Bed Bugs 101

by Erin on April 24, 2012

Male and Female Bed Bugs

Male and Female Bed Bugs

 

What do bug bugs look like?
Adult bed bugs are brown, about a quarter of an inch in diameter, and look like a flat apple seed or lentil.

How bad is the bed bug problem in the US?
Bed bugs are everywhere and infestations have been growing steadily over the past decade. According to 2011 research conducted by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and the University of Kentucky, 99% of pest control companies report encountering a bed bug infestation in the past year. This represents a sharp increase in prevalence as only a mere 11% of respondents reported receiving bed bug calls more than 10 years ago. One of the most significant findings is that bed bug encounters have become much more common in public places than the previous year, in some instances increasing by 10, 20, or nearly 30%.

Additionally, another survey by NPMA found that one in five Americans has had a bed bug infestation in their home or knows someone who has encountered bed bugs at home or in a hotel.

Why are bed bugs a problem now?

While there is not one clear answer for the resurgences of bed bugs, the majority of pest professionals point to increased travel and movement of people from across town and around the globe, lack of societal awareness and precaution, and changing pest control products and methods.

Where are bed bugs found?

These pests are not limited to any one specific type of environment. Pest control companies have been reporting infestations in both single and multi-family housing, apartments, hotels, hospitals, college dormitories, public transportation, laundry facilities and even movie theaters.

Why are bed bugs hard to eliminate?

Bed bugs should not be equated with filth or sanitation problems – in hotels or in homes, for that matter. They do not discriminate and have been found in five-star hotels and one-star hotels, penthouses and multi-housing developments. Bed bugs are very elusive and transient pests. They are often found in other areas besides the bed. They can live for several months without eating and can withstand a wide range of temperatures from nearly freezing to 122 degrees Fahrenheit.

What can I do to protect myself from a bed bug infestation?

To prevent bed bug infestations, consumers need to be vigilant in assessing their surroundings. When returning home from a trip, dry your clothing on high heat for 30 minutes and check your luggage carefully. If you think you may have a bed bug infestation, call a pest control professional.

Are bed bugs just in beds?

Bed bugs are not just in beds. They can be in chair cushions, sofas, behind electric outlets, cracks and crevices around baseboards, or even behind picture frames. In other words, they can live pretty much anywhere.

How to get rid of bed bugs?

Heat coupled with a dust, liquid residual and aerosol application is a thorough, effective treatment to get rid of bed bugs. Heat can be applied through bringing in additional heat sources to heat entire homes or room and/or through steaming the surface where bed bugs are most likely to be present. Heat is an essential part of the control and elimination process because bed bug eggs are the most resistant to chemical applications and extreme temperatures. Follow-up inspections and services are an important part of the bed bug elimination process as well to ensure that no bed bugs escaped the initial intensive service.

To find more information about bed bugs and other pests, visit www.allamericanpestcontrol.com. If you think you may have  bed bugs, fill out our Bed Bug Consultation Request Form or Call Today! 615-883-8526

Choosing the best termite protection

by Erin on April 24, 2012

As a homeowner or business owner, you have many options for treating subterranean termites. Unfortunately, they don’t all protect your home equally well. In fact, there is a wide range of effectiveness even among termite bait systems.

The Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System is by far the leader in termite baiting technology, with it’s patented active ingredient, proven colony elimination record and successful treatment of more than 2 million properties.

Before choosing a treatment option, make sure you know what you’re getting. Ask your pest management professional the right questions, and make sure you’re satisfied with the answers before you decide how to protect your most valuable asset – your home or business – from termites.

Here’s why homeowners and business owners prefer the Sentricon System:

  • Proven termite colony elimination, as shown by 30 independent university studies, 45 published scientific articles and long-term, real-life success.
  • Provided only by companies specially qualified, trained and authorized by Dow AgroSciences, to promote quality service and continued system integrity.
  • Protection of more than 2 million structures, including such national treasures as the White House, the statue of Liberty, the Alamo and Independence Hall
  • Protection that’s easy on the environment because it uses only grams of bait to eliminate termite colonies.
  • Less disruption to your home or business than drilling, trenching and pumping hundreds of gallons of liquid chemical in and around your property.
  • With continued service, bait is immediately available to eliminate the next termite colony threat and keeps your home or business safe.

All-American Pest Control offers Free Home Evaluations and Free Business Evaluations. A free evaluation consists of a thorough look from a trained professional under, in and around your property. We look for visible signs of termites, potential damage, conducive conditions, moisture/water problems, and the overall condition of your property. We share our findings and make recommendations as needed.

Click here to contact All-American Pest or call today! 615-883-8526

Sentricon with Always Active Technology

by Erin on April 19, 2012

All-American Pest Control, Nashville, TN has been an Authorized Operator offering green termite protection for home owners with with Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System for over 15 years. The most recent upgrade to the Sentricon System is Always Active technology. In short, the Sentricon System with Always Active technology skips the monitoring phase known to the Sentricon System and jumps straight to baiting for existing or potential termite threats.

Termite Control Nashville, TN

All-American Pest Control upgraded their nearly 4,000 Sentricon customers to Always Active technology for no additional charge to the homeowner or business. “In 15 years of offering Sentricon in Middle TN, we have success story after success story of how Sentricon has helped homeowners and business owners protect their valuable property. All-American aided in the testing and field studies here in Nashville, TN for Always Active technology. We have seen the technology at work long before other Nashville pest control companies, and we’re thrilled that we’ve now accomplished upgrading every one of our existing customers for no additional charge to them,” said Erin Richardson, Vice-President of All-American Pest Control.

The standard Sentricon System relies on a monitoring then baiting cycle. A technician comes out to your home on a quarterly basis to check all the stations for termite activity. If termites are found, the monitoring device is replaced with bait. The termites feed on the bait, take the bait back to the colony, and the entire colony is eliminated. The Sentricon System with Always Active technology skips the monitoring phases. A higher density, longer lasting bait is in every station at all times. This lessens the amount of time it takes to get termite colony elimination which means better protection for your property. A service technician is only required by the label to visit the property and check the stations one time per year; however, All-American is taking a more conservative approach and visiting every home and business two times per year.

How it works.

As a part of your service contract, All-American will…

1. Inspect your property for signs of termite activity and determine whether or not your home qualifies for a termite damage repair agreement

2. Places Sentricon stations containing Recruit HD termite bait in the soil around your home or business

3. Termite are constantly foraging for new food sources. if they are in and/or around your home, they will run into one of the stations, and the Recruit HD termite bait will be immediately available to collapse the colony.

4. Bait will continue to be available in the Sentricon stations to protect against the next termite colony threat.

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