Mice Are Invading New Zealand Homes By The Masses

Posted on March 8, 2010 with No Comments

Mice have been running wild in Southland, New Zealand, getting to the point where it has gotten almost plauge-like in Southland. Fiordland, Te Anau, Stoney Creek and Five Rivers are the main areas that are having a serious problem with the mice population. The problem it seems is that these mice are breeding at a high pace. Gestation period for mice is only about 20 days, with 10-12 being born during optimal breeding. The reason for the high abundance of mice is that there seems to be a huge excess supply of food for the mice. It has gotten to the point where homes were catching up to 9 mice a night in their houses. Farmers are seeing hundred of mice scatter when they are scared away.

Southland is trying to control the population, however, is having trouble figuring out how. Some households say that their cats and dogs have been eating the mice, which has helped a little. However, with such a large population, it would be extremely tough to get rid of all of them, so they are focusing on limiting the food supply of the mice. However, they are finding that now Southland has a few more unwanted visitors, in weasels and rats. When the mice die off in the winter, officials are worried that these other pests will more onto the bird population. As of now, they are just urging people to do whatever they can do to get rid of these pests.

Though this widespread mouse problem is happening in New Zealand, these creatures can be infesting your home. If you would like a free inspection or more information about our rodent control services, please contact us.

Waybright Elementary School Reopens After Rat Infestation

Posted on February 25, 2010 with 2 Comments

Waybright Elementary School in Mass. has recently reopened after a rat sighting caused the school to close for a day. During school, a student saw a rat running down a stairwell. This isn’t the first time the school has had a problem with rats. In December, a construction project disrupted where some rats where living, causing them to go into the school. The school called a pest management professional, sealed off entranceway and set traps. Until they were sure the problem went away, they asked students to not leave food in classrooms and stopped serving hot lunches. They thought the problem was gone until the lone rat was spotted.

There were no signs of more rats being in the school. They didn’t find any feces or rats in traps that would indicate more than the lone rat. During the incident in the winter, there was evidence of burrowing by the rats. However, the building was swept and no burrowing was located this time around. The school reassured everybody that every precaution was taking place to prevent further incidents. They also said this is not an event isolated to just the school. Homes around the area have been having similar problems. The school has spent upwards of $30,000 already clear the rats out of the school, and expects to spend more money in the future.

If you have seen a rat or mouse in your home please contact us for a free inspection. Winter is the most common time to see a rodent in your home.

Wicked Local reported about this story first.

Ireland Hospitals See Rodent and Insect Infestation

Posted on February 17, 2010 with No Comments

Hospitals in Mullingar, Ireland and Ballinasloe, Ireland have run into a problem over the past 4 years. Different types of rodents and insects (rats, mice, ants, silverfish) have been a common site in these hospitals. 58 total pest control incidents were recorded in the past 4 years between those two hospitals. While mice and rats where the main cause of the 32 pest control calls in Mullingar, Ballinasloe has had the problem of insects on top of it. Ants are a common insect, however silverfish not so much. Silverfish is a wingless insect that usually feeds on adhesives. When no adhesives are in sight, they will eat cotton, linen, and silk, making it a household pest.

These two hospitals aren’t the only ones to have to deal with pests. A hospital in Tullamore, Ireland has possibly an even worse problem. In the same time period, they have experienced 112 pest control calls. There is a logical reason however for this large number. During this time, they were building a new hospital in Tullamore, which tends to lead to more insects and rodents. Since the new hospital is now complete, the calls have reduced significantly. Spokesman for the hospitals have made one thing clear however, that this is a serious issue. They recognize that this is something that needs to be taken care of, and they will be implementing the strategies that they are told at once. After four years of problems at these hospitals, it will be interesting to see if the suggestions eliminate their problems.

The story was first reported on TheWestmeath

“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

Icy Roads Lead To Rodent Increase In Scotland

Posted on January 20, 2010 with No Comments

Over the past few weeks, pest control companies in Edinburg, Scotland have seen an increase in rodent calls outside restaurants and other types of food establishments. Why? The obvious reason is during the winter rodents will look for warmth and get inside homes. However the reason for this increase is because of icy roads. Town works are unable to access the trash bins so the trash is not removed. Trash removal is essential in keeping a pest free environment. Sometimes it is just not possible to control some factors, which we must work around to develop a unique program tailored to your needs. (Integrated Pest Management)

Florida Residents See Increase In Rodents

Posted on January 6, 2010 with 4 Comments

Florida residents are seeing an increase in rodent activity in the recent weeks because of falling temperatures. Typically in the warm state, rodents are not present in homes because of the lower temperatures inside. Since late-night, early morning temperatures have drastically fallen, mice and rats are looking for a warm place to hide out until the weather passes, this place is your home.

“I heard a noise behind the couch that freaked me out, then I heard a whisk”

-Clearwater, FL resident

Typically the northeast of the country sees an increase in rodents during the winter months. New York residents have seen rodents because many homes have activity in them, un-expecting Florida residents are getting a scare.

Mice and Rats are both covered under our Home Pest Prevention and Guardian Programs. Please contact our office if you are interested in a free in-home inspection.

10Connects.com is the source of this story.

Brooklyn Is Infested With Rodents and Cockroaches

Posted on January 6, 2010 with No Comments

Do you live in Brownsville or Crown Heights in Brooklyn? You will be shocked at the statistics that the New York Daily News released yesterday.

“Fifty percent of Brownsville residents reported seeing a mouse or rat in their building in the past 90 days, according to a 2008 Health Department survey. That’s more than twice the city average of about 20% and almost twice the borough average of 26%. Nearby South Crown Heights has a lower rate of rodent sightings – 42% – but has the worst roach infestation in Brooklyn. Almost 56% of residents there see roaches in their households on a daily basis, according to Health Department data from 2008. That’s well above the borough average of 33% and the city average of 29%”

-NY Daily News

These numbers are shocking. What is even more ridiculous is the rodent infestation in Sheepshead Bay. 93% of the establishments have rodents, 17% have cockroaches.

If you wish to read more about this please head over the NY Daily News article or check out the NYC Heath Department.

Ask The Experts At JP McHale: Winter Rodents and Arbor Care

Posted on January 4, 2010 with 2 Comments

Q. I hear rodent activity spikes this time of the year, how do I protect my house from rodent activity?

Answer: As colder months come up on us, rodents will seek into warmer areas. It is important you examine potential avenues of entry around your house to exclude these commensal creatures. Openings around garage doors, pipe chasings and foundation cracks can provide access. Seal these openings! Establishing bird houses or feeding bread to birds within 25 feet of your home will attract rodent activity. Do not store bird feed, dry dog food or any other type of feed in bags. Transfer the contents of these products into plastic storage bins if kept under your sinks or in basement areas.

As winter nears, your home needs the protection of a full service pest solutions program.

Q. How do I best prepare my plants, arbors and shrubs for the blustery winter months ahead?

Answer: Winter temperatures and weather can wreak havoc on your arbors. Deep root fertilization aerates the soil and constructs a pathway of vitamins and nutrients directly to your arbor’s root system. Your trees and shrubs will retain these essential nutrients in its root system, pulling it from them when required, for early spring growth.

Q .What are the benefits of lime applications to my lawn?

Answer: Weeds grow best in acidic soil while grass benefits from a neutral base. Lime neutralizes the soil ph and mitigates any adverse reactions to organic fertilizer. Making a long story short, healthy soil leads to healthy grass. Healthy grass combats weed development. You cannot get any greener than that!

“There’s no weapon like experience.” JP McHale Pest Management Inc. is a family owned and operated pest management company since 1971, we are one of the top 50 largest pest control companies in the United States. Please contact us if you are interested in learning more about the services we offer.

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.

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.