tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1076880686404694362024-02-19T18:34:42.242-08:00Pest of the Month by Magic ExterminatingPest of the MonthAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04030160345323285081noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107688068640469436.post-90888427861136910072014-12-05T14:38:00.000-08:002014-12-08T06:31:51.000-08:00THE COLD WEATHER IS UPON US AND SO ARE THESE OCCASIONAL INVADERS<br />
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<u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">RATS </span></u></div>
<u> </u><span style="color: #ee5624; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ee5624; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZM0kKDLHXPs7vy1Z7BeEtnuSAKQipRGy_IclSStgKcMKN8MFJahBCHwGS3zCLDdT7laQD4MgI3WGxk2y_UCs179F76U4vOG1z5wCgvUU2Qbffz3eHktKi6eyEox2mMcXJvLwDujD6Zde/s1600/rat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZM0kKDLHXPs7vy1Z7BeEtnuSAKQipRGy_IclSStgKcMKN8MFJahBCHwGS3zCLDdT7laQD4MgI3WGxk2y_UCs179F76U4vOG1z5wCgvUU2Qbffz3eHktKi6eyEox2mMcXJvLwDujD6Zde/s1600/rat.jpg" height="174" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In
the Northeastern U.S. there is only one species of rat that concerns pest
control professionals. This species is the Norway Rat. The Rat is nocturnal by
preference but can adapt this behavior if the environment causes it to do so.
They have many similarities with mice but there are some startling differences.
Norway rats are larger than mice, usually weigh between 12 and 16 ounces, have
small ears that are close to the head, and a blunt nose. Both mice and
rats are very destructive in their behavior by gnawing with their incisors on
fabrics, walls, wires, and other surfaces. The rodent droppings and urine's
will contaminate any surface. Most importantly they are vectors
of disease. </span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">MICE</span></u><span style="color: #ee5624; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAwe7tKyztgZcuGiMxLgyoiMPhm-C0_mWRQJVW_va9e4TUwuu37kh3p3qEQuzhfvnAAF7ZhJ7nCE0bQ_nyNRiNOHRhCMKn9Xdf_9OH-039GIOKg-lK4VDJXuq8FR_qDdZsDYGezAOw-XX/s1600/mouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAwe7tKyztgZcuGiMxLgyoiMPhm-C0_mWRQJVW_va9e4TUwuu37kh3p3qEQuzhfvnAAF7ZhJ7nCE0bQ_nyNRiNOHRhCMKn9Xdf_9OH-039GIOKg-lK4VDJXuq8FR_qDdZsDYGezAOw-XX/s1600/mouse.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Mice
are the most successful mammal on earth in terms of survival, second only to
man. Mice can be found inhabiting any environment people will inhabit. They can
reproduce in large numbers very quickly and give us great cause for concern
both from a public health and from a pest control standpoint. In New York City
and Nassau County they may find entry into home through small opening around
garage doors, pipelines, and siding.</span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Mice
are curious animals with poor eyesight but they have an excellent sense of
smell and hearing, and use their vibrissae (whiskers) as tactile (touch)
organs. These animals prefer small-enclosed spaces in which to function. This
type of area gives them security against enemies. Their home range (distance
traveled from nest to forage) is 30 feet or less, but will travel further in
search of food. Mice are capable of spending their entire lives within a 3-foot
diameter if all of their needs can be met in this space.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">CRICKETS</span></u><span style="color: #ee5624; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMr5TZAUxnCb99dzyXDp-AmGeHkTX-B8Rowra9ougsU3k6iUU5D8euZqZ3n6RUgpzYQNV79bAJ0PWrxuuMH6t92E38u93hluAy7e9k2gizyGR0b8bYeNGg10RSpUIspT2suiU1ZwP4SLw/s1600/cricket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMr5TZAUxnCb99dzyXDp-AmGeHkTX-B8Rowra9ougsU3k6iUU5D8euZqZ3n6RUgpzYQNV79bAJ0PWrxuuMH6t92E38u93hluAy7e9k2gizyGR0b8bYeNGg10RSpUIspT2suiU1ZwP4SLw/s1600/cricket.jpg" height="267" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Certain
crickets occasionally invade homes and become a pest by their presence.
Homeowners in the Bronx, New York City, Queens, Brooklyn, and Nassau County in
Long Island complain of the monotonous chirping of the House and Field Cricket,
which can be annoying especially at night when trying to get some sleep. The
more common Camel Back Cricket doesn't make any noise, but will put a fright
into you when it happens to jump across your face while watching TV! </span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Indoors,
some crickets can feed on a wide variety of fabrics, foods and paper products.
An occasional cricket or two in the home usually presents no serious problem.
However, large populations may congregate around lights at night, making places
unattractive. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Visit us on the web at <a href="http://www.magicexterminating.com/">www.MagicExterminating.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">#rats #crickets #mice</span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04030160345323285081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107688068640469436.post-25259515756802330322014-11-06T08:08:00.001-08:002014-11-06T08:08:42.010-08:00Camel Crickets
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6kkRup6SnoYaitQWk2bbLwvHqaCfoGZTeWBD_gsCRPXbXzYKqzPLyx5YIm4B02G33cmyPtvatDhUOhcxxUqklDXhNCO0s-38fKaDKkjwvXFk6xPRMg0KfWIj1nDq2rzvmuV_lm1oRqyCA/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6kkRup6SnoYaitQWk2bbLwvHqaCfoGZTeWBD_gsCRPXbXzYKqzPLyx5YIm4B02G33cmyPtvatDhUOhcxxUqklDXhNCO0s-38fKaDKkjwvXFk6xPRMg0KfWIj1nDq2rzvmuV_lm1oRqyCA/s1600/1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjfvdCa4EiavNrkmMkqgubxuKk1glsYd1mj0ltyJ69NaAxb2JZYTvSGhQzJMNsJDTlqBk0Sbx2a7BtcB6OlPf4BlNVj_PsJI0m89zTNYkDTuGBl3cDi1e-nbuan6gWqdeitJ39PpwgETZ/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjfvdCa4EiavNrkmMkqgubxuKk1glsYd1mj0ltyJ69NaAxb2JZYTvSGhQzJMNsJDTlqBk0Sbx2a7BtcB6OlPf4BlNVj_PsJI0m89zTNYkDTuGBl3cDi1e-nbuan6gWqdeitJ39PpwgETZ/s1600/2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.5pt;">Camel
Crickets<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">Camel crickets and closely related cave crickets belong to a large
group of insects. Unlike many other types of crickets, the camel crickets
do not chirp. They have no sound producing organs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">Camel crickets have an unusual humpbacked appearance with heads
that are bent downward between their front legs. Their antennae are much
longer than their bodies and their large hind legs make them very strong
jumpers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">Habits and Habitat. Most of the crickets in this group are
active at night and are attracted to areas with high humidity and
moisture. Outdoors camel crickets and their cave cricket cousins are
found in wood and stone piles, tall grass and weeds, hollows of trees, holes in
the ground, and of course, caves. If found indoors, camel crickets often
will be in damp basements, crawl spaces, or garages. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">Moisture is an important requirement for camel cricket survival
so reducing the number of moist habitats is essential for good, long-term control.
Preventing access to the structure is also important. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">If camel crickets are still a problem after taking habitat
altering steps to reduce moisture and access to the structure, outdoor chemical
control may be necessary. </span><span style="font-family: "AvantGarde","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04030160345323285081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107688068640469436.post-27021157087911911992014-07-15T07:03:00.000-07:002014-07-15T07:03:58.885-07:00Carpenter Ants<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAE9Vy7k_G-A4HswDM6Af6Q7fvk0WvLIaRB3qNosngldB9nwnvxskb5OidUiUUKDPkfneiTngzlU8fFezR9AXpzFWyu04qdvt78-IUiA0QMotwPM8s8NZ0BoclBz-L_JDkivxdACH7OY5a/s1600/cants2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAE9Vy7k_G-A4HswDM6Af6Q7fvk0WvLIaRB3qNosngldB9nwnvxskb5OidUiUUKDPkfneiTngzlU8fFezR9AXpzFWyu04qdvt78-IUiA0QMotwPM8s8NZ0BoclBz-L_JDkivxdACH7OY5a/s1600/cants2.jpg" height="200" width="128" /></a></td></tr>
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Carpenter Ants trailing on building</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJWbglfFu9JrZevqqR65uczwaXyOMBZ3AJwGmFs_6iilRMemrSh_Q2g6r9a0qxxY0bd-SplYtA51-8szae9HyoD3ZU1u-QfljjD1ecgIKn4VsoU5omQtKRwL9fbZBcKiSGODqBkPzqvK8/s1600/cants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJWbglfFu9JrZevqqR65uczwaXyOMBZ3AJwGmFs_6iilRMemrSh_Q2g6r9a0qxxY0bd-SplYtA51-8szae9HyoD3ZU1u-QfljjD1ecgIKn4VsoU5omQtKRwL9fbZBcKiSGODqBkPzqvK8/s1600/cants.jpg" height="177" width="320" /></a><br />
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<b>Carpenter ants are the most common ant pest found in the Northeastern United States. They cause structural damage when they excavate wood for nest sites. Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not eat wood, but rather scavenge on dead insects and collect sugary secretions (“honeydew”) produced by other insects such as aphids. Carpenter ants are a nuisance pest when workers are spotted inside foraging for food and when winged swarmers are found inside.</b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Carpenter Ant Factoids</span></b><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iQS1t3Z7wxXj91b163tXRyRYKvGApkHxZlCrm66Z19ErZQFug_y6jOaIRfrkFVvRPTRWjsPfqf0KZdbw9S3nqtTzb5bbV7aFlR4cFVCdEL-ysiClPXgmy5WpJDzKsJ-_ZphYj9ql6HTD/s1600/cants3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iQS1t3Z7wxXj91b163tXRyRYKvGApkHxZlCrm66Z19ErZQFug_y6jOaIRfrkFVvRPTRWjsPfqf0KZdbw9S3nqtTzb5bbV7aFlR4cFVCdEL-ysiClPXgmy5WpJDzKsJ-_ZphYj9ql6HTD/s1600/cants3.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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Carpenter Ants hollowing out wood.</div>
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•<b><u> Wood is Not-So-Tasty: </u></b><br />
Carpenter ants tunnel through moisture-damaged wood and spit out wood shavings. The resulting waste piles look like sawdust and often include ant body parts.<br />
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•<b><u> A Numbers Game:</u></b><br />
There are approximately 24 species of carpenter<br />
ants that are pests in North America; nine of these species are present in the northeast.<br />
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• <b><u>Hanging Out:</u></b><br />
Carpenter ant larvae are clumped together by J-shaped hairs, and cling like Velcro to the roof of their galleries.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04030160345323285081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107688068640469436.post-39705936683960319282014-07-11T07:25:00.002-07:002014-07-11T07:25:32.563-07:00German Cockroach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlr3ZcimkR8kWUnXjd4yW6oQZvzgGqLAplRn_i2RFmpjJfJgYKf6qP2zlZU5Dq7CeofyIiuDrqa3DcsxGQkTJVkTB_uhyphenhyphensOF2y1F7DhQNCt2yUy9qS8hzkjTF_O3oyvSBRM4m7GvW1A1i/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlr3ZcimkR8kWUnXjd4yW6oQZvzgGqLAplRn_i2RFmpjJfJgYKf6qP2zlZU5Dq7CeofyIiuDrqa3DcsxGQkTJVkTB_uhyphenhyphensOF2y1F7DhQNCt2yUy9qS8hzkjTF_O3oyvSBRM4m7GvW1A1i/s1600/1.jpg" height="188" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;">Figure 1. </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;">Adult
female German cockroach, </span><i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;">Blattella germanica </span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;">(Linnaeus), with ootheca. Photograph by James Castner, University
of Florida.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfzWS_Mmk9vpwMAV4VC98OmaoFOjIWPqzFNHDpWUzeZXYIR4nhAOqzXwJpDb4jftcg0zQI4Z9YyAxXKeLejb_24XJGnlOS1LziXWYs55LpzTEpW_S9EnunlOEb9bBaGxZq4iMh6FFxm8T/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfzWS_Mmk9vpwMAV4VC98OmaoFOjIWPqzFNHDpWUzeZXYIR4nhAOqzXwJpDb4jftcg0zQI4Z9YyAxXKeLejb_24XJGnlOS1LziXWYs55LpzTEpW_S9EnunlOEb9bBaGxZq4iMh6FFxm8T/s1600/2.jpg" height="125" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;">Figure 2. </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;">German Roach Stages</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Life Cycle</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The German cockroach has
three life stages typical of insects with incomplete metamorphosis: the egg,
nymph, and adult. The entire life cycle is completed in about 100 days.
However, factors such as temperature, nutritional status, and strain
differences may influence the time required to complete a life cycle. German
cockroaches breed continuously with many overlapping generations present at any
one time. Under ideal conditions, population growth has been shown to be
exponential. Actively growing field populations are comprised of 80 percent
nymphs and 20 percent adults. The German cockroach is omnivorous, eating table
scraps, pet food, and even book bindings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Medical and Economic Significance </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">German cockroach’s
adulterate food or food products with their feces and defensive secretions,
physically transport and often harbor pathogenic organisms, may cause severe
allergic responses, and in extremely heavy infestations have been reported to
bite humans and feed on food residues on the faces of sleeping humans. In
addition, some scientists suggest that German cockroach infestations may cause
human psychological stress and that the stigma associated with infestations
alters human behavior. For example, people with infested houses do less
entertaining, and avoid the kitchen at night for fear of encountering a
cockroach. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">For more information visit us at <a href="http://www.magicexterminating.com/">www.MagicExterminating.com </a></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04030160345323285081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107688068640469436.post-76803143315803876632014-06-17T10:44:00.000-07:002014-06-17T10:45:24.547-07:00Pavement Ants<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong> Pavement ants are 3/16 of an inch. Workers are about half as long as one of your shirt buttons is wide. They are dark reddish-black and have antennae that bulge out at the tips so they look like they’re waving little clubs off their foreheads.<br />
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Where it lives: Pavement ants most often nest under bricks or pavement, but they are also found in grassy areas near sidewalks and even in extreme environments, like salt marshes.<br />
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What it eats: Ultimate opportunists, pavement ants eat anything from dead insects to honeydew, a sugary food planthoppers produce. They also dine on pollen, food in your kitchen, and garbage.<br />
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NYC notes: Here is an ant with a New York ethos. It is, we suspect, more common beneath the cement of sidewalks and roads than anywhere else. Something about the cement becomes it. It’s a possibility that they may like the heat, the vibration of the road, or being close to New York’s exciting human life.<br />
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<br />For more information visit us one the web at <a href="http://www.magicexterminating.com/">www.MagicExterminating.com</a> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04030160345323285081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107688068640469436.post-8034211730523548802014-06-02T06:16:00.000-07:002014-06-02T06:16:19.585-07:00Pest of the Month- Carpenter Bees<div style="text-align: right;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong>Fig. 1. </strong></span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A carpenter bee visiting a flower. <i>Note the yellow hairs on the thorax and the shiny black abdomen, which is hairless</i>. (Photograph Tom Murray www.pbase.com/tmurray74 )</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Fig. 2. </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">A section of wood cut in half to expose the chambers or cells constructed by a carpenter bee. (USDA Forest Service Archive, USDA Forest Service, www.Bugwood.org)</span></span></div>
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<b>Injury: </b>Carpenter bees bore into wood to make a home for their young. In preferred sites, bees can drill a large number of holes. They are holes 1/2 inch in diameter. Often the same nesting sites are used year after year, and the same tunnels are reused. Porches, garages, shed ceilings and trim, railings, roof overhangs and outdoor wooden furniture, are all common nesting sites. Continued borings may weaken some wooden structures, and the yellow "sawdust and pollen" waste materials may stain cars, clothing, or furniture.</div>
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<b>Behavior:</b> The males are territorial, and in the spring they often guard the potential nest sites. They discourage intruders by hovering or darting at any moving thing that ventures into the nesting area. This can create a "human annoyance" factor, and it is one that often startles and concerns the homeowner. <br />
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However, male carpenter bees do not sting. The female carpenter bee, like many other bees, can sting - but it is uncommon for her to do so.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04030160345323285081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107688068640469436.post-30590363901892097312013-09-27T13:14:00.000-07:002013-09-27T13:14:02.173-07:00NPMA Technical Update: The Importance of Bed Bug Salivary Glands<div class="yiv1289861553MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380306772989_7842">
<b id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380306772989_7844"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380306772989_7843" style="color: #ef5d27;">NPMA Technical Update: The Importance of Bed Bug Salivary Glands</span></b><span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380306772989_7849" style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Drs.
Jerome Goddard and Kristine Edwards of Mississippi State University
have investigated the effects of bed bug saliva on human skin.
Secretions from salivary glands have long been thought to be the cause
of dermal reactions among certain people bitten by bed bugs, but there
was insufficient supporting evidence. The scientists were able to
demonstrate the role of saliva by removing the salivary glands of bed
bugs and allowing them to feed on a person known to produce a dermal
reaction upon being bitten. Although the volunteer could feel the bite
of a bed bug that lacked salivary glands, the bug was unable to feed and
her skin did not react as it did to a normal bed bug bite. In a second
experiment, a salivary extract was prepared from bed bugs and applied
topically to the volunteer's skin. Within 36 hours, the volunteer
reported itching and a visible dermal reaction. This research presents
strong evidence that salivary glands are important to both feeding and
likely contain allergens that can cause adverse reactions in victims. </span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380306772989_7852" style="color: black;">This
paper, "Effects of Bed Bug Saliva on Human Skin", was published in the
American Medical Association Journal of Dermatology in March of 2013.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04030160345323285081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107688068640469436.post-72646362540578174292013-03-26T08:18:00.001-07:002013-03-26T08:18:36.050-07:00Winter Ants by Ralph H Maestre BCE<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Winter Ants by Ralph H Maestre BCE</span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><v:stroke joinstyle="miter"><v:formulas><v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"><v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"><v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"><v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"><v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"><v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"><v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"><v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas><v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"><o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="SpellE"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lasius</b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span class="SpellE">niger</span></b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Black Garden Ant</b></span></div>
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A potential pest ant is the Black Garden Ant, <span class="SpellE"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lasius</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>species, which has workers approximately 2-5 mm in length and is <span class="SpellE">monomorphic</span> (all the same size). They have several different species with various body colors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Black Garden Ants are found throughout the US.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This ant forms mega-colonies with multiple queens. </div>
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<span class="GramE">They tend aphids for honeydew and eat living and dead insects. They love sugar-based products inside home. The colony size may reach over 15,000 ants and cover very large areas</span>. One colony in Europe covered northern Spain, southern France into northern Italy. That is like saying one colony covering an area from New York City south to Washington DC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This may be an exaggeration but you get the idea. Anything you do on a property may only be like trimming the finger nails on a human. The body is so large that the nails just grow back. This is to say that the colony will bounce back very quickly. A very aggressive approach to pest control including both the inside and outside of the property would be required.</div>
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<span class="SpellE"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Prenolepis</span></i></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> impairs </span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">False Honey Ant or Winter Ant<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The winter ant is in reference to its foraging at temperatures barely above freezing during the cooler months. False Honey Ant is an unfortunate name, since the storage product in the corpulent young workers of these ants is fatty, not sugary. The body <span class="GramE">lengths for the worker is</span> 2.5-3.5mm, the queen about 8mm, male 3-4mm. The ant has a very shiny head, thorax, and abdomen very dark brown in color. The legs and antennae of live specimens are medium brown at base, smoothly shading to pale yellow at tips (this color arrangement gives the overall impression of an insect that is very dark in the middle and very pale at the extremities). The range for the winter ant is most of the United States, plus southern Ontario and Mexico. This ant usually nests in the soil with some clay content in wooded situations or occasionally constructing a chamber under a rock or log. This ant is often associated with oak woodlands of various sorts (or scrub oak thickets in the west), but also (beech-) maple.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The winter ant often build their nests deep underground, staying inactive during the summer months, and returning to activity when the weather cools. They are the earliest to swarm of our cool climate North American ants.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The workers feed on honeydew, secretions of flowers, sap flows, exudates from galls, earthworms and arthropods (usually as carrion), and ripened or decaying fruit. The life cycle o f the males and females are reared in late summer, then overwinter in the underground nest, and take their nuptial flights in the spring. Young workers are "overfed" and swell with fat, from which a nutritious glandular secretion is produced. This becomes the main food upon which the year's single brood of workers and <span class="SpellE">alates</span> (winged ants) are reared.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mississippientomologicalmuseum.org.msstate.edu/images/AntWebPhotos/Pachycondyla.chinensis.side.jpg"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<a href="http://img.magicexterminating.com/images/2013/03/26/MagicExterminating_Pachycondyla_chinensisr3kyf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="http://img.magicexterminating.com/images/2013/03/26/MagicExterminating_Pachycondyla_chinensisr3kyf.jpg" usa="true" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="SpellE"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Pachycondyla</span></i></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span class="SpellE">chinensis</span> </span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Asian Needle Ant</span></b></span></div>
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One of the few ants that are specialized for cold temperature foraging; they can be found foraging even at near freezing temperatures, where they are often the only ants visibly active. However, their range does not extend into the far north, despite their cold tolerance.</div>
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<tr style="height: 125.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td colspan="2" style="height: 125.5pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 437.4pt;" valign="top" width="583"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br />Pachycondyla chinensis, the Asian needle ant, was first detected in the United States in Dekalb County, Georgia in approximately 1932. This species is an average sized, dark brownish-black ant with an evident stinger. It is considered an invasive species that establishes large populations that may displace native species. Reactions in humans from the sting o this exotic species range from mild to severe, sometimes with long lasting symptoms. Consequently, <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">the Asian needle ant </span>poses an emerging health threat throughout its range, as well as areas to where it may be spreading. However, it is not overly aggressive. Stings typically result from handling workers or by winged queens landing on individuals and becoming trapped between clothing layers and skin.<o:p></o:p></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Asian needle ant<i> </i></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">typically nests in soil in somewhat damp areas, especially below stones, in rotting logs and stumps, or other debris. In urban settings it may also be found under mulch, railroad ties, bricks and pavers. Colony size ranges from less than 100 individuals to several thousand, and multiple queens may be present. Unlike many introduced, invasive ant species, it can nest in natural wooded habitats. This species appears to prefer termites as a food source.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">This introduced species is thought to have been introduced from Japan. In the United States it is known to occur in Alabama (MEM record), Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Sources:<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Mississippi State Entomological Museum, Asian Needle Ant<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Wikipedia, False Honey Ant or Winter Ant</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04030160345323285081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107688068640469436.post-50641176203102205872012-06-19T08:38:00.003-07:002012-06-19T08:38:36.288-07:00Ant Control Techniques by Ralph H Maestre BCEAnt control can and will be difficult to obtain. Ants still remain the number one pest on most pest management professional lists. Many methods are employed to control them and many fail. Long term methods generally employ exclusion or pest proofing. I will explain some of the current methods used by MPM. First I will give a very brief introduction of the different ant species we deal with and then speak on the control techniques. <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-collapse: collapse; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; mso-border-insideh: none; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;"><tbody>
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<strong><u>Carpenter Ants</u></strong>· Small minor workers ¼ inch long<br />· Large major workers ½ inch long<br />· Large black or reddish ant<br />· Polymorphic (multiple sizes in the colony) <div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
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One the most prominent species of ants we encounter is the carpenter ant. There are several species, but all are treated in the same way by us. Carpenter ants are among the largest ants found in homes and live in colonies containing three castes consisting of winged and wingless queens, winged males and different sized workers. Winged males are much smaller than winged queens. <div class="MsoNormal">
<br />Swarmers emerge from mature colonies usually from March to July. The colony does not produce swarmers until about three years later. A mature colony, after three to six years, has 2,000 to 4,000 individuals. Workers regurgitate food for nourishment of the developing larvae and queen.<br />
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In later generations, workers of various sizes are produced (polymorphism) into major and minor workers that are all sterile females. Nests are usually established in soft, moist (not wet), decayed wood or occasionally in an existing wood cavity or void area in a structure that is perfectly dry. The walls of the nest are smooth and clean (sandpapered appearance) with shredded sawdust-like wood fragments, like chewed up toothpicks (frass), carried from the nest and deposited outside.<br />
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<br />The most important and often most difficult part of carpenter ant control is locating the nest or nests. Once the nest location is found, control is very easy and simple. Steps to a successful inspection include an interview with family members, inspection indoors, inspection outdoors and sound detection.</div>
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<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><br /><strong>Pharaoh Ants</strong>· About 1/16 inch long<br />· Light yellow to reddish brown with abdomen slightly darker<br />· Monomorphic workers<br />· Has two nodes and no spines on the thorax<br />· No stringer<br />· Three segment clubbed antennae <div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
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Female Pharaoh Ants can lay 400 or more eggs in her lifetime. Mature colonies contain several queens, winged males, sterile females or workers, eggs, larvae, prepupae and pupae growing to as large as 300,000 or more members.</div>
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Periodically a queen, together with a few workers carrying immatures (eggs, larvae and pupae), leaves the nest and sets up a new colony elsewhere, quickly spreading an infestation. This behavior pattern is known as "satelliting," "fractionating" or "budding" where part of the colony migrates to a new location rather than by single females dispersing after a reproductive swarm. Budding may occur due to overcrowding, seasonal changes in the building's central heating and cooling system or application of a repellent pesticide (really known as fission).<br /><br />Nests usually occur in wall voids, under floors, behind baseboards, in trash containers, under stones, in cement or stone wall voids, in linens, light fixtures, etc.<br /><br />Pharaoh ants are usually much harder to control than other ants because of their ability to disperse. About 90 percent of the colony remains hidden in the nest so even if 10 percent of the colony is killed by a residual pesticide, the remaining reservoir of ants is enormous. Conventional contact pesticide applications especially repellent products such as pyrethrins may spread infestations to new areas with multiple colonies blossoming within the structure. These ants will avoid certain pesticides.</div>
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Workers are all one size (monomorphic)</td><td style="padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosVV3_nizFrEmSsgMYOEet6MgGasDGTZR3Vh-IfwUvAJTmg_RS7RE6l9yDBHWM2WoMSwVu13PbSBU1bicC8gxEpkLKma0QPJcDHcWYfrL-CrLoOp5CKZdaXbYWFlXEEp7HXMldk3QrK78/s800/image007.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosVV3_nizFrEmSsgMYOEet6MgGasDGTZR3Vh-IfwUvAJTmg_RS7RE6l9yDBHWM2WoMSwVu13PbSBU1bicC8gxEpkLKma0QPJcDHcWYfrL-CrLoOp5CKZdaXbYWFlXEEp7HXMldk3QrK78/s800/image007.jpg" /></a> <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><shape alt="Odorus house Ants.jpg" id="Picture_x0020_2" o:spid="_x0000_i1027" style="height: 55.5pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 84pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata o:title="Odorus house Ants" src="Ant%20Control%20Techniques%20for%20News%20Letter%2006-14-12_files/image007.jpg"></imagedata></shape><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"></span></span></td></tr>
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Colonies vary in size and range from a few hundred to 10,000 individuals, usually with multiple queens. Sexual forms are produced only in colonies that are at least four to five years old. Mating may take place within the nest or nearby. Colonies multiply when one or more fertile females accompanied by numerous workers leave the parent colony, found a new nest, and start a new colony. Single inseminated queens from nuptial flights also may establish new colonies independently.<br /><br />The odorous house ant, Tapinoma sessile (Say), is a native species that occurs throughout the United States. Outside, it commonly nests in soil beneath most any object, including stones, logs, concrete blocks, and fallen limbs. It also nests under the bark of logs and stumps and in plant cavities, refuse piles, under mulch in flower beds, and nests of birds and animals.</div>
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It is critical to survey inside and outside to locate all nests. Nests found outside can be drenched with a residual insecticide. When numerous ants appear around the building foundation, a perimeter treatment with a residual non-repellent insecticide should be used. Baits that have a protein or sugar-based attractant may be effective when the nest is not accessible.</div>
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<br />Magic’s Management Program always begins with baiting. Use the various baits we have available like Intice gel, Intice granular, Advance gel, Advance 388B, Advance granular, Advion Pucks, and the new Advion gel. All of these are highly effective bait. Use the buffet style of baiting, this means don’t rely on only one of the baits. You will fail and numerous call-backs will occur. In conjunction with this you may use only a liquid spray, such as Phantom. Use Phantom both outside and inside the perimeter of the structure. This is a non-repellent and is effective. There are new products Fast-out foam and Transport GHP new to our arsenal. These products are showing very good results and are also non-repellents. NyGuard is an IGR that can and should be incorporated into our pest management program against ants. NyGuard may be used with both non-repellents and baits.</div>
<br />Termidor is to be used only by the field supervisors. This is a last resort situation.When it comes to carpenter ants, if the nest is located then we will drill and inject product using the actisol machine or dust. The dust may be Drione, Tri-Die, or Borid. Repair to leak can be handled by our carpentry division.<br /><br />Nest found outside, small mounds of dirt, may be sprayed using pyrethroids. This is the only time you may use one of these products. Phantom cannot be used always from the structure. Always read your labels and provide them to the customer.<br /><br />If a follow-up is needed, then it should be no less than ten to fourteen days later. This will allow for the product to take effect. <div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
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<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"><td colspan="2" style="padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 153pt;" valign="top" width="204"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRJqZhDJQb05mfdOZJi90ggx2VsWBcyT_sYQnTYD39yEUZL70Wc2fgGB3psyiNLtbP1QthuXJyuDdM941vIkbRNoGNPs7rMbnDts05zqjJ-yKOB_RlFWxS104tpejAgZ-I7IcV3LXsBtk/s144/image009.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRJqZhDJQb05mfdOZJi90ggx2VsWBcyT_sYQnTYD39yEUZL70Wc2fgGB3psyiNLtbP1QthuXJyuDdM941vIkbRNoGNPs7rMbnDts05zqjJ-yKOB_RlFWxS104tpejAgZ-I7IcV3LXsBtk/s144/image009.jpg" /></a> </td><td style="padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 459pt;" valign="top" width="612">Potentially two other species may be found in our area that enters structures. The first one is the False Honey Ant, Prenolepis impairs, the workers are monomorphic, 2 to 4 mm long, and have a one-segmented petiole. Also known as the small or winter ant is found throughout the US and often associated with Oak trees (Gregg 1963; Ebeling 1975; Wheeler and Wheeler 1986). They like damp soil in shady places and are usually the first ants seen in the spring time.<br /><br />Treatment consists of gels or baits with dust being used in void. Direct liquid treatment to nest site is recommended.</td></tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 152.05pt;" valign="top" width="203"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGLTK45bjfy474eDHqCrik3obVRTBla8qeS7atc20KT6fhDA0lLag6QG0AJI0kN49AGuxxJADaBphIFO7qpQmYhC4cicbXeiLy7B4s_8nOPWzmm86WMR5Dt_A8vc9qAhlebYo1bLnrfvJ/s144/image011.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGLTK45bjfy474eDHqCrik3obVRTBla8qeS7atc20KT6fhDA0lLag6QG0AJI0kN49AGuxxJADaBphIFO7qpQmYhC4cicbXeiLy7B4s_8nOPWzmm86WMR5Dt_A8vc9qAhlebYo1bLnrfvJ/s144/image011.jpg" /></a> <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><shape alt="Argentine ants.jpg" id="Picture_x0020_8" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" style="height: 109.5pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 137.25pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata o:title="Argentine ants" src="Ant%20Control%20Techniques%20for%20News%20Letter%2006-14-12_files/image011.jpg"></imagedata></shape><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"></span></span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 459.95pt;" valign="top" width="613"><br />The other potential pest ant is the Black Garden Ant, Lasius species, has workers approximately 2-5 mm in length and is monomorphic. They have several different species with various body colors. Black Garden Ants are found throughout the US. This ant forms mega-colonies with multiple queens. They tend aphids for honeydew and eat living and dead insects. They love sugar-based products inside home. The colony size may reach over 100,000 ants and cover very large areas. <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"></span><br />
<br />One colony in Europe covered northern Spain, southern France into northern Italy. That is like saying one colony covering an area from New York City down to Washington DC. This may be an exaggeration but you get the idea. Anything you do on a property may only be like trimming your finger nails. The colony will bounce back very quickly. A very aggressive approach would be needed and only a service manager with the technician can ascertain what the proper approach would be.</td></tr>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04030160345323285081noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107688068640469436.post-8221020475988304512012-06-07T11:10:00.000-07:002012-06-07T11:10:28.728-07:00Non-toxic Rodent Bait Blocks<br />
<span style="color: black;">By Ralph H Maestre BCE</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Non-toxic baits also known as monitoring/tracking baits (MTBs) are being used as part of our “Green Certified Services”, in our Park Jobs, and Food Processing Programs in an effort to reduce overall rodenticide use and following integrated pest management (IPM) principles. Magic has been introducing non-toxic baits into other aspects of our daily pest management programs. Magic uses only the product known as DETEX® Blox with Biomarker by Bell Labs®. After reading a recent article in the Techletter by Pinto & Associates’ May 27th, 2012, I thought it would be a good idea to share it with you. Non-toxic rodent bait blocks are used for many different reasons and the article listed 18 of them. My opinion is marked of by the Bold, Italic, and Underline:</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">1. Because they are non-toxic, blocks can be placed in areas where toxic baits may not be permitted. There are minimal safety or regulatory concerns, and no worries about non-target poisoning or bait translocation. This will reduce the chances of secondary poisoning in all our baiting programs. Our clients have strong concerns regarding their pets and wildlife such as hawks. Magic cares and we show this by only using rodenticides when and where required. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">2. Limiting the use of toxic bait and increased reliance on monitoring for rodent activity appeals to customers who want an integrated pest management component. Biomonitoing for rodent can be part of your “green” service offerings. Without any doubt, this is a very important point of the “Certified Green Shield Services” we are offering to customers.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">3. The presence of rodent tooth marks on non-toxic blocks placed in bait stations and other sites provides positive evidence of rodent infestation that can be presented to the customer. You can even give blocks to customers for placement so they can check for gnawing activity themselves. It is our company policy not to give our clients materials. If they request it, we will place it in tamper resistant bait stations for them and service the equipment. Gnawing either non-toxic or toxic bait will provide positive evidence of rodent activity. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">4. Use of non-toxic blocks in pre-baiting programs helps overcome bait shyness. It gets the rodents used to feeding on an actual bait block, rather than people food, to make the transition easier when you substitute toxic blocks. It’s best to use the same manufacturer’s rodenticide so that the shapes of the block and food base are the same. Magic does use the same manufacturer. Remember this may require some time before the rodents are re-trained to feed on bait blocks if they became bait shy. Our customers will need to be educated about this process.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">5. Non-toxic blocks can be used to pinpoint active feeding sites, telling you where to concentrate your control efforts. Bait sites where you suspect rodent activity and check back a few days later to see which blocks have the most gnawing tooth marks. Make note of these locations because this is where you should place your toxic baits or traps. If the blocks are untouched, don’t bother baiting or trapping there. Make more placements in sites with the greatest amount of feeding. In an IPM program using non-toxic bait will promote reduce pesticide usage and provide minimum risk to non-target mammals.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">6. You’ll use less rodenticide because pre-baiting with MTBs will have located travel routes and harborage sites where toxic baits can be concentrated, giving the best results and wasting less bait. Reducing the use of rodenticide in and around our client’s establishments is our goal while targeting the problem areas. This is the responsible direction that Magic is taking. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">7. Non-toxic blocks help you determine the size of the population by gauging the amount of feeding. Is there a lot of gnawing or only a little? Do you have to replace blocks that were completely eaten? The amount of dyed droppings also gives clues about the size of the infestation. As our professionalism grows with education, we will be able to outperform our competition by finding the source of the rodent problems quickly and not just masking it.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">8. Monitoring blocks can be used to track the movement of rodents through their dyed dropping to help determine where to place traps or toxic bait. You can assess travel routes or runways, travel distance, nest locations, and entry points by observing droppings. Place MTBs in ceiling voids to determine whether rodents are active in these spaces. Although other methods may be used such as visual inspections, sometimes we lose the path to where they nest because the rodents disappear into a voids and exist elsewhere. Using rodenticides straight up may cause the rodent to become disoriented and give us false trails back to their nest or entry points.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">9. Find rodent entry points using MTBs. To determine whether rodents are moving into facility from outside, place MTB-baited stations only on the outside. Dyed dropping seen inside will confirm that rodents are moving in from outside. This is one of the most important points. When we find the entry point and exclude it we solve pest problems.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">10. Use the blocks for ongoing monitoring in sensitive accounts. In food facilities and warehouses, for example, use the blocks as early warning signs to identify incoming rodent infestations, and to gauge the success of your controls. More and more regulations will require us to document how we perform our rodent control programs. By monitoring and documenting our decision process will separate Magic from our competitors as highly professional and responsible.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">11. Maintain baiting continuity in an ongoing rodenticide baiting program by replacing bait at inactive stations with MTBs. This allows you to keep the station in place and on your map and converts it to a temporary monitoring station ready to revert back to toxic bait when activity is noticed. A good point in reducing our overall rodenticide use yet maintaining a program that allows us to document and quickly introduce the rodenticide without creating bait shyness. Less paperwork in our logbooks since we will not have to replace or modify our maps. This will result in quick control of an emerging rodent problem.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">12. Use the blocks as part of UV blacklight inspections. We already use UV light to detect rodent urine, but now the dropping of rodents that have fed on DETEX with Biomarker will also glow neon green under UV light. Using a handheld blacklight to track rodent movement gives an added component to inspections. This will provide quicker inspections, reducing callbacks, and initiation of quicker rodent controls. In dark areas where we have a hard time distinguishing between small particles and rodent droppings, the Biomarker will allow us to save time and confirm rodent pathways.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">13. Improve trapping results by adding MTBs to snap traps, glueboards, or multi-catch rodent traps. The blocks serve as a food bait to entice rodents to the traps and also keep rodents alive until multi-catch traps can be serviced. This may provide limited results since most rodents will die first from stress or hypothermia while inside a mutli-catch devise. It may be useful on large rat mats.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">14. MTBs can help determine whether burrows are active. Use a blacklight to see if dropping in the burrow fluoresce (DETEX only). Since many of us cannot tell if a rodent burrow is active this may be useful.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">15. With practice, you can read the gnawing on the block baits to identify the pest and any non-targets feeding. Rodents gnaw at the edges of the block while insects will eat depressions in the block. Mouse gnawing leaves fine lines on the edges while rats leave larger and more distinctive tooth marks or grooves. This will occur on either non-toxic or toxic bait. The education is valuable. Each of you should take notes and learn this point.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">16. Survey sewers by wiring the block to the manhole cover or top rung of the ladder and dropping it down onto a ledge (don’t enter the manhole unless you have had confined spaces training and are in compliance with all rules). We rarely service the sewers manholes directly. We do service the catch basins, so this point applies directly to catch basins.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">17. MTBs are exempt from EPA’s new rodenticide label changes. You can bait burrows with MTBs and can bait any distance from a building, along fencelines, wherever. Using MTBs for perimeter baiting means you are not killing other non-target small mammals. This is very important since many of our clients desire tamper resistant bait stations along the fencelines on their properties. This allows us to monitor activity and find the burrow system quicker than just monitoring along the perimeter of the home or building structure. At times rodent problems occur in an open fieldor groundcover are that the new label laws prohibit from using bait stations with rodenticides. An active trapping program would have to be used.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">18. Cockroaches will feed on MTBs and their droppings also glow under blacklight. Use DETEX bait blocks in suspect areas to track the movement of American cockroaches, through their droppings, to determine whether or not they are coming from sewers or basements. This will also reduce rodenticide waste and or possible spillage.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">As you can read, there is a lot that is offered by using the DETEX® Blox in a rodent program. All 18 point where taken from the May issue of Techletter by Pinto & Associates. More information may be obtain at www.techletter.com</span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04030160345323285081noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107688068640469436.post-5584852333709360842012-05-23T09:08:00.001-07:002012-05-23T09:08:20.966-07:00<strong>Spring is here and summer is approaching fast. </strong><br />
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Unfortunately, this means Bed Bugs activity will be on the rise. According to <a href="http://ccesuffolk.org/assets/Horticulture-Leaflets/Bed-Bugs.pdf" target="_blank">Cornell University</a> "<span style="font-size: small;">Under ideal conditions bed bugs feed regularly when temperatures are above 70° F.... Eggs are not deposited at temperatures lower than 50° F.... </span>At 65 degrees, bed bugs take their time developing, taking three months to become adults. But as the temperature increases, their maturation process accelerates. At 86 degrees, the three-month maturation period shrinks to only three weeks."<br />
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<strong>Bed Bugs also like to Travel. </strong></div>
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Summer is vacation time and hotels become more susceptible to guest spreading infestations. This means you are more likely to bring home an unwanted guest from your vacation.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKWNuuU4qlcZCV9VjpbPbLOawsjVFFB-GOiqc7z5D6CqxP9p0mQamm-8zJV-3_nj3bHJ9_bjDjl67X-CJAPXPEm734fqWlSBFyrsltsvyfUm_7-VkrYg3d9i4smj7PJLwO7iqmJl_rgAl/s1600/Bedbug+Book+small.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKWNuuU4qlcZCV9VjpbPbLOawsjVFFB-GOiqc7z5D6CqxP9p0mQamm-8zJV-3_nj3bHJ9_bjDjl67X-CJAPXPEm734fqWlSBFyrsltsvyfUm_7-VkrYg3d9i4smj7PJLwO7iqmJl_rgAl/s320/Bedbug+Book+small.png" width="213" /></a></div>
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You do not have to travel far to get bed bugs. Were ever humans are so are bed bugs as we do more activities were people congregate the possibility of coming into contact with bed bugs increases... movie theatres, museums and public transportation can be hot spots.</div>
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<strong><span style="color: #990000;">The Bed Bug Book gives helpful tips on Prevention and if need be Eradication. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #990000;">Arm yourself with The Bed Bug Book and Protect your. </span></strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Bed-Bug-Book-Extermination/dp/B006OHV598" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: #990000;">Available on Amazon.com (click here)</span></strong></a> <span style="color: #990000;"><strong>and </strong></span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bed-bug-book-ralph-h-maestre/1100074533?ean=9781616082994" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><strong>BarnesandNoble.com</strong></span></a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04030160345323285081noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107688068640469436.post-85888918066004204642012-02-01T08:42:00.000-08:002012-02-01T08:42:33.457-08:00Pest Management Profesional gives nod to The Bed Bug Book<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Pest Management Professional December 2011 edition gave Ralph's book "The Bed Bug Book" a thumbs up under there "Solutions Showcase" section on page 58 (see excerpt below). <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0yYCT_6yO48IYLgR9u6Bv8Xl-U4ePj3AHpoKiyhSZIj_cFC03umohJWYfQUoREtHOSY4rfauqftFyZutqje9ZErURzKt_G2QZxbMjy2kHJjzhSWlBRFsI0I5lID0oi0y-C2VTAzbMnii3/s1600/PMP+Magazine+Cover+12-2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0yYCT_6yO48IYLgR9u6Bv8Xl-U4ePj3AHpoKiyhSZIj_cFC03umohJWYfQUoREtHOSY4rfauqftFyZutqje9ZErURzKt_G2QZxbMjy2kHJjzhSWlBRFsI0I5lID0oi0y-C2VTAzbMnii3/s200/PMP+Magazine+Cover+12-2011.jpg" width="148" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhr_MW7pZO0SZqn0Y0OtuswOaUCawpE5pm7_MoCfqEA49axAq10KtWzSyBKHxPpdDY0GOpDGP_OuM6BM7GMqfOfXpD4qNrCKJJXbbE5GjOBIf7Vpin2ptAajxcanScifcJW1VKeIP0qQq/s1600/PMP+Magazine+Bed+Bug+Book+crop+12-2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhr_MW7pZO0SZqn0Y0OtuswOaUCawpE5pm7_MoCfqEA49axAq10KtWzSyBKHxPpdDY0GOpDGP_OuM6BM7GMqfOfXpD4qNrCKJJXbbE5GjOBIf7Vpin2ptAajxcanScifcJW1VKeIP0qQq/s400/PMP+Magazine+Bed+Bug+Book+crop+12-2011.jpg" width="310" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04030160345323285081noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107688068640469436.post-29205215890093715752012-01-03T10:49:00.000-08:002012-01-03T13:21:32.806-08:00ESA Entomology 2011 Confrence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwp8SE5ZrjW6zd3sN5QX3JxU6QnkZGq3UQQQaZ3m7soHoCyYwyt0vcgorBZbUdVSVdy2FfqiKnZsAdlGKK6SmBohn1k6BSeUoJxTYiGSO5XnC9JYiTJWR62YF1WjRGX8Y-wJF-vbo2TsQ/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwp8SE5ZrjW6zd3sN5QX3JxU6QnkZGq3UQQQaZ3m7soHoCyYwyt0vcgorBZbUdVSVdy2FfqiKnZsAdlGKK6SmBohn1k6BSeUoJxTYiGSO5XnC9JYiTJWR62YF1WjRGX8Y-wJF-vbo2TsQ/s200/photo.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>Entomological Socity of America's annual confrence was held in Reno Nevada this year. Our very own Ralph H. Maestre BCE attended along with Lynn Frank BCE of Suburban Exterminating.<br />
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This years hot topics were Identify Clarify and Speak Out -- reflecting the need for entomologists to inform others about exactly what it is that we do and don’t do, since arthropods touch the lives of every person on the planet, every day, in both positive and negative ways.<br />
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Ralph with Dr Dini Miller of Virginia Technical Institute<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhe6owRajkRxWW-8zS0H5uBJLrTkFSml-R-_42o-V028PiH4n8InJKvcK7s_EeiW-wzq2XU3NDdPEzQrbvqUOYWclkEK0WS6GvRtP4Xw7XvUGhm5AuTkcvoVoE-N_b950Ew-UZH99y8LX/s1600/Dr+Dini+Miller+-+Virginia+Technical+Institute.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhe6owRajkRxWW-8zS0H5uBJLrTkFSml-R-_42o-V028PiH4n8InJKvcK7s_EeiW-wzq2XU3NDdPEzQrbvqUOYWclkEK0WS6GvRtP4Xw7XvUGhm5AuTkcvoVoE-N_b950Ew-UZH99y8LX/s200/Dr+Dini+Miller+-+Virginia+Technical+Institute.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ralph and Lynn enjoy a few free moments exploring Reno</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhyphenhyphendhQD-WZNBzf67yXqC4Oq2RE67RtOOwPTr47Me8rCalXp-Y3qiLaM-BfYaMCOvD_bA0kvLvHRE4E2Rr1BtN26GuZp5ix1norRrJPYpggOVw4TCoEAqFHSe0S21zB4u5JKVrEimul4Sm/s1600/photo+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhyphenhyphendhQD-WZNBzf67yXqC4Oq2RE67RtOOwPTr47Me8rCalXp-Y3qiLaM-BfYaMCOvD_bA0kvLvHRE4E2Rr1BtN26GuZp5ix1norRrJPYpggOVw4TCoEAqFHSe0S21zB4u5JKVrEimul4Sm/s200/photo+12.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfaUjZDu7Z2XJOOfgq26UmwNY6CV6dOKVXso-OawPqcxSdpAw0sCOKIATB6iRlwIhTvkoy51wZFMPqPmljPM_k3GRvzdyt5RoJDQnmYQHzpxUrK6fsC1RZTz5evrt0BgCVQ9vOQMav1zdz/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfaUjZDu7Z2XJOOfgq26UmwNY6CV6dOKVXso-OawPqcxSdpAw0sCOKIATB6iRlwIhTvkoy51wZFMPqPmljPM_k3GRvzdyt5RoJDQnmYQHzpxUrK6fsC1RZTz5evrt0BgCVQ9vOQMav1zdz/s200/photo+4.JPG" width="150" /></a><strong></strong><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04030160345323285081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107688068640469436.post-75906299470327070012011-08-24T07:50:00.000-07:002011-08-24T07:50:10.049-07:00Weapons of Mouse Destruction: How to Eliminate Relentless Rodents<i><a href="http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/improvement/security/weapons-of-mouse-destruction-how-to-eliminate-the-relentless-rodents?click=main_sr#fbIndex1">This article appeared in Popular Mechanics authored by Adam Hadhazy</a></i><br />
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There are plenty more ways beyond the traditional mousetrap to get the rodents infesting your house. We survey the best ways homeowners and exterminators can solve a mouse problem. By Adam Hadhazy Popular Mechanics<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.popularmechanics.com/cm/popularmechanics/images/mI/mouse-destruction-01-0811-mdn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" qaa="true" src="http://www.popularmechanics.com/cm/popularmechanics/images/mI/mouse-destruction-01-0811-mdn.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The Mouse: It's a pest that has been invading human living spaces ever since we holed up in caves. The hardy creatures require little food and virtually no water, allowing them to thrive in modern buildings, behind our walls and under our floors. <br />
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Although cute and squeaky in the wild, mice are a dangerous nuisance in the home. The critters chew up insulation and gnaw through electrical wiring, creating a fire hazard. Mice can contaminate food with their feces. They carry fleas and diseases. Many people are allergic to the animal's urine. To top it off, the rodents breed prolifically; in several weeks a few mice can become a dozen. <br />
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Mouse intrusions happen year-round, but tend to spike in many parts of the country in the summer months and late fall, <strong><em><u><span style="background-color: orange;">according to Ralph H. Maestre, technical director at Magic Pest Management based in Flushing, New York.</span></u></em></strong> Exterminators have developed a full arsenal of methods to kill, capture and control the millions of rodents, mostly mice, who aim to set up shop in our homes and businesses, from the simple and iconic mousetrap to far more elaborate attacks. Here's a look at the weapons of mouse destruction.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.popularmechanics.com/cm/popularmechanics/images/dG/mouse-destruction-02-0811-mdn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qaa="true" src="http://www.popularmechanics.com/cm/popularmechanics/images/dG/mouse-destruction-02-0811-mdn.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><strong>Kill Zones: Front-line Traps</strong>: The traditional way to fight mouse infestation is with traps. Inquisitive mice can't help but check them out, especially if there's bait. "Mice are very curious about the new things in their environment," says Jim Fredericks, director of technical services for the National Pest Management Association. <br />
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Traps come in three basic varieties. First, classic snap traps, whose invention dates back to 1894. "To this day, the original old-fashioned snap trap is one of the most effective traps we have," Fredericks says. While going for the bait in these traps, the mouse steps on a trip and, SNAP!, a spring-loaded bar slams down with backbreaking force. <br />
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A second class, glue or sticky traps, uses strong adhesives to ensnare mice. (However, glue traps have raised the hackles of some animal-rights proponents, as stuck mice will sometimes chew through their limbs or rip themselves apart trying to break free.) <br />
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A third and less gruesome option is multiple-catch or live traps. Through mechanical means-spring-loaded doors, flippers, teeter-totter-like levers and the like-the traps capture several mice in a storage area. The spared vermin can then be deposited far from the dwelling to keep them from coming back. <br />
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As for the choice of bait, skip the traditional cheddar cheese. "Mice really like seeds, chocolate, peanut butter and bacon," says Greg Baumann, Orkin technical services director<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.popularmechanics.com/cm/popularmechanics/images/Qe/mouse-destruction-03-0811-mdn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qaa="true" src="http://www.popularmechanics.com/cm/popularmechanics/images/Qe/mouse-destruction-03-0811-mdn.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><strong>Mousetraps 2.0:</strong> Unconventional Killing Machines"Building a better mousetrap" isn't just an adage. Exterminator pros are always trying to come up with better ways to catch rodents. <br />
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The Rat Zapper by AgriZap uses ordinary food bait to lure a mouse or rat, just like a traditional mousetrap does. But then the device zaps the rodent to kingdom come, courtesy of four D batteries. Victor makes various electronic mouse traps as well, including one that can catch and fry 10 mice. <br />
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Another alternative trap is the NOOSKI, made in New Zealand. As a mouse enters the trap, it must stick its head through a rubber ring-which instantly contracts and suffocates the little bugger. <br />
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Perhaps the most advanced mousetrap around is the RADAR (Rodent Activated Detection And Riddance) device by U.K. company Rentokil Pest Control, geared for commercial use. When a mouse scampers into RADAR's tunnel and crosses two consecutive infrared beams, the trap seals shut and floods the chamber with a deadly dose of carbon dioxide. As a courtesy, RADAR notifies its owner via text message when the deed is done.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.popularmechanics.com/cm/popularmechanics/images/NO/mouse-destruction-04-0811-mdn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qaa="true" src="http://www.popularmechanics.com/cm/popularmechanics/images/NO/mouse-destruction-04-0811-mdn.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><strong>Poisons: Gobbling Down Some Sweet </strong><strong>Death</strong> If traps don't take care of your mouse problem, maybe it's time to switch to chemical warfare. Poisonous baits sold in pellet form, or in newer putty formulations, turn the natural tendency of mice to gnaw and nibble against them. <br />
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So-called rodenticides come in a number of varieties, but the most common are anticoagulants. These compounds cause internal hemorrhaging, ending a mouse's life in a few days. If you choose this route to kill mice, however, keep a supply of vitamin K1 around: It's an antidote to the anticoagulants that you can give to cats and dogs if they eat the poison, Fredericks says. <br />
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Other creative chemistries for dispatching mice include metal phosphide-laced baits, he says. When zinc phosphide reacts with the acid in a rodent's stomach, highly toxic phosphine gas forms. Vitamin D is another killing agent. The vitamin makes mice absorb too much calcium from their food, while leaching the mineral from their bones. The resulting hypercalcemia (excessive levels of calcium in the blood) damages the heart, kidneys and other organs. <br />
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Fredericks points out that all pesticides, including rodenticides, must be approved by the EPA and are regulated by state agencies. In other words, custom cocktails are not available. "Pros definitely don't make their own secret recipe," he says. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.popularmechanics.com/cm/popularmechanics/images/W2/mouse-destruction-05-0811-mdn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qaa="true" src="http://www.popularmechanics.com/cm/popularmechanics/images/W2/mouse-destruction-05-0811-mdn.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><strong>Tracking Tech:</strong> Seek and Destroy Mice are frustratingly elusive, nibbling on food left out at night and vanishing during the day. But, unbeknownst to the rodents, they leave signs that reveal their movements. Those signs just happen to be in UV. Mouse urine fluoresces in UV light, so shining a black light around can show where the rodents pee. "The use of black lights is really a great inspection tool," Fredericks says, though it takes a trained eye to discern genuinely glowing mouse urine from splashes of, say, floor-scrubbing detergent. <br />
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Simply leaving traps wherever you find mouse droppings might not be the best approach, though, says Douglas Stern, managing partner at New Jersey-based Stern Environmental Group. His company developed a fluorescent powder that could help you track mice back to their nests. "When the mice walk on the powder, they get it on their feet and it leaves a footprint," Stern says. To get the powder onto the mice, load it into a box with food or dust it onto cotton balls, which the mice nab as nesting material. Then follow the footprints, which appear under UV, to find where the mice have set up shop. This lets you set up traps there, or seal off an outside entry point if mice are entering into the house from outdoors. <br />
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The so-called Track & Trap system has yet to become widespread, but Stern envisions the product having key niche applications. 'I think it's going to be very popular in instances where you have mice running around and no one knows where they're coming from, he tells PM. Meanwhile, major manufacturer Bell Labs has also started selling rodenticide food pellets doped with chemicals to make mouse feces glow green.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.popularmechanics.com/cm/popularmechanics/images/m0/mouse-destruction-06-0811-mdn-65954799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qaa="true" src="http://www.popularmechanics.com/cm/popularmechanics/images/m0/mouse-destruction-06-0811-mdn-65954799.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><strong>Fight Animals With Animals</strong> Release the hounds! Exterminators today are taking a cue from law enforcement and turning to dogs' super sensitive noses for smelling bed bugs, ants and termites. Dogs are just beginning to enter the field of mouse control, Fredericks says, but canines could potentially sniff out rodent headquarters. <br />
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Cats, of course, are the traditional nemesis of mice. "I think there's probably a lot of farmers that would swear their barn cats keep the mice out," Fredericks says. But the idea of a house cat attacking your mouse problem is probably more cartoon fodder than reality. A standard domesticated cat that lives in a house is probably not really hungry enough to be interested in killing mice," he says. In fact, Baumann describes a case where mice stole cat food right out of the dish and hoarded it under the stove without the pet so much as raising a paw. <br />
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Finally, for those homeowners who aren't like Indiana Jones, snakes are always a fine predatory option. Case in point: Corn snakes, a popular, nonvenomous pet which winds around prey constrictor-style, love dining on mice. <br />
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Ultimately, there's no guarantee that a barrage of traps, poisons or high-tech repellents will solve a mouse problem, especially if mice find your home to be a sanctuary. The best approach, then, is one of the simplest: Make your home inhospitable to rodents. "Keep in mind, mice are pretty much like us. They need food, water and a place to live," Baumann says. Eliminate those resources by keeping the house clean and sealed off, and store food in secure containers.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.popularmechanics.com/cm/popularmechanics/images/KV/mouse-destruction-06-0811-KK8jQ4-mdn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" qaa="true" src="http://www.popularmechanics.com/cm/popularmechanics/images/KV/mouse-destruction-06-0811-KK8jQ4-mdn.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><strong>Repellents and Fortifications:</strong> Defense is the Best Offense Preventing rodents from infiltrating the home in the first place has become big business. A number of rodent-repelling odorants are sold at hardware and home stores, including Critter Out spray, Fresh Cab Scent Pouches and Shake Away Rodent Repellent Granules that claim to smell like predators, banking on fear to keep mice away. Some people swear by strong scents, such as pine or cayenne peppers, or even dryer sheets. But experts say the effectiveness is questionable. <br />
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On the high-tech side, several companies offer ultrasonic repellers that supposedly keep mice at bay with sound waves. These devices send out sound waves above 20 kilohertz, the typical human high-end threshold for hearing, and some modulate between 32 and 64 kHz so undesirable animals cannot adapt. But Orkin's Baumann and others are skeptical. "My favorite is the fact when [manufacturers] say these things will repel insects, rodents, birds-only the bad stuff-but if you have a bird or a dog, it won't be affected," Baumann says. "There might be some promise with these products coming out in the near future, but I've not seen any scientific data to suggest that they actually work." <br />
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Simply shoring up a home might be the best way to thwart rodent intruders. Do a residence self-inspection by checking the foundation for holes, and spaces under doors. "If you walk around your house and see any hole that a pencil can fit though, a mouse can fit through," Baumann says. Seal up those holes with caulk, weatherstripping or steel wool, which mice can't chew through. Follow up with regular patrols of your property. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04030160345323285081noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107688068640469436.post-7841328092264931002011-07-29T06:43:00.000-07:002011-07-29T06:44:25.876-07:00Coby Schal Wins Award for Bed Bug Baiting System<object width="550" height="338" id="_67876324" data="http://wwwcache.wral.com/presentation/v2/flash/video/vp-wral.swf?v=20100913a" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="movie" value="http://wwwcache.wral.com/presentation/v2/flash/video/vp-wral.swf?v=20100913a" /><param name="movie" value="http://wwwcache.wral.com/presentation/v2/flash/video/vp-wral.swf?v=20100913a" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="index" value="-1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000" /><param name="flashvars" value="config={'url':'http://www.wral.com/news/local/video/9870506/?version=fpconfig','plugins':{}}" /></object>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04030160345323285081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107688068640469436.post-81597332821731198492011-06-27T13:13:00.000-07:002011-06-27T13:26:44.629-07:00Fundamentals of Pest Control @ New York City College of Technology<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6oAzz6vxlVCNbNLSMAPEtl_9ZJuB8pPNzri8jQgJsvDQ9yha211snv3DHhHQ5BMnjC_uuXeh21ipGdvyhRzaZrm5AT7Pr9yMh2ZGARkGCUM7eQ3WTDW-cizFBwd5qmPl2uEQv2idHLBS/s1600/Fundamentals+of+Pest+Control.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; height: 362px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; width: 276px;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6oAzz6vxlVCNbNLSMAPEtl_9ZJuB8pPNzri8jQgJsvDQ9yha211snv3DHhHQ5BMnjC_uuXeh21ipGdvyhRzaZrm5AT7Pr9yMh2ZGARkGCUM7eQ3WTDW-cizFBwd5qmPl2uEQv2idHLBS/s320/Fundamentals+of+Pest+Control.jpg" width="274" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ralph H. Maestre BCE and author of "The Bed Bug Book" has started teaching a course in The Fundamentals of Pest Control at <a href="http://www.citytech.cuny.edu/index.aspx">The New York College of Technology</a>.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;">This course meets <a href="http://www.dec.ny.gov/">New York State Department of Environmental Conservations</a> 30 hour course requirement.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ralph has also been asked to give several free lectures on Bed Bugs but a date for those events have not been set. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04030160345323285081noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107688068640469436.post-50636411384303497592011-03-15T09:35:00.000-07:002011-03-15T10:24:23.525-07:00The Bed Bug Book First Printing Sold Out<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbX707W6jTDmqyfbJpwxZzCikd65jMC8t1BtTKOjShLHeZC06oDH7kwPiL5O7KQ27rk4_ri7M2qtsvpghLjbNfF_KLbkHczWr7bC2d5tlsYjJLOPU_qyljxKQVwkOyotB_v6MIHqruK-sa/s1600/The+Bed+Bug+Book.jpg"><span style="font-size:180%;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 158px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 244px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584349797219700434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbX707W6jTDmqyfbJpwxZzCikd65jMC8t1BtTKOjShLHeZC06oDH7kwPiL5O7KQ27rk4_ri7M2qtsvpghLjbNfF_KLbkHczWr7bC2d5tlsYjJLOPU_qyljxKQVwkOyotB_v6MIHqruK-sa/s400/The+Bed+Bug+Book.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-size:180%;"> </span><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;color:#cc0000;">FIRST PRINTING </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;color:#cc0000;"><span style="color:#ffffff;">..............</span>SOLD OUT</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#cc0000;"><br /></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#cc0000;"></span></strong><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>THE BED BUG BOOK</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>The Complete Guide to Prevention and Extermination </strong><br />By</span><span style="color:#000000;"><em> Certified Entomologist Ralph H. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Maestre</span><br /></em><br />Magic is proud to announce that our very own Technical Director Ralph H. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Maestre</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">BCE</span> has published his first book. All of us have benefited by Ralph's expertise in Termites, Rodents, Ants, and especially Bed Bugs.<br /><br />In the book Ralph goes through Bed Bug case studies <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7QYGlASch39msHHybmZa0CZKicGyon-rn_Jlf_lcSC6jMLGYP2dGK91CLPBlJpLpRPhNZjqeOfhmZsyZb02sdDwnvlyqneNXUbJj1_zcsu5POSN8tc3ZIy86s2eNMArmz12It_ok5tbf/s1600/Ralph+a+2-1-11.JPG"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 146px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 175px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568838817876230290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7QYGlASch39msHHybmZa0CZKicGyon-rn_Jlf_lcSC6jMLGYP2dGK91CLPBlJpLpRPhNZjqeOfhmZsyZb02sdDwnvlyqneNXUbJj1_zcsu5POSN8tc3ZIy86s2eNMArmz12It_ok5tbf/s200/Ralph+a+2-1-11.JPG" /></span></a>detailing how people got them, how Magic eradicated them and the advice given to prevent the return of Bed Bugs.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">For more information on Magic's Bed Bug Services click the links below:</span><br /><ul><li><span style="color:#000000;"><a href="http://www.magicexterminating.com/services/Bedbug-Heat-Chamber-105.asp">Bed Bug Heat Chamber</a></span></li><li><span style="color:#000000;"><a href="http://www.magicexterminating.com/services/Bed-Bug-Monitoring-109.asp">Affordable Bed Bug Monitoring</a></span></li><li><span style="color:#000000;"><a href="http://www.magicexterminating.com/services/Bed-Bug-Exterminating-106.asp">Residential & Commercial Bed Bug Treatments</a></span></li><li><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#000000;"><a href="http://www.magicexterminating.com/services/Bed-Bug-Educational-Services-108.asp">Educational Seminars</a> </span></li></ul></span><br />Video of Ralph on <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Consumer/video/pest-prevention-avoiding-bed-bugs-12979624?page=2&playlist=&section=1206833&tab=9482931">Good Morning America February 23, 2011</a><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7QYGlASch39msHHybmZa0CZKicGyon-rn_Jlf_lcSC6jMLGYP2dGK91CLPBlJpLpRPhNZjqeOfhmZsyZb02sdDwnvlyqneNXUbJj1_zcsu5POSN8tc3ZIy86s2eNMArmz12It_ok5tbf/s1600/Ralph+a+2-1-11.JPG"><span style="color:#ffffff;"></span></a></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Purchase The Bed Bug Book on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bed-Bug-Book-Prevention-Extermination/dp/1616082992/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1297720029&sr=8-1-catcorr">Amazon</a><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color:#000000;"></span><span style="color:#000000;"></span><span style="color:#000000;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04030160345323285081noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107688068640469436.post-54991968591905637572011-02-25T06:54:00.000-08:002011-02-25T07:07:05.287-08:00Magic's Technical Director Ralph Maestre BCE on NPR's The Animal House<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vBVJq2DqfCWb18IWulanuuMzIYQJsOVq-loATEE0nJHPMRPjrrJsic4VWBruzN0XOkJ2flkyqvb9QolgtkOYyJimn9pUuWd2LAxMEMsixWBjHuNUpVA6ZI0fwF-PybkkeXiuMytuOYXY/s1600/Ralph+at+NPR.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 227px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 171px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577643335121718402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vBVJq2DqfCWb18IWulanuuMzIYQJsOVq-loATEE0nJHPMRPjrrJsic4VWBruzN0XOkJ2flkyqvb9QolgtkOYyJimn9pUuWd2LAxMEMsixWBjHuNUpVA6ZI0fwF-PybkkeXiuMytuOYXY/s400/Ralph+at+NPR.JPG" /></a>Ralph will be <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">interviewed</span> on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">NPR's</span> The Animal House tomorrow 2-26-11 at 12:00 Noon. Ralph is the Author of "The Bed Bug Book".<br /><br /><div><div><div></div><div>I have the blessing of working with Ralph. His knowledge and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">experience</span> have helped me in understanding our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">environment</span> and why insects and animals invade. </div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://wamuanimalhouse.org/"><span style="color:#006600;">Click Here</span> </a>to visit "The Animal House" website and listen to the interview. </div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04030160345323285081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107688068640469436.post-43154357096242854852011-02-23T07:49:00.000-08:002011-02-25T06:52:06.126-08:00Magic's Ralph Maestre on Good Morning America author of The Bed Bug BookMagic Pest Management's Technical Director Ralph H. Maestre BCE was interviewed by Juju Chang on Good Morning America this morning. Ralph's book "The Bed Bug Book" was released today.<br /><br />See the interview at <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Books/read-excerpt-ralph-maestres-bedbug-book/story?id=12965861">GMA<br /></a><br />You can read a sample of the book or purchase a copy at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bed-Bug-Book-Prevention-Extermination/dp/1616082992/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1297720029&sr=8-1-catcorr">Amazon</a>.<br /><br /><img style="WIDTH: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px; VISIBILITY: hidden" border="0" src="http://c.gigcount.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyOTg*Nzg5Nzk*MDQmcHQ9MTI5ODQ3ODk4NDg1NyZwPTEyNTg*MTEmZD1BQkNOZXdzX1NGUF9Mb2NrZV9FbWJlZCZn/PTImbz**ZWNkMmI4YzkyY2M*MTIwYTExOGRlOWQyYWE1YzlkZSZvZj*w.gif" width="0" height="0" /><object id="ABCESNWID" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,124,0" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" width="344" height="278"><param name="_cx" value="9101"><param name="_cy" value="7355"><param name="FlashVars" value=""><param name="Movie" value="http://abcnews.go.com/assets/player/walt2.6/flash/SFP_Walt_2_65.swf"><param name="Src" value="http://abcnews.go.com/assets/player/walt2.6/flash/SFP_Walt_2_65.swf"><param name="WMode" value="Window"><param name="Play" value="-1"><param name="Loop" value="-1"><param name="Quality" value="High"><param name="SAlign" value=""><param name="Menu" value="-1"><param name="Base" value=""><param name="AllowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="Scale" value="ShowAll"><param name="DeviceFont" value="0"><param name="EmbedMovie" value="0"><param name="BGColor" value=""><param name="SWRemote" value=""><param name="MovieData" value=""><param name="SeamlessTabbing" value="1"><param name="Profile" value="0"><param name="ProfileAddress" value=""><param name="ProfilePort" value="0"><param name="AllowNetworking" value="all"><param name="AllowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://abcnews.go.com/assets/player/walt2.6/flash/SFP_Walt_2_65.swf" quality="high" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" allowfullscreen="true" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="344" height="278" flashvars="configUrl=http://abcnews.go.com/video/sfp/embedPlayerConfig&configId=406732&clipId=12979624&showId=12965861&gig_lt=1298478979404&gig_pt=1298478984857&gig_g=2" name="ABCESNWID"></embed></object>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04030160345323285081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107688068640469436.post-61227068127415362862011-02-22T13:10:00.000-08:002011-02-22T13:14:57.931-08:00Magic on ABC's Good Morning America Tomorrow Morning<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi307MkMCHzkYNVwL-Yi_REpiASl-iiTm6LXU3I38AhCpmrl9Pwjw1X9yxZ_EI1NM-7QMn53OLjo-owYzWKrn0GO70KVV25dlPYv7oHOZuu7coZlx2rb5e7MK3N7nvJX3A4GjFOjF9X9JL2/s1600/Ralph+a+2-1-11.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 230px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 312px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576625286859355378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi307MkMCHzkYNVwL-Yi_REpiASl-iiTm6LXU3I38AhCpmrl9Pwjw1X9yxZ_EI1NM-7QMn53OLjo-owYzWKrn0GO70KVV25dlPYv7oHOZuu7coZlx2rb5e7MK3N7nvJX3A4GjFOjF9X9JL2/s400/Ralph+a+2-1-11.JPG" /></a>Magic's very own Ralph H. Maestre will be appearing on ABC's Good Morning America Tomorrow between 7am-9am February 23, 2011 and on NPR Radio's "The Animal House" between 1pm-3pm. Also, hear Ralph around the country on an ABC Satellite Radio Tour February 24, 2011<br /><br />THE BED BUG BOOK<br />The Complete Guide to Prevention and Extermination<br />by Board Certified Entomologist Ralph H. Maestre<br /><br />Magic Pest Management is proud to announce that our very own Technical Director Ralph H. Maestre BCE has published his first book. All of us have benefited by Ralph's expertise in Termites, Rodents, Ants, and especially Bed Bugs.<br /><br />In the book Ralph goes through Bed Bug case studies detailing how people get Bed Bugs, how Magic eradicated the Bed Bugs and the advice given to prevent the return of Bed Bugs.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04030160345323285081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107688068640469436.post-19169953091952710532011-02-01T14:11:00.000-08:002011-02-01T14:13:35.042-08:00THE BED BUG BOOK<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7QYGlASch39msHHybmZa0CZKicGyon-rn_Jlf_lcSC6jMLGYP2dGK91CLPBlJpLpRPhNZjqeOfhmZsyZb02sdDwnvlyqneNXUbJj1_zcsu5POSN8tc3ZIy86s2eNMArmz12It_ok5tbf/s1600/Ralph+a+2-1-11.JPG"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 199px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568838817876230290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7QYGlASch39msHHybmZa0CZKicGyon-rn_Jlf_lcSC6jMLGYP2dGK91CLPBlJpLpRPhNZjqeOfhmZsyZb02sdDwnvlyqneNXUbJj1_zcsu5POSN8tc3ZIy86s2eNMArmz12It_ok5tbf/s200/Ralph+a+2-1-11.JPG" /></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>The Complete Guide to Prevention and Extermination </strong><br />By</span><span style="color:#000000;"><em> Certified Entomologist Ralph H. Maestre<br /></em><br />Magic is proud to announce that our very own Technical Director Ralph H. Meastre BCE has published his first book. All of us have benefited by Ralph's expertise in Termites, Rodents, Ants, and especially Bed Bugs.<br /><br />In the book Ralph goes through Bed Bug case studies detailing how people got them, how Magic eradicated them and the advice given to prevent the return of Bed Bugs.<br /><br />Ralph will be appearing on Good Morning America February 23, 2011 and will be interviewed around the country on an ABC Satellite Radio Tour February 24, 2011.<br /><br />Below is the official press release from Skyhorse Publishing:<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZR4dY-jRf-j74O_V-XhHXUOQ2RqgRFyk1cVs5vBarQx2egaIWVcijaAtFKHMAyLeOHEZuYM0uL8VX7PevDcgHokZzRFZTL2_m13maaDrPf7PQmd_OP8nwu8gcXsGtnT4l7UPPVfMsgPe/s1600/Skyhorse+Publishing.png"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVLVV1SXNQKi8EKtqoBT7jvP-JUujDCzQ8O89GujI3sZQ-XodfyXnMuWNA39DV_3UK98FZRKXO0CKEViMG2Xu2YGAuhkQoATNAyshwaERC-C63slh9wrqhJaoDiLf4pH2hFBMn78Pz59k/s1600/Skyhorse+Publishing.png"><span style="color:#000000;"><img style="WIDTH: 645px; HEIGHT: 103px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568842044671186706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVLVV1SXNQKi8EKtqoBT7jvP-JUujDCzQ8O89GujI3sZQ-XodfyXnMuWNA39DV_3UK98FZRKXO0CKEViMG2Xu2YGAuhkQoATNAyshwaERC-C63slh9wrqhJaoDiLf4pH2hFBMn78Pz59k/s400/Skyhorse+Publishing.png" /></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><div align="right"><span style="color:#000000;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />CONTACT: Esther Bochner<br />ebochner@skyhorsepublishing.com<br />212 643 6816 x 224</span></div><div align="center"><br /><strong><span style="color:#000000;">ARE YOU SAFE FROM BED BUGS?<br />EXTERMINATOR RALPH MAESTRE SHOWS YOU HOW TO PROTECT YOUR HOME AND YOUR FAMILY!<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:130%;">THE BED BUG BOOK<br /></span>The Complete Guide to Prevention and Extermination<br />By Certified Entomologist Ralph H. Maestre<br /><br /></span></strong><span style="color:#000000;">“They were everywhere. The bed bugs were in the dentures, toothbrush, dressers, ceiling, walls, baseboards, sofa, dining room table, inside groceries, and in a picture frame of The Last Supper.”<br />- From a cast study in </span><strong><span style="color:#000000;">The Bed Bug Book<br /></span></div></strong><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">Bed bugs were believed to have been eradicated in the 1940s and ‘50s, but after a 1972 ban on the use of DDT, the dreaded insects are now reaching epidemic levels! Recent high-profile infestations include the Empire State Building, apartments at the University of Texas at Dallas, the New York City Department of Health, and the Victoria’s Secret and Elle Magazine headquarters. Outbreaks have occurred in Cincinnati, Denver, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and hundreds of other cities throughout the country. No tourist attraction, department store, or home is safe from these creepy, crawly, pesky vermin. <strong>Are you prepared?</strong><br /><br />In <strong>The Bed Bug Book</strong>, board certified entomologist and practicing exterminator Ralph Maestre provides answers that will protect you, your home, and your family from catching bed bugs, and educate you about how to get rid of them and prevent them from coming back if you’ve already gotten them.<br /><br />Some of the vital advice that you will read inside includes:<br />• <strong>There is no silver bullet for bed bugs</strong>. Despite public wishes, there is no one pesticide that is easy to apply, needs only one application, is safe for the environment, and has no ill health effects on humans. It is important to constantly be alert to signs of bed bugs, and educate yourself about how to maintain a bed bug-free home, spot them if they do appear, and find an extermination method that is safe for you and your family.<br />• <strong>Throwing out your mattress does not solve the problem</strong>. This is an extremely common misconception. Bed bugs migrate off the bed and hide in cracks and crevices in the room.<br />• <strong>The importance of being alert while traveling</strong>. One of the most common places for families to get bed bugs is on vacation. Practical things that you can do to prevent this from happening to you are: inspect your luggage on every step of the trip, inspect your hotel room before use, and launder all clothing as soon as you get home.<br />• <strong>Picking the right pest management company is key</strong>. Choosing the right exterminator for you is the best way to make sure that the bed bugs are really gone. Pick an exterminator that has been around for a while. Make sure their personnel are certified and have insurance. Ask if they have an entomologist on staff or on retainer for consultations.<br />• <strong>The government needs to step in and help</strong>. With the bed bug situation in this country getting worse by the day, the government needs to step in and help its citizens learn about and solve the problem. They should provide education on identification and common treatment methods. They should provide grant money for research and support individuals in need of assistance who can’t take care of the problem, such as the elderly. It is only with steps like this that we will begin to see a real change in the state of bed bug infestation.<br /><br />In <strong>The Bed Bug Book</strong>, based on years of pest control experience, Maestre provides real case studies of people and places where he found bed bugs including: why the people he describes got them, how he exterminated them, and the advice he gave the residents to make sure they didn’t come back.<br /><br />It is absolutely VITAL that the American public read this book and begin making smarter, more educated choices that will begin minimizing the extent to which bed bugs plague this country! With Maestre’s help, we can all take comfort and pride in living bed bug-free lives!<br /><br /><br /><em>About the Author:</em><br /><strong>RALPH H. MAESTRE</strong> is a board certified entomologist in urban and industrial entomology. He received his BA in environmental science with a minor in biology. Maestre has been a New York State certified commercial pesticide applicator since 1987. He is currently supervisor of pest control technicians at Magic Exterminating in New York City.<br /><br />To schedule an interview with <strong>Ralph Maestre</strong> or excerpt some of the tips inside please contact: <strong>Esther Bochner</strong> / 212 643 6816 x 224 / ebochner@skyhorsepublishing.com<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#000000;"><em>The Bed Bug Book<br />The Complete Guide to Prevention and Extermination<br /></em>By Ralph H. Maestre, board certified entomologist<br />Skyhorse Publishing Paperback Original<br />On Sale: February 23rd, 2010<br />ISBN: 978-1-61608-299-4<br />Price: $12.95<br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04030160345323285081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107688068640469436.post-83085659922092570162011-02-01T13:32:00.000-08:002011-02-01T14:09:32.947-08:00THE BED BUG BOOK<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7QYGlASch39msHHybmZa0CZKicGyon-rn_Jlf_lcSC6jMLGYP2dGK91CLPBlJpLpRPhNZjqeOfhmZsyZb02sdDwnvlyqneNXUbJj1_zcsu5POSN8tc3ZIy86s2eNMArmz12It_ok5tbf/s1600/Ralph+a+2-1-11.JPG"><span style="color:#000000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 199px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568838817876230290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7QYGlASch39msHHybmZa0CZKicGyon-rn_Jlf_lcSC6jMLGYP2dGK91CLPBlJpLpRPhNZjqeOfhmZsyZb02sdDwnvlyqneNXUbJj1_zcsu5POSN8tc3ZIy86s2eNMArmz12It_ok5tbf/s200/Ralph+a+2-1-11.JPG" /></span></a><strong><span style="color:#000000;">The Complete Guide to Prevention and Extermination </span></strong><br /><span style="color:#000000;">By</span><span style="color:#000000;"><em> Certified Entomologist Ralph H. Maestre<br /></em><br />Magic is proud to announce that our very own Technical Director Ralph H. Meastre BCE has published his first book. All of us have benefited by Ralph's expertise in Termites, Rodents, Ants and especially Bed Bugs. </span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">In the book Ralph goes through Bed Bug case studies detailing how people got them, how Magic eradicated them and the advice given to prevent the return of Bed Bugs.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Ralph will be appearing on Good Morning America February 23, 2011 and will be interviewed around the country on an ABC Satellite Radio Tour February 24, 2011.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Below is the official press release from Skyhorse Publishing:</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZR4dY-jRf-j74O_V-XhHXUOQ2RqgRFyk1cVs5vBarQx2egaIWVcijaAtFKHMAyLeOHEZuYM0uL8VX7PevDcgHokZzRFZTL2_m13maaDrPf7PQmd_OP8nwu8gcXsGtnT4l7UPPVfMsgPe/s1600/Skyhorse+Publishing.png"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVLVV1SXNQKi8EKtqoBT7jvP-JUujDCzQ8O89GujI3sZQ-XodfyXnMuWNA39DV_3UK98FZRKXO0CKEViMG2Xu2YGAuhkQoATNAyshwaERC-C63slh9wrqhJaoDiLf4pH2hFBMn78Pz59k/s1600/Skyhorse+Publishing.png"><span style="color:#000000;"><img style="WIDTH: 645px; HEIGHT: 103px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568842044671186706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVLVV1SXNQKi8EKtqoBT7jvP-JUujDCzQ8O89GujI3sZQ-XodfyXnMuWNA39DV_3UK98FZRKXO0CKEViMG2Xu2YGAuhkQoATNAyshwaERC-C63slh9wrqhJaoDiLf4pH2hFBMn78Pz59k/s400/Skyhorse+Publishing.png" /></span></a><br /><div align="right"><span style="color:#000000;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />CONTACT: Esther Bochner<br />ebochner@skyhorsepublishing.com<br />212 643 6816 x 224</span></div><div align="center"><br /><strong><span style="color:#000000;">ARE YOU SAFE FROM BED BUGS?<br />EXTERMINATOR RALPH MAESTRE SHOWS YOU HOW TO PROTECT YOUR HOME AND YOUR FAMILY!<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:130%;">THE BED BUG BOOK<br /></span>The Complete Guide to Prevention and Extermination<br />By Certified Entomologist Ralph H. Maestre<br /><br /></span></strong><span style="color:#000000;">“They were everywhere. The bed bugs were in the dentures, toothbrush, dressers, ceiling, walls, baseboards, sofa, dining room table, inside groceries, and in a picture frame of The Last Supper.”<br />- From a cast study in </span><strong><span style="color:#000000;">The Bed Bug Book<br /></span></div></strong><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">Bed bugs were believed to have been eradicated in the 1940s and ‘50s, but after a 1972 ban on the use of DDT, the dreaded insects are now reaching epidemic levels! Recent high-profile infestations include the Empire State Building, apartments at the University of Texas at Dallas, the New York City Department of Health, and the Victoria’s Secret and Elle Magazine headquarters. Outbreaks have occurred in Cincinnati, Denver, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and hundreds of other cities throughout the country. No tourist attraction, department store, or home is safe from these creepy, crawly, pesky vermin. <strong>Are you prepared?</strong><br /><br />In <strong>The Bed Bug Book</strong>, board certified entomologist and practicing exterminator Ralph Maestre provides answers that will protect you, your home, and your family from catching bed bugs, and educate you about how to get rid of them and prevent them from coming back if you’ve already gotten them.<br /><br />Some of the vital advice that you will read inside includes:<br />• <strong>There is no silver bullet for bed bugs</strong>. Despite public wishes, there is no one pesticide that is easy to apply, needs only one application, is safe for the environment, and has no ill health effects on humans. It is important to constantly be alert to signs of bed bugs, and educate yourself about how to maintain a bed bug-free home, spot them if they do appear, and find an extermination method that is safe for you and your family.<br />• <strong>Throwing out your mattress does not solve the problem</strong>. This is an extremely common misconception. Bed bugs migrate off the bed and hide in cracks and crevices in the room.<br />• <strong>The importance of being alert while traveling</strong>. One of the most common places for families to get bed bugs is on vacation. Practical things that you can do to prevent this from happening to you are: inspect your luggage on every step of the trip, inspect your hotel room before use, and launder all clothing as soon as you get home.<br />• <strong>Picking the right pest management company is key</strong>. Choosing the right exterminator for you is the best way to make sure that the bed bugs are really gone. Pick an exterminator that has been around for a while. Make sure their personnel are certified and have insurance. Ask if they have an entomologist on staff or on retainer for consultations.<br />• <strong>The government needs to step in and help</strong>. With the bed bug situation in this country getting worse by the day, the government needs to step in and help its citizens learn about and solve the problem. They should provide education on identification and common treatment methods. They should provide grant money for research and support individuals in need of assistance who can’t take care of the problem, such as the elderly. It is only with steps like this that we will begin to see a real change in the state of bed bug infestation.<br /><br />In <strong>The Bed Bug Book</strong>, based on years of pest control experience, Maestre provides real case studies of people and places where he found bed bugs including: why the people he describes got them, how he exterminated them, and the advice he gave the residents to make sure they didn’t come back.<br /><br />It is absolutely VITAL that the American public read this book and begin making smarter, more educated choices that will begin minimizing the extent to which bed bugs plague this country! With Maestre’s help, we can all take comfort and pride in living bed bug-free lives!<br /><br /><br /><em>About the Author:</em><br /><strong>RALPH H. MAESTRE</strong> is a board certified entomologist in urban and industrial entomology. He received his BA in environmental science with a minor in biology. Maestre has been a New York State certified commercial pesticide applicator since 1987. He is currently supervisor of pest control technicians at Magic Exterminating in New York City.<br /><br />To schedule an interview with <strong>Ralph Maestre</strong> or excerpt some of the tips inside please contact: <strong>Esther Bochner</strong> / 212 643 6816 x 224 / ebochner@skyhorsepublishing.com<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#000000;"><em>The Bed Bug Book<br />The Complete Guide to Prevention and Extermination<br /></em>By Ralph H. Maestre, board certified entomologist<br />Skyhorse Publishing Paperback Original<br />On Sale: February 23rd, 2010<br />ISBN: 978-1-61608-299-4<br />Price: $12.95<br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04030160345323285081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107688068640469436.post-69301546721948740512011-01-07T11:51:00.000-08:002011-01-07T11:53:30.772-08:00New Rodenticide Label and Regulation Changes Taking Place by Ralph H. Maestre BCE<strong>The following Risk Mitigation has been or will be enacted by the EPA</strong><br /><br /><strong>• Risk Identified:<br /></strong><br />There has been direct and secondary poisonings of non-target species.<br />There is well documented 2nd gen. anticoagulant presence in livers of raptors, foxes, wild cats, and deer.<br /><br /><strong>• Mitigation Required:<br /></strong><br />EPA wants to reduce availability of 2nd gen. anticoagulants to homeowners. EPA will prohibit sale of 2nd gen. products in retail stores. There will be new packaging size requirements for 2nd gen. products. New packaging sizes of 8 lbs for agriculture products / 16 lbs for professionals (PCOs)<br /><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>Most important is that the rodenticides (2nd Generations) applied outdoors (non-field) use must be within 50 ft. of buildings.</strong><br /></span><br /><strong>Bait Stations will be changed as well to the following:<br /></strong>Tiered bait station requirements for all “residential consumer” products<br /><br />• Tier I – Tamper-Resistance and Weather-Resistant<br />These bait stations are resistant to weather and to tampering by children and dogs. To be used indoors and outdoors (within 50 feet of buildings).<br /><br />• Tier II – Tamper-Resistant (but not weather resistant)<br />These bait station are resistant to tampering by children and dogs. To be used indoors only.<br /><br />• Tier III – Tamper-Resistant for Children Only<br />These bait stations are resistant to tampering by children. To be used indoors only.<br /><br />• Tier IV – Tamper-Resistance Unknown<br />These bait stations may not claim to be tamper resistant. To be used indoors only and only in areas inaccessible to children and pets.<br /><br />read more at the EPA website http://www.epa.gov/opp00001/reregistration/rodenticides/Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04030160345323285081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107688068640469436.post-66571121223633639312010-12-09T08:21:00.000-08:002010-12-09T08:54:57.740-08:00Webbing Cloth Moths, Case Making Moths, Hide Beetles by Ralph H. Maestre BCE<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwBzZK4Q1ashbq7skWfcynALKgcY0jUqFoU1Dlztcl9nNZoOlZb1pK7lgUDzu8SxZOahNW99itmCfkfZJ7rqY69V8k4Qfw7AtTOYWI_AH90VBQ9lMWM3bpgALpaWoNSzk6LAeyvRNXfjS/s1600/moth2.png"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 400px; float: left; height: 179px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548723815158199842" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwBzZK4Q1ashbq7skWfcynALKgcY0jUqFoU1Dlztcl9nNZoOlZb1pK7lgUDzu8SxZOahNW99itmCfkfZJ7rqY69V8k4Qfw7AtTOYWI_AH90VBQ9lMWM3bpgALpaWoNSzk6LAeyvRNXfjS/s400/moth2.png" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEzBeF1_domxc5ovuxbF5HcgTG0CY879ujhQxcCKBzGCSYhZflkDigQ265O19mS2Hs4SIsBj-jdNcxkgFU_6e8zfaKasCZMWPWRDxngbXK-sV9Awj3JOCGtvFi3hwjfinWj19vNzXvz7M/s1600/Moth1.png"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 420px; float: left; height: 173px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548723768742164802" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEzBeF1_domxc5ovuxbF5HcgTG0CY879ujhQxcCKBzGCSYhZflkDigQ265O19mS2Hs4SIsBj-jdNcxkgFU_6e8zfaKasCZMWPWRDxngbXK-sV9Awj3JOCGtvFi3hwjfinWj19vNzXvz7M/s400/Moth1.png" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Clothes moth larvae feed on wool, feathers, fur, hair, leather, lint, dust, paper, and occasionally cotton, linen, silk, and synthetic fibers. They are especially damaging to fabric stained with beverages, urine, oil from hair, and sweat. Most damage is done to articles left undisturbed for a long time, such as old military uniforms and blankets, wool upholstery, feathered hats, antique dolls and toys, natural bristle brushes, weavings, wall hangings, piano felts, old furs, and especially wool carpets under heavy furniture and clothing in storage.<br />Damaged fabrics have holes eaten through them by small, white larvae and often have silken cases, lines of silken threads, and fecal pellets over the surface of the materials. Moths are destructive during the larvae stage. Adult "millers" or moths are entirely harmless.<br /><br /><strong>Identification</strong><br />Adult <a href="http://www.magicexterminating.com/pests/Webbing-Clothes-Moths-128.asp">webbing clothes moths</a> have a wingspread of about 1/2-inch. The body is about 1/4-inch long with wings folded and golden-yellow with a satiny sheen. A tuft of hairs on the head is upright and reddish-gold. Eggs are oval, ivory, and about 1/24-inch long. Larvae are a shiny, creamy white with a brown head, up to 1/2-inch long. The larvae spin long threads and construct tunnels of silk.<br /></div><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 449px; display: block; height: 252px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548721924282855010" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbqML3qwdUEunnlB7azFOHcbCH5HLuX8Skku7ZmoZh23WkuUksW8vPq1fo2h-ApU2Eem4WAVOctgnwY7aBMS00sBJU9DlD4qbi2CS3_jTrlu5U-nKzti3vXmowNkKB8chyphenhypheni_HSFnk0yG2/s400/moth3.png" border="0" />Adult case making clothes moths have a 1/2-inch wingspread. Forewings are yellowish-brown, and there are usually three distinct, dark dots on the outer third of each wing. Hind wings are smaller, lighter, and fringed with hair and scales. Eggs are whitish, and larvae are opaque-white with brown heads. The larva spins a small silken case around itself and carries it while feeding.<br /><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 221px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548722091499530226" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-Whtm0VKHKSKZPj8r-tc4rGpujEuSqoUW1nTvnU8OwPQ68Z2fWLtsalfMtIV5ZG4GmmAmalqNJHJsiJdUpEWG9OJxEh5OhD_fkHZ-JHRftasH3ibivLC5ak2LMlKEDUhOplYfLLHkolZ/s400/moth4.png" border="0" /><br /><strong><a href="http://www.magicexterminating.com/pests/Casemaking-Clothes-Moth-125.asp">Casemaking Clothes Moth</a>: Adult and Larva<br /></strong>Adult carpet or tapestry moths are larger than webbing or case making clothes moths at 1/3- to 5/12-inch long with a 3/4-inch wingspread. Adults have white heads, with the first third of the front wings black and the lower two-thirds creamy white. Hind wings are pale gray. Larvae are small, creamy white caterpillars with dark heads.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><p><strong>Life Cycle and Habits</strong><br />Clothes moths rarely fly to lights at night and instead prefer darkness, such as a closet or storage chest. Any clothes moths fluttering around the house are probably males, because females travel by running, hopping, or trying to hide in the folds of clothing. Female webbing cloth moths lay 40 to 50 eggs that hatch in 4 to 21 days. Larvae like to feed on soiled material, spinning silken mats or tunnels and incorporating textile fragments and bits of fecal pellets. Larvae will wander some distance away from their food source to pupate in crevices. The pupa case is silken with bits of fiber and excrement attached to the outside. The life cycle is about 65 to 90 days.<br /><br />The case making clothes moth is less common than the webbing clothes moth. Larvae spin a small silken case around themselves as they feed. This cigar-shaped case enlarges as the larva grows. When crawling, the larva's head, thorax, and three pairs of legs, outside the case, drag it along. It does not spin a web of silk over the food material but eats clean-cut holes, not usually in one spot. Females live about 30 days and lay 100 to 300 eggs. The larva stage lasts 50 or more days, and the pupal stage is passed in the case or cocoon. There are about 2 generations a year.<br /><br />Adult carpet or tapestry moths are rarely found. Females lay 50 to 100 eggs in a lifetime, and the larva develops in about 3 months as it builds silken tubes or burrows through infested materials, such as hair-stuffed furniture, tapestries, old carpets, furs, and feathers.<br /><br />Clothes moth development is greatly influenced by humidity. About 75-percent relative humidity in a heated, dark room is ideal.<br /><br /><strong>Control Measures<br /></strong><br /><strong>Inspection</strong><br />Locate the source of infestation before treatment. Examine closets and stored goods for larvae cases, moths, and damage. Larvae prefer to feed in secluded, dark places. Use a flashlight and nail file to check for woolen lint and hair under baseboards, in and under seldom moved upholstered furniture, in air ducts, in carpets at the corners of the room and along edges, in stored clothing, and in other places not readily accessible. Check furs or feathers, such as stuffed birds or animal heads, antique feather beds, or felt in pianos, woolen scrap piles, etc. Adult moths do not feed in fabrics, but may be seen in darkened corners at night.<br /><br />A new pheromone for the webbing clothes moth is available through Insects Limited Inc.<br /><br /><strong>Prevention</strong><br />Good housekeeping is critical for preventing or controlling clothes moth damage. Never allow clothing, rugs, etc. to lie in a neglected pile. Regular use of a strong suction vacuum cleaner with a crevice tool to remove lint, hair, and dust from floor cracks, baseboards, air ducts, carpets, and upholstered furniture is necessary. Keep closets and dresser drawers clean. Regularly clean rugs where they fit close to the baseboards and under the quarter round. Inspect stored foods and eliminate bird nests and dead rodents. Launder and dry clean or steam clean clothes and other items before storage. Egg-laying clothes moths are attracted to soiled articles. Ironing will also destroy all stages of clothes moths. Sun, brush, and expose clothing to the weather. Outdoors, bright, hot sunlight, and wind will reduce larvae and damage. Frequent use of woolens and other animal fiber clothing almost assures no damage from clothes moth larvae.<br /><br />Cedar-lined chests and closets are not 100 percent effective. The natural cedar oil evaporates and a fresh treatment of cedar oil should be applied every two years. Be sure that all cloth goods be dry cleaned, washed, pressed with a hot iron, sunned, or brushed prior to storage in an airtight container with an effective moth repellent.<br /><br />Constant light illumination in the closet may discourage moths. Use tight-fitting doors. Try suspending wall to floor cotton drapes in front of clothing to keep dust and moths away. Fur storage in cold vaults is effective. Mothproofing when woolens are manufactured may be effective forever, whereas treatments at dry cleaners are less permanent and need to be renewed regularly.<br /><br />Freezing has been successfully used to control clothes moths. Place fabric in polyethylene bags, squeeze all air out to minimize condensation, and deep freeze the materials for three days. Infested antique objects should be either fumigated or deep frozen by an experienced licensed pest control operator.<br /><br /><strong>Insecticides<br /></strong>It is best not to treat clothing with insecticides due to possible damage to the garments. All cracks and crevices in infested areas should be treated with a residual insecticide. After thoroughly cleaning rugs, rug pads, under heavy furniture, and carpets, especially around the edges, dust under the edges of carpeting, cracks in closets, under baseboard, and molding or other hiding places. Any wall void that might contain old rodent, bird, or insect nests should be drilled and dusted.<br /><br />Sprays can be used as spot treatments to kill any moths that might alight or wandering larvae. Do not treat clothing. The licensed pest control operator or applicator can use sprays in such places. Infested stuffed furniture and other salvageable commodities should be fumigated by a licensed pest control operator or applicator. Before using any insecticides, always read the label directions and follow safety precautions.<br /><br /><strong>Key to Fabric and Fur Damage<br /></strong>Most scientific keys are used to identify a specific insect. This key is a damage key and can help you determine the pest that is causing the damage to wool, furs, or hides.<br /><br />Begin with the first pair of questions under<br />*If you choose answer a., proceed to question 2.<br />*If answer b. fits the damage instead, proceed to question 3. Continue to work your way through the pairs of questions until you arrive at the pest or problem.<br /><br />1. a. Silken tubes, silk cases, or silk webbing on the surface of the fabric---2<br />b. No silk on surface of the fabric---3<br />2. a. Attached silk tubes with bits of material attached may contain bun-shaped fecal pellets which are the color of the fabric, as well as live larvae. Nap of fabric eaten away in spots, or holes completely through fabric. On fur, hairs are cut at base, leaving clumps of loose fur. Some mats of webbing present---webbing clothes moth<br />b. Cigar-shaped silk cases with bits of material attached and one end open. Larvae live inside and carry cases with them as they feed. Fabric surface is damaged in irregular furrows or holes completely through fabric. Webbing essentially absent---case-making clothes moth<br />3. a. Shed larval skins usually present in fabric. Frass present as irregular pellets often the color of the material. In fabric, much surface damage with various penetrating holes---4<br />b. No larval skins or frass present---7<br />4. a. In fur, main damage to tips of the hairs, leaving numerous uneven areas but base of hairs remains in place---varied, furniture, and common carpet beetle<br />b. In fur, hairs are cut at base, become loose and fall out---5<br />5. a. Hide may be bare where hairs have been cut and fallen out, but no injury to hide itself---black carpet beetle<br />b. Damage to hide evident---6<br />6. a. Damage is on the inner surface of the hide. There may be holes and hair may fall out if larvae completely penetrate the hide to the fur side---hide beetle<br />b. Damage is on the outer surface of the hide, at the base of hairs. Hairs become loose and fall out---cabinet beetle<br />7. a. Fabric threads pulled, broken, torn, or looped but no loss of threads; exposed ends frayed. In rugs, loops pulled out---mechanical damage<br />b. Irregular or round holes that might penetrate the fabric. Tips of exposed threads usually curled and charred. In fur, curling of damaged hairs; hide scorched---burns </p><br /><br /><p>[Adapted from a key developed by Dr. John V. Osmun, Purdue University] </p></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div>For more information on <a href="http://www.magicexterminating.com/pests/Fabric-Destroying-Pests-106.asp">Fabric Destroying Pests in New York City</a>, visit <a href="http://www.magicexterminating.com">Magic Exterminating</a>.<br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04030160345323285081noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107688068640469436.post-15089236988943023022010-10-15T11:42:00.000-07:002010-10-15T12:32:31.555-07:00Bed Bug History in New York City 1944 by Ralph H. Maestre BCEFirst a little history lesson in history, from the web site located at <a href="http://www.newyorkvsbedbugs.org/">http://www.newyorkvsbedbugs.org/</a>. Renee Cornea worked on the bed bug committee for the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bntKQqsuxk9_IVCHmOaLMyW9iUTaKcj0cHWOXVBtLAuXsdHZecOBBkMhyf9MgJG61Y3zXxl84qurhXj9Zfg9jI3YSbqxycaN_37RsWt4EEKkQl_rLrgETtAhk26srS0GlpMYkfVMb_vz/s1600/Bed+Bug+Life+Cycle.png"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 248px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528355582916560434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bntKQqsuxk9_IVCHmOaLMyW9iUTaKcj0cHWOXVBtLAuXsdHZecOBBkMhyf9MgJG61Y3zXxl84qurhXj9Zfg9jI3YSbqxycaN_37RsWt4EEKkQl_rLrgETtAhk26srS0GlpMYkfVMb_vz/s400/Bed+Bug+Life+Cycle.png" /></a>City of New York and is a private citizen. She has worked endless hours to create and maintain the web site. It is by far one of the best informational site on the subject. <div><div><div></div><div>I hope you enjoy this little taste of information. Notice the date!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">New York vs Bed Bugs (1944) Posted on April 24, 2009 by Renee Corea </span></div><div><em>“NEW YORK THIS SUMMER HAD PLAGUE OF BEDBUGS” </em><span style="font-size:78%;"><em><strong><span style="font-size:100%;">St. Petersburg Times, 10/10/1944:</span><br /></div></strong></em></span><br /><div><em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoUvaQ0mwgSba2iZci2T3aVyDLh3iFvVruySzpQASJFcyGMZQ0J9ZPLIAx8m674GKom7UCDfYkOTJ_Hl2m9TDLZX8g19ErAkix3mv4LM3uuow5slcLgBCqlXY7stQsu23lVoa03i63Izy/s1600/Non+Chemical+Control+of+Bed+Bugs.png"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 321px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 269px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528355632963439650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoUvaQ0mwgSba2iZci2T3aVyDLh3iFvVruySzpQASJFcyGMZQ0J9ZPLIAx8m674GKom7UCDfYkOTJ_Hl2m9TDLZX8g19ErAkix3mv4LM3uuow5slcLgBCqlXY7stQsu23lVoa03i63Izy/s400/Non+Chemical+Control+of+Bed+Bugs.png" /></a>New Yorkers suffered not only from heat and humidity this summer—the city had a plague of bedbugs. </em><br /><br /><em>Congested areas all over the country had the same complaint. The 1944 season was hailed as one of “the worst” to date by the insects’ victims; one of “the best” by the dozens of exterminating companies that rushed to their rescue. </em></div><div><br /><em>The Sameth Exterminating Company, Inc., one of the largest in the metropolitan area, reported calls averaging 120 a day during the height of the heat—not including contract customers such as hotels, theatres and warehouses. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFSUAvL4dKOcnVGTbOH432ADKGwv4ZhhuIEcKjiNJQZMyhjAeStka8kBbnXbIBFjtJjTao4qNqY5LkyWs-xN6CP7CnhxTDhveUth-zD172Y2W2rBxj5DmzHO8qpXlhHOwAdrcBIiZL_-N/s1600/Bed+Bug+Map.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 315px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 120px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528355690583922690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFSUAvL4dKOcnVGTbOH432ADKGwv4ZhhuIEcKjiNJQZMyhjAeStka8kBbnXbIBFjtJjTao4qNqY5LkyWs-xN6CP7CnhxTDhveUth-zD172Y2W2rBxj5DmzHO8qpXlhHOwAdrcBIiZL_-N/s400/Bed+Bug+Map.jpg" /></a></em></div><div><em><br /></em><strong>There is a familiar diagnosis:</strong> </div><div></div><br /><div><em>One of the main drawbacks in combating the pests, exterminators say, is that many people are ashamed to admit their presence. </em></div><div><br /><em>“They think bedbugs are a disgrace,” one exterminator said, “but anybody can pick them up anywhere—in theatres, subways, busses, trains. The thing to do is get rid of them and then forget it.”<br /></em></div><br /><div><em>The exterminators agree that there is no sure way of preventing bedbugs. </em></div><div><br /><strong>And a working bed bug savvy meter:</strong><br /></div><br /><div><em>[A]ny exterminator who walks into a house and sees a lot of coats lying across a bed will throw up his hands in horror.<br /></em></div><br /><div><em>“That’s practically planting the bugs,” they shudder.</em><br /></div><br /><div><strong>And then a simple and reasonable hope, or perhaps the DDT PR machine of 1944:</strong> </div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04030160345323285081noreply@blogger.com0