Community Minded

PermaTreat Pest Control got in the holiday spirit by serving as bell ringers for the Salvation Army in downtown Fredericksburg, Va., this week. PermaTreat CEO Joe Wilson and James Minor, Fredericksburg branch service manager, were among those who volunteered their time. Donations provide Christmas dinners, clothing, and toys for families in need.

How to Pest Proof your home for WINTER

In the fall, when days grow shorter and outdoor temperatures begin to plummet, pests with four or more legs begin to resurface inside homes.

Pests don’t go away when it gets warmer, cooler, dryer, wetter, or windier. They simply adapt to the environment. Homeowners need to take steps to ensure their houses keep pests out rather than in.

This time of year, the house mouse is the most common pest in and around homes. They eat and contaminate our food, chew up woodwork and can create electrical fires by gnawing on wires. Other rodents such as chipmunks, squirrels, raccoons, and opossums can get into open areas seeking food.

The National Pest Management Association offers ten tips for winter pest proofing:

1. Seal up any cracks and holes on the outside of your home including areas where utilities and pipes enter your home.
2. Make sure vents are screened and gaps around windows and doors are sealed.
3. Keep tree branches and shrubbery well trimmed and away from the house.
4. Inspect boxes, grocery bags and other packaging thoroughly to curb hitchhiking insects.
5. Keep basements, attics, and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry.
6. Store garbage in sealed containers and dispose of it regularly.
7. Store fire wood at least 20 feet away from the house and five inches off of the ground.
8. Repair fascia and sofits and rotted roof shingles; some insects are drawn to deteriorating wood.
9. Replace weather-stripping and repair loose mortar around the basement foundation and windows.
10. A licensed and qualified pest control professional is your best resource to ensure these steps are completed properly.

For further, visit pestworld.org and www.PermaTreat.com

Bed Bugs - they're not going away!

Everywhere you look you see updates on bed bug infestations across the U S. Infestations have been found in high and low end residential areas, hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, movie theaters, college dorms and public schools.

Bed bugs are elusive, persistent and increasingly pervasive and YES, there is a possibility that they can reach some of your personal belongings and within a few months your home could be fully infested.

Don't be embarrassed if you're concerned that you might have an infestation. Make the call to your local exterminator. Let them perform the inspection and while they're there ask questions.

Bed bugs are not a seasonal pest. Protect your family as well as your environment.

THE TRUE GHOULS OF HALLOWEEN

Bedbugs, Spiders, Bats and Other Pests Give Homeowners Nightmares During the Halloween Season

This Halloween, vampires, ghosts and goblins will not be the only ghoulish creatures haunting the night; bedbugs continue to make a startling resurgence in U.S. residences, spider infestations are up, and wildlife pests such as bats plague homeowners across the country.

According to Jack Broome, President of PermaTreat, “Scary movies aren’t the only thing giving homeowners nightmares this season. As temperatures begin to plunge, pests everywhere begin to seek respite in the very areas you want them the least – your home.”

Pests such as bedbugs are actually very similar to one of our favorite Halloween characters – the vampire. A nocturnal creature, bedbugs are bloodsucking pests. As they bite human skin, they inject an anesthetic-like liquid that numbs the skin and allows them to bite undisturbed. In fact, humans don’t usually wake up when they are being bitten; however, they do find themselves scratching circular, red, itchy welts in the morning.

“Luckily, a bedbug bite doesn’t transform you into a bedbug; the way a vampire bite makes you a vampire,” says Jack, “In fact, the only good news about bedbugs is that their bites do not transmit disease to humans.”

Other ghoulish pests cannot make the same claim. Bats are the culprits behind 72% of rabies cases in the U.S. between 1990 and 2002; and various species of spiders found in the United States pose serious health threats and require vigilant control procedures.

“Homeowners have an easy way of waking up from this type of house nightmare,” commented National Pest Management Association Vice President of Public Affairs Missy Henriksen. “Pest professionals have the training and expertise to assist homeowners through this type of home horror.”

For further information on these nightmarish pests or to find a pest professional in your area, visit us at www.permatreat.com and www.pestworld.org.

Spiders and Crickets and Mice…oh my!

So you thought the pest season was over, better guess again. As far as the insect pests we call occasional invaders are concerned, pest problems are far from over. In fact some of the insect pests that over winter, like boxelder bugs, lady beetles, and our newest arrival stink bugs, may begin to appear inside your home on a warm sunny day or you may experience the chirping of a cricket in your bedroom all night long and that face full of spider webs that greets you every morning, well they're still going to be there for a while.

But probably the most dreaded pest this time of the year is that little fury guy that looks so cute in the cartoons. You know the one with big ears and a cute tail! The one that leaves urine and feces all over your counters and in the cabinets with the food, dishes, pots and pans and silverware. The same cute little guy that nibbles on every loaf of bread and every cookie or cake and all the other food in the pantry. Make no mistake the mice that have been living around the outside of your house are running out of food and will soon be making their way indoors for the winter.

So remember, pests don’t disappear in the fall and winter.

Don’t share your home with annoying, destructive, or dangerous pests. Call PermaTreat Pest Control for a free pest inspection, keeping it green while keeping you and your family safe.

Bedbugs..early detection is the answer!

Concerned about America's fastest growing pest problem?

The key to controlling bedbugs is early awareness and detection.

In the beginning bedbugs were only found in hospitality sectors, but pest control operators are reporting a huge increase in the workplace and school systems through-out the United States.

When inspecting for bedbugs, it is essential to check behind headboards as well as under and inside box springs which is where they hide in the early stages of infestation.

Bedbugs don't feed every day; they can go for several days to a week without a meal. The rest of the time they spend in hiding. Their ability to remain elusive and their tremendous resiliency against a number of chemicals is the key to their survival.

Don't be evasive take action...your environment can easily be infested...contact your local pest control company and schedule an inspection.

The next time you're traveling or renting go to http://bedbugregistry.com/ and check it out.

The Bedbug Registry is a free, public database of bedbug infestations. Use it to check for bedbug reports.

Bats

Bats are not only a protected species but they are the most efficient “exterminators” in that they eat many times their own weight in insects in a single season.

When doing bat exclusion work PermaTreat wants to be certain that we do not trap or kill any bats. PermaTreat is in the bat exclusion business exclusively.


Bat management begins with two inspections. First, inspect at dusk to determine exit/entry points and the size of the infestation. Common exit/entry points include attic louvers, roof lines where sheeting and facia boards meet, under facia boards, and other openings due to deterioration.

Second, inspect during the day to locate exterior structural deficiencies, inside roosting sites (check opposite exit/entry points, wall voids, etc., look for droppings and/or bats), access problems, and to determine equipment needed.

Bat proofing is the control method of choice if it is practical and economical. Exclusion is the only method to keep bats out long term. The best time to bat proof is after the bats have left for hibernation in the autumn and before they return in the spring. Summertime bat proofing should only be done after mid-August to avoid trapping young; never bat proof from early May to mid-August.

Ultrasonic devices have not been found to be effective for repelling bats from structures.

On occasion, if 1 or 2 bats enter a structure, open the doors and windows and turn out the lights. The bats will follow the fresh air currents to the outside.

When bat control is done a residual is applied to control the bat ectoparasites, such as mites and bat bugs, which will probably be present. Many of these will bite humans.

Be aware of the potential health hazard that accumulated bat droppings present. These droppings can be left alone if access is secured, or they can be professionally decontaminated and removed.

Termites - It wouldn't be summer without them!!

It's that time of year when termites are in abundance but you may not be aware of this fact!

Older bags of mulch can contain a termite infestation as well as landscaping blocks or bricks when stored or have earth to brick contact.

So just because you don't see the "swarmers" that people typically identified termites by for so long now....doesn't mean that they aren't there.

The next time you're working or weeding those flower beds adjacent to the house...take a few extra minutes to fluff the mulch or move a few bricks or borders to see what insects are possibly invading your home.

PermaTreat recommends that homes in our area should be checked for termites annually to avoid any damage that could occur over time and unseen.

While treatment is not always necessary after the inspection it might be justified for peace of mind by protecting your biggest investment.

Termite Treatments fall under 2 categories - Preventative and Remedial

Preventative Treatment - a treatment made to a structure that does not have a confirmed termite infestation. The purpose is to prevent future termite problems.

Remedial Treatment - a treatment that is done when termites are already infesting a structure. The purpose being to destroy or eliminate the active infestation.

Bottom line...with the cool weather that we've had this year, "swarmers" have not had the opportunity to appear...don't wait for the inevitable...Have your property inspected and ask for a treatment quote...we'll stand by our pricing for one year!

Spiders - Beware!

I’m about a half an inch in body length, shiny black with long black legs. I live in attics, garages, basements, and lots of other secluded places around your home and yard. I can inflict a nasty bite, which requires medical treatment in some cases. Contrary to popular belief I don’t eat my mate, and by the way I have a red hourglass on the underside of my abdomen, sometimes it is a red circle or square or even dots on the top of my body. Have you guessed what I am yet?

That’s right I’m a black widow spider and you would do well to know what I look like and avoid me. Because I can be rather aggressive at times especially after forming egg sacks, you know those silky sacs that are in the web. I’ll tell you something else about spiders, I’m not the only one that can be dangerous, the brown widow spider has been turning up in more places than ever before. Two more spiders to look out for are the brown recluse, and the hobo spider. Although they are not commonly found in the southeastern U.S. there are documented cases of people being treated in this area for bites from these spiders, Spiders like many other insects travel very well. Folks grab suitcases, boxes, bags, and clothes that have been tucked away for who knows how long, and these items get thrown into a truck, insects and all, and transported all over the country.

A few more spiders worth mentioning are the sac spider, this spider is responsible for a majority of the indoor spider bites. Usually their bite results in localized redness and possibly burning, rarely does a necrotic ulcer occur as in the case of the brown recluse or hobo spider bite. Other annoying spiders include the wolf spider, the cellar spider, the grass spider, the house spider,.many capable of biting but not a venomous bite.

THE SOLUTION TO YOUR SPIDER WORRIES- Let the experts at PermaTreat perform a free inspection and let you know what needs to be done to control those dangerous pests, and from now on be extra careful when you handle those items that have been sitting around for a while, you never know who or what may have taken up residence in them.

Exterior Only Pest Control Plans

If you have ever wondered where that gigantic wolf spider in the middle of your living room came from...we can tell you. The truth is we create the perfect environment around our homes for spiders, earwigs, millipedes, sow bugs and slugs to dwell in.

By the way...wolf spiders do not howl at the moon and earwigs, those ugly little brown creatures with the pinchers extending from their body, do not crawl in peoples ears and eat their brain.

It is not possible to have the beautiful landscaping we have without creating a haven for all types of occasional invaders and that is where PermaTreat's "exterior only" plans come in.

Our technicians will treat mulch beds with a safe but effective combination of plant oils in a granular form, they will treat around pest access points like windows and doors with a similar formulation in liquid form and remove spider webs in shrubs and other locations around the home. Technicians will also turn over those splash blocks under gutter down spouts where odorous ants and pavement ants love to build colonies. At the same time we will be watching for wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets that might build nests around your home but taking care not to treat flowers so we do not destroy insects that pollinate the plants.

YARD GUARD Protection System

PermaTreat Pest Control can help protect you, your children and your pets from harmful diseases spread by Mosquitoes, Fleas and Ticks in the yard. We will make an application using a variety of products to control these insects that is friendly to the environment, pets and children.

PermaTreat Pest Control has provided service to the Virginia community since 1967. We are a member in good standing with the National Pest Management Association and the Virginia Pest Management Association, utilizing Integrated Pest Management practices in order to protect health, home and the environment. PermaTreat has a well trained staff and is recognized as a Quality Pro company by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), achieving The Mark of Excellence in Pest Management.

Here are some helpful tips to do around the property to help reduce Mosquitoes, Fleas and Ticks:

• Don’t let standing water collect around your home in items such as ditches, clogged rain gutters, old tires, cisterns, wheelbarrows, bird baths, used tires, flower pot dishes, hollow trees, children’s toys, buckets, discarded tin cans, recycling bins, playscapes, and wading pools.
• Any standing water should be drained!
• Repair any holes in screens and make sure they are tightly attached to all doors and windows.
• Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish such as predacious minnows. Water gardens are fashionable but become major mosquito producers if they are allowed to stagnate.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used. A swimming pool that is left unattended can produce enough mosquitoes to result in a neighborhood-wide problem. Mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on swimming pool covers!
• Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property. Work with your neighbors to get rid of stagnant water on your properties.
• Keep the grass mowed regularly and trim back trees and bushes away from the house.
• Change outside pet bedding regularly to reduce the chances of a flea or tick infestation.

Just when summer was starting...Mosquitoes!

Mosquitoes have been around for over 30 million years feasting on warm blooded mammals like you and I. They are experts at finding us via a battery of sensors as we give off carbon dioxide (CO2) when we breathe and lactic acids when we sweat. The female mosquito can detect these gases from over 100 feet away. They also detect heat and contrasts with the background such as a light colored shirt against a dark colored surface and when you move they are quick to move as well.

Mosquitoes do not feed on blood. The male and female actually feed on flower nectar, juices, and decaying matter for flight energy. The female mosquito is the one that you will experience a bite from. She requires a blood meal for the development of her eggs.

The female lands on your skin and sticks her proboscis into you (the proboscis is very sharp and thin, so you may not feel it going in). Her saliva contains proteins (anticoagulants) that prevent your blood from clotting. She sucks your blood into her abdomen to give proteins and iron to her eggs. After she has bitten you, some saliva remains in the wound. The proteins from the saliva evoke an immune response from your body. The area swells (the bump around the bite area is called a wheal), and you itch, a response provoked by the saliva. Eventually, the swelling goes away, but the itch remains until your immune cells break down the saliva proteins.

Mosquitoes can carry many types of diseases that are caused by bacteria, parasites or viruses. These include Malaria, Dengue Fever, Encephalitis (There are several types of encephalitis that can be transmitted by mosquitoes, including St. Louis, Western equine, Eastern equine, La Crosse and West Nile. West Nile encephalitis is on the rise in the eastern United States, which has raised concerns about mosquito control).

You can protect yourself by using a mosquito repellant that contains NN-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) at a concentration of 7.5 percent to 100 percent. Lower concentrations are sufficient for most outdoor protection, and a 15-percent concentration is recommended for children.

Mosquitoes need water to breed and will use any source of standing water. They only need a week or two to develop from egg to flying adult. So, to reduce the mosquito population, eliminate sources of standing water in your yard. Empty watering cans, remove old tires and cover rain barrels. If you have a lily pond in your garden, stock it with some fish that will eat mosquito larvae. Also, to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home, make certain that all of your window screens are intact.

Should you have an area that stays consistently wet then seek a professional to drain the area or set up control measures to reduce the mosquito population. We will never eliminate mosquitoes, however, we can control then to some degree in our living spaces.

Bed Bugs

PermaTreat Pest Control, represented by David Price, Director of Commercial Services, was among over 200 attendees at the Bed Bug Summit held in Crystal City under the auspices of the Environmental Protection Agency. The agency pulled together stakeholders from Federal, State and Local Public Health and Environmental agencies along with leading researchers, scientists and representatives from the private sector. The attendees were split into working groups and tasked to propose solutions and legislation.

The common thread amongst all working groups was early detection is paramount and to use a Pest Management Professional in verifying the evidence and/or insect and to perform the treatment.

Description:

Bed bugs are small, oval, wingless insects that reach about 1/4 inch in length. They have flat bodies and are reddish brown in color. They do not develop wings and cannot fly.

Bed bugs feed by sucking blood from humans or animals.

Where are they found?:

Bed bugs can live in any area of the home and can reside in tiny cracks in furniture as well as on textiles and upholstered furniture. They tend to be most common in areas where people sleep and generally concentrate in beds, including mattresses, box springs, and bed frames. Other sites include curtains, the corners inside dressers and other furniture, cracks in wallpaper (particularly near the bed), and inside the spaces of wicker furniture.

Since bed bugs can live for months without feeding, they can also be found in vacant homes.

Stop the Presses - just released!

LOCAL PEST CONTROL COMPANY BECOMES VIRGINIA GREEN
FREDERICKSBURG, Virginia (April 10, 2009) - PermaTreat Pest Control has been designated a Virginia Green Partner Organization by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. As a partner with over 300 participants in Virginia industry, PermaTreat has pledged to promote environmental stewardship and pollution prevention techniques.

"We have always been concerned about our impact on the environment and the public's health and safety." said Joe Wilson, Owner and CEO of PermaTreat Pest Control. "As an example, we will not kill honey bees but will assist the homeowner in contacting a reputable, professional beekeeper that can remove the comb and relocate the nest without killing the bees. PermaTreat will take the necessary steps to prevent re-entry of the bees the following year. We recognize that all creatures in nature serve a purpose on earth."

Virginia Green is a statewide program that works to reduce the environmental impacts of Virginia's tourism industry. "Partners" are businesses and organizations who primarily work with or for the tourism industry. It is run as a partnership between Department of Environmental Quality, the Virginia Tourism Corporation and the Virginia Hospitality and Tourism Association.

"We are excited to be a partner in this program. It is consistent with out mission as "Protectors of Your Environment." said Jack Broome, President of PermaTreat. " We have taken many steps to protect the environment within our organization such as recycling, conserving energy, water conservation and using "green" products and techniques."

PermaTreat Pest Control has served government institutions, industrial, commercial and residential customers in parts of Maryland, Washington DC, Central and Northern Virginia areas including Northern Neck since 1967. PermaTreat is a member of the National Pest Management Association and the Virginia Pest Management Association. PermaTreat is one of the largest independently owned pest control companies in Virginia, utilizing Integrated Pest Management practices in order to protect health, home and the environment.

Green is not just for St. Patrick's Day!

Unless you have been living in a cave, lately you have heard "we are going green" from just about every business you come in contact with. PermaTreat would like you to know what "going green" means to us and why it is not that different from the way we have always taken care of our customers.

PermaTreat has long been aware the pests that invade your home and could harm your family or damage your house cannot be tolerated and we are also aware that nothing is more important than the health and safety of your family. Reducing the use of pesticides by eliminating pest harborage, excluding pest access, and removing food and water necessary for pest survival are all "green" practices in the pest control industry. Practices we at PermaTreat are proud to say we have been applying for many years. As we continue to convert the products we use to natural formulations and those with no environmental impact, we will also continue to protect health, home, and the environment, continuing the PermaTreat tradition of safe and effective service at a fair price.