Western Honey Bee (Photo credit: Aditi-the-Stargazer)

A recent study by St. Louis’ Washington University School of Medicine has indicated that we are one step closer to a cure for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This news gives hope to the 34 million people worldwide, who are currently living with HIV or AIDS.

Bee Venom Can Destroy HIV

A study conducted at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and published in the journal Antiviral Therapy, claims that the common bee may be the answer to killing off HIV; the virus that leads to the development of AIDS.

Bee venom carries a toxin called melittin, which has been proven to destroy the human immunodeficiency virus. The toxin works by poking holes in the virus’s outer layer. This outer layer envelope protects the virus; and without it, the virus eventually dies. Furthermore, this toxin found in bee venom kills HIV while leaving the other cells in the body unharmed.

Because the bee venom toxin attacks the virus’ outer layer, the virus is likely unable to develop a resistance to the melittin. Researches believe that this development may make it more effective than other HIV drugs, which the virus eventually develops a resistance to. Current HIV drugs only prevent the virus from replicating and do nothing to kill it off like the bee toxin does.

How The Process Works

Nanoparticles that are smaller than HIV are infused with the bee venom toxin, melittin. These melittin infused nanoparticles then fuse with the HIV’s viral envelope. The melittin forms little pore-like attack complexes and ruptures the envelope, stripping it off the virus, attacking a natural physical property of HIV. Hypothetically, there isn’t any way for the virus to acclimatize to that. The virus has to have a protective coat, a double-layered membrane that encompasses the virus.

Molecular bumpers prevent the nanoparticles from harming the body’s normal cells, which are much larger in size.

HIV Particle (Photo credit: AJC1)

How The Bee Venom Toxin Is Administered

If you are living with HIV or AIDS, the solution won’t be as simple as getting stung a couple dozen times by a honey bee. Remember, the melittin, or bee venom toxin must be in the form of a nanoparticle; and it needs to be in a highly concentrated form.

Currently, scientists and researchers are looking at implementing the bee toxin in the form of a topical gel, and also administering it intravenously. The gel is for HIV prevention, while intravenous injections will treat those already infected with HIV or AIDS.

Potential Cures To Other Diseases

Since melittin attacks double-layered membranes arbitrarily, this concept is not limited to HIV alone. Many viruses, including hepatitis C and B, rely on the same kind of protective envelope and would be vulnerable to melittin-loaded nanoparticles.

Additionally, research has revealed melittin-loaded nanoparticles to be successful in killing tumor cells. This is potentially a huge step in cancer research, with almost unlimited medical adaptations.

Bee venom has been used to treat arthritis and other painful conditions as well.

Honey bee with tongue partially extended (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Bees & Their Venom

Bees are a very valuable group of insects that still have much to teach us as a society. They play key roles in pollinating flowering plants, and help in controlling the numbers of many other species of pests.

While being beneficial insects, bees do carry toxic venom. The main component of bee venom responsible for pain is the toxin melittin. Histamine may also contribute to pain and itching after a bee sting.

Out of the 54 reported insect deaths each year, 14 are caused by bee stings. Bee sting deaths are usually only common when the victim has an allergic reaction to a bee sting.

HIV & AIDS

HIV destroys T-cells, which are the white blood cells vital to sustaining the functionality of the immune system. As HIV attacks these cells, the person infected with the virus is less equipped to fight off infection and disease, ultimately resulting in the development of AIDS. Most people who are infected with HIV can carry the virus for years before developing any serious or deadly symptoms. Over time, HIV levels increase in the blood while the number of T-cells decreases. It’s about this time an individual living with HIV becomes very ill, and can eventually die.

According to recent data, more than 34 million people are living with HIV/AIDS worldwide. Of these 34 million, some 3.3 million are under the age of 15 years old. Each day, almost 7,000 people contract HIV around the globe.

Let’s hope this bee venom research is a solution to a disease that is affecting so many worldwide.

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Anthony Ball

This Week’s Pest Control Videos & Links

Harlem Shake ( bed bug inspection edition)

Harlem shake videos have been the craze as of late, and even bed bug inspectors have caught on. See for yourself:

Winning the Roach & Ant Battle

We all know how much of a nightmare dealing with ants and cockroaches can be. Here are a few tips on winning that battle from Suburban Exterminating in Long Island, NY. More…

Liquid vs. Bait Termite Treatment

Termites are one of the leading causes of damage to your home. Dealing with them can be tricky at times, but fortunately there is help. Here is a good discussion on bait and liquid treatments. More…

Bats, Leave It To The Professionals

Although beneficial to the environment, bats can be a serious pest control problem that needs to be left to the professionals. More…

Cooler Weather Brings Mice & Rats Inside

With this recent cold spell much of the country is experiencing this week, it’s a sure bet that rodents like mice and rats will be headed indoors looking for warmth and shelter. More…

Pest Of The Week: House Dust Mite

House dust mites (Photo credit: Gilles San Martin)

One of the leading causes of asthma and other respiratory allergic symptoms is the house dust mite. These teeny, tiny mites are so small that they are best seen through a microscope; although they can sometimes be seen by the naked eye, in large numbers, if they are placed on a dark background. House dust mites are rectangular in shape, and are a creamy blue color. House dust mites are most commonly found in the carpets, furniture, mattresses and bedding of your home.

Since house dust mites reproduce and multiply so rapidly, pest control professionals, and health officials warn of serious health problems that they can cause. Typical symptoms of house dust mite allergies include itchiness, sneezing, inflamed or infected eczema, watering/reddening eyes, or sneezing repeatedly and frequently.

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Anthony Ball

Pest Of The Week: The Fruit Fly

Fruit fly (Photo credit: John Tann)

Fruit flies are part of a diverse, cosmopolitan family of flies.

The Fruit fly has a very short lifespan, and shows gradual signs of maturing. As in other species of flies, temperature plays an important role in influencing the lifespan, of this pest.

Generally considered a simple nuisance, some Fruit flies destroy figs, raspberries and cherries, and are designated a serious agricultural pest; and pest control problem.

Links Round-Up: January 4, 2012

The Most Popular 2012 Pest Control Blog Posts From FMC Pest Wire 

http://www.fmcpestwire.com/2013/01/the-most-popular-2012-pest-control-blog-posts-from-fmc-pest-wire/  

How To Pack Your Christmas Decorations So As To Deter Pests

http://allamericanpestcontrol.com/how-to-pack-your-christmas-decorations-so-as-to-deter-pests/  

Top 10 Reasons to use Macy’s in 2013! 

http://www.macyspestcontrol.com/blog/top-10-reasons-to-use-macys-in-2013/ 

Pest Control Services: Do Bug Bombs Work?

http://www.resteasypestcontrol.com/blog/bid/255472/Pest-Control-Services-Do-Bug-Bombs-Work  

Pest Control: Maybe Roaches Aren’t So Bad?

http://www.pinnaclepestcontrol.com/grand-rapids-pest-control/pest-control-maybe-roaches-arent-so-bad/  

Birds May Use Cigarette Butts to Repel Pests

http://ehspest.com/_blog/RI,_MA_EHS_Pest_Control_Blog/post/Birds_May_Use_Cigarette_Butts_to_Repel_Pests/  

Pest Control Tip: Bee Awareness 

http://www.completelawn.net/pittsburgh-pest/pest-control-tip-bee-awareness/

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Anthony Ball

Google+ Communities

Today Google+ announced the addition of Communities to its popular social networking site. The idea is to have large groups of members arranged around a Google+ hub page which is dedicated to a specific topic like fishing, running, or pest control. Google+ will let members share to particular communities with posts, photos, +1′s, and hangouts. The feature is now live for the sites 235 Million users.

Pest Control Community On Google+

With this exciting new announcement from Google+, we have founded the Pest Control Community Page. We will be using this page to communicate important news and updates within the pest control industry. We will also use it to curate pest control related articles from our member’s blogs, like this one.

Everyone is welcome to join the Pest Control Community. We are in need of pest control professionals to share their knowledge and expertise. We are also in need of a few qualified moderators with industry experience… If you are interested, let us know.

Join The Pest Control Community Today!

Join Google+’s Pest Control Community today and begin connecting with other pest control professionals from around the world. Post cool bug pictures. Keep up to date on all the latest industry developments. Have rich conversations, and ask the difficult pest control questions.

Let’s build this community together.

Google+ Pest Control Community Page  

Click Here: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/113279968105051869214

Published by: Anthony Ball

For the employee of the month (Photo credit: 4nitsirk)

As pest control operators it can be challenging at times finding extraordinary employees and technicians to work for your company. Showing up to work everyday and performing adequately is expected, but it doesn’t make for an outstanding employee.

Several pest control operators were asked, “What qualities do their most outstanding technicians and employees possess, and what traits do you look for when hiring them?”

Here are their top 10 responses:

1. They have a positive attitude. Working for a pest control company might not always be the most glamorous of jobs at times, but the most outstanding employees will always show up to work everyday with a positive disposition, enthusiastic about their jobs. Staying above the fray of office politics also helps.

2. They are punctual. This quality is a no-brainer in the pest control industry. Customers expect technicians to be on time for a treatment, as many make special accommodations to be at home to let techs inside. Punctuality shows that an employee is committed to the job, interested in the work, and able to handle responsibility. It facilitates a sense of professionalism and commitment. When an employee is late, its effects spread throughout the entire workplace and even to other employees.

3. They are organized. This quality is a definite must in the pest control industry not only for customer satisfaction, but for safety reasons as well. An organized technician needs to manage the different pesticides, inventory, and service routes to be effective.

4. They are self-motivators. Knowledge, intellect, talent, and skill are necessary, but personal drive is critical. Remarkable employees are driven by something deeper and more personal than just the desire to do a good job. Self-motivators look around to see what needs to be done and do it. They ask questions to try to learn more.

5. They like to prove others wrong. Self-motivation is often derived from a need to show that the doubters are wrong. The pest control technician without a college degree, or the secretary who was told she didn’t have leadership potential, often possess a burning desire to prove other people wrong.

6. They possess excellent interpersonal communication skills. Pest control employees must have strong communication skills, as they have to communicate directly with customers, with fellow employees, and with supervisors. Listening skills are also essential, as employees must listen to different approaches and ideas for service assignments, especially when working with a team of technicians.

7. They’re neat in appearance. This attribute is self explanatory. Our customers are letting our technicians on their property and in their homes. They need to feel safe. Techs should to be clean cut, dressed in uniform, and always greet a customer with a smile.

8. They are always tinkering. Some employees are seldomly content, and I mean that in the best of ways. They are continually tinkering with something: Reworking a timeline, fine-tuning a process, or tinkering with workflow. Great pest control employees follow processes. Outstanding employees find ways to make those processes even better, not only because they are expected to… but because they just can’t help it.

9. They publicly praise and privately complain. Outstanding pest control employees identify the contributions of others, especially in group settings where the impact of their words are even greater. When issues need to be brought forward these employees will present them to their boss, privately, without setting off a company firestorm.

10. They are eccentric, but know when to dial it back. Unusual personalities shake things up, make work more fun, and transform a workplace into a place other employees can look forward to coming to each day. These eccentric employees also know when to conform, and when to back off. It’s a tough balance, but an infrequent few can walk that fine line effortlessly.

Human capital is the single most important aspect in running a successful pest control company. In this industry, having employees with these qualities can be the difference between thriving or closing your doors. As a pest control operator, look for these qualities during the hiring process—Hire tough, and manage easy. If you are a pest control employee, look to align yourself with these 10 outstanding qualities.