Alternative Pest Control

10/07/2015

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/weirdest-fire-ant-raft?source=relatedvideo

In this flooded forest, the family that swims together stays together... as a living raft! But plenty of predators see these floating fire ants as an easy snack.

03/10/2015

I know it's tempting to go for some of these bug repellent products, but you may be disappointed (see below). The methods we use for mosquito control, have been tested and proven to work. I get my yard done every spring and I couldn't be happier. Give us a call (770-995-5053) to get an estimate. Chances are it's not as expensive as you'd think.

- Julia, APC staff

http://www.ajc.com/ap/ap/top-news/ftc-files-complaint-over-anti-insect-wrist-bands/nkFxX/

The Federal Trade Commission has filed a complaint against a company that makes wrist bands intended to repel insects, saying there is no evidence they work.

03/07/2015

When I think about the Pacific Northwest, the last thing that comes to mind is bugs (no poisonous spiders and completely mosquito free summers), but it looks like their forests are facing some very destructive pests. Hopefully this research project will bring new insights to the fight against wood-destroying organisms (something we know all too well here in the South).

- Julia, APC staff


https://gigaom.com/2015/03/02/this-data-project-could-help-save-forests-being-destroyed-by-insects/?post_id=100000124570852_1035134639834012 =_

A new project that combines satellite data, airplane mapping data and on-the-ground field data of the forests of the Pacific Northwest over several decades could help researchers better manage future forest insect outbreaks across the globe. The project, published in the journal of Forest Ecology an…

03/06/2015

http://www.sciencefriday.com/topics/nature/video/10/28/2014/invasion-of-the-zombees-a-bee-horror-film.html

\tUp and down the West coast of the U.S., bees are leaving their hives, flying around at night and then suddenly dropping dead. Learn all about the parasitic horror that quietly zombifies these insects and how you can become a real-life zombee hunter.

03/04/2015

http://www.sciencefriday.com/segment/02/27/2015/airport-apiaries-now-boarding.html

Several major airports have found a new use for open but restricted space alongside runways and hangars—as a home for beehives.

11/28/2014

Health Hazards Posed by Rodents

http://www.pestworld.org/news-and-views/pest-health-hub/posts/health-hazards-posed-by-rodents/

Dr. Jorge Parada
National Pest Management Association
Monday, November 24, 2014
A focus on select infectious diseases



It's not uncommon, especially during the winter months, to have an unpleasant encounter with a rodent who has made its way into a home uninvited. What many people do not realize, however, is that these pests can be much more than a nuisance. Rodents, such as rats, mice, prairie dogs and rabbits, are associated with a number of health risks. In fact, rats and mice are known to spread more than 35 diseases. These diseases can be spread to humans directly, through handling of live or dead rodents, through contact with rodent f***s, urine, or saliva, and through rodent bites. Diseases carried by rodents can also be spread to humans indirectly, through fleas, ticks, or mites that have fed on an infected rodent.

This is especially concerning as the weather cools and rodents start to look for snug warm places to overwinter - like our homes. The National Pest Management Association estimates that rodents invade about 21 million homes in the United States every winter, squeezing through spaces as small as a nickel.

Rodent droppings can trigger allergies and transmit food borne illness such as salmonella, and as mice are capable of dropping up to 25,000 f***l pellets each year, an estimated 70 times each day - prevention and prompt removal in case of an infestation is key.

Stay tuned for posts of some of the most common diseases associated with rodents: Hantavirus, lymphocytic choriomeningitis, tularemia, and plague.

It's not uncommon, especially during the winter months, to have an unpleasant encounter with a rodent who has made its way into a home uninvited. What many people do not realize, however, is that these pests can be much more than a nuisance. Rodents, such as rats, mice, prairie dogs and rabbits, are…

09/23/2014

http://www.sciencefriday.com Legend holds that the length of woolly bear caterpillar's color bands can be used to forecast how severe the winter weather will...

05/16/2014

http://www.sciencefriday.com/video/06/01/2012/finding-glow-in-the-dark-millipedes.html

Forget fireflies, some millipedes glow in the dark too. We found out about the phenomenon from SciFri listener Chris Lavin, who stumbled upon fluorescing blue millipedes during an evening stroll near her home in Canyon, Calif.

05/09/2014

http://www.sciencefriday.com/video/06/14/2012/behold-the-beauty-of-the-ant.html

\tTaxonomy can be beautiful, according to Brian Fisher of the California Academy of Sciences. Fisher is the founder of AntWeb, an online repository of high-res glamor shots of ants, along with taxonomic information for each species. The AntWeb team has cataloged over 8,000 species so far, and aims t...

05/02/2014

http://www.sciencefriday.com/video/04/18/2008/dead-bat-mystery.html

Bats across the northeastern United States are dying and no one knows why. We visit an abandoned mine in upstate New York, one of the largest bat hibernation spots in the Northeast, with several bat researchers looking for clues.

04/25/2014

http://www.sciencefriday.com/video/04/21/2008/where-do-bees-do-their-business.html

\tBeekeeper Sarah Christman explains what happens in a honeybee hive during the winter. Christman is the Milwaukee operations manager for Growing Power, Inc., a non-profit organization and land trust based in Milwaukee, WI that helps people grow, process, market and distribute food sustainably. See…

04/18/2014

04/09/2014

03/31/2014

03/28/2014

WHY SPIDERS DON'T STICK TO THE WEB

03/27/2014

http://www.sciencefriday.com Since the founding of colonial Jamestown, cockroaches have scuttled through the dark spaces of our homes and our nightmares. But...

11/01/2013

Here is a video from science friday all about roaches and their grooming habits:

Cockroaches are constantly grooming themselves, says entomologist Coby Schal of North Carolina State University. To clean its antenna, a cockroach will grab ...

10/31/2013

Here's a fun link for Halloween:

Learn about ZOMBIE ANTS and the parasitic fungi that control them.


http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/09/absurd-creature-of-the-week-zombie-ant-fungus/

There exist zombified ants that undergo a precise, and disturbing, transformation at the hands of highly sophisticated parasitic fungi that assume control of the insects’ minds.

10/31/2013

The Black Widow

The black widow has a very distinctive appearance. It is a shiny black with a red marking on the bottom of the abdomen, in the shape of an hourglass.

It's venom is a neurotoxin and reactions vary from person to person. Children and the elderly tend to be most effected. The initial symptoms present within 20 minutes to one hour and include local pain, muscle cramps, abdominal pain, weakness and tremor. Additional symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fainting, dizziness, chest pain and respiratory difficulty.

Much like the brown recluse, the black widow hides out in undisturbed small spaces. It's web is a chaotic zig-zag of lines with no particular pattern. They can almost always be found at or near ground level.

Always take care and wear gloves when going through materials or boxes that have been left undisturbed for long periods of time. Wood piles are a particularly common hiding area for black widows so always shake off the wood before bringing it inside.

The best way to prevent a bite is to keep the home free of pests, with regular pest control services. At Alternative Pest Control we make spraying for spiders a routine part of our quarterly services, ALL year long, EVERY service.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
APC Staff

10/16/2013

The Brown Recluse

Here is what to look for...

Light brown body with darker brown marking in the center
Legs are lighter and uniform in color
Lots of fine short hairs on the body
The body will be 1/2 inch or smaller

Their webs are loose, sticky, light gray and have no pattern.
They like to hide in small dark spaces where they will not be disturbed.

Signs of a bite...

Initially the bite is not painful. At 2-8 hours the area will become red, tender and swollen. If left untreated, it can form a growing ulcer that does not heal and is surrounded by purple skin discoloration and swelling.

Other symptoms can include: chills, fever, nausea, sweating, and itching.

Severity of symptoms differ from person to person with the worst cases often involving children or the elderly.

SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY IF YOU SUSPECT YOU HAVE BEEN BITTEN BY A BROWN RECLUSE.

First Aid

Wash bite with soap and water.
Put an ice pack on the area for 10 minutes, remove for 10 minutes and repeat.

Best ways to avoid a bite...

Keep the home free of pests (not only should this eliminate any brown recluse but it will also remove the household insects they feed on)
Wear heavy work gloves when sorting through items that have been undisturbed for long periods of time (especially clothes, shoes, woodpiles, picture frames, and cardboard boxes)


UNFORTUNATELY WE LIVE INSIDE THE DISTRIBUTION AREA FOR THIS POISONOUS SPIDER. IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW HOW TO ID THEM AND WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION.

IF YOU SUSPECT YOU HAVE A BROWN RECLUSE INFESTATION IN YOUR HOME OR OFFICE, JUST GIVE US A CALL AND WE WILL SEND OUT A TECHNICIAN RIGHT AWAY.

770-995-5053

http://alternativepestcontrol.com/contact

10/15/2013

Have you noticed all the spiders?

There is a reason spiders are associated with Halloween that goes beyond being creepy-crawly. This time of year is when spiders become the most active and visible. They have been growing steadily since spring and have reached their full size. Many of the spiders you see in your home now, probably came inside during the heavy rains this summer but were too small to be noticed. Some of them may be males that are on the move looking for a mate. Females can become especially large because they are about to lay their eggs before the first freeze.

Most spiders are harmless but the majority people would prefer not to share their home with them. So if your suddenly seeing more spiders than you can stomach, just give us a call at 770-995-5053.

http://www.alt-pc.com/contact


Stay tuned for posts about the two spiders that are not so harmless: the black widow and the brown recluse. We'll show you how to identify and avoid being bitten by these poisonous georgia spiders.

10/10/2013

Have any pest control related questions? Just post them here and we'll be happy to answer them.

We can ID a bug.... Explain how different services work... Address safety concerns about chemicals.... Whatever you need to know we're here to help.

10/09/2013

Georgia Pest News Update:

There is a new species of ant that has made it's way to Georgia. The Tawny Crazy Ant is unique because of the massive size of it's colonies. They are very difficult to control and must be identified by a well educated technician because typical ant treatments will not be enough. Check out the article below. If you suspect you have an infestation call us right away. We will keep our technicians up-to-date on the best way to manage these new household pests.

Here is what to look out for:

They’re reddish in color, very tiny, and they run around and scurry really fast. And they don’t march in a straight row like Argentine ants. You may also notice electrical problems around the home because they are attracted to electrical wiring.


http://www.redandblack.com/uganews/science_health/drive-me-crazy-invasive-ant-terrorizes-georgia-through-numbers/article_f8c1dbaa-298d-11e3-b475-001a4bcf6878.html

The tawny crazy ant is like something out of a horror movie. It comes in the thousands and dies in piles that can be inches deep. Add to that their attraction to electricity and tendency to short out power, and you’ve got a Hitchcock thriller waiting to happen — luckily these ants don’t actually bit...

10/08/2013

Fleas and Tapeworms

I just got a new puppy and in the process learned a lot about fleas and tapeworms. I thought I would share the information here:

My puppy seemed very sluggish the first day I had him. I was concerned so I got an appointment with a vet. After the exam, the vet told me my puppy had a tapeworm. He explained that fleas transmit the tapeworms when an animal ingests the infected flea.

He gave my puppy a shot to get rid of the current tapeworm, but he warned that the puppy must have a flea-free environment to prevent a new infection.

I went ahead and started monthly flea treatments for the dog. However, being in the pest control industry, I know these treatments are not enough to prevent him from ingesting a flea. These popular treatments are very helpful but it can take up to 24 hours to kill a flea once it comes in contact with your pet. The best way to prevent contact with fleas is to treat the home and yard as well. This is especially helpful for pets that have a flea allergy because it only takes a few bites to cause significant discomfort for the pet.

Our flea treatments cost between $50 - $100 and usually only need to be done once or twice a year. For more information you can contact our office at (770) 995-5053.

Have a great day,

Julia
Alternative Pest Control Staff

10/08/2013

New puppy in the office

10/02/2013

Best Bug ID Sites

http://bugguide.net/node/view/15740 is a great site. They even have a free service where you can post pictures of your mystery bug and they'll help you identify it.

For a quick simple ID of common house pests you can use our site

http://www.alt-pc.com/pest_id

An online resource devoted to North American insects, spiders and their kin, offering identification, images, and information.

10/01/2013

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for man, Col 3:23

09/30/2013

FALL ALLERGIES AND COCKROACHES

Ragweed season is upon us, but outdoor pollen may not be the only contribution to allergy symptoms. As the temperature drops a whole host of pests migrate into our homes looking for warmth and shelter. By far one of the most hated of those pests is the cockroach. Everyone is grossed out by them and an estimated 26.1% of the US population is allergic to them. Cockroach allergy can cause all the same symptoms as pollen allergies but studies show they are particularly hard on children with asthma.

Keeping the home clean and free of clutter can help avoid an infestation. Many sites recommend taking steps like cleaning the kitchen floors after every meal (for busy families this may not always be realistic). The best safeguard against cockroach infestations is regular pest control. At Alternative Pest Control we have nearly 30 years of experience preventing and treating roach problems in homes and businesses.

Protect your home from cockroaches and the indoor allergens they produce with regular and affordable services from Alternative Pest Control (770) 995-5053.

God Bless!
APC Staff

09/21/2013

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT RBI AND TERMITES

RBI stands for rigid board insulation. RBI is used in home construction because it improves energy efficiency. It's use has surged in the last decade with an equivalent increase in termite infestations. According to Clemson University researchers, RBI is "a superhighway for termites". It gives them easy access to the studs that support your home. The problem is made worse by brick, stucco and siding that hides RBI from view.

This lead to the National Pest Control Association issuing a recommendation to Pest Control Companies not to accept jobs in which Termite conducive RBI problems couldn't be corrected.

Most companies reacted, not by trying to remove RBI problems, but by simply adding a clause to their warranties that relieves them of responsibility when infestations where caused by RBI or any other structural conditions which are conducive to termite infestations. This is just a loop-hole to not cover the most common cause of termite damage. It may sound like it makes sense to the consumer, but is actually no excuse for a failed treatment.

A few companies attempt to remove RBI. While this is a more honest approach than the former, it is expensive and you loose the energy efficiency, the very reason it was put there to begin with.

At Alternative Pest Control, we like to live up to our name and offer an ALTERNATIVE. We say you can keep your RBI and the energy efficiency that it gives you, with out loosing any peace of mind. Our warrantee covers RBI, no exceptions. Our unique approach to termite treatments is to eliminate ALL termites in the ground. It doesn't matter how much RBI is exposed when there aren't any termites in the first place. Every home, whether it has RBI or not, is venerable to termites. If termites colonize under your home they WILL find a way in. That’s why we believe the only responsible thing to do is to create a chemical barrier to prevent colonization. We believe so strongly in our approach, that if our treatment fails we not only cover the cost of ALL repairs but we give you back twice the cost of the treatment.

08/16/2013

To anyone out there considering the big corporate companies:

Please look at those contracts. They have exemptions for just about every conceivable way that insects can damage your home. They may occasionally replace a window frame here and there if the customer really makes a fuss, but when it comes to damage in the thousands, they leave the homeowner high and dry.

Once you get a good look at their contracts take a look at ours. This is the whole thing copied and pasted from our damage bond:

" This guarantee is issued to the above owner and any subsequent owners of the listed property address after a subterranean termite treatment.
The guarantee shall remain in force for one year, and is renewable for at least 10 years upon receipt of the renewal fee on or before each anniversary of the original date of issuance,
Should a subterranean termite infestation appear while this guarantee is in effect, Alternative Pest Control, Inc. will treat that infestation at no additional charge to the property owner.
Should any new damage from subterranean termites be discovered while this guarantee is in effect, that damage will be repaired at no charge to the property owner. APC will also pay the property owner two times the original treatment cost in cash for the inconvenience.
AP.C. must be notified of the damage, by the property owner, and have an opportunity to inspect the area before repairs are made.
Live termites must be found to classify as new damage.
Damage existing prior to treatment whether visible or hidden is not covered under this guarantee. Any area of known existing damage is not covered under the damage guarantee until that area is repaired, Alternative Pest Control, Inc. will need to inspect the repaired area while it is still accessible.
The property owner shall be responsible for notifying Alternative Pest Control of any structural alterations made during the contract period.
Any structural changes or additions to the structure that are not depicted in the attached graph will not be covered under the guarantee until they have been treated by Alternative Pest Control. This treatment or re-treatment will be at an additional fee to the property owner.
Our annual renewal fees are below average because we have such low claims ratio and we guarantee that they will always remain below industry average."

THAT'S IT... NO LEGAL JARGON... NO FINE PRINT... JUST A PROMISE TO DO WHATS RIGHT.

Try fitting one of theirs in a facebook post.

We have had Orkin services since 2002. We have constantly seen ants in one corner of our house. Orkin always had an excuse.
Recently we learned that we had so much ant damage we have thousands of dollars of repair. Orkin says they are not responsible for damage and it's not their fault they did not find the problem.
Our new exterminator found a problem in 5 minutes
Please share with all your friends.
Let's hope they have a change of heart and "DO THE RIGHT THING"