Have You Heard…?

On January 27, 2015 / Blog

As I was perusing articles today for this blog I came across three stories that are pretty interesting. Rather than pick just one to write about I decided to touch on all three. One might be slightly disturbing. (it involves human cadavers) The other two are interesting and very low on the gross out scale, I promise!

If any of you like to read suspense/crime novels you may have come across a book called The Body Farm by Patricia Cornwell. Well, Body Farms are real places and forensic entomologists use the insect activity on the human corpses to help determine things like time of death. Have you ever seen an episode of CSI? Gil Grissom, played by William Petersen, was a forensic entomologist. In that show, as in real life, it is important to know not only the types of insects that will feed on a body but also the types of marks they leave so that we know what was done prior to death and what was done postmortem. It has recently been discovered that some types of caterpillar as well as katydid, pill bugs and scorpionflies will feed on human remains. The scorpionfly was never seen before on human cadavers and they were the 1st to arrive, within 20 minutes.

The Orchid Mantis is a beautiful creature. As its name suggests it resembles an Orchid flower with delicate colors of pink and white. It was believed that the Mantis resembled the flower in order to blend in making it easier to catch prey. Newer studies say that the Mantis does not mimic an Orchid specifically but a generalized flower. Bugs are drawn to the color of the Mantis so they don’t necessarily have to hide among flowers, the bugs think that they ARE the flower. Because bugs and insects are not capable of cognitive thinking and can’t cross check information as a human brain can they are caught by the mantis before they even realize they have been tricked.

Much is being said about GMO’s these days with a lot of the talk surrounding GMO’s in our food. Right now the FDA is considering releasing genetically modified mosquitoes in Florida. Why? To help control the mosquito population and hopefully help prevent the spread of mosquito borne diseases. A British biotech company has already done this in Brazil and the Cayman Islands with success. They were able to knock down the native mosquito population by 96%! Only female mosquitoes bite so they release modified males. These males will mate with the native females. The modification causes the mosquito progeny to die as larvae, before they are even able to fly. The FDA is performing a thorough investigation before any decisions are made.

I hope you found these news stories to be as interesting as I did. If you have any questions about pests in your home of business contact us. Rapid Pest Solution as the answers you need.

Coffee Lovers Beware

On January 20, 2015 / Blog

Are you one of those people that starts their morning with a Cup of Joe or maybe you drink coffee by the pot. Whether you enjoy a cup once in awhile or mainline coffee all day, you’re going to want to read this. You might be getting more than you bargained for when you load up on caffeine. OK – Here it is …

PRE-GROUND COFFEE MAY CONTAIN GROUND UP COCKROACHES

Yes, it’s sad but true. The FDA’s own studies show that up to 10% of green coffee beans (and sometimes more) become infested with roaches and other insects. They are unable to process them out completely so they just get roasted and ground up with the beans. It is a well known fact the the FDA allows a certain amount of bug parts in our food as long as it doesn’t exceed a certain percentage. (how lucky are we?) If you’re like me and most other Americans, we get grossed out by the idea of eating bugs. Although they are said to be high in protein and other cultures eat them regularly, America hasn’t quite caught up with that way of thinking. I have written several blogs that touch on the ingestion of insects but it doesn’t make me any closer to accepting that as something I will ever be okay with. Cockroaches can be a trigger for both allergies and asthma. What does it do to someone with these problems to drink cockroach coffee? I’m sure it’s not good.

Whole Bean Coffee – No Surprises!

Is there a way around this? YES! Buy whole bean coffee and grind it at home. This a trend that has become more common as of late. You can get whole bean coffee in many brands and types and there are a variety of coffee grinders on the market. Some say the ceramic coffee grinder is the best.

Foods Colored With Cochineal Extract or Carmine Dyes

Now you might be asking yourself, ‘What about places like Starbucks that grind their beans fresh?’ Good question. That may solve the problem of having roasted roaches and other bugs in your beans but it doesn’t necessarily solve the bug problem as a whole. Have you heard of cochineal extract or carmine dye? Well, these are dyes used in foods and beverages for pink or red coloring. (think strawberry frappuccino) Although it doesn’t end with your coffee drinks. Carmine and cochineal dyes are used in other things like yogurt, jelly, jam, ketchup and ice cream, among many others. So to keep bugs out of your mouth check labels for the words carmine or cochineal extract. They are basically natures answer to Red #40. Oh and if this wasn’t bad enough, they also use this ‘bug dye’ in lipsticks and other cosmetics. But that’s another blog altogether!

Read Your Labels!!!

Because we know that there is a certain amount of insect parts, rodent hairs and fungus in almost all the processed foods we eat, this whole coffee bean thing may not really bother you. And that’s cool, but I feel that we should all be informed and aware of what is in the foods and beverages we put into our systems.

Does the idea of insects in your coffee freak you out? Let us know! We love to hear from you.

Here I Come To Save The Day!

On January 14, 2015 / Blog

Who remembers the cartoon Mighty Mouse? I used to watch it on Saturday morning’s while eating my Lucky Charms. Mike the mouse had an alter ego – Mighty Mouse, who would save the damsel in distress or sometimes stop the evil genius from world domination. You know, typical superhero stuff. I guess you could consider him the mouse version of Superman. Too bad the mice we encounter don’t have the same abilities. Although real mice can do some pretty incredible things, they are considered more of a nuisance than anything. The cold weather is driving any mice remaining outside into our homes and businesses. Let’s check out some interesting facts about mice.

Not Alone – If you find that you have mice in your home you are not alone. Mice enter an estimated 21 million American homes each year, mostly between October and February, in search of food, water and shelter.
Big Eaters – Although they are very small, mice eat 15 to 20 times per day and they are going to build their homes near a food source.
Little Olympians – Mice are very good at jumping, climbing and swimming. They can jump a foot into the air which makes it easy for them to gain access to your counters and pantry shelves. Keep food in sealed glass or plastic containers.
Magicians – Mice have the ability to disappear through tiny openings. They may not compare to David Copperfield but mice can fit through an opening the size of a dime. Even the smallest gaps in doors or walls will allow them entrance. Seal exterior walls with silicone caulk and use steel wool for inside cracks and openings.
Germaphobia – I think everyone knows that mice can carry salmonella but you may not know that mice can carry as many as 200 human pathogens. Yuck!
Were’s The Bathroom – Mice are not house trained. Obviously! Each mouse will leave between 40 – 100 droppings a day. They also give off micro drops of urine as they travel through your home. On the upside, they don’t vomit, if you can call that a positive.
Multiplicity – Female mice can have up to a dozen babies every three weeks. This can be up to 150 offspring a year. Not a good thing if they have made your home into their home!

As you can see, getting mice in your home is a somewhat common problem. But it’s a problem that needs to be resolved right away. A small issue can turn into a big one very quickly. For the health and safety of you and your family contact Rapid Pest Solutions if you suspect mice in your home. We will do an inspection and offer a rodent control program to fit your needs.

Free Inspection

The Wintertime Blues

On January 8, 2015 / Blog

January is probably my least favorite month. You have the post holiday slump, the weather is cold, there really isn’t anything to break the monotony. At least February is a short month and then in March you can start looking forward to Spring with some nice days mixed in with the bad. Also, there isn’t very much pest activity in January. As we discussed in my last blog the only trouble you might have would be with roaches or bed bugs. Since January is such a Winter wasteland and most of us would rather hibernate, I’m going to use this time to try and break the monotony with some weird, funny and uplifting posts. We can get back to the bugs next month!

Here is a compilation of some Winter Fails! Cars sliding, people slipping and more.

Snow art is a real thing. I didn’t know that although maybe you did. Some of the snow sculptures are breathtaking, like this one.

Some are more funny. Like these.

The Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man.

And The Pillsbury Doughboy

I think this family must really like cats!

I hope this was able to bring you a little distraction from the snow blowing outside your window. Think warm thoughts!

Some Bugs Don’t Care That It’s Cold

On January 6, 2015 / Blog

Just like that – Winter is here. The temperatures are well below freezing and with the windchill below zero! We just had our first substantial snowfall with more promised in the near future. Spring may seem very far away and not many of us are thinking about the types of bugs that come along with the warm weather. Still, there are some pests that will continue to be a nuisance even during the cold months. The best defense is a good offense. Here are two pests that are a problem no matter what the weather.

BED BUGS – It probably seems that we talk about bed bugs all the time. Well, we do. That’s because it is a real problem and it can affect anyone. The weather really has no bearing on bed bug activity. They will hitchhike on coats and bags and make themselves at home in whatever new spot they are introduced to. If you think you may have been in a place with a bed bug problem, put your clothes, coats, shoes, anything that you can, into a dryer on the highest heat setting for at least a half hour.
ROACHES – Roaches are another insect that doesn’t really care about the weather. They are very sturdy and can make themselves at home just about anywhere. A little water is really all they need since they will eat almost anything. (glue from the back of your wallpaper among other things) This is another pest that is usually brought in, often times on used appliances or furniture. Be very careful when buying second hand. Inspect all areas of your purchase. If there is any doubt – don’t bring it into your home.

JUST FOR FUN

Check out this video – we may not be too happy with the snow but these guys are loving it!

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If you suspect that you have bed bugs or roaches contact Rapid Pest Solutions. We’ve got a solution to fit your needs. Because Timing Is Everything!

Questions?

Happy New Year 2015

On December 31, 2014 / Blog

Well, here we are – New Years Eve. Tonight we will say goodbye to 2014 and usher in the New Year – 2015!

Bottle filling Champagne Glasses for celebrating new years eve 2015 with sparkling lightning numbers isolated on black background as new year greeting card

Happy New Year 2015

Looking at 2015 as the year we are entering feels strange. Futuristic, maybe? I was born in the 70’s and I remember a time when there was no internet. You couldn’t ‘Google’ all your questions and get answers immediately. When asking a question, my father would tell me “Look it up” and then point me in the direction of the Encyclopedia. (all 30-some volumes) Not nearly as easy as today. There was no DVR, no cell phone (at least not for everyday people), no streaming video, Facebook or email. I remember being nervous about Y2K and now here we are 15 years later. Time flies! And although we have many new advances in technology, we haven’t gotten nearly as far as some movies said that we would. Several movies made in the past take place in 2015 and the surrounding years. Parts of Back To The Future II are held in 2015. The Postman, made in 1997, took place in 2013 and Running Man, filmed in the 80’s, is set in 2017. Not that far in the future! What will the next 15 years hold for us? If we judge by the movies set in that time it could be pretty grim. We’re looking at Demolition Man set in 2023, Terminator in 2029 and Planet of the Apes also set in 2029. I’m not sure why filmmakers portray the future as bleak. Except for Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure – that was a pretty positive future – set in 2688.

On a lighter note – we all know that champagne is the most common beverage associated with New Year’s Eve. True champagne is made from grapes that come from the Champagne region of France. If it is made anywhere else it is just sparkling wine. Sorry Korbel! Check out this video for New Year’s Eve champagne facts.

Bottle filling Champagne Glasses for celebrating new years eve 2015 with sparkling lightning numbers isolated on black background as new year greeting card

More than anything, Rapid Pest Solutions wants you to celebrate safely. Don’t drink and drive. If you will be out and about in downtown Chicago take advantage of the CTA’s free trains and buses. They will run from 10p to 4a with extra stops in some areas. If you will be in the NW Indiana area take your celebration to The Quest in Dyer. They offer FREE rides home!

Rapid thanks you for a wonderful 2014 and we look forward to a prosperous 2015. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Even Santa Needs Rapid Pest Solutions

On December 22, 2014 / Blog

Have you ever stopped to wonder what life is like up at the North Pole? Do Santa and the elves have the same day to day experiences we do? My thoughts wandered around this topic and I started thinking what it would be like if the North Pole had pest problems and Santa called Rapid Pest Solutions for help. Here are some of my theories. Enjoy!

Mrs. Claus is baking up a storm. The kitchen is a whirlwind of flour, sugar and cocoa. There are pies, cakes, cookies and fudge of every kind. As she goes to the pantry to retrieve more ingredients she discovers a problem. Pantry Pests, oh no! Mrs. Claus is frantic and calls Rapid Pest Solutions to help. Luckily pantry pests are fairly easy to overcome and Rapid guides her through the necessary steps to make sure her cabinets are clean and free from intruders so that she can get back to baking all of Santa’s favorite goodies.

Bernard the Elf

Santa’s head elf, Bernard, has noticed a problem in the workshop. Many toys are stacked on the shelves waiting to be delivered to all the good children of the world. But as Bernard walked by he noticed what looked like sawdust all around the shelves. Upon further investigation he discovers large black ants among the many toys. Seems like Carpenter Ants and Rapid Pest Solutions is called in to treat the problem. It’s important to get the workshop back in tip-top shape as quickly as possible – the elves are on a schedule!

Santa has gone out to the barn to check on the reindeer and make last minute preparations for his Christmas journey. What he finds is disturbing. All nine of his reindeer are itching. What has caused such a problem and so close to Christmas Eve night? It seems that a batch of hay that was used as bedding, was brought in for the reindeer and it was full of Fleas. Thank goodness Santa knows to call Rapid. We were able to get that hay out of the barn and treat the area so that the reindeer could get some much needed rest before the big night.

Santa is finally home from his deliveries. He and Mrs. Claus are getting snuggled up in bed in the hope of a restful night. Unfortunately, Santa starts to itch. He and Mrs. Claus notice red bumps on their arms and legs. Pulling back the covers and investigating the bedding they discover Bed Bugs. It seems that Santa brought them back from his travels, just like we can when we travel. After putting all the bedding into a hot dryer Santa called Rapid Pest Solutions. We were able to treat his problem and bring peace of mind back to Santa and Mrs. Claus.

If it can happen to Santa, it can happen to anyone. No matter what your pest problem might be Rapid has the solution for you. We have customizable programs and services for everyone. Let us bring the peace of mind back to your home.

RAPID PEST SOLUTIONS WISHES YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Buckingham Fountain Chicago / Winter Lights

12 Safe Driving Tips For Winter Weather

On December 18, 2014 / Blog

Stay Safe While Traveling This Holiday Season And Throughout The Winter.

In the last blog we talked about not bringing uninvited guests back from your holiday travels. (bed bugs, yuck) This time I’d like to talk about safety in the actual travel itself. While some people might be flying to their Christmas destination many of us will be driving and although the weather hasn’t been bad, that can turn on a dime. It is the mid-west after all, we have some of the worst Winter weather in the United States. AAA offers great information on Winter driving safety. I am including a few points below but you can check out the full list of tips HERE.

Tires – Make sure that your tires are properly inflated. Never mix radial tires with other tire types.
Gas – Always make sure that your gas tank is at least half full. This will prevent the gas line from freezing.
Cruising – You shouldn’t use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface. Not just in snow and ice but wet or sandy conditions as well.
Click It – Always wear your seat belt. I think that says it all.

Even after the holidays we will still have about 3 months of Winter weather to contend with. There is a very real chance that at some point we will have significant snowfall. I don’t know about you but I do not like driving in the snow. I would much rather hibernate in my warm, cozy home and look at the snow through the window. But if you don’t have the choice of staying in be careful when you’re out there.

If bad weather is expected then make sure that others know where you’re going, the route and estimated arrival time. That way someone knows when to start worrying!
Be sure to have your cell phone with you. FULLY CHARGED – and bring along a car charger just in case.
Keep some blankets as well as extra gloves and hats in the vehicle.
Bring a long some bottled water and snacks. It’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
If you do break down or become stuck in the snow, stay with your vehicle. That will make it easier to find you and will also provide you with shelter. Don’t walk in a severe storm.
Tie something bright around your antenna or roll something up in a window. This is a signal of distress and it will make you easier to find.
Make sure the exhaust pipe isn’t blocked by snow, ice or mud. You don’t want carbon monoxide leaking back into the vehicle.
If you’re stranded for a long period of time you might need more insulation around your body. In this very extreme case you can use newspaper, maps, even floor mats, to provide extra protection from the freezing cold.

Using this information you can navigate safely through the Winter weather. Before you know it we will be back to complaining about the heat and humidity!

Rapid Pest Solutions

Holiday Hitchhikers

On December 15, 2014 / Blog

Don’t let bed bugs ruin your holiday vacation.

Christmas is a major travel time for many. Kids are on break and adults have long weekends. You may be going to visit friends and family or you are the one hosting the out of town guests. Either way it’s important to be aware of ‘Holiday Hitchhikers’. No, these are not people that you have picked up along the way. They are the bed bugs that could very easily be transported from place to place. Hotels are known to have bed bug activity and it’s unfortunate by public transportation such as buses, cabs and airplanes can carry them as well. Be vigilant and follow the steps below to make sure you don’t bring home any unwanted guests from your holiday adventures.

HOTELS

When you arrive in your room put luggage in the bathroom prior to inspecting your surroundings.
Pull back the blankets and check the sheets and pillow cases for blood spots. Be sure to check the piping along the edges of the mattress and box spring for stains and live bugs.
Most hotel headboards are mounted to the wall. Lift up slightly and tilt the headboard away from the wall so that you can see behind it. This is a major hiding spot for bed bugs.
Open the drawers of the bedside table and check inside and the underside of the drawers for hidden bed bugs.
DO NOT unpack into the dresser drawers and don’t leave your suitcase on the floor. Use the luggage rack. Be sure to move the rack away from the wall and and keep your bags closed.
If you do see signs of bed bug activity. Return to the front desk and ask for another room, one that does not share a wall with the room you just inspected.
If you do get a new room, inspect this one too.
Bring plastic bags with you and put your clothing into them before coming home.

HOME

When you return home from your travels take those plastic bags with your clothing directly to the laundry room.
Put everything into the dryer on the highest heat setting for a minimum of 30 minutes.
Vacuum out your luggage. When possible it is good to either freeze or steam clean your bags as well.
If you have had holiday guests and want to take extra precautions you can do the same thing with the bed linens when you change them. Directly into a high heat dryer.
As a precaution after vacuuming, always empty the bag or canister outside of the home.

If you will be traveling during the holidays, Rapid Pest Solutions sells bed bug inspection travel kits. These kits include everything you need for inspection and collection of a specimen as well as step by step instructions on how and where to look. Stop in to purchase one today.

We know that the holidays can be stressful enough without the added worry of Bed Bugs. If you suspect that bed bugs have managed to hitchhike home with you, give us call. We are here to help.

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‘Twas The Night Before Christmas…

On December 11, 2014 / Blog

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. OK – It’s more like 2 weeks before Christmas, I guess I got ahead of myself. Take a look at my latest holiday blog.

Christmas is celebrated by many people, both religious and non-religious. No matter which side you come down on I think everyone can agree that this time of year is filled with love, peace, family and giving. The spirit of the holiday can be found all around us. From the twinkling lights and the sweet smells of holiday baking to the giving of gifts and Christmas carols being sung. Let’s look at some of the history behind the holiday and where this celebration originated.

Mid-winter has long been a time for celebrating. Early Europeans celebrated the Winter Solstice, the shortest day and the longest night. The fact that they were able to start looking forward to longer daylight and more sun must have put them in the party mood. This is when the animals were slaughtered for feasts. (that way they didn’t have to feed them through the winter) and also the beer and wine made during the year was finally ready for drinking. Party! This year the return of the sun, aka: Winter Solstice, falls on December 21.

By celebrating Christmas at the same time as the Winter Solstice the church leaders increased the chances that Christmas would be accepted. On Christmas the believers would attend church services and then celebrate at rowdy, drunken festivals. (much like those in the paragraph above) The atmosphere of these celebrations is likened to our Mardi Gras today. Wow! Another interesting tradition during this time period is that the poor would go to the homes of the rich and demand there best liquor and food. If the homeowners didn’t comply then they would be terrorized. Sounds a little like The Purge if you ask me. {shudder}

In 1843 Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol was published. The message of which is the importance of charity and goodwill to all mankind. In 1870 Christmas was made an official federal holiday. Moving forward from this date our traditional Christmas celebration grew. Tree decorating, family get togethers, giving gifts, caroling and more.

PEACE – LOVE – FAMILY – HOPE – FAITH

It’s easy to get caught up in the shopping and stress of the holidays but take a moment to think about what truly matters. This video sums it up pretty perfectly. It only takes a couple of minutes to watch and it leaves you with a feel good message. You can’t beat that!

Rapid Pest Solutions would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a Merry Christmas.

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Archive for the Blog Category

Have You Heard…?

Coffee Lovers Beware

PRE-GROUND COFFEE MAY CONTAIN GROUND UP COCKROACHES

Here I Come To Save The Day!

The Wintertime Blues

Here is a compilation of some Winter Fails! Cars sliding, people slipping and more.

I hope this was able to bring you a little distraction from the snow blowing outside your window. Think warm thoughts!

Some Bugs Don’t Care That It’s Cold

JUST FOR FUN

Happy New Year 2015

Well, here we are – New Years Eve. Tonight we will say goodbye to 2014 and usher in the New Year – 2015!

Rapid thanks you for a wonderful 2014 and we look forward to a prosperous 2015. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Even Santa Needs Rapid Pest Solutions

If it can happen to Santa, it can happen to anyone. No matter what your pest problem might be Rapid has the solution for you. We have customizable programs and services for everyone. Let us bring the peace of mind back to your home.

RAPID PEST SOLUTIONS WISHES YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

12 Safe Driving Tips For Winter Weather

Stay Safe While Traveling This Holiday Season And Throughout The Winter.

Holiday Hitchhikers

Don’t let bed bugs ruin your holiday vacation.

HOTELS

HOME

‘Twas The Night Before Christmas…

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. OK – It’s more like 2 weeks before Christmas, I guess I got ahead of myself. Take a look at my latest holiday blog.

PEACE – LOVE – FAMILY – HOPE – FAITH

Rapid Pest Solutions would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a Merry Christmas.

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