Weatherman Freaks Out From Cockroach

Posted on November 26, 2009 with No Comments

While browsing Arizona Pest Control’s Blog we came across a funny video of a Weatherman freaking out over a cockroach on the ground. Remember when Fox Studios had bed bugs?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted on November 26, 2009 with No Comments

Photo credit: doortoriver

On behalf of JP McHale we would like to wish you and your family a very happy Thanksgiving! Eat up and enjoy the time off work

Even More Google Wave Invites

Posted on November 26, 2009 with 4 Comments

Hey everyone, our previous invites went FAST, and Google gave us some additional invites. Like before, leave a comment with your email address (Only the blog admin can see your email).

Dont know what Google Wave is? Watch this awesome video…

What Is In That Small Brain Of Bees?

Posted on November 22, 2009 with No Comments

Photo Credit: afeicht1

Having a brain the size of a pinhead does not, however necessarily make you one. Scientists concluded this week that bees; yes, bees, have the ability to think and may also be intelligent enough to count. With a brain just one milligram small, this is somewhat an impressive feat for those little bugs.

While this may be good for bees, it may not be so beneficial to us humans. With a brain that has consciousness and the ability to think, it means that bees have more sensitivity and precision than we thought they did. This means that they can in fact control where their stinger is going. In comparison, a bee has just a million nerve cells. A human’s brain, on the other hand, has 85 billion nerve cells.

Many people, including scientists themselves, for as long as we can remember compared a bee to more of a “living robot” than an actual animal.

Georgia Finds Kudzu-Munching Bugs

Posted on November 22, 2009 with No Comments

Source: UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences / AP Photo

Georgia, we have a problem.  Researchers have recently discovered the kudzu-munching bug in nine counties in northern Georgia that could threaten valuable American crops.  Experts aren’t quite sure how severe the damage could be to valuable crops like soybeans and other legumes.

Just before Halloween, Dow Agro Science field researcher Joe Eger visited the University of Georgia campus, and was showed the bug. That turned out to be a lucky break. “There are literally five people in the U.S. who could’ve identified this insect,” and Eger was one of them.

As a variety of the stinkbug, the bug gives off a bitter smell when threatened.  The kudzu-munching bug is a brownish bug that has a small narrow head but a wide body.  They are about the size of the eraser on a pencil.

It’s not quite clear how the bug got into the country.  Experts believe its most conceivable entry to the states was most likely in somebody’s suitcase.  It feeds on the seeds of beans and other crop plants.

As its host plants die off this time of year, the bugs look for places to settle in winter.  Its most desirable destinations include settling into attics and cracks on the siding of houses.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is attempting to learn more about the bug and what we can do to control it.  If you think you see this bug, call us (800) 479-2284 or contact us today!

Cold Weather Will Bring Uninvited Guests To Your Home

Posted on November 17, 2009 with 1 Comment

License photo credit: ezioman

As winter draws closer and closer by the day, your family won’t be the only one that will want the warm comfort of your household. Pests such as insects and rodents will want to share the warmth of your house. Mice are the most common of household pests that find their way into your house. Mice with their small frames and slippery movements can creep and crawl through the smallest of holes and cracks that are in your house (half inch). With the capability of carrying tons of different bacteria and diseases, mice are a rodent that you should be concerned about.

Prevention is the key for keeping these uninvited guests out of your house and in the wild. Make sure you inspect your house occasionally for any open vents, open crawl space doors, and any type of small cracks or holes near the bottom of your outdoor siding. This will keep out most of the bigger rodents out, but this wont be the only type of pest that will try and enter your home. Insects will try and get in as well, any cracks in your house’s siding is a great place for flying insects such as ladybugs, to try and nest and hibernate during the winter months. Keep brush and logs away, these are great spots for animals to find refuge from colder days. Bugs such as the Western Conifer Seed bug (stink bug) love this type of habitat and they will find a way into your house if you do not prevent such un-natural habitats near your home.

Again, rodents and insects are pests that you need to keep out of your home to prevent unsanitary conditions as well as damage to your home. Rodents will leave droppings all around your home, finding their way near children, pets, and can even find their way into your food supply. Take the necessary precautions to avoid pests problems during the winter season and you will find your self having quite a pleasant winter session. Please contact us for a free inspection of your home.

Mosquitoes Can Still Be Seen In The Fall (Wink Wink, Morris County, NJ)

Posted on November 17, 2009 with No Comments

Creative Commons License photo credit: ÇP

In Morris County, New Jersey they have taken these facts and have put together a project that would help prevent above normal mosquito population.  For the past ten years the county has put together a task force that has workers going into the wooded areas of the county and collecting old vehicle tires that have been dumped.  Morris County states that they have recovered just about 52,000 tires since the program started 8 years ago.  The state Department of Environmental Protection states that not only does it reduce the amount of mosquitoes that can populate different areas, it is also a huge environmentally friendly project.  With every tire that is picked up it helps the environment as well as creating a credible recycling source of rubber.  The rubber recovered is chopped up and recycled into things such as playgrounds, rubber footing rings for horseback riding, as well as landscaping.  As a prevention project, Morris County officials say that the cleaning up of dumped tires will help prevent an “inborn” West Nile virus.  Officials state that with the junk tires becoming few in numbers it means that they are getting rid of any lingering mosquitoes that can carry the West Nile virus, stating that most cases of the virus have been totally transient.

Mosquito populations can be prevented by a good percentage with the right prevention steps and tactics. Our Vector Intervention Program targets Mosquitoes, Rodents and Ticks. Please contact us if you are interested in a free inspection.

Why Is Pest Control Necessary For Restaurants and Food Processing Plants?

Posted on November 17, 2009 with No Comments

It is easy for most people to take for granted the cleanliness of both restaurants and food processing plants, and they should. Yet, over and over again we see closings and bankruptcies due to the presence of pests. Whether it’d be rodents or cockroaches or even just ants, pests have been ruining business because of their dirty infestations. Pest control is a number one priority for households, commercial buildings, food processing plants, and of course restaurants. While for households it is a nasty problem that has to be dealt with, it won’t shut down your business as it would for a restaurant. The reason for this is because a clean restaurant/food processing plant is the backbone of their business. If word comes out that your restaurant has pest control problems then patrons will not show up to have dinner. Reputation is a factor for success for many different businesses/workers, but once again it is elevated for businesses that are involved with the selling/distribution of food. The last thing a restaurant needs is for the word to leak about a cockroach infestation; pest infestations will not only temporarily shut down your business but most likely run it into the ground.

Pest related violations account for 95% of restaurant shutdowns! Contact JP McHale for a free needs analysis of your establishment.

Very Funny Rat Prank (Video)

Posted on November 16, 2009 with No Comments

We came across this funny prank on Pest Management Professional Magazine editor’s blog “Keeping it Simple” by Pete Grasso. Please keep in mind all of this is a prank, and methods these actors use are not real.

Western Conifer Seed Bug Added To The Pest Identification Center

Posted on November 16, 2009 with No Comments

Today we would like to announce the addition of the Western Conifer Seed Bug AKA The Stink Bug to our Pest Identification Center. The Western Conifer Seed Bug is an overwintering pest that is most active during the fall and spring months. Their behavior is very similar to ladybugs.

If you are interested in Western Conifer Seed Bug control please contact us!