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June Newsletter From Arizona Pest Control Help save a life!!!

Happy Valentines Day from Arizona Pest Control Company

A man has been accused of illegally shipping Tarantulas into the U.S. This after a nine month investigation authorities are referring to as “operation Spider man” Check out the full article from CNN.

The National Pest Management Association shares tips to pest-proof your home for the change in season

Fall is a favorite season for many, as it signals the beginning of colorful leaves and crisp weather. But for many pests, including rodents, spiders and cockroaches, the change in season indicates the need to find refuge from the cold winter ahead. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) reminds homeowners of the importance that fall pest-proofing can play in keeping pests from making their home in yours.

Rodents carry diseases, including Salmonella and Hantavirus, and can cause structural damage to a property by gnawing through wires, which can cause house fires, and nesting in insulation. Cockroaches also spread disease and their droppings and saliva can trigger asthma attacks, especially in young children. Brown recluse spiders will bite if threatened, injecting venom that can be dangerous to those with allergic reactions.

“When the weather cools, our warm homes are just as enticing to pests as they are to us,” says Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for NPMA. “Yet, pests are unwelcome houseguests as they can pose serious health and property threats. In preparation for winter, homeowners should be proactive and vigilant in preventing pests from coming indoors.”

The NPMA recommends these fall pest-proofing tips:

• Install door sweeps on exterior doors and repair damaged screens.
• Screen vents and openings to chimneys.
• Seal cracks and crevices on the outside of the home, including areas where utilities and pipes enter.
• Store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly in sealed receptacles.
• Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation and windows.
• Eliminate all moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains.
• Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house; keep shrubbery well-trimmed.
• If you suspect a pest infestation in your home, contact a licensed pest professional to inspect, identify and treat the problem.

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(Fairfax, VA) – A new survey conducted by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and the University of Kentucky, confirms what pest management professionals across the U.S. and around the world have been seeing in the field – bed bugs are back in a very big way, with 95 percent of U.S. survey respondents indicating that their company has encountered a bed bug infestation in the past year. Prior to 2000, only 25 percent of U.S. survey respondents encountered a bed bug infestation.

“The results of the 2010 Comprehensive Global Bed Bug Study suggest that we are on the threshold of a bed bug pandemic, not just in the United States, but around the world,” said Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for NPMA. “Because bed bugs don’t discriminate between rich and poor, don’t have a preference for climate or environment, public awareness, education and vigilance are key in detecting and preventing bed bug infestations.”

In the U.S., bed bugs are infesting homes, apartments, hotels, retail stores, offices, places of worship, college dorms, hospitals, daycares, libraries, modes of transportation, movie theaters, laundry facilities and other places where humans live and gather.

If the public knows what to look for, bed bugs can be easy to spot. In fact, visual inspections are the preferred method of determining if a bed bug infestation exists according to survey respondents. Bed bugs are the size and color of an apple seed, like to travel and will hide in suitcases, boxes and shoes to be near a food supply. They are elusive, nocturnal creatures, and beside the mattress and headboard, they can be found behind baseboards, electrical switch plates, picture frames, wallpaper, upholstery and in furniture crevices. They come out at night for a blood meal.

The findings of the 2010 Comprehensive Global Bed Bug Study, are based on responses from nearly 1,000 U.S. and international pest management companies. Here are several key survey highlights:

1. Professional pest management companies have reported a dramatic increase in bed bug calls in recent years. While, there is not one clear answer for the resurgence of bed bugs, the majority of respondents cited increased travel and movement of people from across town and around the globe, lack of societal awareness and precautions, and changing pest control products and methods.

2. Bed bugs are a much greater problem in urban and suburban areas with larger populations of people who live close together and interact in enclosed spaces on a regular basis. Because of the bed bugs’ ability to “hitchhike” on people and their belongings, these living environments will continue to see higher infestation occurrences than those living in rural areas. According to the survey, 52 percent of pest management companies report treating bed bug infestations in rural areas compared to 71 percent in urban and 80 percent in suburban areas.

3. Bed bugs are THE most difficult pest to treat, according to 76 percent of survey respondents, more so than cockroaches, ants and termites. As for where infestations occur, residences top the list with 89 percent of pest professionals treating bed bug infestations in apartments/condos and 88 percent treating bed bug infestations in single-family homes. Respondents also report other common areas, with 67 percent treating bed bug infestations in hotels/motels, 35 percent in college dormitories, 9 percent on various modes of transportation, 5 percent in laundry facilities, and 4 percent in movie theatres.

4. Although bed bugs are not known to transmit disease to humans, their bites do leave itchy welts on human skin and can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Additionally, the emotional and mental toll of experiencing a bed bug infestation can be severe and should not be taken lightly. Survey respondents report that 99% of clients who have had bed bugs were “upset and concerned” and 77% said such customers were “very upset and concerned.”

For more information about bed bugs visit the Bed Bug Hub, NPMA’s resource on everything bed bug related, from prevention tips to current news.

VIA: http://pestworld.org/bedbug

Legislation assigning various responsibilities to landlords, tenants, and pest management professionals in the prevention and management of bed bug infestations in multi-family housing failed to pass the Arizona Senate before the Legislature adjourned its 2010 Regular Session in late April, and will have to be reintroduced next year for further consideration.  The legislation, which was modeled after a bill pending in the New Jersey Legislature, overwhelmingly passed the House in early March.

Under House Bill 2210, only properly licensed applicators would have been permitted to treat for bed bugs in multi-family housing.  The bill also would have required tenants to notify their landlord once they detected a bed bug infestation and mandated that tenants permit the landlord or licensed pest control operator access to the unit to conduct an inspection and perform mitigation activities.  Local governments would have been precluded from enacting legislation or regulations pertaining to the management of bed bugs in multi-family housing.

Click here to read the bill and related information.

For the safe and effective use of pesticide products, always read the product label before using the product. Apply just enough repellent to cover exposed skin and/or clothing. Remember these important points to use repellents safely:

• Follow the label directions to ensure proper use.
• Repellents should be applied only to exposed skin and/or clothing. Do not use under clothing.
• Store insect repellents safely out of the reach of children, in a locked utility cabinet or garden shed.
• Do not apply near eyes and mouth, and apply sparingly around ears.
• When using sprays, do not spray directly into face; spray on hands first and then apply to face.
• Never use repellents over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.
• Do not spray in enclosed areas. Avoid breathing a spray product, and do not use it near food.
• After returning indoors, wash treated skin and clothes with soap and water.
• Do not use any product on pets or other animals unless the label clearly states it is for animals.
• Most insect repellents do not work on lice or fleas.
• Use other preventive actions to avoid getting bitten .
• Read more about active ingredients.

http://epa.gov/pesticides/insect/safe.htm



Arizona Pest Control has been solving unique termite problems in Southern Arizona since 1947.

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We encourage all of our potential customers to check out our A + record with the Better Business Bureau

Arizona Pest Control termite inspectors are involved in ongoing training programs to ensure our customers the quality of service they deserve. We have been a leader in the termite inspection field since 1947! Call (520) 762-6427 today for your free termite inspection.

For more information on termites, termite inspection, termite defense, termite removal, and how to tell if you have termites visit our website at AZpest.com