Best Of 2012

The end of 2012 is almost upon us, and what a year it was. Despite the Mayan calendar coming to an end, signaling our population’s supposed demise, we are still here.

Between dancing to PSY’s Gangnam Style, and calling Carly Rae Jensen (maybe), the year seemed to fly by.

This year brought us the excitement of the 2012 Summer Olympics, and the sobering tragedy in Newtown, CN. Our Country was divided during the 2012 Presidential election, but came together during Hurricane Sandy. In addition to it all, 2012 was also the hottest year on record. What a busy year!

Top 10 Stories on Blog Pest Control For 2012

This year was also a busy year for the pest control industry. New species of insects were discovered, like the dive-bombing parasitic wasp and the headless ladybug. A world-record millipede was caught, that had 750 legs. The FTC took action against unproven bedbug treatments. On top of all of it, pest control operators were busy battling pest invaders. The year was full of many of these stories.

Here are the top ten stories on Blog Pest Control, determined by you the reader:

Over the years we have been privileged to watch several movies featuring bugs. Here is Blog Pest Control’s compiled list of top bug movies.

9. $12 Million Pest Control

When Elin Nordegren, former wife of golfer Tiger Woods, has a pest control problem, she demolishes her 17,000 square foot house. Nordegren’s beach front home in North Palm Beach, FL after it was infested with termites and carpenter ants.

Yes, Washington has scorpions. The Northern Scorpion rarely invades homes and is actually a very rare find. This article discusses scorpion stings, catching scorpions, getting rid of scorpions, and hunting them with a black light.

As a pest control owner or manager you must manage workflow, cash flow, sales, overhead, inventory, and your employee’s needs, all while not neglecting customer service. With every one of these responsibilities it can be easy to make mistakes in your businesses accounting and bookkeeping. Here are some of the most frequent accounting mistakes.

This article, with its infographic, gives us all a very clear picture of how serious the bedbug problem really is.

Finding a pest control software program for your small business can be challenging and often times overwhelming. There are a few things to keep in mind while navigating the pest control software maze.

The Arizona Bark Scorpion is one of the most feared, and misunderstood, pests out there. Here are five things you need to know about this stinging pest.

As labor costs, cost of pesticides, gas prices, and property taxes all increase; some pest control companies are left facing the inevitable… Raising prices to meet overhead, or closing the doors forever. Here’s an article on how raising prices can best be done.

A woman who was seeking medical attention went into China’s Changsha Central Hospital because she felt a burning and itching inside her ear. To her horror, and the horror of her doctors, a spider was found living in her ear canal. See the pictures here.

As our mouths loll open, passing arachnids find themselves strangely compelled to crawl in, where we cheerfully gulp them down without knowing. According to this exterminator, this is not true.

Stay Tuned For Many More Informative Pest Control Articles In 2013

Thanks for following Blog Pest Control this year. The above list was compiled based on several components including: number of views, number of comments, number of shares on social media sites, and the how compelling the news is/was. Keep checking back for all of your pest control news in 2013,

What Was Your Favorite Blog Pest Control Article?

Anthony Ball

Pest Of The Week: The Arizona Bark Scorpion

Taken at noon, at around 104 degrees. This fellow was a temporary occupant of my garage. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Arizona Bark scorpion, is a small light brown scorpion; commonly found in the southwest United States. This scorpion pest is predominately found in the Sonoran Desert, however less toxic species have been discovered; throughout the Southern US. A nocturnal pest, the Bark scorpion prefers to ambush its prey; which often consists of crickets and/or roaches.

Considered the most venomous scorpion in North America, the number of Bark scorpion sting victims in Arizona; is estimated to be in the thousands each year. With that being said, fatalities in the United States are rare (only 2 recorded fatalities have occurred in the state of Arizona since 1968), and limited to small animals/pets, young children; and adults with compromised immune systems.

The venom from a Bark scorpion bite can inflict severe pain, coupled with numbness and tingling; typically lasting between 24 and 72 hours. Temporary dysfunction in the sting area is common and may cause victims to become immobilized, experience convulsions and/or shortness of breath. Due to the extreme pain caused by the sting, many victims describe the sensation of electrical shocks; after receiving a sting.

Bark scorpions, like most other scorpions, are incredibly resilient; and require a focused pest control strategy. In fact, lab experiments have frozen scorpions for weeks; and after being thawed, the scorpions emerged unharmed. Furthermore, during U.S. nuclear testing, scorpions (along with cockroaches and lizards) were found near ground zero; with no recorded adverse effects.

Remember, for scorpion control in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Austin, or San Antonio, contact Bulwark Exterminating!

Links Round-Up

$1 Million Hospital Bill After A Brown Recluse Spider Bite

Here is an unfortunate story about a law student who was bitten by a poisonous Brown Recluse and almost lost her legs. Despite saving her legs, the Michigan woman was burdened with $1 Million in medical bills. More…

Steering Clear of Hornets

Hornets are just fine if they’re outside, pollinating flowers eating other insects. But there are times when hornets just come too close to home. In fact, some hornets are comfortable making a nest around or even in your home, and this is something that cannot be tolerated. More… 

Bed Bug Detection: 3 Bugs That Could Be Mistaken For Bed Bugs

The Eastern bat bug, dust mites, and spiders are all commonly mistaken for bed bugs. To better understand these three pests that are commonly mistaken for bed bugs, click here.

Is Your Birdfeeder Causing a Rodent Problem?

It’s no secret that rodents are attracted to birdfeeders, but it’s not for the reasons you think. To learn more about this issue, and tips from eliminating rodents from your property, click here.

A Stinky Beast — The Odorous House Ant

For everything you want to know about this stinky pest, including treatment methods, click here.

Related articles

• Scorpion Truck Redefines Scorpion Control Service
• Pets & Bed Bugs: Q&A
• Arizona hospital cuts scorpion antivenom price by 80% – Arizona Republic

Anthony Ball

Photo by Bulwark Exterminating

The Arizona bark scorpion is the only species of scorpion in Arizona, that can cause very serious harm to small children (and anyone who is ill or has a compromised immune system), and can truly be considered life threatening. However, thanks to a powerful anti venom scorpion stings are now rarely life threatening.

Aside from their powerful, painful and venomous sting, here are five (5) remarkable facts about the Arizona bark scorpion, you might not have known:

1. The Arizona bark scorpion has 8 jointed legs, that are lightly covered in hair, which helps the scorpion detect subtle vibrations; in the air.
2. Although all other species of scorpions are known to live a solitary lifestyle, with the exception of mating and carrying their young, the Arizona bark scorpion prefers to live in packs and will congregating in large groups; when hibernating for the winter months.
3. Unlike any other species of scorpion, the Arizona bark scorpion can climb walls, and even hang from ceilings and doors.
4. Arizona bark scorpions are preyed upon by birds, especially owls, and bats. As well, these scorpions may fall victim to large centipedes, tarantulas, lizards, shrews, and grasshopper mice.
5. At birth, approximately 25 to 35 baby scorpions, will ride around on their mother’s back; for up to 21 days.

Furthermore, warnings from Phoenix pest control staff and local exterminators, caution residents that the Arizona Bark Scorpion is often discovered in urban areas; rather than the surrounding desert regions. This is likely because they prefer the cooler and moist spots, under pieces of tree bark, beneath rocks and inside buildings and homes. As well, property and home owners should be aware that these scorpions are a very light in color, so they will blend-in well with the various desert elements; found in Phoenix and other cities in Arizona.

Related articles

• The 3 Most Dangerous Phoenix Pest Control Problems [OPINION] (blogpestcontrol.com)
• Scorpion Strikes In Lockport, NY (blogpestcontrol.com)
• Scorpions-Black Light Hunting-Pest Control by Bulwark Exterminating (bulwarkpestcontrol.com)
• I was Stung by a Scorpion (bulwarkpestcontrol.com)
• FDA Approved Anascorp The Scorpion Anti Venom [Video] (youtube.com)