August 9, 2010 (Glendale, AZ) – The movement toward “going green” has significantly influenced businesses ranging from construction to printing and now, pest management.  As green pest control services become a preferred choice among customers, Invader Pest Management is proud to announce its new designation from the National Pest Management Association as “GreenPro.” This new designation from the NPMA highlights corporate commitment within the pest management profession to controlling household pests while also addressing environmental concerns. This honor not only reflects Invader Pest Management’s exceptional pest management services but more, its commitment to cultivating an environmentally-responsible business.

“Now, more than ever, consumers are seeking pest management methods that not only address their household pest problems but also, address their concerns regarding the protection of the environment,” says Owner/President Fred Willey.  “In proactively seeking – and receiving – our GreenPro designation, we are not only responding to the need to be environmentally sensitive but also to the fact that 61% of consumers seek out pest control services they perceive as “green.*”

GreenPro services offered by Invader Pest Management include:

• Green Residential Pest Management Services
• Green Commercial Pest Management Services, LEED compliant IPM Programs
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Schools
• Green Termite Control Options
• Green Weed Control Options
• Preventative (Pesticide Free) options such as Home Sealing, Night time Black Light services and Trapping.

“As a designated member of GreenPro, we are fully committed to providing customers not only with outstanding services but outstanding green services,” commented Fred Willey. “We recognize that our customers want to be confident that the services performed in their homes are environmentally sensitive.  Invader Pest Management can assure customers of this as our practices and our business philosophy reflect green thinking.”

For more information regarding green initiatives within the pest management industry, please visit www.invader.net and www.npmaqualitypro.org.  For further information on GreenPro, please visit www.npmagreenpro.org.

Invader Pest Management has been nominated as a Best of Arizona business. This annual public poll is the largest business opinion poll in Arizona. The results are published in the fall: “Ranking Arizona, The Best of Arizona Business”. I am asking you to show your support for Invader Pest Management by voting in this online poll.

Here’s how to cast your vote for Invader Pest Management:

Go to this link: http://rankingaz.azbigmedia.com/index.php 

1. Click on the Browse by category to vote
2. From the Main Category drop down menu, select Real Estate Residential
3. Then from the Sub-Category drop down menu, select Pest Control Services
4. Then from the Company drop down menu, select Invader Pest Management

It’s easy and it only takes a couple of minutes.

Voting ends in TODAY!   

HURRY ….your vote counts

At Invader Pest Management, we are concerned with all types of Arizona pest control and wanted to pass along to you the following press release that the Arizona Department of Health Services issued not too long ago regarding rabies:

Bobcats and Bats Force Rabies Back into the Spotlight

Recent bobcat attacks and bat exposures remind Arizonans that rabid animals can be found throughout the state. Three bobcats attacked people and pets in three counties in April.  The bobcats tested positive for rabies at the Arizona State Public Health Laboratory (ASPHL). One person was vaccinated after exposure to prevent rabies infection and one pet dog had to be put down because it was not vaccinated against rabies.

 Also, in the last few weeks, several bats were sent to the state lab for rabies testing. In two cases, students had been playing with bats found on school grounds.

 “Students may have picked up the bats, unaware of what they actually were,” said Program Manager Craig Levy, ADHS Vector Borne & Zoonotic Disease. “Bats can look like small fuzzy animals, so children might think it is safe to handle them. It is not!”

It is important to teach children not to pick up or touch a bat or other wild animal, especially if it is on the ground since it might have rabies.  For that matter, any wild animal that appears ill or approaches people should be avoided, including wild animals encountered on hiking trails, in campgrounds or in your own backyard.

ADHS worked with other agencies like the Arizona Game & Fish Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to create a video to help teachers and school personnel learn about rabies and bats in the school yard.  It is available for free on the AzDHS You Tube channel and DVDs are being prepared for school district offices throughout the state.  The video features interviews with state and federal rabies experts and the only person known to have survived rabies encephalitis.

The best way to protect your pet from rabies is to keep all pets current on vaccinations and to obey leash laws.  Whenever people or pets come into contact with confirmed or suspected rabid animals, you should contact the local animal control office for assistance.  If a pet owner cannot prove vaccination, the pet will either have to be quarantined for six months at the owner’s expense or euthanized.

Also, there have been a number of confirmed cases of Rabies this year and mostly with dogs coming in contact with skunks. Here of course, not only could rabies be a problem, but it is a very stinky situation! For all your Arizona pest control needs, please call Invader at 623-435-0228, or visit us on the web at www.invader.net.

Invader Pest Management, a 16 year veteran Phoenix pest management company, has earned the QualityPro Schools designation. Invader Pest Management recognizes that pests in schools need to be managed in a careful and environmentally responsible way. 

Becoming a QualityPro Schools company means that Invader Pest Management has taken extraordinary steps to ensure that schools can rely on us. In addition to fulfilling the thorough and in-depth QualityPro requirements, Invader Pest Management has trained all of its schools technicians and salespeople on specific school IPM techniques above and beyond any state requirements.

Taking these steps clearly demonstrates that Invader Pest Management cares about protecting children in the school environment.

“Becoming QualityPro Schools was important to me, because I believe the management of pests in a sensitive environment like a school demands special care,” said Fred Willey. “This designation, like the QualityPro program, offers schools solid proof of the careful way my company offers its services in schools.”

QualityPro Schools companies have met qualifications built around five key principles: Business Operations, Consumer Relations, Environmental Stewardship, Technician Training, and School Integrated Pest Management. These qualifications include employing only highly trained, credentialed employees; offering a clear, easy-to-understand warranty and termite service agreement; maintaining a drug-free workplace; advertising truthfully and ethically; and maintaining an up-to-date insurance policy.

Invader Pest Management is proud to be serving our community as a QualityPro Schools company. For more information about how we can serve you better, contact Fred Willey or his staff at 623-435-0228.

QualityPro and QualityPro Schools are the mark of excellence in pest management. This program is increasing the professionalism of the industry through self-regulation; stimulating consumer demand through increased confidence and a higher public perception of industry professionalism; and providing marketing opportunities to participating companies by recognizing commitment to excellence and higher performance standards. For more information, visit www.npmaqualitypro.org. 

Public service announcement from Invader Pest Management

Please wear mosquito repellant if spending any time outside, especially on the weekends when people tend to play outside a lot.

Below is a blurb from the Maricopa County Vector Control that they will be announcing that West Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected in our mosquitoes this year.  With the cooler weather this year more people will be outside having picnics, enjoying their pools, barbequing, etc…  Telling people the importance of using mosquito control while outside on weekends.  There were even stories on the TV news recently about the outbreak of mosquitoes in the north west valley. So even though the confirmed cases of WNV are in Gilbert, we all should take preventative actions and protect ourselves from attack of Mosquitoes!

West Nile Virus Update

West Nile Virus (WNV) has re-emerged just in time for the Memorial Day weekend.

Maricopa County Vector Control (MCVC) is reporting the first WNV positive result for 2010 in a mosquito pool collected this week in the Gilbert area.  The pool tested positive on RAMP assay and was confirmed by PCR at the AZ State Lab.

Maricopa County will be issuing a press release today or tomorrow.

The information below outlines Invader Pest Management’s Mosquito Control Program.

What You Can Do to Help Fight Mosquitoes

• Empty standing water in old tires, cemetery urns, garbage cans, buckets, plastic covers, toys, or any other container where mosquito larva and pupa live.
• Empty and change the water in bird baths, fountains, wading pools, rain barrels, and potted plant trays at least once a week if not more often.
• Check for irrigation leaks, keep irrigation valve boxes dry, maintain proper water cycles that don’t over water and cause standing water.
• Make sure landscaping has proper grading to avoid standing water.
• Drain or fill temporary pools with dirt.
• Keep swimming pools, fountains, treated and circulating. Keep rain gutters unclogged.
• Floor drains, bathtub, shower, and sinks should have water regularly ran through to exchange water in pipe.
• Don’t leave dishes, coffee or any unfinished beverages that could create potential breeding site.
• Make sure window and door screens are “bug tight.”
• Replace your outdoor lights with yellow “bug” lights.
• Contact Invader Pest Management for any questions about mosquitoes and their control.

Mosquito Control Methods 

An IPM approach includes surveillance, source reduction, larviciding and adulticiding to control mosquito populations.

• Surveillance –   Reporting of mosquito sites, biting, inspection and source location is first step.
• Source Reduction – Controlling water levels – The most important step is to eliminate potential breeding habitats for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can breed in any puddle that lasts more than 4 days.
• Larviciding –
  • Target larvae – Both chemical and biological measures may be employed to kill immature mosquitoes during larval stages. Larvicides target larvae in the breeding habitat before they can mature into adult mosquitoes and disperse.
  • Mineral oils and other materials form a thin film on the surface of the water which cause larvae, pupae and emerging adults to drown.
• Adulticiding – Pesticides registered for this use may be undertaken to combat an outbreak of mosquitoes in a community.

Also, Rabies so far this year is not as prevalent as last year, however we have had a number of confirmed cases this year and mostly with dogs coming in contact with skunks – not only could rabies be a problem, but the whole ordeal could be a smelly situation! The information below has specifics on rabies cases so far this year.

Lab Confirmed Rabies Positive Animals (includes AZ State Health Lab & USDA testing)

• CDC performs variant testing on domestic and wild animals that are not the usual reservoirs for rabies.
• The javelina from Pima County and the coati from Pinal County were found to be infected with the Arizona grey fox variant.

Exposures to Lab Confirmed Rabid Animals

 Rabies by Month

Statistics are provisional due to USDA direct rapid immunohistochemical test (dRIT) testing and may be updated retrospectively due to reporting delays.

Invader Pest Management, a Phoenix pest management company with 16 years in business, has earned the QualityPro designation, the mark of excellence in pest management.

Becoming a QualityPro company means that Invader Pest Management has taken extraordinary steps to ensure that consumers can rely on us. From running criminal background checks on all of our employees to using environmentally sound integrated pest management practices, QualityPro companies are committed to providing consumers with the highest possible services.

“Becoming QualityPro was important to me, because I strive to offer consumers the best in pest management,” said Fred Willey. “This designation offers consumers solid proof of the thoroughness and quality of my company’s services.”

QualityPro companies have met qualifications built around four key principles: Business Operations, Consumer Relations, Environmental Stewardship and Technician Training. These qualifications include employing only highly trained, credentialed employees; offering a clear, easy-to-understand warranty and termite service agreement; maintaining a drug-free workplace; advertising truthfully and ethically; and maintaining an up-to-date insurance policy.

Invader Pest Management is oud to be serving our community as a QualityPro company. For more information about how we can serve you better, contact Fred Willey or his team at 623-435-0228.

QualityPro is the mark of excellence in pest management. This program is increasing the professionalism of the industry through self-regulation; stimulating consumer demand through increased confidence and a higher public perception of industry professionalism; and providing marketing opportunities to participating companies by recognizing commitment to excellence and higher performance standards. For more information, visit www.npmaqualitypro.org.

A Springtail or Collembola issue came up recently. A Phoenix pest control customer with a severe case of springtails contacted me and went to her home to make a comprehensive inspection to see if we can alleviate the problem.

Adults and immature Springtails are generally 1/16^th to 1/8^th inch long and are gray or brown in color. They may be distinguished from other tiny insects because they have a projection or “tail” which they lock under their abdomen and release to “spring.” Springtails need high moisture in order to survive. Occasionally they build up in high numbers during wet years in irrigated areas. When this area dries up, they are attracted to the lights and moisture in yards, and may become severe nuisances in interiors.

As I always do, I like to prepare myself, before I go out on the inspection, so I pulled up information on the internet and found that I probably have better information than what I found available on the internet.

I like to look at Educational sites from entomology departments and cooperative extensions around the country because generally they have very good information produced by experts who study pests.  However, I was surprised that I found a lot of out dated information that included advice on treatment with products that are no longer available or pulled from the market, as well as the home remedy advice that while simple may provide some temporary relief, such as a mixture of dishwashing liquid, vinegar or lemon juice to kill the pests in a environmentally friendly way.  But there was little to no advice on getting to the source of the problem and much of the information was about exterior problems with springtails and a very limited amount of information on the interior of properties.

Based on the phone calls we receive at Invader Pest Management, it’s the problems on the inside of the house that get the phone’s ringing. People get frustrated with springtails because they are inside and everywhere!

So, let’s get to looking at this springtail issue:  first of all whether inside or outside, springtails are a direct result of excessive moisture.  So the first thing that I look for or a homeowner should look for is moisture.  Of course, springtails are an introduced pest that could be brought into a home via potted plants, or a crack in the foundation, through open windows or exhaust fans and the infestation could and most certainly started outside.  However, in most cases the customer is calling about the little bugs everywhere inside, in the bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, etc… are you seeing a pattern here?  Moisture areas, right?  They almost always say they see them in the sinks or around the drains.

The answer to the first question we always get is NO.   No we can’t spray pesticides down the drain!  Now that being said, along with scrubbing drain pipes, we do have environmentally and pipe friendly bio-remediation products that we can utilize in drains and they have been found to help reduce springtail problems by eating the buildup of fungus, mildew and mold.  However we have had some cases where that wasn’t enough, and generally we have found there to be other moisture problems than just the drains.

Springtails thrive in humid areas and so does their food source.  Springtails eat molds, mildews and fungus than can develop in areas that retain moisture content.  Unfortunately, many of these potential sites can go unseen for a long time, and the problem gets worse even though the customer has tried everything, even numerous pest control companies in some cases.

I know that in Phoenix, Arizona we joke that, “it’s a dry heat”, so why would there be such a humidity issue?  Well,  that all depends, but some simple factors are, irrigation leaks not being fixed, sprinklers systems spraying to close or on the house, leaf litter and debris under bushes and shrubs holding moisture to ground, vines and trees growing on or to close to the structure, rain gutters clogged with debris, potted plants with drip irrigation with no catch basins, etc…  all these items and more could be creating a moisture problem around your structure which could be the perfect breeding zone for springtails.  On the inside, pipe leaks, floor drains not properly draining, cracks in tiled showers/tubs allow seepage inside walls, and simple sweat on the bottom of a tub from temperature difference of hot water in tub and cool air under it could keep it damp under the tub.

Anyway, lots of stuff here, and I hope that you see that when it comes to controlling springtails, it’s all about controlling the humidity and the food sources.  Yes, there are some pest control options however the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) options such as inspection, sanitation, moisture control, mechanical repairs to moisture issues are much more likely to solve the problem than simply trying to spray away the pest.      

If you find that you have all these tiny bugs around your sinks, drains, tubs, showers and you are tired of having to live with them, call Invader Pest Management at 623-435-0228 and we will be happy to put together an Invader IPM Program that will solve your pest problem, reduce the pesticides utilized around your properties, and guarantee you peace of mind, at least when it comes to Pests!!!

Do you have any old pesticides in the garage? If so, you could potentially have some banned or non EPA allowed stubstances in your garage. However, but by utilizing a professional pest management company you could limit yourself from having stored pesticides that become banned materials in your possession. These banned pesticides could cause harm to you, your family, pets and perhaps your home.

High School Closed for Two Days from Pest Spray Incident

Lake Havasu High School was closed for two days today after a student sprayed a banned pesticide on school walls and placed drops of the chemical in at least one trash can, according to school and fire officials.

The odor from the chemical led school officials to at first believe it was a “stink bomb” in the J hall.

Devon Mills, a LHHS senior, said he showed up to school a little early to finish homework and the “smell in the hallway was just awful.”

“Some of the students and teachers made masks out of Kleenex,” he said. “Fortunately, the smell didn’t penetrate the doors in the classrooms.”

Mills said by about 10 a.m., the odor of rotten eggs was gone.

“I think it was bearable because it didn’t get in the classroom,” he said. Mills said he thought the school made the right decision to cancel classes — considering it meant he didn’t have to do his homework, and it was the proper precaution.

Lake Havasu City Fire Marshal Chip Shilosky said the 16-year-old male student charged in the incident led them to a spray bottle allegedly used in the incident, which was tossed in the wash near the high school’s campus at 2675 S. Palo Verde Blvd.

The student has been charged with disorderly conduct and endangerment, a misdemeanor charge, police previously stated. Lake Havasu Unified School District officials did not return e-mail messages asking if the student would face, or has faced, district punishment.

Shilosky said up to three ounces of malathion, a banned insect repellant was used in the first floor of the J Hall building nearest to the Little Knights Preschool Program, which allows supervised high school students to lead the preschool.

Marie Hendry, the Little Knights supervisor and teacher, said the preschoolers normally don’t enter the hallways. She said at the time she didn’t know what had happened and she just kept her door to the outside playground open.

Shilosky said a cleaning crew specializing in hazardous materials has to clean the building, including the air ducts.

“It’s a hazardous material,” he said. “It’s a product that has actually been banned clear back to the ’80s. You won’t find malathion at your local Wal-Mart. … It has to be treated just as if it was a mercury spill or any other hazardous material.”

A LHUSD press release states the student’s parents have indicated the chemical may have come from their garage.

School officials kept LHHS closed today to ensure proper clean up, and they expected classes to resume the following week.

Article Source: Havasunews.com

Our customers and friends are so GREAT!

For the fourth year in a row, our customers and friends have voted for Invader Pest Management in Ranking Arizona – The Best of Arizona Business and have helped us reach #2 this year.

This is no small matter to us and we are so thankful for the support and patronage of our clients.  We were voted #5 for the first two years and fell to #6 the third year.  Being ranked #2 wasn’t too much of a surprise to us though, as we continually ask our customers to do a report card on our service, and fortunately our customers, especially our long term loyal customers, are very candid with us.  They know that I’m really listening to them and I truly want to hear from them.  Every time I write a letter to our customers, I always say, “I can’t fix what I don’t know about”.  Well, we certainly are a growing company and with growth there are always things that fall through the cracks, so it’s wonderful that Invader customers “care” enough about our company to advise me anytime there are service issues, and they put their trust in Invader Pest Management to resolve the issue and deliver “results” when it comes to pest control.  I believe with our customers help, we have continued to grow and make improvements that have helped us reached the number two spot this year. 

You have my utmost gratitude and thanks for your loyal patronage, support and of course, your VOTE!

Next year my lofty goal is NUMBER ONE, Numero UNO, #1 – this will be a tough journey because my friends at the number one company this year, do have a few things over us, they have been around a long time, and are a larger company than Invader Pest Management – so they simply have had more voting power – until now!  However, being around a long time, having TV advertising and being bigger doesn’t make them better, and I think that Invader Pest Management differentiates itself from them by having the ability to still work with our customers on a personal level, our ability to develop custom solutions to individual accounts, still being a locally owned family business with wonderful, loyal and the hardest working employees in the business. Invader Pest Management’s team always strives to deliver a superior service to our customers every day. With these major differences we are gaining the lead in Arizona pest control, and with your help we will get there together. 

Obviously, we will need your votes again for next year.  VOTE NOW!

And thank you in advance for your help and as always, thank you for your business and comments!

HOW TO VOTE:    

Vote each Quarter! Vote up to 4 times per year, per company, per sub-category.

• New features: Browse by Category mode makes voting fast and easy. Search allows you to easily find the company you’d like to vote for by simply typing in INVADER PEST MANAGEMENT and then selecting from the list the search presents to you.
• Special Monthly Prizes: After completion, you’ll be entered into a monthly drawing for fun prizes. And you will be notified by e-mail if you win! http://rankingaz.azbigmedia.com/instructions.html  

WHO, OR SHOULD I SAY, WHAT’S KISSING YOU

I was notified today about a story that is in the media, apparantly this week UA researchers put out a report finding a high rate of infection (40%) of Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas disease protozoan) infection in kissing bugs in southern Arizona.

However my source thought it prudent to put the public health risk in perspective and gave me the following points:

• The risk for Chagas disease transmission in AZ is very low – regardless of the UA findings)
• The UA research is NOT grounds for panic

Reason #1:  The Triatominae (trī·ə′täm·ə′nē) bug species (kissing bugs) found in Arizona are different than those in highly endemic areas.  The timing of blood feeding and defecating is different for the bugs here in AZ. The Arizona bugs feed and then deficate later (sometimes hours later) away from the host.  Since the T.cruzi protozoa are passed in feces, not during blood feeding – this greatly reduces chances for transmission.  In highly endemic areas, the prime vectors feed and deficate while still on the host.

Reason #2:  Blood products from blood donors are screened for T.cruzi to protect the blood supply to prevent transfusion transmission.  Blood screening serves a dual purpose for PH and as a tool for Chagas infection surveilance.  There have been positive results from blood screening reportable in AZ since screening started in 2007, however  only nine persons in AZ have tested positive for Chagas antibodies, that’s only nine out of tens of thousands of blood screens.  All of the nine persons were asymptomatic.  This means, these people had evidence of T.cruzi infection, but they do NOT qualify as Chagas disease cases, because all nine of them had connections or had lived in highly endemic areas of South America, Central America or Southern Mexico and these infections were NOT locally acquired.

While the UA research does demonstrate that T.Cruzie exists in southern Arizona kissing bugs and reminds us that Chagas disease risk – although low – does exist, that risk is very low. 

So, this valentines, make sure you are kissing your significant other and stay away from the Kissing Bugs!

Call Invader Pest Management at 623-435-0228 or schedule an appointment for a Free Pest Assessment of your property online at www.invader.net.