Cockroaches And Mice Are Posing A Threat To Ontario’s Chinatown Restaurants

Posted on February 10, 2010 with No Comments

Chinatown restaurants in Ottawa, Ontario Canada are struggling to keep its restaurants up the Ontario’s Health Standards. 23 of the 42 restaurants in the district have been found to have non-critical infractions that affect food safety. However, 18 of the 42 have been found to have critical infractions. What has caused these infractions? Cockroaches and Mice have been rampant in these restaurants. Cockroaches and Mice have used the large areas and the big staff to make these new restaurants their home. What makes Cockroaches so concerning is the fact that they can hold up to 40 eggs, so when they give birth, there is another 40 possible Cockroaches coming. Mice have also been linked to infesting restaurants for many years.

It isn’t just the lower rung of restaurants having this problem. For example, Chu Shing, the largest restaurant on the block, and may be the most popular restaurant in the area, has been hit. Chu Shing has line that are notoriously long just to get into the place. Waits of up to a half hour isn’t an unusually occurence. However, Chu Shing has been hit with a Cockroach problem. They have a pest control company come about every 2 weeks. After getting hit with a bunch of critical and non-critical infractions, the popular restaurant got the all important word that it was clean from infractions. The district has made its restaurants go through a safety training, and all that have taken it has passed. However, even with the training, cockroaches and mice continue to linger around these restaurants, and its going to be hard to get rid of all of them.

Don’t let infractions like this put your restaurant in jeopardy of closure. Contact JP McHale’s Commercial and Industrial service department fora free inspection and a custom Integrated Pest Management plan for your establishment.

Information from the Ottawa Citizen was used in this article.

“Pretty Darn Serious” Rodent Infestation Closes A Wisconsin Warehouse

Posted on February 5, 2010 with No Comments

1,500 cases of candy and snacks were destroyed in an unlicensed Wisconsin warehouse this week because of a serious rodent infestation.

“For a case to have gotten to this point will tell you it was pretty darn serious.” -FDA Spokesperson, Tom Gasparoli

The warehouse owner, Mark Reisdorf claimed that the establishment did have a few mice, but he was told by the pest control company the establishment was pest free. The warehouse failed to receive its license to store food products when the check to the health department bounced. The building used to be a school, until purchased by Reisdof and changed into “Mid-States Closeouts.” The FDA closed the establishment.

A rodent infestation is not an acceptable to lose business like Mid-States Closeouts will. If you are a property owner or management company, please contact JP McHale Pest Management for a free consultation and to learn more about a custom Integrated Pest Management plan for your property.

Photo Credit

10 Great Housekeeping Tips For College Students To Stay Healthy This Winter

Posted on November 10, 2009 with 2 Comments

As the cold days of winter come, so does sickness to that college campus.  To those of you college kids out there reading this blog, or to you concerned parents who wonder what their kids dorms could really ever look like before you come to visit, here are a couple of helpful hints to keep in mind or pass along the way:

1. Always keep a set of disinfectant wipes by your sink.  Use nightly to get rid of any germs that could be spreading.  You wipe your face and brush your teeth here, keep that sink clean!


Creative Commons License photo credit: scatterbrained

2. Always have paper towels set up for emergencies.  Always know where they are located.  This is in order to avoid the “spill-over” (no pun intended) from spills.  When something spills clean it up at once, don’t let it dry out and become a messy, sticky bug-drawing force on your dorm room floor.
3. Make it a daily concern to clean up loose articles of old food and beverages.  This includes all opened water bottles and half eaten bottles of chips.  Even if you don’t realize it, you feel better without all that unnecessary clutter around your room
4. Always have water available.  Be it by the means of drinking out of cups, a Brita, or bottled water, it is necessary as a college kid to be well hydrated and happy.
5. Have that ibuprofen bottle full at all times (especially weekend mornings).  This is a number one tool for all quick fix headaches, minor pains, and hangovers.  Having Nyquil and Dayquil in that top-drawer can’t hurt either.
6. Keep a broom in that room.  You’d be surprised at how much dirt one can sweep up during a quick sweep of the room.  It’s vital to sweep up these parts of the room 2 or 3 times per week.
7. Do not drink or share food with your friends. (Beer pong is a definite no-no)
8. A cup of tea a day or a bowl of soup always feels good on the throat.  Sounds old fashioned, but its true.
9. Go to your local customer value store and purchase a Neti-Pot.  It relieves all reoccurring sinus pains during the winter.  This, and always having tissues handy is key.
10. Change your sheets at least once a week.  Wash your towels/hand towels intensely. We know this may seem like a terrifying adjustment in your life, but it is worth it.  If necessary, have 2 or 3 extra pairs of sheets for quick changing and being able to still avoid doing that laundry.

Integrated Pest Management techniques are also essential. Keeping a clean room is essential. If you spot any bugs or insects it is recommended that you bring it up with your Resident Assistant or Resident Director of your complex.

How to Build Green and stay Pest Free – Guest Post

Posted on August 24, 2009 with No Comments

This gust post was written by Brittani over at Eden Pest Technologies located in Washington, thanks again Brittani!

With all the attention being paid to building green – it seems that green services should be given more credit. After all, how much good does building green offer if the services provided do not support the green objectives originally intended?

Eden (Integrated Pest Management) is a perfect example. If a house was built to minimize volatile gases then pesticides should not be regularly applied to the structure. Therefore, a green program for pest management is what should be provided.

When considering a green option for pest management, three areas are critical for consideration: method, materials and motive.

1. Method of application is the most important of the three. The core of Eden’s IPM method is our four levels of control: Physical exclusion of the pest from the structure, habitat modification by removal of pest conducive conditions, mechanical controls like traps, nets, etc.; and minimal use of pesticides.
2. Materials, even those considered safe or natural, could be used in a manner that will harm the environment and the people in it if not applied correctly. Eden’s green option, the Natural Choice Program, offers materials that are EPA Exempt and Organic; designed to work with nature… not against it.
3. Motive builds loyalty and trust. Eden is proud to offer sustainable solutions to clients’ pest concerns.  Solving problems through our proven IPM method is what motivates and moves this company forward. We strive to be successful in all we do. Making sure our customers are completely satisfied is Eden’s number one goal.

Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, embraces best practices and methods that include careful inspection and monitoring, incorporating long term and non-material tactics with careful pesticide use – and evaluating those tactics for improvement.

It’s important to find the pest management professional that truly understands the importance of your environment and can not only help you create it but displays similar values in their business approach.

Poor Sanitation will Welcome Pests, City Inspectors, and lead Customers out the Door

Posted on July 10, 2009 with No Comments

Two Chicago bar and grills were shut down because of bad sanitation, cockroaches and rodent issues.

“…cited for failing to supply soap and hand towels at a hand-washing sink designated for food handlers”

“…inspectors found food at unsafe temperatures and numerous rat feces throughout the restaurant.”

-CBS 2 Chicago

How can anyone run an establishment like this? Not only were these places shut down, they were given fines, and their priceless reputations have been ruined. Regular visitors will not return, and it will be know for a very long time as the “disgusting, rat infested bar.” Don’t let your restaurant, bar, or food processing plant get a bad reputation and ruin your business’ name forever.

This has occurred on a national level with the FDA closing and forcing the Peanut Corp. of America into chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Call a pest control company. With JP McHale’s Commercial Pest Elimination programs, we will evaluate the type of work you do, and create a custom integrated pest solutions plan, that will target all pests, and inform you on what you can do to prevent pests from entering your kitchen.

Don’t be dumb and put your business’ reputation at risk.

Vector Intervention Program, Ticks, Mosquitoes and Rodents in One Service

Posted on July 10, 2009 with No Comments

It is the middle of the summer and everyone is outside. The last thing you want is to contract a pest transmitted disease like Lyme or West Nile.

JP McHale is a unique pest management company. With the power of a entomologist and a plant pathologist, custom service programs can be created, controlling more pests then just the general pest control. Therefore, we have created the VIP, Vector Intervention Program. The VIP program is performed by our tree and turf department.

The VIP program is targeted at pests that transmit diseases. Most specifically, ticks, mosquitoes, mice and rats. All of these pests transmit different diseases, and are present in the northeast in high populations.

Mosquitoes:

They transmit the West Nile Virus. West Nile is usually found in Africa, and has made its way to the United States. When an infected mosquito bites a human, they will get a short illness. However, if left untreated, there are high chances that the West Nile could turn into a more harmful disease such as encephalitis or meningitis.

The ecotone if your property is treated with a liquid or your property will have mosquito dunks placed strategically where mosquitoes are found to breed on your property.

To ensure that your property will be mosquito free, our VIP program along with integrated pest management techniques will be the best possible thing you can do.

Ticks:

Transmitting Lyme disease, Babesiosis and Ehrlichosis. Lyme disease is one of the most well know diseases, if contracted; symptoms include dizziness, stiff neck, abdominal pain, joint pain, acute headaches and symptoms that relate to arthritis. Deer ticks are most know to carry Lyme disease. Another disease found in ticks is Babesiosis. Contraction of Babesiosis is not common in the northeast of the country, but there have been reports of it. This disease targets the red blood cells in your body, and symptoms are sever and include fever, chills, body aches, muscle pain, nausea, and vomiting. This disease is especially harmful and dangerous to the elderly and people with a weakened immune system. The most recently discovered disease to be carried by ticks is Ehrlichiosis. Reports of this disease are increasing rapidly in the northeast of the country. This disease will target white blood cells, creating flu-type symptoms such as fevers, muscle aches and fatigue. Children may get rashes. Diagnosis of Ehrlichiosis is key, and if not treated, can lead to hospitalization and possibly death.

You can control ticks from your property and prevent them from infecting you by a few integrated pest management methods, and the VIP program through JP McHale Pest Management

Rodents:

The last pest covered by the VIP program is rodents, most specifically, mice and rats. Mice and rats leave urine, dropping and salvia behind when they are percent in homes. These secretions left behind can cause Hanta Virus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). Here at JP McHale, our customer service representatives get calls all the time from people that have been diagnosed HPS by their doctor. HPS is usually contracted by breathing in the virus. Symptoms include fever, headaches, muscle pain, dizziness and chills. If left untreated, you will notice lunch filling with fluid and shortness of breath.

All of these pests are covered by our Vector Intervention Program, that is administered by our Tree & Turf Management department. Please contact us at (800) 479 2284 if you would like more information or would like to sign up for the program.

Canadian City Using Helicopter Spray to Fight Mosquitoes

Posted on July 6, 2009 with No Comments

The City of Winnipeg in Canada has stepped up their efforts in hope of cutting the mosquitoes populations. Mosquitoes breed in standing water, only a teaspoon needed. The city is urging residents to do their part in the fight and to eliminate standing water on their property. The city reports that high levels of larvae are currently present.

Some ways that residents can help would be by taking a walk around their property and look for area that can build up water. Old tires, birdbaths and clogged gutters are just a few areas that mosquitoes find to breed in. Your grass should be kept short, wood & leaf piles should be far away from your home, also to prevent other types of pests such as termites.

Mosquitoes easily spread infectious diseases by way of sucking human blood. These diseases have killed millions of people and are continuing to do so. Control and awareness of these bugs must not be overlooked and are a serious issue.

Keep Yourself Protected From Tick and Mosquitoes This 4th of July Weekend!

Posted on July 2, 2009 with 1 Comment

America’s Independence Day is this weekend! Hopefully this weather will holdup and it will be nice and hot outside, great for barbequing.

As we all know mosquitoes are one of the biggest nuisances to humans during the summer. This weekend, if the rain holds up mosquitoes and ticks will be outside with us. There are several steps that you can ensure that you, your family and friends have an enjoyable holiday weekend.

1. Remove standing water.
   1. Remove old tires from your yard, check birdbaths and clean out your gutters. Mosquitoes can breed in just one tablespoon of water!
2. Keep away from eco-tone
   1. The eco-tone s the area of your yard that turns from grass to woods. Children like to play in the woods, and in the yard. It is imperative to keep them away from this area as it is a perfect breeding area for ticks. Ticks cannot stay alive in the open sun on your yard. When going into the woods, make sure you have high socks and long pants on, and always check your body once you get inside for ticks.
3. Most active at Dawn and Dust
   1. Mosquitoes are the most active during dawn and dusk. While you will see them doing the day, they are even more common at night.
4. Evening protection
   1. We all like to be outside in the evening and so do mosquitoes. They are attracted to sweet aromas, so make sure to place candles outside around the perimeter your enjoyment area. Citronella candles work best. Don’t use those electric “zappers” as they attract the mosquitoes, and when they smell the carbon dioxide from your body, they will focus their attention on you.

We know that inspects are the last thing we want to worry about on a holiday weekend, but it is a reality. Keep these several tips in mind, and you should have a pest-free weekend. From our family to yours.. happy 4^th of July!

Preventing Earwigs from entering your home or garden

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.

Mosquito Breeding Area

Posted on June 19, 2009 with No Comments

We have had a lot of rain lately, so the mosquitoes, tick and carpenter ants will be out in full swing. We would like to give you a tip on keeping your landscape’s mosquito population to a minimum.

Get Rid of Stagnant Water

A perfect example is a bird bath. The picture on the right shows a typical bird bath in someone’s garden. While they do look nice, they attract mosquitoes. Other areas on your property that mosquitoes love are old tires. Old tires collect rain water and sit for months and even years. We previously wrote about foreclosed homes, and why they are perfect areas for mosquitoes, mainly because of the pool. Ensure that your pool is up kept properly to avoid breeding areas.

These are just a few tips on reducing the pest population on your property this summer. These tips are part of a program called Integrated Pest Management. IPM is a program designed that will keep pest populations to a minimum with reduced amounts of pesticides, and keeping a clean living area.