By: Timothy Best, ACE, BCE Being an entomologist and PMP in New York City, I often find that many folks assume my days are spent crawling through the city’s underbelly steeped in a battle against hordes of Norway rats, or that I am waist-deep in American cockroach infestations. While some days that sentiment may be [...]
As the seasons change, so do pest pressures! While stinging insects are seen throughout the spring and summer, they become more of a nuisance during the late summer and early fall. This is a result of more established colonies and worker insects foraging to ensure a solid food supply for overwintering. This increased activity can [...]
By: Pat Hottel, B.C.E. One way to characterize the types of pests that are likely to infest a food-processing facility is by the products produced. In this article we will cover the most common pests and most vulnerable locations for those pests in wet-processing plants. Examples of wet-processing plants include those that produce beverages, canned [...]
The strongest pest management programs are those built on a partnership between the client and the pest management provider. Both parties offer unique knowledge that will aid in the fight against pest pressure. While we are the pest experts, you and your employees know your business and your building the best. For pest management programs [...]
By: Anna Berry, B.C.E. When a client reports seeing insects in their facility, or if the facility is at risk for insects, one of our first steps is to place insect monitoring traps. These traps, when used appropriately, can give us much information about the insects that are present: the species, the area they’re in, [...]
Warm temperatures, long days and vacation time are all indicators of the summer season. We are not alone in our enjoyment of the season change – pests love summer too! While commercial facilities are faced with pest pressures year-round, there are a few pests that can demonstrate increased activity in the summer months. It is [...]
By: Bryan Ingold Communication and thorough documentation are at the core of a successful pest management program. A lack of communication between service teams and site management, and insufficient documentation, can be a cause of heartburn for our clients, especially at the corporate level. However, there is often a challenge in the pest management industry [...]
By: Kim Kelley-Tunis, B.C.E. When creating or reviewing a pest prevention program, we often develop strategies based on the pest’s microenvironment. By that I mean our attention is squarely focused on the areas in which we are observing the pests or their damage. We tend to operate on the assumption that corrections or changes in [...]
The sound of birds chirping can be peaceful to some people, as it commonly signals the start of springtime. However, this isn’t always the case at commercial facilities, where the presence of birds can pose a variety of risks to employees and customers. 1. Customer and Employee Health Risks Birds may carry many diseases and [...]
By: Patricia Hottel, B.C.E. All pests will have certain environmental preferences and survival needs. When the right conditions are met, pests thrive. Sanitation, employee practices, facility processes and structural/equipment design can either hinder or help pest survival. In fact, not all areas within a facility will meet the needs of the pest equally and certain [...]
