Posted on February 10, 2010 with 1 Comment
Verdi Square, New York City
Verdi Square, the domain for drug dealers and the homeless all the way back since the late 80s, has another problem on its hands. Rats are infesting the area in the Upper West Side of New York. The problem has gotten so bad that even the Parks Department has a need for more help to clean up the area. The area has gotten to the point where it is being cleaned at around 3 times a day. What has caused this infestation? The area is filthy according to residents, with trash all over the place. Also, the renovation of a subway in 2000 has led to increase traffic in the area. With increased traffic comes more trash. Also, subway systems are notorious for an infestation of rats.
What measures are being done to clean the newly dubbed “Vermin Square”? Products to control rats are being littered all over the area. However, the rats are bigger than they were in the 80s, so after the initial stage, the dosage was upped. Trash crews are working hard to clean up the trash around the Verdi Square. Also, rat-proof garbage bags are now being used as potential solutions. Even with these possible solutions, the rats continue to dig holes around the Statue of Giuseppe Verdi. Rats are determined to find a way to stick around, and time will tell if “Vermin Square” can return to Verdi Square.
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Posted on January 4, 2010 with No Comments
Today the New York Post published a great article about what it is like to be a pest management technician. They talk about from everything from what the job entails, to the way you can move up in the profession.
“On the job, pest control workers inspect and identify pest problems and recommend a plan of treatment, which may include applying pesticides, baits, repellants and traps inside and outside buildings, and in places like drains and open areas. They may also use barrier methods to keep pests from accessing food, and may recommend structural repair. Since pesticides can be toxic, pest control workers have to observe strict safety precautions. They also must be certified by the state to administer certain types of pesticides.”
We would like to thank the New York Post for putting a light on the pest management industry, please read the article over at NYPost.com
Posted on August 13, 2009 with No Comments
Just north of our office, up the Hudson river, located in Orange County, is the City of Newburgh, New York. JP McHale Pest Management proudly serves this city, and surrounding areas.
Short History
In 1792 the Continental army called home to Newburgh then, later, in 1950 George Washington settled in Newburgh, with one of his headquarters located in the city.
Newburgh was incorporated in 1865, and now is home to over 700,000 people.
JP McHale Pest Management offers a host of services in Newburgh including:
- Residential and Commercial Pest Management
- Termite Mitigation
- Bed Bug Elimination
- Mosquito and Tick Abatement
- Plant Health Care and Organic Lawn Fertilization
Please contact us at (800) 479-2284, email us, twitter us or live chat with us to learn how JP McHale can create a healthier environment for your and your family.
Posted on August 11, 2009 with No Comments
Chappaqua is a hamlet located in the town of New Castle. JP McHale Pest Management Inc. services Chappaqua, NY.
We have dedicated this post to everyone visiting from Chappaqua.
Did You Know?
Chappaqua is home to America’s first concrete structure. It is a concrete barn build by Horace Greeley. It was completed in 1856.
Live in Chappaqua and need pest control?
Give us a call at (800) 479-2284, email us, live chat with us or twitter with us.
Posted on August 3, 2009 with No Comments
Bee swarms can be very dangerous to humans when they are located close to a high traffic area on your property. One of the most dangerous situations is when bees form a nest inside your home, right behind a sheet rock wall. Over time as this nest grows, the wall will appear water stained. Eventually this nest will break through the wall and will create a swarm in the home.
This situation happened to a woman from Philipstown, New York. Located just north of our office, and in our service area of Putnam County, we hate to see this kind of event happen. An 87 year old woman was rushed to the hospital shortly after she was stung by about 12 bees. A neighbor saw the event occur, and was quick to call authorities. We hope this woman is okay, and makes it back home soon.
Last week a man was killed by a swarm of bees in Wales.
JP McHale Pest Management considers it an emergency when bees break through a wall. If you are in a home where this happens, first try to close all doors to the room, to prevent the problem from spreading, if this is not possible, leave the house immediately and contact us to get the situation under control.
This story was originally written by our local newspaper, The Journal News.
Posted on July 21, 2009 with 3 Comments
In 2007 SmartMoney.com came out with an article listing the 10 things your exterminator won’t tell you. We would like the opportunity to describe our company’s stance on each of the issues that were pointed out in their article. The term “exterminator” is old, and is being phased out in the pest industry. No longer does a pest control technician “bomb” homes or go in and kill everything they see. The industry has taken a move toward a cleaner environment, with Integrated Pest Management. IPM is a set of methods that should be carried out on a property to ensure pest management without the use of treatment. If a pest issue is spotted, targeted treatment will be done to ensure the minimal use of pesticides.
SmartMoney’s 10 Things Your Exterminator Won’t tell You,
1.”I Love Global Warming”
Our Response: Global warming is a worldwide issue, and we understand that. SmartMoney mentions that it is a great business opportunity to get into because of the rising population of pests are rising because of the warmer weather. JP McHale Pest Management started pest control in the 1970’s. Global warming was not a widely know issue at the time. Over the course of the next 40 years JP McHale grew into one of the top 50 largest pest control companies in the US. Here in the northeast we have cold winters and hot summers. This creates many different living conditions for many different pests. In the summer its carpenter ants and in the winter it is mice. The rising heat and increased travel will bring our more pests, no doubt about it. If you would like to consider this a growing business, I would say, yes it is. So are many other businesses as weather gets warmer. Air conditioner sales and electricity bills be increasing in order to keep homes at an acceptable temperature.
Final word: Pest control is a growing industry, so are other lines of work.
2.”Bedbugs are back –and I have no idea how to treat them”
Our Response: Bed bugs are back, once thought eradicated in the 1950s, we have seen a rapid increase in the amount of calls received from possible bed bug infestations. New York City is the hot spot for the spread of these bugs because of increased international travel. Bed bugs can be contracted by staying just one night in an infested room. JP McHale has been eradicating bed bugs since we can remember. We have inspectors who have been in the business for many years and can find bed bugs if you have them. If by chance they miss them, a K-9 bed bug inspection dog is an option. We are proud to say that we guarantee all of the bed bugs jobs we do, because we know that we will get rid of them. Bed bugs elimination is not cheap, because of the amount of work evolved to treat an entire house. Pricing is done by the amount of rooms that need to be treated, and the level of infestations of the rooms. Some companies will offer very low prices to get rid of the bed bugs, however this is done without a guarantee or follow up treatments. If you have bed bugs read into how to find the pest company, we will fit and exceeded all the standards. We will provide you with the proper preparation tips to make this a team effort to rid your home of these critters.
Final word: Bed bugs are back, and we are pros at getting rid of them
3. “You cant sue me – my contract’s ironclad”
Our Response: The last thing any one ever wants is a lawsuit. It is time and money consuming. Termites are a very serious issue and most homeowners do not know the implications that come with an active termite infestation. We will never offer a lifetime guarantee. It simply is not practical or possible to guarantee that. If you find an active termite infestation we will work with you on a day to day basis to rid your property of these wood destroying insects. Home inspections can be tricked and nothing is perfect. What is going on behind a wall cannot be seen, and could always be possible termite activity.
Final word: We will work with you to eliminate termites PERIOD, we will not make guarantees we cannot keep.
4.”Either I’m not using enough juice for the job…”
Our Response: The way SmartMoney talks about this issue are a bit outdated. JP McHale services three states, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. All three of these states have strict regulations with the applications of pesticides. Every time that a customer signs a service agreement with us, we are required to provide them a list of every product we could possibly use on their property. After every service, a ticket is left at the home with exactly what product we used, where we applied it, how we applied at, and the mixture rate it was mixed at. We will never under-or over mix a product unless is it allowed by the label, and we deem it necessary to mix at that rate. Potential clients will be asked a series of questions ranging from if they have pets to any allergies they have. All of these factors are taken into account and we base the treatment methods off the results.
Final word: We will always apply products at the discretion of the label, and tell you every product we would apply on your property.
5. “…or else I’m using too much”
Our Response: This question relates to the previous one quite well. We will never over apply a product to control a pest. If a certain treatment is not working on your pest issue, we will try a different approach, using different products. Nearly every pest issue can be solved with time. That is why nearly all of our customers are on a year plan with us. If you pest issue doesn’t go away, we will keep coming out until it is solved. No change for follow-ups, or if you run into a different pest issue.
Final word: Every pest issue can be solved, weather it be with different kinds or type of treatments.
6. “If you neighbors don’t hire me too, this treatment is worthless”
Our response: This is a half and half question. Pests originate outside. As SmartMoney says, pests can travel far distances. In an apartment complex, to control pests, it is necessary that you have your neighbor’s assistance in eradicating the problem. Cockroaches, ants, mice, etc can easily access all apartments once inside the building from the pipes and wires. Treating just one apartment might kill a majority of them; however the pests will relocate, probably to your neighbor’s apartment. Freestanding homes wont run into this problem as much as apartment complexes. Homes can be eradicated on any pests inside your home, most likely with no effect of your neighbor. When it comes to pests that are outdoors, such as carpenter ants, ticks, and lawn related issues. It is easy to spread to your neighbor’s property depending on the layout of your neighbor’s property and yours. Most of the time, neighbors are willing to help you eradicate the pest issue you may have outside because they don’t want it spreading to their property.
Final word: All depends on the circumstances. We will inform you if you should consult your neighbors about assisting with the pest control.
7.”We’ll spray even when you don’t need it”
Our Response: JP McHale has yearly programs for customers. This program offers 3 yearly visits that we automatically come out and assess your property for exterior pest activity and treat accordingly. If you spot pest activity anytime between these three visits we are on call. You simply call us, and let us know your issue and we will have some on out there at no charge. You can call us as many times as needed to ensure your home is a pest free environment. Preventative treatment can be done if a known problem was known to exist.
Final word: If treatment isn’t necessary we won’t treat, if it is, we will. Simple as that.
8. “I’ll bungle your home inspection – but you’ll pay for it”
Our response: Termite inspectors are certified by the state. We are very familiar with people buying and selling homes, and call wanting a Wood Destroying Organism report on their property. Depending on the service program you have with us, we will monitor for termites and let you know when activity is found. We offer inspections and will give you a report of our findings to give to the bank or buyer of the home. Inspections are never perfect, as we never know what is going on behind sheetrock walls or underground foundations
Final word: We will give you an honest licensed inspection of your home, tell you what’s wrong and give you a quote. It’s always up to you to decide weather or not to move forward with the service.
9. “I’m not above preying on your vulnerability”
Our response: Do your research. We have no problem talking to you about the pests you have, how they live, reproduce, and how we will go upon treating for them. We encourage you to ask us questions. All of our technicians are under the supervision of the field managers who are certified, and capable of identifying pests if one cannot be identified in the field. Our owner, James P McHale is a certified entomologist and the Tree & Turf department is over seen by our plant pathologist, Doug McHale. We are ready for your pest problem, and we know that we are qualified enough to take care of it.
Final word: We wont intimidate customers, we will inform. People should do their research and pick a company accordingly. Read about the bugs you see online and ask us questions about them.
10. “You don’t need to call me for every bug you see”
Our response: You are right. The methods to prevent small nuisance pests are simple sanitation, part of Integrate Pest Management techniques. Keep your home clean, food is always in sealed containers, etc. We don’t try to hid these simple tips from the consumer. As customers are covered under these pests, I am sure that they would like some small do it yourself tips on preventing the invaders.
Final word: You don’t need us for every pest, but we want to let you know we are here. We will also tell you how to prevent common household pests when we come out for you.
There you have it, our side of the 10 things your exterminator (we) wouldn’t tell you. JP McHale is a family run trustworthy company. We hate to be compared to other people in the industry that do not provide quality work. For some it is simply having a low price, not caring about quality, and we want to let consumers know that its not always about the price, it is the quality of service.
If you ever have any pest related questions, please do no hesitate to contact us at (800) 479-2284, email us, live chat us, twitter us or join us on Facebook!
Tags: Bed Bugs, Bugs, exterminator, home inspections, pest company, trustworthy company
Category: Commercial Pest Control, Do It Yourself, Integrated Pest Management, NY Pest Control, Pest Control Co, Pest Control Industry, Reader Request/ Question, Termites
“Bees had been placed on a list of harmful “wild animals,” that includes lions, pit vipers, and crocodiles, under the city health code. Fines can range between $200-$2000 for maintaining a rooftop hive…”
Last week we launched out new website (
