“Ask the Modern Expert” is a new blog series created to answer seasonally-focused questions we receive from our customers. Please feel free to share your question on Modern’s Facebook page and we’ll consult with our experts to get it answered.
Question: What’s the difference between hibernation and torpor?
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By Melissa Hamel
Prevent unwanted guests from ruining your holidays.
The holiday season is upon us! Like many homeowners in Maine and across New England, you’re probably decking the halls, throwing another log on the fire and baking delicious holiday treats as well as anticipating welcoming friends and family into your home to celebrate the joyous season. By following some simple tips you can ensure your holiday season is filled with fun, laughter, and yuletide spirit and not with insects and rodents.
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By Melissa Hamel
Blue Ribbon Bed Bug Task Force addresses industry’s response to bed bugs.
At the invitation of The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) Modern Pest Services’ Co-President and Chief Technical Officer Richard Stevenson Jr. B.C.E. participated in the organizations’ ‘Blue Ribbon Bed Bug Task Force’ meeting that took place on October 22nd in Honolulu Hawaii. Members of the task force, which consist of prominent researchers, pest management professionals, and regulators, were asked to develop an industry-wide comprehensive response to the global bed bug pandemic that includes consideration of education, standards, policy and research.
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The EPA is planning its second national bed bug summit this winter in Washington, D.C.
With reports of bed bug activity only increasing throughout the country, especially in major urban centers like NYC where tourism is declining due to fear of bed bugs, it seems only fitting that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently planning their second national bed bug summit scheduled for this winter in Washington D.C.
The goals of last year’s bed bug summit, which drew 300 participants, included encouraging communication among diverse stakeholders and developing recommendations on how to address the problems posed by the bed bug resurgence. These goals were achieved through EPCA-facilitated workgroups that were comprised of pest control professionals, universities, public health organizations as well as federal, state and local government agencies, and others.
New England is seeing a resurgence of stink bugs
By Courtney Wadey
There has been alot of news about the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) plaguing homes and businesses in the mid-Atlantic states this fall. Homeowners are complaining that these flying insects are invading their homes by the dozens and folks in the fruit growing industry have seen the damage that these insects can cause on their fruit harvests. Unfortunately, these splotchy brown pests have found their way north and into the homes and businesses of New England.
The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) announced its Bed Bug Pandemic Response Plan that will lead the industry’s actions toward addressing the growing global bed bug.
Modern’s Chief Technical Officer, Rich Stevenson, has been invited to participate in the NPMA “Blue Ribbon Bed Bug Task Force”, whose mission is the development of a comprehensive, industry-wide response to the bed bug crisis. Rich will be joined by 30 prominent individuals from diverse backgrounds, including PMPs, industry regulators and researchers. The first meeting takes place on Friday, October 22.
The following press release is taken from PCT Online Magazine.
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By Elaine Gammon
When it comes to bed bugs, you don’t have to look too far to find a news story written about these blood-sucking, nocturnal pests that are invading the nation and quite possibly a bedroom near you. But if you want more visual evidence and need to “see to believe”, we’ve collected news clips from ABC News that provide more graphic details about bed bugs than you probably ever cared to witness.
Sit back and take a look at these short videos, but keep in mind that some of this stuff is downright creepy!
Pests can pose problems even in the fall and winter
Some insects such as the Cluster fly, Lady beetle (also known as the lady bug) and Western conifer seed bug are mainly nuisance pests and will invade a home, sometimes in large numbers, in order to avoid the cooler temperatures outside. Carpenter ants, however, are generally a spring and summer pest but if they’ve already set up nests in your home, will begin to look for food inside rather than outside and can eventually cause damage to your home’s structure over the winter.
by Elaine Gammon
Portable electric heaters and high temperature fans are used as part of the heat treatment process to kill bed bugs.
Bed bug infestations are in the news on a daily basis and are proving to be a formidable problem and big concern for many cities and towns throughout New England and across the nation. With bed bug infestations on the rise, heat treatment is becoming more popular.
Bed bugs are elusive, hardy pests
Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small, nocturnal creatures that primarily dine on the blood of humans, but can live up to 12 months without a blood meal. Though they do not transmit diseases, their bites can become red, itchy welts, sometimes causing an allergic reaction. Bed bugs are elusive, hiding in mattresses and tiny cracks and crevices close to where humans rest and sleep, and their presence can take an emotional toll on their hosts.
For head lice treatment, your doctor can recommend a medicated shampoo, cream rinse, or lotion to kill the lice. These may be over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications, depending on what treatments have already been tried. Medicated lice treatments usually kill the lice and nits, but it may take a few days for the itching to stop.
It’s important to follow the directions exactly because these products are insecticides. Applying too much medication or too frequently can increase the risk of causing harm. Following the directions on the product label is also important to ensure that the treatment works properly.
