How Cockroaches Use Karate Kicks to Avoid Becoming Zombies | National Geographic

To escape the "zombifying" sting of emerald jewel wasps, cockroaches deliver swift kicks aimed at the wasps' heads.

Pest Control in the Workplace

This video lists the most common workplace pests and suggests what action you can take to tackle any pest problems in your office.

How to Find a Good Exterminator | Pest Control

Bugs are infesting your house and what are you going to do about it to get rid of them? You're going to go out and try to find a good pest control company. But what is a good pest control company? What defines a good pest control company? Find out in this howcast video.

Why Do Cockroaches Even Exist?

Roaches are more than just pests that crawl around our homes. Here's how they are actually beneficial and even essential to the environment.

What to Consider When Picking a Pest Control Provider

Are you having problems with unwanted bugs or rodents making themselves at home on your property? If you've set up some basic traps yourself, but haven't seen any positive results, it might be advantageous for you to call for a pest control service. Paying for a professional to do the job may seem like a pricey investment, but it's the best method to ensure that you won't have to deal with any unwanted animals crawling around in the future. If you are going to call for an extermination service, you'll need to make sure you're getting your money's worth. There's a lot to consider when picking the right person or group of people to take care of your pest problem.

What should you consider when picking an exterminator? If you flip through a phonebook or check the Internet, you'll discover that there are several pest control services in your area that are willing to get the job done. Keep in mind, that all companies are not the same. You'll have to do a little bit of homework to discover who can fit your needs the best. First, see if they have a good reputation. If you have a friend or family member who has used the same company in the past, chances are they'll do a good job for you as well. Look for positive online reviews. Does the company actually specialize in the removal of unwanted insects and rodents? You probably shouldn't do business with a company who considers their animal extermination to be a secondary ability and not their specialty. Do they train their employees? It takes more to remove unwanted bugs and rats than just grabbing some spray and putting on a suit. See if the company employees have been certified through an extensive training program. Do they guarantee their work and will they offer you money back if unwanted critters reappear? You'll want to feel reassured that you're entitled to work done free of charge if it isn't done right the first time. A guarantee also means that the company is willing to put their reputation on the line to give you the results you desire.

Try your best to learn how the pest control company's current status is with the state. Are they properly licensed and accredited? Are they financially able to back up any promotional guarantees? You don't want to have to deal with a business that closes up shop soon after completing their job with you. You also want to make sure that the company is in good standing. See if they properly screen their employees as well. You'll have strangers walking around your house doing contract work, so it's good to know you can trust anybody who has access to your house, even if you're going to be home. Finally, if the pest control company indicates to you that they have a solid knowledge about current regulatory issues in their industry, it's a good sign they take their job and your situation very seriously.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7589264

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Exterminator

Seeing insects and other pests in your home can be extremely bothersome. You have two options: you can handle the problem yourself, or you can hire an exterminator. There are several important benefits of hiring a professional.

Identification of the Problem

The extermination of spiders is different from the process for getting rid of cockroaches, ants, or even rodents. Targeting termites is vastly different from eradicating fleas from a home. An exterminator has the expertise necessary to examine your residence and identify the exact nature of the problem. This professional will be able to ascertain the type of pests you have in your home and the best method for removing them.

Treatment at the Source

Pests enter a house at a specific location. If the treatment does not target the source of the infestation, it is likely to continue occurring. A professional has the expertise and equipment necessary to locate the exact source of the infestation. Once found, the exterminator will work to resolve the problem by eliminating the cause. Perhaps something such as plants, soil, pet food, or garbage is attracting the insects or rodents to your home. Expert guidance will help you eliminate these types of attractions.

Avoiding Damage

Infestation can cause significant damage to a structure. Walls, ceilings, foundations, floors, carpets, furniture, and even clothing can be damaged by insects and rodents. Instead of trying to eradicate these pests ineffectively, hire an expert to ensure that damage does not continue.

Less Expense

Purchasing your own chemicals and equipment to fight pests can be expensive, especially if the infiltration is extensive. Many homeowners will spend less money by hiring a professional service to eliminate the problem. On average, most consumers pay between $100 and $250 per year for professional services. By entering into a contract with a professional, you can also ensure that pests will not return for the contract period. If you see more insects or rodents during the contract time, the company will return to perform additional treatments under the contract terms.

More Effective Eradication

The chemicals used by an exterminator will be more effective than those consumers can purchase. Hiring a professional also safeguards the consumer from choosing the wrong chemicals for the problem, as such a mistake can render their efforts useless. Misapplication of chemicals could also create potentially dangerous conditions for people living in a home.

Stop cohabitating with insects or rodents and hire an exterminator to get rid of them quickly and effectively. The price you pay will be worth the convenience of having this service performed for you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9104120

Watch Bed Bugs Get Stopped in Their Tracks | Deep Look

At night, these parasites crawl onto your bed, bite you and suck your blood. Then they find a nearby hideout where they leave disgusting telltale signs. But these pests have an Achilles’ heel that stops them cold.

3 Insects That Will Run Your Life If You Don't Use Pest Control

No matter where you live, unwanted bugs and vermin have the potential to annoy you and even cause health problems. Bites and stings from certain insects can be dangerous either due to allergies or venom in the affected area. You might think that you can root out the problem yourself with over-the-counter products and a little bit of elbow grease. This strategy might work for a while, but your problem will return. Get quality pest control services. They are experts at safely finding and exterminating a large list of infestations. These services also offer regular maintenance through house visits to root out your bugs for good. Let's view some common infestations these exterminators can deftly handle.

Cockroaches

These are quite possibly the most repulsive of all the vermin. They are highly adaptive creatures, which make them very hard to exterminate. On top of this, they reproduce at a rapid rate and are nocturnal, so you could have a serious roach infestation and not even know about it. They can survive without eating food for over a month and will eat glue, shoe linings, and other dead insects. If you have children, these vile creatures can also cause asthma problems in the event of a very serious infestation. Get the exterminators out to your house and rid yourself of roaches!

Bed Bugs

These tiny little bugs will crawl into your bed sheets and couches, and they bite hard enough to draw blood. Despite the fact that they ingest our blood, these insects are not known to pass diseases on to humans. If they do find their way into your home, you will need to have your whole house exterminated; simply throwing away an affected mattress or couch is not sufficient. Get professional pest control to your residence to effectively rid your house of these vermin. Bed bugs can survive for up to one year without feeding, and once they do feed, the females will lay around 200 eggs almost immediately. So be warned: where there is one, there are many.

Termites

These pesky insects can cause some serious structural damage to your residence. They won't be much of a nuisance to you, and you probably won't even be able to see them either, since most termites that affect residences in the United States are subterranean dwellers. These creatures tunnel up from the ground looking for dead or rotting wood. If they cannot find these sources of food, they are happy to snack on your home. Their infestations can number in the millions, and termites are particularly dangerous because you may not even see them at all. If you notice small holes near your trees or in your basement, you should immediately contact your pest control professionals before you sustain serious structural damage to your home.

These are but a few of the vermin that quality pest control services will be able to exterminate. Get in touch with your local exterminator to find out how they can help you and protect your home.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8775320

Beauty Through the Microscope: Bugs Like You’ve Never Seen Them Before | Short Film Showcase

Levon Biss takes sports portraits for a living. He's worked with world-class athletes and published front-page photographs. Wanting a project to work on at home that would combine his passion for photography and nature, he started taking macrophotographs ... of bugs. The result? "Microsculpture—a unique photographic study of insects in mind-blowing magnification." In this short film, Biss explains what is required to portray one insect and delight the audience with an unforgettable viewing experience.

Tips for Selecting a Pest Control Service

How do we select a competent pest control service?
First of all, many of us as homeowners, renters and landlords can control household pests through a combination of preventive measures, including proper sanitation and good home maintenance practices. However, some pest infestations may be extensive, or a particular pest may be difficult to control, requiring the services of a pest control company.

You should select a pest control company the way you do any other service - Look for Quality and Value. Costs and competency are important. When selecting a pest control service, cost should not be the only factor that determines the company you pick. It is important to make sure the pest control company you choose is competent. If pesticides are misused, both health and property can be damaged. Before contracting with a pest control company, consider the following:

Take Your Time/Do Your Homework
When most people discover a pest problem, they want the problem eliminated immediately. However, most problems can wait a few days so you have time to select a competent, reasonably priced company. It is wise to obtain several estimates from prospective companies. Most companies will provide free estimates.

Questions to Ask a Prospective Pest Control Firm

How many years have you been in business at your present address?
Contact organizations such as the Better Business Bureau, the States Departments of Agriculture, or the States Attorney General’s Office, or the EPA to determine if complaints have been filed against the company or its applicators for misusing pesticides.

Would you provide me with a list of references?
Contact several references to find out if they are satisfied with the service provided by the pest control company.

Will the person(s) performing the services be a certified, licensed pesticide applicator or a licensed technician? Each company must have at least one certified, licensed commercial pesticide applicator in the proper service category. Other company applicators must be certified applicators or licensed technicians under the direct supervision of an certified applicator.

Licenses may be verified by calling the various State Departments of Agriculture.

Would you provide me with a copy of your pest control license, copies of the labels for all pesticides used and the rates at which they will be applied?
Reliable applicators will show you their credentials and will be able to provide you with copies of pesticide labels that indicate how the product should be applied, including the proper application rates, and the necessary precautions.

BEWARE OF COMPANIES OR INDIVIDUALS THAT.......

• Want to do pest control as part of a package deal, such as general home repair or tree trimming or that will give you a special price if treatment is done immediately.
• Don’t have a listed or working telephone number.
• Sell services door-to-door or target the elderly or infirm persons who live alone. CHECK THEIR IDENTIFICATION AND CREDENTIALS!!!
• Arrive unexpectedly and show you insects they have found in your neighbors house as evidence of a neighborhood problem.
• Quote a per-gallon price. Termite control can require several hundred gallons of diluted insecticide.
• Claim to have a secret formula. All pesticide products must be registered by the U.S. EPA and the States Departments of Agriculture. Registered pesticide labels contain a list of active ingredients.
• Try to pressure you into immediately signing a contract by suggesting your house is structurally unsound and may collapse if not treated.
• Claim to have excess material left over from a previous job and offer a reduced price for immediate treatment.
• Claim to be endorsed by the States Departments of Agriculture, the U.S. EPA or other government agency. Government agencies DO NOT endorse any service company or specific pesticide product.

More Points to Consider

Some pest control companies offer service contracts in which structures are routinely treated for a particular pest. Contracts may be necessary in some situations such as warehouses that receive crates often infested with cockroaches. In general, routine pesticide applications in and around your home are not good unless there is a constant infestation by a pest and non-chemical methods have failed to control the pest. Service contracts for the homeowner should include periodic inspections, but pesticides should not be applied unless the pests are actually present and cannot be controlled by other means.

Generally, it is customary for termite control work to be guaranteed from one to five years. Make sure you know what the guarantee covers and determine if there is a yearly inspection charge. In addition, find out if the pest control company is responsible for structural damage if the treatment fails to control the termite infestation. The guarantee is only as reliable as the company that offers it.

If the service person asks you to do certain things before, during or after the pesticide application, cooperate and follow instructions. For example:

• If the service person asks you to remove personal items from the floor, empty kitchen cabinets and remove pets, make sure you have done this before they arrive.
• Do not allow children or pets into treated areas until the pesticide spray has dried.
• Aquariums should be removed from the treatment site or covered with heavy plastic and the air pump turned off.
• Remove all other household pets from the treatment area.
• If the service person suggests non-chemical methods of pest control in addition to the pesticides, be sure to follow the instructions.

Good cooperation between you and the pest control company will help eliminate pests and reduce pesticide use.

Pesticides are inherently toxic and may cause health problems and/or damage to the environment if used in a manner inconsistent with the label directions. Certain pesticides may pose greater risks than others. To determine the pesticide that best fits your needs, contact your local University Extension Service.

Article Source: https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/tips-selecting-pest-control-service