ladybug that appeared to be headless.

Ross Winton made the discovery in a trap he set at a sand dune in southwest Montana. The MSU entomology graduate student was rather perplexed when he first saw the insect, thinking it was some kind of headless beetle. As scientists further examined the specimen, they were able to determine that the insect was actually a ladybug. The scientists also discovered the ladybug actually does have a head, but it’s hidden inside it’s thorax, much like a tortoise with it’s head tucked into it’s shell.

There have only been two specimens of the tan, pinhead-sized ladybug ever collected, with another female ‘headless’ ladybug found 90 miles away in Idaho. Scientists say that this ‘headless’ ladybug is the rarest species in the United States, and is quite an accomplishment considering the ladybug isn’t much larger that a grain of sand.

Scientists generally use male species to catalogue and name new discoveries, so Ross Winton was given the naming right to the rare ladybug. He decided to name it Aleenius Iviei after one of his Montana State University professors. It’s common name will be “Winton Labybird Beetle.”

Using Ladybugs as Natural Pest Control

Ladybugs are quite amazing creatures. Aside from being a favorite insect among young children, ladybugs are a favorite among homeowners and gardeners as well. They are considered beneficial insects, because many species feed on aphids, spider mites, and mealy bugs that traditionally wreak havoc on crops and destroy gardens.

Some homeowners and gardeners have a lot of success introducing beneficial insects into their gardens, flower beds, and property. These natural exterminators can provide a very useful pest control service. By providing appropriate living conditions, which require very little support, homeowners can encourage the growth and development of ladybugs and other beneficial insects.

Keep Your Eyes Open

The discovery of this new ‘headless’ ladybug is quite exciting news for pest control operators and insect enthusiasts alike. Scientists predict that humans have only discovered 20 percent of the world’s insects. Next time you’re out camping, or even in your front yard, keep a look out for any bug that appears to be out of the ordinary… You might discover a new species and get to name it!

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A Commitment To Pest Control

The University of Illinois in Champaign, along with its researches and scientists, are now supporting pest control efforts worldwide thanks to a very generous donation from a former alum.

Roy Barker, a former graduate student at the University of Illinois, donated just over $1 million to establish an endowed faculty position that will research all things insects. The hope is that the university’s entomology department will now be able to recruit top researchers to better understand insects and how to best control them.

The donor, Roy Barker, grew up on a Missouri farm and witnessed his family’s crops be destroyed by troublesome insects like crickets, grasshoppers, and flies. This motivated him to study insect control, and the best ways to eliminate pests more effectively.

Barker, who passed away earlier this year, received his Ph.D. in entomology from the University of Illinois in 1953. He spent his career working in research labs for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and in industry.

A Decline In Research Funding

This commitment to insect and pest research is a breath of fresh air in a time where cash-strapped universities seem to be more concerned about competing athletically on the field then improving research efforts in the areas of science and technology. While millions of dollars go to the funding of athletic teams, coaches and facilities, per-student funding for public universities has steadily declined 37 percent since 2002.

The latest report from the National Science Board, the governing body for the National Science Foundation, found that Illinois’ 37 percent decline in per-student funding was the fourth-largest cut in the country.

University of Illinois officials are pointing to Barker’s donation as a key example of how they are continually relying on private donations as state money has declined.

Funding Educates World’s Citizens About Pest Control

The university has used some of the $1 million donation to start a program expected to develop computer animations that will help educate people around the world about how to safely eliminate pests that threaten their crops. One video, for example, explains how farmers can make a chemical-free solution using seeds and water to spray on the crops.

The donation is also helping to kick-start additional pest control programs, and gives the university more flexibility to try out new things.

Good News For Pest Control Operators

As pest control operators, we understand that the pests we treat on a daily basis are constantly evolving. They are becoming more and more resistant to our treatment plans and immune to our pesticides. Continued research in the field is needed so the world’s pest control operators can stay one step ahead of the pests. Donations like the one Roy Barker made to The University of Illinois will go along way in better understanding our adversary.

All of us here at Bulwark Pest Control commend the efforts of Roy Barker, and other pest control pioneers, for their constant and continued efforts to better understand the world’s pests.  

Source: The Chicago Tribune

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As pest control professionals, we already know that the do-it-yourself “bombs” or “foggers” that target bedbugs by filling entire rooms with aerosol insecticide are ineffective. Although these products are indeed cheap, retailing at hardware stores for around $10, you’re likely to get what you pay for. We also know that the liquid solutions and all natural oils are equally ineffective in treating bedbugs. Now the Federal Trade Commission is taking action against some of the companies marketing them.

The Federal Trade Commission

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them.

They have charged the marketing companies RMB Group and Cedarcide, as well as the individuals behind them, with deceptive advertising for claiming that their products can eliminate and prevent future bedbug infestations. The Cedarcide defendants are also charged with making deceiving claims that the federal government endorses and is affiliated with their products.

RMB Group Charges

Rest Easy, marketed by RMB Group, is a liquid solution containing all natural ingredients like peppermint, cinnamon, lemongrass, and clove. It can be bought at retailers like: Walgreens, Big Lots, and Bed Bath & Beyond. The FTC complaint charges that the RMB Group defendants make unsupported claims that Rest Easy kills and repels bedbugs, and that a consumer can create a barrier against them by spraying the product around a bed.

The FTC has fined the makers of Rest Easy almost $265,000, and has banned the company from making claims that its product kills or repels bedbugs, and creates a barrier against them. The FTC has further banned them from making any claims about the performance of their products unless they have been backed by proficient scientific evidence.

Cedarcide Charges

Best Yet, marketed by Cedarcide Industries, is a cedar oil-based liquid that claims it will treat and prevent bedbug infestations. Their product is sold nation-wide, including commercially. A bottle costs around $30, but they also offer a hotel bedbug eradication kit for $3,400.

• The FTC has charged Cedarcide with making the following false claims:
• That Best Yet will prevent bedbug infestations, and that it’s more effective than synthetic pesticides
• That scientific studies confirm Best Yet is effective at stopping and preventing bed bug infestations, and that it is more effective than synthetic pesticides at doing so
• The Environmental Protection Agency has warned consumers to avoid all synthetic pesticides for treating bed bug infestations
• Best Yet was invented for the U.S. Army at the request of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and that the USDA has acknowledged the product as the number one choice of bio-based pesticides.

What This Means for Pest Control Companies

The actions by the Federal Trade Commission are clearly good news for both the consumer and for pest control operators. During this recent bedbug epidemic, consumers have been looking for the lowest cost solutions to their bedbug infestations. They have been turning to these ineffective products as a solution, instead of calling a local pest control professional to get the job done.

These FTC actions go a long way in educating consumers about ineffective pest control products, but we need to continue educating the consumer as well–Professional exterminators are your most effective option when it comes to effective eliminating bedbugs in your home.

Your thoughts?

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The Associated Press recently reported about an Arizona woman who was charged more than $83,000 by her local hospital for receiving the scorpion anti-venom Anascorp.

Marcie Edmonds was billed by Chandler Regional Medical Center for multiple doses of anti-venom priced at $40,000 per dose. Edmonds’ insurance ended up covering over $57,000 of the bill, but the hospital is still expecting her to cover the remaining $25,000 of the cost.

Back in November of 2011, Arizona hospitals were reportedly charging more than $12,000 per vile of Anascorp. A patient’s total bill was reaching beyond $50,000 because they were being given five or six doses at the time of treatment.

Is It Necessary?

Contrary to popular belief, nearly all scorpion stings in Arizona are not fatal. While the bark scorpion is considered the most toxic, and thereby the “most deadly”, cases of fatality are few and far between.  Scorpions stings will surely cause an immense amount of pain, but the lingering affects vary from person to person. Most victims simply feel numbness and pain in the area for a few days. Temporary paralysis can be a  more severe outcome, but it is less common. Cases of severe reaction and even death are typically a result of an allergic reaction to the toxins in the scorpion’s venom and a lack of medical attention. If one has no known allergies to bites or stings, from a bee for example, then the likelihood of severe reaction to a scorpion sting is greatly limited. Adults will handle scorpion venom introduced into their system much better than children, as a larger and heavier body is more capable of metabolizing through the venom at a faster rate.

Results have shown that a sufficient dosage of Anascorp can lower the pain and recovery time to under four hours. But is that worth spending several thousands of dollars to spark your body to do what it will most likely do on its own?

At What Cost?

Bulwark Exterminating primarily offers two service plans – every month and every other month. A one year every month plan will cost a total of $623. An every other month plan will cost $440. If a customer happens to live in Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Antonio or Austin, they can also request Bulwark’s revolutionary Scorpion Truck service, which applies a max dosage of product to the exterior of the house. The Scorpion Truck is included as part of a customer’s initial treatment appointment. As an added service Bulwark also offers a “Scorpion Seal”, an application of Teflon tape to all entry points of the exterior and interior of the home. This service runs at an average of $1,500 for an average sized house, but is a service we seldom perform. Customers typically stick with one of the two service plans and see beyond satisfactory results.

A customer with a no nonsense, take no chances and/or prisoners attitude who goes with an every month plan, plus the seal, would play $1,123 in the first year of service. Based off 2011 Anascorp prices, that is a savings 91% of the cost of only one vile of anti-venom. Based off the 2012 prices of Anascorp experienced by our friend in Chandler, a $1,123 deluxe package is nearly a 99% savings over a treatment of Anasorp. Curse that inflation!

These numbers purely reflect the price difference between a dose of Anascorp and one’s potential hospital bill. Not calculated are additional expenditures such as gas consumption to and from the nearest hospital with a ready supply of Anascorp, time lost from work if a loved-one or relative must clock out in order to assist the victim with travel to seek treatment, possible food bills if one must eat out while the victim is receiving treatment. Maybe even a stop at Cold Stone Creamery on the way home, because that is definitely part of the recovery process.

The price of pest control vs. $83,000 of hospital bills

Seattle Tunnel Dig Could Bring Rats and Cockroaches To Surface 

The big dig along theSeattlewaterfront that will build a traffic tunnel could also displace scores of rats and cockroaches.Pestcontrol experts say the pests will flee the massive construction project for quieter homes and food.

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2019141467_apwatunnelrats1stldwritethru.html?syndication=rss

What To Look For When Hiring A Pest Control Company 

Here are some criteria our customers are taking into consideration when they are looking to hire a pest control professional. As a pest control operator, look to align yourself with most of these demands to be successful in the industry.

http://smithereenpestblog.com/2012/09/13/what-to-look-for-when-hiring-a-pest-control-company/ 

Prevention and Elimination of Slugs and Snails 

Many people are familiar with the old “pour salt on the slugs and snails and watch them shrivel up” philosophy. However,Grand Rapidspest control agents do not recommend this method because it can alter the chemical make-up of your ground, causing even more damage than what’s already occurred due to the slugs and snails. For some great alternatives on preventing and eliminating slugs and snails from your garden read:

http://www.pinnaclepestcontrol.com/grand-rapids-pest-control/prevention-and-elimination-of-slugs-and-snails/ 

Stung By A Scorpion? Now What? 

Our friends at Pest Control San Antonio offer some excellent tips on what to do if you are stung by a scorpion. Make sure to check out:

http://pestcontrolsanantonio.com/2012/09/stung-by-a-scorpion-now-what/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=stung-by-a-scorpion-now-what 

Remove a Hornet’s Nest the Right Way 

Here’s a great read on removing a hornet’s nest from your property. ARAB Pest offers some advice from getting outfitted, to your weapon of choice, and acting quickly possibly at night.

http://www.yespestpros.com/pest-control/remove-a-hornet%E2%80%99s-nest-the-right-way/ 

Pest Control: All You Ever Wanted To Know About Slugs and Snails

For a complete breakdown on snails and slugs, including their differences, check out:

http://www.customizedlawncare.com/hartford-pest/pest-control-all-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-slugs-and-snails/ 

Centuries Old Australian Wasp Is Redback Spider’s Worst Enemy 

EvenAustralia’s most common dangerous spider is no match for a nearly forgotten 200 year old flying insect, according to recent findings.

http://macclesfieldpestcontrol.com/2012/09/centuries-old-australian-wasp-is-redback-spiders-worst-enemy/

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Tuesday, September 11th 2001 started off as any normal day for most of us in the world. We were eating our oatmeal, thinking about everything we had to get done for the day. We were taking our kids to school, and heading to our own jobs. A few of us were even waking up to greet a birthday or a wedding anniversary, but none of us had any idea it would be a day, and a date, etched on the memory of the world forever.

Eleven years later, we all still remember that day. Most of us remember exactly where we were and what we were doing when we heard the horrible news. I was waiting in line at a bank drive thru, on my way to my freshman chemistry class, when I turned on the radio and was shocked to hear two planes had crashed into each of the World Trade Center buildings. We later heard the horrific news that additional planes had crashed into a Pennsylvania field and the Pentagon building respectively.

All together, 2,996 innocent people lost their lives. They were mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, sons and daughters. They were taken from us suddenly and far too soon.

Eleven years from that tragic day, many of us can still close our eyes, and remember in almost near perfect detail, those painful moments when grief somberly crashed over us like a tidal wave. Americans the world over held each other tight, seeking the assurance that the country we knew and loved wasn’t collapsing under our feet.

Our memories will always be fresh, along with our sympathy for the victims and their families. As painful as this day is, and always will be, it leaves us with a lesson that no single event can ever destroy who we are as a nation. No act of terrorism can ever change what we stand for. Instead, we recommit ourselves to the values that we believe in, holding firmly without wavering.

For all of us here at Bulwark Pest Control, we will never forget those innocent people, whose lives were lost September 11th 2001. We are grateful for the opportunities afforded to us in this Country, and are grateful to those who continue to defend it against any further acts of terror.

We will never forget.

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news (Photo credit: JSF539)

Fruit fly sex lives impact effectiveness of pest control strategies

Scientists in Australia have been hard at work watching fruit flies mate to figure out how fly sex is affecting your food. During this process they are discovering more effective pest control strategies. For a great read, check out:

http://nittygrittyscience.com/2012/09/06/fruit-fly-sex-lives-impact-effectiveness-of-pest-control-strategies/

Mosquitoes Plague the Northwest as West Nile Cases Increase

Recent rains, warm weather, and high humidity have made mosquito control in the Northwest challenging. The number of foreclosed properties in the area, with their sometimes un-kept swimming pools and scattered backyard debris that’s collecting water, is making mosquito control more difficult.

http://blog.pestcontrolceus.com/mosquitoes-plague-canyon-hills-neighborhood-as-west-nile-cases-increase/

New Kind of Ant Discovered in New York City

We can now add one more type of ant to the 13,000 plus known breeds in the world. A new type of ant was discovered by a biologist earlier this week near 63^rd and Broadway in New York City.

http://www.longislandpestcontrolblog.com/2012/09/06/new-type-of-new-york-ant/

Scorpion Sting Leaves Arizona Woman With Massive $83,000 Bill

Our friends at Pest Control Mesa AZ bring us this unfortunate story coming out of Phoenix. Imagine being in your garage, opening a box of air conditioner filters, when you are suddenly stung by a scorpion—and that’s not even the worst part! Read all about it at:

http://pestcontrolmesaaz.com/scorpion-sting-leaves-arizona-woman-with-massive-83000-bill/

Top 10 Considerations when Hiring Pest Control Companies

Here are ten criteria our customers are taking into consideration when they are looking to hire a pest control professional. As a pest control operator, look to align yourself with most of these demands to be successful in the industry.

http://xtremeartandentertaiment.blogspot.com/2012/09/top-10-considerations-for-pest-control.html

The Basics of Dust Mites

For all the ins and outs about dust might behavior, including: where they like to hide, how they get into your home, and the health concerns they can cause, check out:

http://www.richterslawncare.com/detroit-pest/the-basics-of-dust-mites/

Florida harvester ant polymorphic workers (Photo credit: bob in swamp)

Contrary to popular belief, Al Gore did not create the internet– Ants may have thousands of years ago.

New research from Stanford University suggests that Harvester Ants use their own type of internet, or “anternet,” for decision making inside the nest. These ant colonies are able to determine how many foragers need to be sent out by using a protocol system that is similar to the one IT professionals use to find out how much bandwidth is accessible on the internet.

Harvester Ant Evolution

It has long been thought by scientists that there may be some connection between ant behavior and computer science. Biologist Deborah Gordon and computer scientist Balaji Prabhaker of Stanford University have verified in this research that ant decision making and behavior is synchronized by a complex set of algorithms. It is suggested in the research that Harvester Ants have developed these algorithms over the course of millions of years of insect evolution, and that they still continue to evolve.

Transmission Control Protocol

After observing the Harvester Ants, the Stanford scientists were able to determine that the ants were using an algorithm similar to Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). TCP was a significant advancement in the formation of the internet. It permitted information technologists to take the internet from a few dozen nodes to the billions currently in use today. It works by moving a file from a source to the destination in a series of packets. The source is continually informed by the destination as to when the packets have arrived. So, if it’s taking too long, there must not be much bandwidth available, and the source will re-adjust by decreasing the rate of packet transmission.

TCP and Harvester Ants

Harvester Ants use their own type of TCP to determine how much food is available based on information brought back from the worker ants. The workers leave the nest in search of food. They harvest pollen directly from plants, gather dead insects, and forage for fallen seeds. Workers usually forage for only one specific type of food each day, changing their specialty daily, and will only return to the colony after it finds food. If the amount of food available is high, a higher number of worker ants will return. They’ll transmit acknowledgment messages, through the antennae, to the rest of the colony about the abundance of food. Much like TCP controls the release of data depending on bandwidth, the Harvester Ant colony will release worker ants depending on the amount of food.

What These Findings Mean for Pest Control Operators

All this new research is just confirming what many of us pest control operators already know… A Harvester Ant colony’s nest must be directly treated, not just the areas affected by the foraging ants. The foraging ants may be few, or many, depending on the TCP release of ants. No matter the number of foraging ants on a property, there will be thousands more inside the actual nest. Harvester Ant colonies will occur in open areas, and only have a single opening near the top of a dirt/gravel mound. There will be no vegetation within a three foot radius of the mound, and colonies are widely separated. Workers ants forage April thru September– Foraging throughout the day during cooler months, and only 5–11 am and 3–9 pm during the summer. Ant insecticide should be applied directly to the colony’s nest during the warmest part of the day when the ants are least active.

What Else Will Harvester Ants Teach Us?

Harvester ants continue to amaze us all with their capabilities. Working together as a collective, they are able of performing remarkably complicated responsibilities. As they continue to evolve, these ants may continue to teach our society more and more about network systems.

Source: io9.com

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