Archive for August, 2010
Posted on August 12, 2010 with No Comments
Last month it was reported that state officials composed a bill that would aid New York with $600,000 to help control the bed bug infestations. The bill made if from the legislation, to the senate, to the assembly, but not through Governor Paterson. On July 19th the governor received the pending bill and on July 30th he would make his decision. Unfortunately he did not pass the bill due to the high financial support that is required to uphold the bill. New Yorkers can only hope for another type of bill to pass to help them fight the bed bug epidemic! If you have a bed bug problem, JP McHale can help. JP McHale is licensed in bed bug elimination in New York. Contact us by phone 800-479-2284, email, live chat, twitter, or facebook for an inspection!
Posted on August 11, 2010 with 7 Comments
When students go away to college, they are on their own to maintain their dorm room. Here is some information on the pests to expect in a dorm room and some tips that will help you control them.
Spiders: Most people jump at the sight of a spider. Spiders are unwelcomed guests that always tend to make their way into a room. Spiders are attracted to two things, moisture and light. Often your will see spiders make webs in the corners of the room or by the windows. If you do see a web forming, a handheld vacuum is an easy way to get rid of it. Try not to leave clutter around. Spiders can easily make a web in a stack of papers or in a cup that is just lying around.
Stink Bugs: The Western Conifer Seed Bug, often called the stink bug, is a bug that seems to make its way onto dorm walls. You will see stink bugs more likely in the winter months because they will go inside to look for shelter. When you kill them, they give off a foul odor. The only way to prevent them is to seal off entry points from the outside, like windows and doors.
Lady Bugs: If you see a small dot on the wall, don’t be surprised if it is a lady bug! Lady bugs are around ¼” long and are red or yellow with black spots. Like the stink bug, lady bugs will come indoors to look for shelter. They best way to keep these out is to seal off all entry points.
Flies: Flies and gnats are a big nuisance in dorms. You will find a significant number of gnats in the bathrooms. Flies and gnats love moisture and will hover around pipes that condensate. If a fly does enter your room the best this to do is have a fly swatter handy. Flies are very quick and a hassle to get rid of! Flies are either attracted to decay organisms or food. Hopefully a fly will be in your room just from crumbs and not a dead mouse!
Silverfish: Silverfish look like hairy centipedes. They are usually ½” to ¾” long and appear silver to brown from their scales. They are flat and oval shaped, with three long tails and two antennas. Silverfish are attracted to moisture and will thrive in rooms 70 to 80 degrees. Silverfish are nocturnal but can be found in the day time.
By following these tips, you’ll be sure to stay bug free in your dorm:
- Make sure the screens in your windows do not have tears or holes.
- Frequently dust. By dusting the areas that you rarely use will reduce the amount of pests your see significantly.
- Try to make sure there is not a big space between your door and the floor. Often there will be a small space which is big enough for pests to crawl under.
- Do not leave damp clothes or towels around. Hang up all wet clothes before you throw them in your hamper.
- Make sure all food is securely stored. Most people will be eating a bag of chips then leave the room for a bit. You’d be surprised how fast bugs can sense food!
- Position furniture right against the wall or in an area where you can move it. If there is an inch between a closet and the wall, pests will likely hang out there.
- If you do see pests, try not to kill them. Some insects, like the stink bug, will give off a scent that attracted other to the area. Catch the pest and throw it outside.
- Don’t leave clothes lying on the floor. Even if the clothes are not damp, a shirt can make a warm environment for a pest to live under!
Tags: flies, Ladybugs, Pest Control, Pests, Silverfish, spiders, western conifer seed bug
Category: Cluster Fly, Crawling Insects, Do It Yourself, House Fly, Silverfish, Spiders, Western Conifer Seed Bug
Posted on August 11, 2010 with 4 Comments
Yesterday News 12 reported that Bohlman Towers, an apartment complex in Peekskill, NY, has been struggling with a bad infestation of bed bugs in the recent years. Tenants are furious. One tenant who was interviewed said that bed bugs are affecting her emotionally and financially. She is not spending money on treatments, but she was forced to leave her job as a nurse when people found out she had bed bugs. Other tenants have written letters to News 12 and the city to seek a solution. The city is aware of the bad infestation and they will work to a eradicate the problem. In the mean time, the city is going to provide information about bed bugs to the tenants. The article provides a video which interviews a tenant and shows pictures of the bad infestations. JP McHale is licensed in bed bug elimination in New York. Contact us by phone 800-479-2284, email, live chat, twitter, or facebook for an inspection!
Posted on August 11, 2010 with 1 Comment
Mosquitoes will favor certain clothes when choosing who to bite. An article from Ecouterre.com states that mosquitoes love black leggings! Many women love to wear them either for comfort or fashion, but you are more likely to get bit from a mosquito if you do so! The article suggests to wear light or bright colored heavy clothes to protect yourself. A light colored sweatshirt and pale-wash jeans would be a good choice if you are spending time outside. Here are some other tips to follow if you want to stay mosquito free:
- Replace/repair broken screens
- Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar outdoor items that hold water
- Make holes in the bottoms of recycling containers that are kept outside
- Clean clogged rain gutters and make sure they continue to work properly
- Turn over wheelbarrows and wading pools when not in use to prevent water build up
- Change water in bird baths often
- Clear vegetation and debris from edges of ponds
- Clean chlorinated swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs a few times a month
- Drain water from pool covers
- Use landscaping materials to eliminate low spots where standing water accumulates.
(Tips from Oswego Health Department)
If you have a mosquito problem, JP McHale can help! JP McHale is a Westchester Pest Control company that can help you with your mosquito problem! Contact us by phone 800-479-2284, email, live chat, twitter, or facebook.
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Posted on August 10, 2010 with 2 Comments
Today the US Environmental Protection Agency published a Consumer Alert on their website. The EPA is advising consumers to be aware of the pesticides that are being used when trying to control bed bugs. The EPA explains that bed bugs are a very difficult pest to control, people and pest control companies are going to extremes to try and control them. This may mean using improper pesticides. When people are fed up with the infestation, they will use products that are meant only for the outdoors inside, creating a harmful environment for people to live in. JP McHale Pest Management uses environmentally friendly products in all services. If you wish to know the exact products we use we will gladly discuss everything we use. When people try and eradicate bed bugs on their own, they will spend too much time and money and even create an environment that is unhealthy to live in. JP McHale licensed in bed bug elimination in New York. Contact us by phone 800-479-2284, email, live chat, twitter, or facebook for an inspection!
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Posted on August 10, 2010 with No Comments
When JP McHale goes out for a service, we love to ride around in our white trucks! If you ever see one on roads or at a house in Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, Connecticut, or New Jersey take a picture and email or tweet me and JP McHale will send you a free gift!
Posted on August 10, 2010 with No Comments
Middlesex, NJ has made a website dedicated to informing their residents on pests they should be concerned about. The website provides fact sheets on bed bugs, Dengue Fever, and West Nile Virus along with other information about mold and flooding information. Check it out!
Posted on August 10, 2010 with No Comments
Yesterday out golf outing was a great success! Thank you to everyone who helped out and all of our sponsors. Check out photos on out Facebook!
Posted on August 9, 2010 with No Comments
Yesterday the NY Post published an article about the second round grades for New York City’s top restaurants. Last week, 24,000 of New York City’s finest restaurants were graded on a new scale to judge the cleanliness of the dining area. If a restaurant gets a low grade, they have two more inspections to improve or else their grade will be open to the public. The second inspections were conducted this past week. The final inspections will be conducted in the following week and then that’s it. Restaurants will be required to show the grade they are given right at the front door or window for the public to see. The following violations will earn restaurants points:
- Keeping cold foods at a temperature higher than 41 degrees
- Evidence of pests or rodents
- Employees not wearing hair nets
- Eggs are cracks
- Food is left uncovered
- Not vermin-proof
- Plumbing issues
- Light bulbs not shielding
These are just of the few violations that can make restaurants earn a C. The article lists some of the finest restaurants in the city that are struggling to make the cut. If you are struggling with a pest or rodent problem in your home or business, JP McHale can help. We are the leading pest control company in New York that will solve your pest problems! Contact us by phone 800-479-2284, email, live chat, twitter, or facebook for an inspection!
Last month it was reported that state officials composed a bill that would aid New York with $600,000 to help control the bed bug infestations. The bill made if from the legislation, to the senate, to the assembly, but not through Governor Paterson. On July 19th the governor received the pending bill and on July 30th he would make his decision. Unfortunately he did not pass the bill due to the high financial support that is required to uphold the bill. New Yorkers can only hope for another type of bill to pass to help them fight the bed bug epidemic! If you have a bed bug problem, JP McHale can help. JP McHale is licensed in bed bug elimination in New York. Contact us by phone 800-479-2284, email, live chat, twitter, or facebook for an inspection!
