Every year, pest control professionals ascend on our nation’s capital to raise awareness with their legislators about important issues impacting the pest control industry. National Pest Management Association (NMPA) Legislative Day 2013, in Washington DC, offered pest control professionals the opportunity to build stronger relationships with a new-look Congress.

NMPA Legislative Day 2013 In Washington 

March 17-19 2013 marked NMPA Legislative Day in Washington DC; and some 400 pest control professionals attended to make sure their voices were heard by Congress. Important business and tax issues were discussed, including issues surrounding the PESTT Act, paperless reporting, and the use of Sulfuryl Fluoride on food.

Those who attended got to listen to prominent speakers, like former Vice-Presidential candidate Paul Ryan; who spoke of trying to eliminate burdensome taxes on PCO’s. By all accounts, Ryan’s speech was the highlight Legislative Day.

New Pest Control Opportunities With A New Congress

The new Congress, which convened on January 3, 2013, is a once-in-a-generation Congress. One-third (180 new members the last two election cycles) of the 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives are new; with less than three years experience. The Senate has seen similar turnover, with 25 new Senators being elected in 2012 and 2010 elections.

With this in mind, pest control professionals had a once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity to forge relationships with tomorrow’s leaders during NMPA Legislative Day 2013. These relationships can establish partnerships with a new generation of federal lawmakers, which will ultimately benefit the entire professional pest management industry for generations. The impact of this change in Congress is difficult to overstate.

Topics Of Discussion At Legislative Day

While much discussion at NMPA Legislative Day focused on pest control business and tax issues; there were also three critical issues that were addressed with the new Congress.

PESTT Act

Legislative Day attendees asked their legislators to support the Pest Elimination Services Transparency and Terminology Act (PESTT Act) which aims to limit USDA-Wildlife Services competition with the private sector for rodent, nuisance bird and wildlife work. Essentially, PCO’s don’t want to have to compete against USDA Wildlife Services for pest control.

The two key components of the PESTT Act are: (1) to define the term “urban rodent control”; and (2) to direct the U.S. Government Accountability Office to write a report identifying activities that Wildlife Services performs that the private sector has the capability and capacity to perform; and to make further recommendations. Another issue the PESTT Act is trying to correct is that USDA Wildlife Services is authorized to work at non-agricultural settings.

The NMPA’s ultimate goal is to get this legislation inserted into the farm bill, so PCO’s have less competition with the government for pest control services.

Sulfuryl Fluoride Food Usage

Pest control professionals involved in fumigation work wanted to make sure their voices were heard at Legislative Day; regarding the proposed cancelling of Sulfuryl Fluoride usage on food.

Sulfuryl Fluoride has come under attack from activist groups which have a waged a lengthy war on the pesticide, demanding the stoppage of Sulfuryl Fluoride usage in food-processing facilities. The EPA began listening to these demands in 2011 and began phasing out the pesticide, even though Sulfuryl Fluoride contributes no more that 2-3% of the public’s exposure to fluoride. PCO’s wish to continue using Sulfuryl Fluoride for pest control because some groups in the food sector are now completely reliant on it.

Paperless Reporting

Many pest control companies have gone paperless in order to save costs, go greener, boost efficiency, and promote professionalism. Unfortunately, a barricade that PCOs have run into is that some states mandate pest control operators keep hard copies of pesticide records, use reports, and consumer info sheets—Even if a pest control company has invested a large sum of money to go paperless. Many of these requirements were written in the 1970s and 1980s before people could imagine today’s technology.

Pest control professionals lobbied Congress at Legislative Day to introduce legislation that would allow PCO’s to keep records and reports electronically. Since each State’s laws are different, the issue needs to be addressed on the Federal level.

We Want To Hear From You

If you were able to attend NMPA Legislative Day 2013 In Washington DC, we’d love to hear about your experience.

We’d also love to hear your thoughts on the proposed legislation (i.e. Sulfuryl Fluoride usage, paperless reporting, and the PESTT Act).

 

Read more about NMPA Legislative Day 2013 at pctonline.com

 

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Anthony Ball

If you think the rat problem in New York City is bad, it’s got nothing on Tehran, the capital city of Iran.

In an effort to combat the city’s massive plague of mutant super rats, rats that are resistant to pesticides, the Tehran environmental agency has deployed ten teams of rifle equipped sharp shooters to take out the hard-to-kill rodents.

Sniper Teams Assembled To Control Rats

Pesticide resistant super rats, which have grown to be almost as big as the common house cat; have been running amuck throughout much of Europe and the Middle East. In order to better control these rats, the environmental agency of Tehran, Iran has deployed ten teams of sharp-shooting snipers; equipped with infra-red laser scopes and all.

In a couple short weeks, these snipers have managed to kill some 2,000 mutant super rats… but it’s far from enough. The city of Tehran is so over-run with the millions of super rats; city officials are now thinking of boosting the number of rat sniper teams from ten to forty.

After bagging a super rat, city officials either incinerate the dead carcasses, or cover them in lime and bury them.

These rat extermination efforts are all part of a multi-million dollar government campaign to control the problem rats.

Huge Population Of Mutant Super Rats

Tehran city workers exterminate almost one million rats a year, but these efforts are merely a drop in the bucket. Iran’s rat population easily outnumbers the sprawling capital’s 12 million inhabitants. Iran’s state-run media reports that the rat population is thought to be six times higher than the number of people living there. That’s scary!

It’s been impossible for city officials to determine how many mutant super rats are plaguing the city. Best estimates have their population at around 10 million, and growing.

The rat problem has been such a major issue for several years that a newspaper once ran a cartoon in which a rat tells a man: “Our numbers are more than yours, so you leave Tehran.”

Mutant Super Rats

These rats are natural born survivors. Years of genetic mutation have made these mutant super rats resistant to pesticides. It has also altered their appearance and allowed them to grow bigger; weighing as much as a cat in some instances. These changes usually take millions of years to evolve.

The primary reason the super mutant rats need to be exterminated, is because they transmit diseases to both humans and animals that can be life threatening. These diseases include: Hantavirus, Plague, Rat-Bite fever, Lassa fever, Hemorrhagic fever, and Leptospirosis.

 

Related articles

• Tehran suffering plague of hyper-evolved “mutant rats”
• Iran Has Dispatched Sniper Teams In Its Capital To Eliminate ‘Mutant Rats’
• Iran Deploys Sniper Teams To Battle ‘Mutant Rats’

Anthony Ball

I recently had a lot of fun putting together a Spotify playlist of popular bug songs. While putting it together, I found several bands that also shared their names with pests. Here is my top ten bands named after bugs or pests:

10. Katydids

The Katydids reached stardom briefly in the early 90’s before guitarist Adam Seymour left the bad to play with The Pretenders. Before splitting, The Katydids released two moderately successful albums entitled Katydids (1991) and Shangri-la (1991).

 

Katydids, also known as long-horned grasshoppers, are best known for their appearance that mimics that of a leaf.

9. Adam and the Ants

Adam and the Ants, led by singer Adam Ant, became notable as a British cult band during the late-1970s punk rock era. Adam and the Ants have had a major influence on artists like Nine Inch Nails and Fat Boy Slim during the band’s short career.

Ants are one of the most successful groups of insects, and a common pest. They are social insects that live in underground colonies, but many enter buildings looking for food.

8. Iron Butterfly

Iron Butterfly rose to fame in the late 1960’s. They were even booked to play at Woodstock, but were unable to after getting stranded at the airport. Their album, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is one of the world’s 40 top-selling albums, selling more than 30 million copies.

While Butterflies are generally not considered pests, some species can damage domestic crops or trees in their larval stages. Traditionally, butterflies are a popular motif in the visual and literary arts across many different cultures.

7. Papa Roach

Papa Roach has sold more than 18 million album copies worldwide, and are best known for their songs “Last Resort”, and “…To Be Loved.” Their music is best described as rap metal. Their first album, Infest, reached triple platinum in 2000.

Roaches are one of the most common and hardy household pests in the United States. They invade our homes looking for their favorite foods like sugary sweets, salty snacks, and even hair or fingernails.

6. Alien Ant Farm

Alien Ant Farm got their name from a dream guitarist Terry Corso had about aliens cultivating the human race, like we were all in an ant farm. The band has had four successful albums, and has contributed to several Hollywood movie soundtracks; including 2002’s Spiderman. Their most popular song is “Smooth Criminal.”

The United States hosts almost 1,000 different species of ants. While they are considered one of the most common household pests, only 25 species commonly infest homes.

5. Ratt

One of the biggest bands in the early 80’s glam metal scene was Ratt. Their songs “Round and Round,” “Lay It Down,” and “Wanted Man” helped to launch the band into superstardom.

Rats are very common household pests during the colder winter months. If you are seeing droppings, fresh gnawing, or tracks near your property; chances are you might have a serious rat infestation.

4. Buddy Holly and The Crickets

Even though Buddy Holly and The Crickets’ success was short lived because of an unfortunate plane crash, they may be one of the single most influential creative forces in early rock and roll. “That’ll be the Day” is the group’s most popular recording; and in 2011 Buddy Holly was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Crickets are best known for their characteristic chirping noise, used by males to attract female crickets. As the temperatures rises, their songs become louder and faster.

3. Scorpions

Just by listening to “Rock You Like a Hurricane” before any football game, one comes to the realization that Scorpions are one of the greatest hard rock bands of all time. In case you need any more proof, the band has sold over 150 million records, released 23 albums over the last 40 years, and played around 5,000 concerts in over 80 countries.

Much like the band, scorpions have been around a long time and are incredibly resilient. They require a focused pest control strategy. A testament to their durability was proven when lab experiments froze scorpions for weeks, leaving them unharmed when they were thawed. On top of that, after U.S. nuclear testing scorpions were discovered near ground zero with no adverse side effects.

2. Bee Gees

The Bee Gees, made up of brothers Robin, Maurice, and Barry Gibb were one of the biggest recording artists during the late 60’s to early 70’s. During the group’s 45 years of stardom, only Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Garth Brooks and Paul McCartney have outsold them.

While bees are considered beneficial insects by pollinating plants, they earn the title of pest by stinging and contributing to several deaths a year; common when a sting victim has a severe allergic reaction.

1. The Beatles

The Beatles are the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed act in the history of popular music. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr have sold 177 million albums in the US, more than any other artist.

Beetles constitute almost 25 percent of all known life-forms; more than any other order in the animal kingdom. There are some species of Beetle that have been awarded the distinction of pest. A few include: the Colorado potato beetle, the boll weevil and the Carpet beetle. They repeatedly create insect control problems when they invade and destroy household items and agricultural crops.

 

I hope you enjoyed my list. Did I miss any?

 

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• The Day the Music Died
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• Barry Gibb continues on
• Buddy Holly Breakdown!
• “The Beatles new record’s a gas”
• Fifth Beatle: Stuart Sutcliffe – Gone But Not Forgotten

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

 

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

Mutant super rats is not the title of the next straight to DVD Hollywood horror flick; but rather a real problem plaguing cities in Britain and much of Europe.

A Plague Of Mutant Super Rats

Researchers claim in a recent study that a new breed of super rats are invading English cities, like Henley, and are completely resistant to pesticides because of years of genetic mutation. Authorities have adequately labeled theses rats as “mutant super rats.”

Spotting A Mutant Super Rat

Unfortunately, there are no discernable features that allow us to distinguish the super mutant rats from their brown rat non-mutant counterparts, despite the freaky picture below. The only way to tell if a rat is “super mutant,” is by testing the rat’s tails with new DNA techniques.

 

Controlling The Mutant Super Rats

Pest control professionals are having a difficult time controlling the disease carrying pests because the rats are immune to common poisons. As the rat’s numbers grow, pest control professionals are beginning to look for stronger pesticides to help eliminate the mutant super rats. At this time, the government’s regulatory body is worried about stronger poison’s effect on other local wildlife so no such pesticides are legally available for use in combating the rats. Until then, the millions of mutant super rats are left to run amuck.

Huge Numbers of Mutant Super Rats

Out of the 10.5 million rats in Britain, three out of every four rats carry the pesticide resistant gene. That’s almost 8 Million mutant super rats roaming the city, spreading disease. The rats are being found in both urban and rural areas of Britain.

Rats Carrying Disease

The reason the super mutant rats need to be eliminated, is because the transmit diseases to both humans and animals that can be life threatening. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these diseases can include: Hantavirus, Plague, Rat-Bite fever, Lassa fever, Hemorrhagic fever, and Leptospirosis.

Rats

Rats are infamous for demolishing a property by gnawing on wood, plants and trees. They also destroy properties with their nesting habits, making their homes in trees and underground. Rat’s success as a pest is mostly due to their small size, their hardiness, their short breeding cycles, and their capability to eat a very wide variety of foods.

Rats are prominent wherever you see fresh gnawing, rat droppings, and/or rat tracks. Their nests are made from shredded paper or other material and are often found in sheltered locations. Most rats have an unpleasant, musky odor that identifies their presence. They are excellent climbers and can scale any rough vertical surface.

A Look At The Future

All this talk about mutant super rats has got me wondering… Are we really that far off from seeing walking, talking rodents like Splinter from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?

Sources:

www.geog.ucsb.edu
www.thesun.co.uk
www.telegraph.co.uk

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Anthony Ball

Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans was full of twists and turns as the Baltimore Ravens edged the San Francisco 49ers by a score of 34-31. One of the most memorable twists to the game happened to be when the power to half of Mercedes-Benz Superdome, including the scoreboard, went dark with 13:22 left in the third quarter. The game was literally stopped as the players, announcers, and fans where all left scratching their heads.

After nearly 35 minutes of head scratching, wondering what had happened to the power, the game resumed. The San Francisco 49ers, who were down 28-6 just before the blackout, staged a monumental comeback, only to fall short in the very end.

The game will be one of the most memorable in years, primarily because of the power outage. What went wrong?

Could Superdome Pests Have Caused Power Outage?

While weather related reasons cause the majority of power complications, it is not uncommon for small animals and other pests to disrupt transformers and fuses; causing temporary loss of power. We also know that pests can infest sports arenas, like Cowboy’s Stadium. What pests could have caused the Super Bowl power outage?

Rodents

Rodents are notorious for wrecking havoc on power systems. Could a few squirrels have got tangled in the electrical equipment in a Superdome substation? Could a malevolent rat have chewed through a major power cord?

Rodent caused power outages happen more often than you might think. I was on Arizona State University’s campus a year or so back, when the power went out on half the campus. An apparent rat found its way into one of the substations and shorted out the equipment. It can happen!

Termites

Could termites be the culprit of the Super Bowl XLVII power outage? Termites may have weakened the structure of the power line poles that were carrying the electricity to the Superdome.

Bees & Wasps

Bees or wasps love to build their hives in well hidden, concealed areas; like that of a circuit breaker box or parts of a substation. If a hive was large enough and the infestation destructive enough, a bee or wasp infestation could have brought the power down at Super Bowl XLVII.

Bird Pests

Bird pests, like pigeons, wreak havoc on the structure of buildings. A well placed nest, or a build-up of droppings, can easily cause a circuit to trip; or spark a short in a power feed to the Superdome.

Snakes

Since hurricane Katrina, snakes have been an increasing pest problem in New Orleans. Tree snakes, which are non-indigenous to New Orleans, frequently cause power outages by crawling on electrical lines.

Raspberry Ants

Crazy Raspberry Ants, are usually only found in some 20 counties in Texas, but were recently discovered in Port Allen, Louisiana. These destructive and malevolent ants are so small; they can  easily get through the plastic casing around the electrical wiring. Raspberry ants have caused street lights in Houston, Texas to malfunction.

As a kudeta, these pesky ants may have been looking to take out one of the city’s biggest icons, the Superdome, and to announce their arrival to New Orleans.

 

Other Theories Behind The Power Outage

 

 

The 49ers Were Responsible- Previous to the blackout, the Ravens had just gone ahead of the 49ers by a score of 28-6 with a 108 yard kickoff return. Someone in the 49ers organization knew something had to be done and quick. That’s when they pulled the plug. With their malicious goal achieved, the 49ers rallied to cut the deficit, but eventually fell three points short. The same strategy is extremely effective when you pull the plug on the XBOX when you’re getting blown out in Madden.

Super Bowl Heist- Picture Ocean’s 13, but instead of robbing a Vegas casino, Danny Ocean and his team of professional thieves set their eyes on the Super Bowl box office where the average price of a ticket is about $3,000.

Another Harbaugh Brother- Jay Harbaugh, the often forgotten about Harbaugh brother, was tired of John and Jim getting all the attention. In an attempt to steal some of the limelight away from the two Super Bowl coaches, Jay cut the power to the Superdome.

More Commercials For CBS- Forbes reports that the price for a single advertisement during Super Bowl XLVII was over $4 Million. The extra 35 minutes caused by the delay would have generated hundreds of millions of extra dollars.

Beyonce Did It- Beyonce forgot to unplug her curling iron before she took the stage for her Super Bowl halftime performance. You know that thing had to have been sucking down a lot of juice; getting her hair to look the way it did.

New Orleans Voodoo- New Orleans is well known for the dark arts like voodoo, and the Superdome is built only a few hundred yards away from a cemetery. There are only so many voodoo commercials you can air before New Orleans will strike back.

Buffalo Wild Wings Got Carried Away- We’ve all seen the Buffalo Wild Wings commercial with the football fans wanting an overtime game. They send the signal into Buffalo Wild Wings, and all sorts of mischief happens. Sprinklers mysteriously turn on, preventing an obvious score. Could someone have sent the signal to BWW during the Super Bowl?

Marketing Campaign by Oreo- A few minutes into the blackout, Oreo sent out a tweet that read, “Power out? No problem. You can still dunk in the dark.” This tweet was retweeted over 15,000 times, giving the cookie company even more exposure.

Bane Did It- This has been one of the most frequent conspiracy theories floating around out there. Bane, of The Dark Knight Rises fame, looked to take over Gotham… I mean New Orleans… by interrupting the big game.  Bane has publicly denied any involvement in the Super Bowl blackout.

Statement Issued Regarding Power Outage:

The following statement was issued in regards to the Superdome power outage:

“A piece of equipment that is designed to monitor electrical load sensed an abnormality in the system,” the statement said. “Once the issue was detected, the sensing equipment operated as designed and opened a breaker, causing power to be partially cut to the Superdome in order to isolate the issue. … Entergy and SMG will continue to investigate the root cause of the abnormality.” 

Congrats to the Baltimore Ravens

 

 

By edging out the San Francisco 49ers, the Baltimore Ravens are your Super Bowl XLVII champions. Congrats on the great season!

 

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• NFL commissioner: Super Bowl power outage not Beyonce’s fault

Anthony Ball

If you’ve had rodent problems before, then you are probably aware about how challenging it is to get rid of these destructive critters. Rats and mice are the most common types, but another rodent that is also known to wreak havoc to properties is the vole. Once any type of critter has set up house in your property, it becomes a battle. You need to defend your home from these creatures that damage property and possessions. More importantly, you have to get rid of these animals because they can also bring dangerous diseases.

Because you do not want to have rodents around, you should seriously consider what sort of preventive measures you can take. It is definitely better to put a stop to things before they even begin rather than suffer the consequences of negligence. So, there are several ways to deter rodents, and one factor that you can focus on is odor. This is because mouse, rats and other creatures are attracted to certain scents. Hence, you should get rid of certain smells from your home to avoid attracting pesky animals.

Smells that Mice and Rats Like

Rodents are scavengers, and so they are drawn to the smell of food. The scents of meat and meat products, as well as oils from pork or beef are particularly attractive. Because these creatures require carbohydrate-rich foods for energy, they are naturally drawn to food items such as cereals, breads, rice grains, and root crops, like potatoes and yams. Peanut butter is particularly tempting to mice, which is why it’s often used as bait. All in all, odors that are appealing to humans are also very enticing to rodents.

Should You Use Food as Bait?

The thing about rodents is that they have a very keen sense of smell. In case you want to use food as bait, this could be counterproductive as you might only be attracting more rodents into your home instead of catching them or keeping them away. So, what are your options?

1. Reduce attractive odors.

As mentioned, the smell of food attracts rats and mice. But there are many things that you can do to reduce or remove odors that entice rodents. Keeping kitchen counters and cooking stations clean is very helpful. After preparing and serving food, wipe counters with a sponge dipped in a warm and soapy solution. Rinse and then wipe again until surfaces are pretty much dirt and odor free. Then, get an antibacterial solution or maybe rubbing alcohol and use this to wipe surfaces. This will keep things sanitary and get rid of food odors too. In addition to this, always clean up after juice or food spills.

2. Keep food in secure containers.

When you are leaving food to eat later or in case there are leftovers, keep these in tightly sealed containers. Also, instead of leaving sweets or meats on tables or counters, put these inside your refrigerator.

3. Dispose of garbage properly.

Throw garbage out regularly. Don’t leave a bin filled with food scraps inside your house overnight as this will attract rodents. Put food in a plastic bag and throw this in a garbage bin that has a secure cover. It will also be best to put some space between your bin and main house so that in case the bin draws in rodents and other pests, these critters won’t find your house immediately.

Citations:

• 3n. “Jack’s rat is named Terri Schiavo”. October 15, 2005. Online image. Flickr. January 7, 2013.

Claire Lassiter is a freelance writer who has been writing about pest management since 2008. She covers issues about environmentally friendly pest control, and she writes about all sorts of pests often found in homes. She also blogs for Rove Pest Control, which is a company that provides first-rate pest control services.

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Thomas Ballantyne

Pest Of The Week: Pocket Gophers

 

Pocket gophers have dark brown fur, large heads, powerful necks, very short tails, and very large, broad front feet with enlarged claws, which they use in combination with their teeth; to dig and push mounds of soil to the surface. They are approximately the size of a small rat, and can reach 10 inches in length. Because this rodent uses it’s two exterior, fur-lined cheek pouches to carry food materials, it has earned the name Pocket gopher. More…

This Week’s Pest Control Links Round-Up

 

Guide To MPMA PestWorld 2013 In Phoenix

PestWorld will be coming to Phoenix, AZ October 23-26, 2013, and over 3000 pest management professionals are expected to attend. If you are one of the 3000 PCO’s, here is you guide to the nearby restaurants, hotels, events, and activities.

America’s #1 Nuisance Pest: Ants

It’s no question that ants are a nuisance, but did you know that ant infestations are on the rise. According to a recent survey conducted by the NPMA, 100% of people polled encountered an ant situation during the year: and 54% said the problem is growing. More…

How To Avoid Food Infesting Pests

Pantry pests like beetles, and Indian meal moths will infest your flour, cereal, grain, and sugar. For a few tips on how to keep them out of your food, click here

If You Give A Mouse A Cookie… 3 Practices To Avoid Mice Infestations

Sealing your gaps and cracks, taking out your trash, and setting a few mousetraps are all strategies in to combat mice infestations. For more information, click here.

Organizing Your Attic Can Prevent Pest Problems In The New Year

Modern Pest Services suggest your New Years resolutions should be to organize your attic to keep pests out. Here’s how…

FMC Pest Wire Top Tweets

FMC Pest Wire shares with us their most popular tweets from the past few weeks, here.

Crickets Chirping

Male crickets will commonly chirp, or rub their wings together against each other. The sound is designed to keep other males away from their territory, and it also is designed to attract females to the male for mating purposes. While the sound of crickets chirping may be pleasant and appealing to female crickets, it can be entirely bothersome to our own ears. More…

What Are Indian Meal Moths?

These pesky moths are notorious for damaging your clothing by munching on a variety of fabrics from silk to wool. More…

 

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Anthony Ball

Best Of 2012: Year End Links Round-Up

 

Here a a few links to some of the best pest control articles and blogs we’ve come across this year. Enjoy!

General Pest Control 

Home Pest Control Slows The Need For Home Improvement

http://www.propacificpestcontrol.com/2012/pest-control/home-pest-control-slows-the-need-for-home-improvement/

Pest Control Tips For The Whole Family

http://www.abridgehome.com/2012/12/02/pest-control-tips-for-the-whole-family/

What is a pest inspection and why would I need one?

http://dialonepestcontrol.com/what-is-a-pest-inspection-and-why-would-i-need-one/

Borax vs. Boric Acid for Pest Control: Safe and Effective?

http://www.momprepares.com/2012/08/27/borax-vs-boric-acid-for-pest-control-safe-and-effective

Five Sustainable and Fascinatingly Fun Pest Management Techniques

http://blogs.worldwatch.org/nourishingtheplanet/five-sustainable-and-fascinatingly-fun-pest-management-techniques/

Can Pest Control Add Value to your Home?

http://pestinc.net/can-pest-control-add-value-to-your-home/

Scent as Pest Control?

http://scentsciences.wordpress.com/2012/10/18/scent-as-pest-control/

Benefits of Organic Pest Control

http://joshuaspestcontrol.com/benefits-organic-pest-control/

Why Hire a Pest Control Pro?

http://www.resteasypestcontrol.com/blog/bid/210286/Why-Hire-a-Pest-Control-Pro

5 Mistakes Hiring a Residential Pest Control Exterminating Company

http://eliminexpestcontrol.com/wordpress1/2012/06/28/5-mistakes-hiring-a-residential-pest-control-exterminating-company-suffolk-nassau-long-island-ny/

Honey Bees – The Good and The Bad

http://www.horizonpestcontrol.com/blog/honey-bees-the-good-and-the-bad/

Africanized Bees on Attack in Arizona!

http://pestcontrolmesaaz.com/africanized-bees-on-attack-in-arizona/

Kudzu Bug Prevention This Fall

http://pestcontrolatlantaga.com/2012/10/kudzu-bug-prevention-this-fall/

A History of Pest Control Methods

http://www.accuracypluscalifornia.com/pest-control-blog/a-history-of-pest-control-methods/2012/08/

Tulsa Man Shares His West Nile Virus Survival Story

http://pestcontroltulsaok.com/2012/09/tulsa-man-shares-his-west-nile-virus-survival-story/

Swarming Bees Attack Houston Women Killing Her Dog

http://pestcontrolhoustontx.net/2012/09/swarming-bees-attack-houston-women-killing-her-dog/

Don’t Stop Pest Control Appointments, Despite the Economy

http://www.bugsbybrian.com/blog/pest-control/dont-stop-pest-control-appointments-economy

 

Pest Control Business & Marketing  

Yelp Penalty – Pest Control to Jewelers

http://pestcontrolseo.wordpress.com/2012/10/18/yelp-penalty-pest-control-to-jewelers/

Pest Control Marketing – How to get more referrals FAST!

http://pestcontrolmarketer.com/pest-control-marketing-how-to-get-more-referrals-fast/

Pest Control Business – What Are Your Options?

http://fordifferent.com/pest-control-business-what-are-your-options

Why Small Businesses Should Adopt SEO and Online Marketing 

http://www.seenbest-web-design.com/techclub/why-small-businesses-should-adopt-seo-and-online-marketing/

Pest Control Marketing 1

http://www.squidoo.com/pest-control-marketing-1

 

Pest Control News & Stories  

USDA Awards $33 Million for Pest Management Research

http://calipestcontrolblog.com/2012/12/10/usda-awards-33-million-for-pest-management-research/

Genetically Modified Cotton Brings Back Nature’s Pest Control: Predators

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2012/06/16/genetically-modified-cotton-brings-back-natures-pest-control-predators/#.UNSp4OQ0V8E

New Restrictions on Pest Control Operators Will Help Prevent Pesticide Pollution

http://claycord.com/2012/07/16/new-restrictions-on-pest-control-operators-will-help-prevent-pesticide-pollution/

Discovery of Endangered Spider In San Antonio Brings $15 Million Highway Project to A Halt

http://pestcontrolsanantonio.com/2012/10/discovery-of-endangered-spider-in-san-antonio-brings-15-million-highway-project-to-a-halt/

Thief Steals Van- Finds It Filled With Scorpions, Spiders, & Creepy Crawlies

http://pestcontrolmesaaz.com/thief-steals-van-finds-it-filled-with-scorpions-spiders-creepy-crawlies/

Search and Rescue Cockroaches

http://pestcontrolcharlottenc.com/2012/09/search-and-rescue-cockroaches/

Tragedy During a Roach Eating Contest

http://pestcontrolraleighnc.com/2012/10/tragedy-during-a-roach-eating-contest/

Chimney Pests Attack Santa

http://www.bulwarkpestcontrol.com/community/chimney-pests-attack-santa.htm

 

Ant Control  

How to Prevent and Treat Fire Ants

http://www.lloydpest.com/2012/08/how-to-prevent-and-treat-fire-ants/

 Argentine Ants – The making of super colonies!

http://www.clarkpest.com/blog/bid/78129/Argentine-Ants-The-making-of-super-colonies

World’s Most Venomous Insect Found in Arizona

http://pestcontrolmesaaz.com/worlds-most-venomous-insect-found-in-arizona/

The Most Common Ant Invaders of Southern Utah

http://pestcontrolstgeorge.com/2012/10/the-most-common-ant-invaders-of-southern-utah/

Ant Infestations On the Rise

http://missouripublicadjuster.org/2012/06/01/ant-infestations-on-the-rise/

What Ants Can do to Your Home

http://www.espest.com/what-ants-can-do-to-your-home/

 

Scorpion Control 

Scorpion Control Could Save You $83,000

http://pestcontrolphoenixaz.net/Pest-Control/2012/09/scorpion-control-could-save-you-83000/

Tips On Handling A Scorpion Sting

http://pestcontrolstgeorge.com/2012/09/tips-on-handling-a-scorpion-sting/

Is it a spider? Is it a scorpion? What is it?

http://pestcontrolmesaaz.com/is-it-a-spider-is-it-a-scorpion-what-is-it/

Scorpion Questions & Scorpion Answers

http://pestcontrolseo.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/scorpion-questions-scorpion-answers/

Scorpions

http://agrilife.org/smithcountyagriculture/2012/06/04/scorpions/

 

Roach Control  

Tony Romo: Roach Exterminator

http://pestcontrolaustintx.com/2012/10/tony-romo-roach-exterminator/

Do-It-Yourself Cockroach Control

http://pestcontrolsanantonio.com/2012/10/do-it-yourself-cockroach-control/

Suggestions to Have Efficient Roach Control Sacramento

http://pestcontrolsacramento.wordpress.com/2012/08/14/suggestions-to-have-efficient-roach-control-sacramento/

HOW TO GET RID OF ROACHES!

http://allamericanpestcontrol.com/how-to-get-rid-of-roaches/

 Can Roaches Survive A Nuclear Blast?

http://preferredpestcontroloc.com/orange-county-pest-control-blog.php/can-roaches-survive-a-nuclear-blast/

 

Spider Control 

Spider Identification: Common Southern California Spiders

http://homefrontpestcontrol.com/spidcommon-southern-california-spiders/

$1 Million Hospital Bill After A Brown Recluse Spider Bite

http://pestcontrolaustintx.com/2012/11/1-million-hospital-bill-after-a-brown-recluse-spider-bite/

How to Identify a Possessed Spider This Halloween

http://www.bulwarkpestcontrol.com/community/how-to-identify-a-possessed-spider-this-halloween.htm

Tulsa Facing Invasion of Black Widows

http://pestcontroltulsaok.com/2012/11/tulsa-facing-invasion-of-black-widows/

Spider Control- Identifying and Treating Spider Bites

http://www.bulwarkpestcontrol.com/community/spider-control-identifying-and-treating-spider-bites.htm

 

Rodent Control  

Mice Pest Control

http://bestwaytogetridofmices.com/mice-pest-control/

Diseases Transmitted By Rats & Mice In The United States

http://www.propacificpestcontrol.com/2012/rats/diseases-transmitted-by-rats-mice-in-united-states/

Rodent Control | Rats and Mice Infestation

http://www.1300pestcontrol.com.au/rodent-control/

The Thing That Makes Rat Control So Essential

http://doyourownratcontrol.wordpress.com/2012/06/27/the-thing-that-makes-rat-control-so-essential/

What You Should Know About Squirrel Removal

http://garden-and-pest-control.com/886/what-you-should-know-about-animal-control-re-squirrel-removal/

 

Bed Bugs 

Must Treat Entire Building To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs

http://www.heritagepestcontrolnj.com/blog/2012/11/30/must-treat-entire-building-to-get-rid-of-bed-bugs/

Don’t Let Bedbugs Ruin Your Vacation

http://pestcontrolatlantaga.com/2012/08/dont-let-bedbugs-ruin-your-vacation/

Houston Ranks 12th in Top Bedbug Cities

http://pestcontrolhoustontx.net/2012/09/houston-ranks-12th-in-top-bedbug-cities/

 Charlotte Bedbugs Infest Democratic National Convention Hotels

http://pestcontrolcharlottenc.com/2012/09/charlotte-bedbugs-infest-democratic-national-convention-hotels/

Managing Bed Bugs in Dorms

http://www.modernpest.com/blog/managing-bed-bugs-in-dorms/

 

Termite Control  

Atlanta Termite Control

http://pestcontrolatlantaga.com/2012/10/atlanta-termite-control/

4 Types of Termites

http://www.dugaspestcontrol.com/termite-control/4-types-of-termites

Using Bait Systems to Control Termites

http://www.republicpest.com/using-bait-systems-to-control-termites/

Termites…An Age Old Problem

http://www.pattontermiteandpest.com/2012/05/termites-an-age-old-problem/

Dealing With Indiana Termites

http://www.yespestpros.com/pest-control/dealing-with-indiana-termites/

 

Related articles

• Weekly Pest Control Round-Up
• Weekly Pest Control Links Round-Up
• The Least You Need to Know About Bedbugs
• Don’t Let the Bedbugs Bite …
• Will we ever… get rid of bed bugs?

Anthony Ball

Pest Of The Week: The Eastern Gray Squirrel

 

In most of North America, the most common variety of squirrel encountered in urban areas, is the Eastern Gray squirrel; or Grey squirrel (Canada). These rodent pests have spread across the United States, and are often discovered in parks, backyards (urban) and farmlands (rural). In fact, in many areas the Eastern Grey squirrel has largely displaced the native Red squirrel.

As the name suggests, the Eastern Gray squirrel is characteristically covered in gray fur, but it can also display a reddish color. This rodent pest has a white underside, and a large bushy tail. The head and body length ranges from 23 to 30 cm, with an additional 19 to 25 cm, to account for the tail.

Eastern Gray squirrels build a type of nest, known as a drey, commonly found in forks of trees. However, they may also build a nest in the attic or in the exterior walls of homes and dwellings, creating a pest control problem for unsuspecting homeowners and tenants.

 

This Week’s Pest Control News

 

NJ Pest Control Warning: Don’t Bring Bed Bugs Home For The Holidays

Here are a few pointers from ChemTec Pest Control in New Jersey on avoiding bedbugs over the holidays. Click here.

Fleas On Dogs – What Can Be Done For Dog Fleas

If you have any dogs in the home, there is a high chance that you have had fleas and would know how irritating these little pests can be! They can feed on the blood of your dog and can make it unhealthy so we need to take action right away! More…

Pest Control Marketing Lessons Learned The Hard Way In 2012: The Secret to Marketing Smarter In 2013

Here are a few mistakes pest control professionals are making in there marketing efforts. Remember, true masters not only learn from their own mistakes but from the mistakes of others. To see if you are making any of these pest control marketing mistakes, click here.

Reasons to Hire a Professional Pest Control Agency

For a few good reasons on why you should hire a professional exterminator, including pest identification, effective pest elimination, and prevention plans and maintenance; click here.

Warning: Pests May Be Lurking In Your Stored Christmas Decorations

Before pulling the Christmas decorations out of storage, and before you decorate your home with all of those lights, wreaths, candles, and of course the Christmas tree; there are a few things you need to do so you don’t set forth a full on pest infestation inside your home. More…

 

Related articles

• As Wolf Spiders in Ohio Grow Out of Control, Greenix Pest Control uses New Organic Formula to Eliminate Them
• Pest control Hillsborough NJ – you will always have the option to admire
• Adams Pest Control Guarantees Home Owners The Party’s Over Before It Has Begun For Melbourne Pests
• Squirrel population boom frustrates fruit growers

Anthony Ball