Friday Link Round-Up

Interview with Clark Pest Control’s Coach Robert Sperling 

Many pest control operators wear multiple hats. This happens to be the case for Clark Pest Control’s Robert Sperling, who also serves as a high school football coach. Read his compelling interview here.

Watch Out For Brown Recluse Spiders When Unpacking Winter Clothes 

Brown recluse spiders are notorious for hiding out in stored boots, coats, and sweaters packed away in your basement or attic. While these spiders are not aggressive, they can be very dangerous if accidentally encountered. More…

Bulwark Pest Control Receives Prestigious Angie’s List Award 

Bulwark Exterminating recently received the prestigious Angie’s List Super Service award for eight of their branches. They award is only given to the top five percent of companies reviewed on Angie’s List. Impressive! More…

Why Termite Inspections Are an Essential Part of Real Estate Transactions 

No one wants to end up with buyer’s remorse, especially when a home is at stake. Before you finalize your closing paperwork, it’s important that the building you are buying is inspected for termites. Current or past termite infestation can affect property value, future expenses, and even safety. More…

Opossum Removal in Baton Rouge 

For some information of why opossums are considered pests, how you identify them, and what to do if they get inside your home, click here.

Pest Of The Week: Armyworms 

Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Armyworms are the caterpillar life stage of a moth. Also called Fall Armyworms, these pests have been discovered in most regions of the United States, and have increased in severity; over the past few years. These species of caterpillars are approximately 1.5 to 2 inches in length, dull yellow to gray, with stripes running down the length of their body.

The Armyworm’s name is derived from its feeding habits. Quite simply, this pest will eat everything in an area, and once the food supply is exhausted; the entire “army” moves to the next available food source. If left to multiply, Armyworms can cause widespread damage to agricultural grass crops, such as small grains and corn, and because of this; are regarded as a serious agricultural pest control problem.

Populations of armyworms are typically kept in check by natural means, though population booms can occur, generally after a drought. The best way to avoid lawn pests is to keep grass healthy Grass that is dense and deep-rooted will shrug off a bit of nibbling.

Yellow-striped Armyworm Moth (Photo credit: Dendroica cerulea)

Related articles

• Armyworms devastate crops in Zambia, threatening food security
• Bay Area Termite And Pest Control Announces Newly Expanded Commercial Property Lawn-Weed-Control Division
• Eliminate’Em Pest Control Services Offers $40.00 off Bed Bug Treatments For The New Year
• The Evolution of Modern Pest Management, presented by Jeff McGovern

Anthony Ball

Pest Of The Week: True Chinch Bug

The True Chinch bug is a small insect, native to the United States, and quite common in the Mid-western States.

Adults may vary in body color, ranging from dark red to brown, with white wings; and red legs. Due to their small size, reaching about 4 millimeters in length, the True Chinch bug is hardly noticeable. As such, they can become a pest control problem for unsuspecting homeowners. True Chinch bugs are notorious for devouring the stems of delicate turf-grass.

In most cases, an effective pest control strategy against the True Chinch bug will include the application of a pesticide, and/or the introduction of pest-resistant grasses. Furthermore, because this pest prefers hot, dry, and sunny conditions, the true chinch bug population is sharply reduced in moist, warm, and humid climates; especially when heavy rains are present.

Weekly Pest Control Links Round-Up

Chinch Bugs Causing Brown Lawn Spots? 

If you are seeing brown spots on your lawn this year, there may be a chance you have chinch bugs. These pests (our pest of the week) feed on grass and can eventually kill it. More…

One Man’s Clutter Is A Pest’s Home 

There are several different kinds of pests that love clutter. Organizing and cleaning can go along way in helping to control spiders, mice, and bed bugs. More…

Pest Control Marketing Tip #2 – Homeless Man Learns Powerful Marketing Lesson! 

Pest Control Marketing guru Hal Coleman shares a true story about how a homeless man was able to dramatically increase the $$ people gave him by simply changing the wording on the cardboard sign he held. Click here to watch the video.

Prevent Bed Bugs from Going Back to School 

The new college semester has just begun, and there are a few steps you can take to prevent these tiny blood-sucking bedbugs from infesting your college dorm; a heavily populated place that bedbugs like to frequent. More…

Bulwark Awarded Angie’s List Super Service Award 

Bulwark Pest Control’s Las Vegas branch got some good news this week as they discovered they received the Angie’s List Super Service Award. To learn more about what it all means, click here.

A Brief History of the War Between Humans and Bed Bugs

The world has been battling bedbugs for centuries, and has discovered several different ways to eradicate these tiny pests over the years. To learn of their history, click here.

Related articles

• Anderson Pest Solutions Receives Angie’s List 2012 Super Service Award
• Name the bed bug! Tracking down the critters that can spoil your sleep
• Know your enemy

Anthony Ball

Bulwark Exterminating Earns 2011 Angie’s List Super Service Award 

Angie's List Super Service Award 2011

Bulwark Exterminating has been awarded the 2011 Angie’s List Super Service Award for the company’s excellent customer service rating in Arizona.

Super Service Award recipients have maintained an “A” grade average in Angie’s rating formula. Only an estimated five percent of companies listed on Angie’s List receive the prestigious award on an annual basis. This will be the 3^rd time that Bulwark has received the award here in the Phoenix area.

“Our technicians and office staff deserve this award 100%”, said Mesa Branch Manager Joe Davey. “They work tirelessly to ensure the needs of our customers are met day in and day out.”

Bulwark Exterminating services over ten thousands customers valley wide from offices in Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix and Peoria. The family owned exterminating company has made a name in Arizona as the pest control provider in the valley that absolutely guarantees to eliminate scorpions with a money back guarantee. In 2010, 97% of Bulwark’s current customers said they would recommend their pest control services to a friend of family member.

“We appreciate that our customers take the time to recognize the hard work of the technicians that service their homes,” said Davey. “Our techs are the face of Bulwark. Receiving the Super Service Award is an honor and it validates the hard work of our entire staff across the valley.”

While the award went to the Mesa pest control branch of Bulwark Exterminating the owners feel that the award is shared by all of the valley locations as customers on Angie’s list don’t often realize which branch services them.

Phoenix Metro Locations include:

About Bulwark Exterminating

Bulwark Exterminating LLC is based in Mesa, AZ and is an industry leader in providing high quality residential pest control service. Bulwark is fully operational in seven states, including eleven major cities. While Bulwark provides pest extermination for common insects such as ants, roaches, crickets and spiders, the company’s differentiating specialty is scorpion control. To do this, Bulwark uses the finest and most effective products in the world to solve common pest problems. Bulwark is privately and family owned, has approximately 250 employees and services over 50,000 customers nationwide, providing pest control in Raleigh, NC, Charlotte, Atlanta, Tulsa, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, St. George, UT, Phoenix and Las Vegas. For more information, visit http://www.BulwarkPestControl.com.