WARNING.... You may never eat rice again....

Okay...let's be frank...there are microscopic bugs everywhere...so think of this as a little added protein...



Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net

When Should Termite Work Be Done? - Part 3

Sellers who have a presale inspection done just before listing their home for sale usually wait until the home sells to have the work done. Homes don't show at their best while work is in progress. Also, some buyers would prefer to take a monetary credit at closing for the termite repairs and complete the work themselves after closing.

The buyer's lender may require a notice of completion from the termite company indicating that the property is free of any active infestation or damage. If this is the case, the termite work can be done after a buyer for the home is found but before the sale closes.

The Closing: Homeowners are advised to have termite inspections completed every couple of years. Periodic repairs should be completed so that minor problems don't turn into major defects.

Don’t Let Pests Come Home for the Holidays

The National Pest Management Association shared these suggestions for avoiding infestations during the holiday season.

(Fairfax, VA) — With the arrival of the holiday season, people all across the country are eagerly anticipating festive decorations, giving and receiving gifts and gathering with family and friends around a roaring fire.

“Between spiders and mites in Christmas trees, Indian Meal Moths and mice nesting in boxes of decorations and rodents and spiders making homes in firewood piles, homeowners need to take a few extra steps to prevent these pests from making their way into the home,” says Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for the NPMA. “Holiday preparations are busy enough without the added hassle of dealing with pest infestations, too.”

In order to protect homes from these unwanted holiday guests, the NPMA offers the following tips:

• Inspect live Christmas trees, fresh wreathes and garland for spiders and insect nests or eggs before purchasing
• Shake trees outdoors to remove any pests before bringing the tree inside
• Store firewood at least 20 feet from the home and on a raised structure such as concrete blocks or poles
• Pack decorations in airtight containers that pests can’t chew through
• Unpack decorations outdoors so any pests aren’t released into the home

If you're concerned that pests have entered your home or place of business this holiday season, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net

Reference: www.pestworld.org

Deer Mice

The deer mouse makes its home outdoors in sheltered areas such as hollow tree logs or piles of debris. On the rare occasions the deer mouse comes indoors, it prefers undisturbed areas such as attics. You may also want to check under the hood of your car. Deer mice love to build "winter condos" there.

The deer mouse transmits the potentially fatal Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. The disease can be transmitted through contact with mouse carcasses, or by breathing in aerosolized urine droplets of infected deer mice.
Prevention:

To keep mice and other rodents out, make sure all holes of larger diameter than a pencil are sealed. Mice can squeeze through spaces as small as a nickel. Seal any cracks and voids. Don't overlook proper drainage at the foundation and always install gutters or diverts which will channel water away from the building. Use heavy gloves and protective breathing gear when working in an area populated by deer mice.

If you're concerned that you have deer mice in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net

Reference: www.pestworld.org

When Should Termite Work Be Done? - Part 2

Home sellers are wise to order a termite inspection report before they market their home. Select a termite inspector the same way you would any contractor. Ask several people who recently had termite work done if they would use the inspector again. If you had your home inspected fairly recently consider using the same contractor, unless you had a bad experience.In some states, termite inspectors don't contract to do repair work. In other states, most structural pest control companies do both the inspecting and the repair work. If you're using the same company to do the inspection and the work, be sure to talk to several people who had work done by the company.

A good inspector might not have the best work crews. In this case, you might want to use one company to do the inspection and another to do the repair work. If you're having trouble getting good recommendations, ask an experienced local real estate agent.

Make sure to use a termite company that specializes in your area. "Termite" problems tend to vary from one area to the next. So you should rely on a pest control contractor who is an expert in your location.Sellers who are not planning on selling immediately should consider having termite repairs completed before they market their home for sale. Sometimes completing the termite repairs in advance will have the added benefit of improving the home's appearance -- if a deck is rotted or a bathroom linoleum floor is shot. The house will show better and you'll have a clean bill of health from the termite company to pass along to the buyers.

Pest Proof Your Holiday Decor

Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net

Congressional Bed Bug Forum Brings Together Experts to Address National Scourge

On Thursday, November 18, 201, members of Congress, representatives from federal agencies, academic bed bug experts, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), other industries and victims of bed bug infestations will gather at the Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, D.C. to participate in the “Don’t Let Bed Bugs Bite” Congressional Forum organized by Representative G.K. Butterfield (D-NC). The event will be held from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.

NPMA will offer insights from the professional pest control industry about the extent of the bed bug problem, what the industry is doing to combat it and what the federal government can do to assist Americans whose lives are impacted by this pest. The pest control industry is in a unique position to offer its expertise as its members are seeing the extent of the bed bug problem first-hand.

The Forum’s panelists will discuss the medical, emotional and financial impact of bed bugs, treatment methods and the federal actions needed to deal with this nationwide pandemic.

“As an organization, whose members are on the front lines of this problem, NPMA is pleased to be part of today’s event and to work together with our public and private sector partners to help find solutions to this growing problem,” said Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for the NPMA.

“Bed bugs are no longer a pest of the past or characters in a nursery rhyme, rather they are a real and serious problem. They have invaded not only residences, but public places as well. While our industry is committed to effectively eliminating the bed bug problem, federal intervention is also necessary. This Forum is a crucial first step,” added Henriksen.

A 2010 survey conducted by NPMA and the University of Kentucky found that 95 percent of professional pest control companies in the United States have encountered bed bug infestations in the past year and 76 percent of pest professionals said that bed bugs are THE most difficult pest to treat.

Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net

Reference: www.pestworld.org