Posted on July 14, 2011 with No Comments
The act of smuggling across country borders usually involves illegal substances such as drugs and alcohol, but the customs at an airport in
Turkey have come across a new smuggling idea.
BUGS! A news agency in Turkey reported on the incident in which people were attempting to smuggle more than $300,000 worth of bugs abroad for scientific research purposes.
The market for bug research and sales to natural history museums is wide spread, but holds potentially negative effects for the environment. Natural diversity of bugs, plants and animals is extremely important and smuggling of these species from one area to another can impose negative environmental effects to the new area, and diminish the population of the species from the original area.
Countries such as Turkey remain highly alert in regards to this smuggling problem, and continue to take great precautions to try and extinguish such activity.
Cartoon Credit
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
Posted on June 24, 2009 with No Comments
As this rain continues, the pests that enjoy the moisture habitat will be thriving this summer. Earwigs are considered an occasional invader and are not commonly spotted in a home.
The term “earwig” is from Europe, implying that earwigs enter the ear of a sleeping person and bore into their brain. This is not true, and is simply just a myth. Earwigs have forceps that look like they could do serious damage. These are used to capture prey. Earwigs are fairly large, measuring in at 5/8” including the forceps located at the hind-end of their bodies. Their forceps can grow up to ¼.” They have a reddish head, lighter colored wing covers, legs and antennae. Thought they have wing covers, they are not a flying insect. Earwigs are nocturnal, so they are active at night.
Earwigs feed on dead plants and insects, and enjoy spending time under stones, logs and in mulch. Therefore, to cut down and possibly eliminate the risk of getting earwigs in and around your house it is imperative to use several Integrate Pest Management (IPM) methods to control Earwigs. On some occasions, earwigs can be found eating living plants in a garden.
Walk around your home and remove any dead plants, logs, wood piles, and stones from around the foundation. Over usage of mulch can attract earwigs because of how well it holds moisture. The goal is to create a low-moisture area around the perimeter of your home. Treatment by the technician is usually performed outside on the foundation of the home. Indoor treatment and the methods of treatment are always left to the discretion of the technician.
Looking for a bug or pest related science fair project for your child? Need some fun ideas to keep your kids busy on the weekend? Pest World for Kids has lots of great science projects and they even provide everything you need to get started, from forming a question to communicating results of your experiment. The site also has pest games for kids, lesson plans for teachers and a great section on report writing!
