Chicago is number one! But it’s a spot that they may want to let go of. It seems that once again Chicago, IL has been ranked as the number one city for bedbugs. Detection is key and Rapid Pest Solutions can help.
In this case, I believe that ignorance is bliss! This article features information on the bugs that the FDA allows into the foods that we eat every day. If you ever needed a reason to stop eating processed foods, trust me, this is it!
(I don’t think that I will ever purchase canned mushrooms again)
Let me know what you think. Is there something here that you aren’t willing to eat again?
http://www.rodalenews.com/bugs-food
A traditional Valentine’s gift is candy. A big heart shaped box full of chocolates, caramels and truffles. Sounds good, doesn’t it? What if your heart shaped box contained something different? How about chocolate – but with a twist. Chocolate covered crickets. ??? I know, sounds like something from Fear Factor, right? But there are quite a few different types of insects that you can get dipped in chocolate! If you have a sweetheart of the more adventurous nature you may want to check out these delicacies.
Either way, have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
I work in the pest control industry and bugs still give me the creeps! Although some of them can look pretty cool and be kind of interesting, I certainly don’t want to run into one face to face. Sealed in a bag or a jar, ok. A picture online, even better. But the truth is we will all run into some type of bug face to face or in our homes at one point or another. Knowing the facts about what you’re seeing is important and might even make you feel a little better. There are several insects out there that are absolutely harmless, like the Box Elder. If you run into a situation where you aren’t sure the type of bug you are dealing with, send us a picture. We will identify it for you. Don’t let bugs give you the creeps!
Winter is peak season for mice to enter your home. Like us, they want shelter from the cold and snow buy tamiflu. Identifying the problem is the first step. Do you notice signs of rodent activity in your home? These signs may include mouse droppings, gnaw marks, nighttime noises and more.
A mouse only needs a hole the size of dime to gain entry into your home. Mice are able to breed year round and can have up to 20 offspring per litter. They are mostly nocturnal but will live in a wide variety of places. Mice will live near a food source and will make their nests out of various materials.
Mice are known for spreading diseases including Salmonella and Hantavirus, which are particularly dangerous to children and pregnant women. Because of this, it is important to get rid of them as quickly as possible.
If you suspect a mouse in your house give Rapid Pest Solutions a call today! We are happy to do a complete inspection and give you a quote on eliminating the nest and identifying entry points so that they can be repaired. Rapid Pest Solutions can help keep your home rodent free!
Today is New Year’s Eve. Tomorrow we begin 2016 – Which according to the Chinese calendar is the Year of the Monkey. The Red Fire Monkey to be exact. ?!?!
A new year brings new beginnings. People look to make resolutions to change themselves for the better. You often hear that people resolve to lose weight, quit smoking, stop swearing, get in shape, spend more time with family, and many other things. Why does January 1st seem like such a great time to start these endeavors? Why don’t we feel the urge to better ourselves on May 1st? Or August 19th? July 25? I think it’s because on January 1st everything seems fresh.
- The date is 1/1.
- One = the beginning.
- Over much of the country there is snow. A white blanket that covers the ground.
- White = fresh and new.
- Soon Spring comes.
- Spring = a rebirth of plants, flowers and the earth around us.
So if resolutions are decisions we make to better ourselves, why do so many of us give up on them before the year is out? Maybe it’s because what we set out to do is too big of an undertaking to handle all at once. We overwhelm ourselves rather than looking at the small changes that we can handle. Giving up on a resolution can undermine our faith in ourselves. And if you can’t be your own best cheerleader then we have problems! Remember, to err is human. It’s important to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and CARRY ON! A slip up does not mean you broke your resolution. Giving up completely after that slip does. Never give up.
As we move ever forward, closer to 2016 with each moment, think of small changes you can make that will lead to big changes over time. Stay strong and stay true to yourself.
2016 might be the year of the Monkey but it’s got YOUR success written all over it!
RAPID PEST SOLUTIONS
Because Timing Is Everything!
Christmas is less than two weeks away but it sure doesn’t feel like it with temps that are steady in the 50’s. While many people dislike Winter and snow, I think we can all agree that a White Christmas is nice. One of the things I like about living in this area is that we normally have snow for the Holiday. So, with weather that feels more like mid-October, I am going to provide some much needed Winter stimulus to get us in the Christmas spirit.
My favorite Christmas movie is Elf. It’s bright and silly and still manages to get you the heartwarming message by the end. Will Ferrell in an Elf costume is classic.
Not quite sure what this guy was thinking. Something tells me it was a bet gone bad. No matter what the reason for this ice bath, it chills me to the bone just looking at it.
26 inches of snow over the course of 30 hours. This video makes me want to curl up under a cozy blanket with some hot chocolate and watch movies. No leaving the house until Spring!
That ice has got to be inches think. How could you possibly chisel out of that? Seriously? It would have to warm up considerably before you could get inside that car!
Now you should have that Winter vibe!
Hmmmm – Maybe we should be glad we aren’t have a cold and blustery Winter. We wouldn’t want to get stuck like they did at The Overlook Hotel!
The Shining
Rapid Pest Solutions wishes you a wonderful Holiday Season!
Holiday Madness is upon us. Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away and from there we dive head first into Christmas. The cooking, baking, parties and shopping can be overwhelming. You know what else can be overwhelming? Bed Bugs. If you’re traveling for the holiday or having company stay at your place, you are at risk! This does not mean you should shutter the windows, bar the doors and hide. It just means that you need to be vigilant.
Thanksgiving food
WHEN TRAVELING – Be aware of your surroundings. If you travel over the Holiday, make sure to fully inspect your room. You may benefit from a Bed Bug Inspection Kit. ($14.95)
- Put bags in the bathroom while you check the rest of the room.
- Most hotel headboards are attached to the wall. Use a flashlight to look behind them or lift them off the mountings to take a peek at the back.
- Pull the bedding off the mattress and check around the edges and seams. Look for blood spots, black dots that look like pepper or skin casings.
- You will also want to check behind any paintings hanging in the room, the bedside tables, drawers, in the seams of curtains and the any other furniture that is in the room.
- If you find evidence of Bed Bugs notify the front desk immediately. The hotel should have no problem giving you another room. Request one that is two floors away from the original room.
HOUSE GUESTS – Remember that having Bed Bugs is in no way a sanitation issue. Anyone can get them, they are picked up along the way and dropped off the same way. If you have guests staying with you over the Holidays you may want to take some precautions after they leave.
- Inspection is key. Using a strong flashlight look around the bed. Check end tables, dressers and other furniture.
- Remove any bedding and run it through the wash as soon as your guests have gone.
- Vacuum the area around the bed and furniture.
- Keep your eyes open for any live Bed Bugs as you straighten the room. If you notice any activity, contact a pest control professional.
Bed Bug Evidence
So bring on the Holidays! Go see Gram and Pa over in Ohio or let Aunt Martha and Uncle Lou stay with you this time. Spend the holidays with those you love – no worries!
If you find that Bed Bugs have made their way into your life call Rapid Pest Solutions.
Because Timing Is Everything!
October is my very favorite month and with that comes Halloween! To me October is apple cider, carving pumpkins, kids dressed up as their favorite characters, scary movies and the beautiful colors of the changing leaves. It seems the stores want to rush us right along to the Christmas season but please, let me enjoy October!
Spider House
Spiders scare me like no other. This house is hard for me to look at. Even though I know that there is nothing real about it.
Vampire Bat
I absolutely LOVE bats! I think they’re cute and they eat lots of mosquitoes in the summer months. Maybe the reason they are associated with Halloween is because of the Vampire Bat. Yes, there is such a thing.
I’m not sure – but isn’t the original idea of ‘Trick-or-Treating’ that the person gives you a treat or you will play a trick on them? What if the treat was the trick? How would things go over if the treats you were passing out were actually chocolate covered bugs?!
Chocolate covered scorpions, ants and crickets.
Vampire Spider
As if the things above aren’t scary enough, let’s not forget the Vampire Spider.
As I mentioned earlier, not everything about October is scary and related to Halloween. There are also the beautiful fall colors and traditions.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM RAPID PEST SOLUTIONS!
If you find something scary in your house this Halloween…spiders, mice, centipedes, or any other uninvited pests, contact Rapid Pest Solutions. We have a solution to fit your needs.
Because Timing Is Everything!
There are some things that we just know. Our weather is unpredictable, puppies are cute and you don’t put ketchup on a Chicago style dog. There are probably some things that only you understand based on your profession. The pest control industry is no different. Here are some things only exterminators will understand.
1. Eating In A Restaurant Will Never Be The Same – Those in the pest control industry are on high alert when dining out. Our eyes will be searching the corners for rodent stations and we will be paying attention to the smell. In case you didn’t know, cockroaches have a very distinct smell. A small prayer of thanks goes out when my favorite restaurant passes my quick inspection! However, I would rather eat at place that has pest control than not. Everything should be under control if they have regular service.
2. Free Advice – Friends and Family expect to get advice and treatments for free. Ants over running the kitchen? Mice nesting in your drawers? Termites eating your home? No, there is no magic trick we can do to get rid of your pests. It will require a regular treatment. And those treatments cost money!
3. I Only Have One Mouse – Ummm, yeah, sure. While I suppose it is possible to have only one mouse it is definitely not the norm. Usually by the time you see one mouse you have dozens. Don’t be fooled.
4. Every Issue Is A National Emergency – Every customer wants their appointment yesterday. While I understand that having ants or other bugs isn’t ideal, it really isn’t going to make much difference if we come later today, tomorrow or in 4 days. On the other hand, don’t wait for a minor nuisance to become a full blown infestation and then be upset when you have to wait a few days for an appointment. You’ve waited this long without calling, a couple more days won’t matter.
5. No Chemical – Many customers want to be Green, either for the sake of the environment, their families health or other reasons. The problem is you can’t kill pests that way. Peppermint oil, lemon juice, dryer sheets and other homemade remedies don’t work. We don’t have to use an abundance of chemical, your house will not be glowing neon green after your treatment. Keep in mind, a certain amount of pesticide is needed to get the results you desire. That’s all there is to it.
